#Christians when they use friendship as a way to 'witness' to you

[neverendingford]

.

[misc-obeyme]

You gotta face the facts, CC, ciaran's Mom is now popular, lmao. I can imagine Ciaran's Mom becoming popular with the Demon brothers (+Side characters) because they all desperately need a mother figure in their ancient lifetime.

Imagine her bringing Lucifer coffee/tea and snacks when he’s working late finishing his paperwork. Scolding Satan to clean his messy room. Sewing Belphies Pillow cuz it got somehow ripped. Cooking Traditional Irish food for Beel. Drinking tea with Barbatos. Spending time with the Angel trio, listening to Simeon talk about his book TSL, baking with Luke together and preventing Raphael from using his speer and so on.

But then there's Diavolo, who never had a mother figure, and maybe that got break her heart. So, despite being the future king of hell, pulling him into a hug to comfort him only for Diavolo, to almost tear up. Diavolo might ask Ciaran to marry him so that he could gain a mother-in-law (among other reasons to marry them).

And then there's Ciaran in the background witnessing all of this. Bonus: Ciaran's mom pulling out an old photo book with baby pictures of Ciaran.

sdksdfjk OKAY

First of all, I never even expected people to be so interested in Ciaran, let alone their mom!

Second of all, MY HEART.

Okay, okay, so while Ciaran's mom doesn't currently have a name, I do have a vague idea of what she's like. Absolutely just a plump lil Irish lady, complete with lilting accent and the desire to feed everybody.

And she would absolutely do all of those things, bringing Lucifer coffee and sewing up Belphie's pillow and so on~

But OH. OH NO. DIAVOLO.

Now listen, if Diavolo wanted a mom figure, she'd adopt him without him needing to marry Ciaran. She'd be like "Go on and marry them if you like, love, but either way, you're my adopted son now."

Meanwhile Ciaran is like "Mom you're Catholic. Are you sure you can just adopt the next Demon King like that?"

To which she would say, "Being kind to everyone is the Christian thing to do, Ciaran."

Though if Diavolo still wanted to marry Ciaran, I think that'd be pretty dang adorable. I've never really thought about their relationship beyond the surface level friendship, but I think they'd be super cute together.

Either way, Ciaran's mom is happy to give him motherly hugs whenever he likes. Man, that image of him tearing up is doing something to my poor heart!!

Oh but now I'm imagining her making Ciaran bring her back to the human world for mass and confession. She's in the confessional like, "Father, I have been cavorting with demons."

And the priest, who knows her because she's been going to church there for years, thinks that's her cute way of saying she's struggling with alcohol or something lol.

Please, this is so ridiculous.

You can be sure Ciaran would not be pleased about the baby pictures situation, either.

They'd be like, "Why would you even bring that photo album to the Devildom??"

And she'd be like, "Can't you ever indulge your mam? I wanted all your new friends to see your childhood."

Ciaran is blushing furiously and groaning in embarrassment while all the demons discover for the first time that Ciaran's natural hair color is black. (They didn't start dying it blue until they were older.) Their mom is just regaling everybody with embarrassing stories from their childhood lksdalkff

I gotta give her a name now don't I?

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for October 22, 2024

  Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 26:24-26 (KJV): 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. Proverbs 26:24-26 (AMP): 24 He who hates pretends with his lips but stores up deceit within himself. 25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart. 26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

Thought for the Day

Verses 24-25 - Cunning people often practice guile; pretending to be friendly to those they hate to find a way to hurt them. There are many Biblical accounts of such deceit. Abel's murder probably is one of those, for Cain, after becoming angry, "...talked to Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him" (Genesis 4:8). Genesis 34 records the deceit enacted by Jacob's sons, who in vengeance for their sister Dinah, feigned friendship with Shechem and his family so that they could easily kill them.

We ought to be cautious in making new friends and should certainly beware if anyone who has previously hated us suddenly becomes friendly. Verse 25 says that there are seven abominations in the heart of one who poses as a friend. These abominations may be the ones listed in Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

We will recall that Jesus said that he who hates anyone commits murder in his heart, and that he who looks at a woman with lust commits adultery in his heart. In the same way, these seven sins can be present in the hearts of those who pretend friendship. We should be careful to befriend only those of proven good character. This does not mean we are to shun people in the world, as we should witness to them through our godly actions, but we should not make friends with sinners.

Verse 26 - A cunning person may successfully conceal his hatred, but regardless of how many people he deceives, his wickedness will eventually be exposed. There may be a public exposure on earth or exposure before the church on Judgment Day, when Christ separates those who think themselves to be Christians from those who really are (Matthew 7:21-23). Sooner or later, sins concealed by guile will be revealed. "...Ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23b).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, we are grateful that You are a merciful God and we appreciate Your love toward us when we fail You. Lord, set us free from any trace of guile, and forgive those who have used treacherous words against us. Lord, warn us when people are trying to deceive us with smooth words so that we are not tricked into any agreements that are not of You. Have mercy on those whose sins are exposed before all and cause their shame to turn them back to You in repentance. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ, gatekeeperwatchman.org  TM ‎Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups. #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO.

[exvangelicalrage]

Heartbreak

5/12/23

When I was fifteen, my best friend called me on the phone. We'd been best friends since we were three years old; we'd met in the church nursery and spent every possible hour together. As we grew, we went to different schools, and when we were ten, our families began to attend different churches, but our friendship remained steadfast. We did everything together—from family parties, to sleepovers, to going on vacation, to competing to see who could read the most books, to picking on each other's brothers, to writing letters (even though we only lived ten minutes apart), to building forts in the woods, to arts and crafts, to 4H—everything. Not to mention, we talked on the phone nearly every day.

But this phone call was a little different. She sounded serious.

"You go to public school," she told me. She'd been homeschooled since third grade. 

"Yeah?"

"I'm afraid you'll be a bad influence on me. We shouldn't talk anymore." It was abrupt. Out of the blue. Completely unexpected.

I was only fifteen. I'd never had a boyfriend; never had a breakup. None of my grandparents had died, nor anyone else close to me. I'd never experienced heartbreak before.

I said okay and hung up the phone. And then I sobbed. 

Utterly heartbroken.

She'd broken our friendship because I wasn't good enough. I wasn't holy enough. I wasn't "christian" enough. 

It was weird for me too, because even in my deep and abiding pain, I understood what she meant about me being a "bad influence." She'd been participating in an online forum called Daughters of Faith or Daughters of god or some such nonsense. She'd taken to wearing jean skirts and high-necked button-down shirts. She had a purity ring and a hope chest and was planning for her eventual marriage and children. She was strongly opposed to kissing before marriage; she was married to god until he saw fit to provide her with a husband.

I, on the other hand, went to public school and was considering college. I had a purity ring too, and had been baptized, but I regularly faced "the devil" in the faces of my classmates. I had to put on the armor of god every day, become a fierce warrior for the lord. Not to mention, I'd even had crushes at the ripe old age of fifteen. Who knew what could happen? I could be swayed to give into temptation at any time. And despite my obsession with perfection, my desperation to understand holiness and to be pure enough for heaven—even I understood how close to danger I stood every day. 

Her logic made sense. Though understanding didn't make it hurt any less.

Fast forward to when I was seventeen. I started dating my first boyfriend; I was a senior in high school and he was a freshman in college. 

He believed god meant for us to be together, for life. We were going to get married. But, he wanted to do everything the "right" way, so he set boundaries. No kissing, no touching except for hand-holding, no being alone together in a room with a closed door, no seeing each other's bedrooms—those are just the rules I remember. There were a lot more.

I believed him when he told me he felt it was god's will for us to be together. I wasn't planning to go to college; I would wait for him to graduate (he was a year older than me), and then we would marry and I would begin my life as a wife and mother. But he would ask me sometimes, "Do you feel it? Do you feel that it's god's will to be with me?" and I would reply, "No, but I trust you."

Then one day he said to me, "I have to make a confession. I got drunk as a swim party last night and kissed another girl." 

At first, I couldn't even process what he was saying. He hadn't even kissed me, and we'd been dating for over a year. But I didn't know how to feel. I didn't know what I was supposed to feel. 

Was this god testing me? 

I said okay. He asked if I was breaking up with him. I said I had to think about it.

I thought about it for three weeks before I made my decision. Ultimately, I decided I couldn't believe god wanted me to spend my life with someone I couldn't trust. So I broke up with him.

And then I sobbed. Utterly heartbroken.

Fast forward again. I went to college. I moved to a different state. I tried to find christian friends. I went to dozens of churches. I talked with their pastors. I went to their young adult events. I asked questions. And one church at a time, I was shown the door. 

Sometimes it was a subtle rejection—a pastor laughing when I asked a serious question or not responding to an email. 

Sometimes it was blatant, like the time I tried to add a youth leader I'd met five times as a friend on FB, and he messaged me to say he didn't accept friend requests from strangers. Or the time I tried to volunteer, and they said they didn't have any room for me.

Eventually, I switched tactics. Every time I tried a new church, I would say that I was "seeking." After all, that was supposed to be christian code for "Pay attention to me! Potential convert!" 

It didn't work.

I went to church less and less. My high school christian friends had vanished into their own lives. The youth leaders from my teenage years, also gone. I didn't get emails or phone calls from anyone. Didn't even see them when I went home to visit my family.

It became clear to me that no one wanted me. I was alone with only meager scraps of my christianity left. And there was no one to help me piece them back together.

Maybe this was another test, I thought. But the thing was, if my childhood best friend didn't want me, nor my ex-boyfriend who I thought loved me, nor any of the pastors or leaders or christians I'd encountered in my travels—what evidence was there that god himself wanted me? 

He didn't talk to me. He didn't answer my prayers. He didn't give me peace. He didn't offer me comfort in my loneliness. He didn't put up any neon signs that said, "This is the church for you." And he certainly didn't answer any of my bottomless list of questions.

And neither did the people who purported to be his hands and feet—and mouthpieces presumably. 

About a year after I graduated from college, I flew to Los Angeles to visit my only remaining high school friend. They took me to the Getty Center, where we stood and looked out over a vivid west coast sunset.

"Can I tell you something?" I asked.

"Anything," they said. 

"I don't think I'm a christian anymore." 

"That's okay." 

And with those words, my last scrap of faith burned up in that flaming red sun. 

No horde of demons rushed into my mind, if you can believe it. I wasn't dragged to hell by Satan. I didn't even feel bad.

Instead, I felt free. Freer than I ever had.

I was still heartbroken, but it was different this time. Because rather than being rejected and betrayed by those who were supposed to love me in the name of christ, this time, I had been the one to turn my back on them. It was my choice. I'd made my own path. 

And already, in the first moments of my new life, there was someone there to walk alongside me.

[neechees]

oh wow i forgot you liked the ritual haha it’s one of my favorite horror movies! n that’s probably bc i haven’t seen very many and it was one of my first but. it is what it is

i would love to hear some of your thought/things you like about it :)

Ok!!

I think The Ritual can also be seen as having a theme about abuse, but rather than it being between the protagonist & one of his friends or partner, it's between Modr & her cultists/worshippers (& maybe by extension, also shows how cults trap people & victimize them when they're vulnerable). Modr stalks people (& specifically Luke & his friends) & breaks them down until she has the last person, the most "damaged" or traumatized person, to be her worshipper. Just like cults & abusers in real life, Modr chooses someone who's gone through something traumatic to be the singular sole survivor. Witnessing any companions they might've had die brutally & then go through something horrifying, while they are in pain, will make them more likely to accept Modr's offer of either living with these other humans with no pain & never aging, or be brutally murdered. It's essentially a non choice.

Modr also breaks down any support system her sole survivor has & tries to crush any resistance to her, and this is why she kills Hutch first (the most level headed person within the group, the most supportive, the one who's keeping the friends together like glue, the mediator, & the "leader"). Abusers irl also try to cut off their victims' support systems & try to make sure that their victim doesn't retaliate in any way by various means (like physical abuse, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, etc). Modr does all these & manipulates the group using dreams & their loved ones against them.

I think Modr is doing all this in the first place out of fear & desperation: this is just my theory, but I think it's trapped there specifically because paganism at this point is obviously not the main religion within Sweden anymore, & I think Modr's powers & influence come from prayers & worship from humans, so she has to force them into it because she is an unknown god (who became irrelevant due to Christianization of Scandanavia & lost information) & outside of that little neck of the woods, she has no believers & will probably die without them. I think it's possible that the other Norse gods are greatly weakened or maybe even dead in the film because again, lack of worship. Because why would Modr, a Jotun bastard child of Loki, not be in Jotunheim? I think she's stuck there. Her fear is to become forgotten, & so she has to abuse people into worshipping her, & in return she gives them immortality.

Fear is another theme for the movie. I know you could say that about a lot of horror films because, horror lol, but it really does show up in a lot of ways. Fear is what causes Luke to freeze at the convenience store where his friend dies (& this is what starts the whole plot & why they went hiking in the first place), fear is what Modr uses to terrorize the friends to eventually get another follower & what she uses to abuse her worshippers, fear is what drives Modr to do what she does, & fear is what Luke eventually overcomes by being courageous for his escape.

Side notes: I love the theme of friendship between the group. Despite the fact that they, at times, were very hostile towards each other, I didn't really catch onto any toxic masculinity mindsets too much (at least compared to some other films featuring all guys, if & when it was there, it was pretty minor) besides maybe Dom & Luke fighting (& they eventually make up), but you can see a lot of love between them. There's a lot of points where they were very loving & vulnerable with each other while being terrorized & afraid, & it's their love for each other that makes them want to survive. Idk it was a nice thing to see.

& I guess that's it! It's one of my faves too :)

[lemonduckisnowawake]

Some of you all in the notes scare me so I really and desperately want to clarify that this pairing doesn't have to be romantic, please. And it absolutely is not supposed to be sexual or erotic in any way or form. It's primarily a Comedy and here are more examples

"I am immortal. I have lived for centuries. I have wisdom and angst beyond all measure -" "Neat. Can I introduce you to an Infinite God?"

"You are but a child to my agelessness. Time has stopped for me and you dare compete to be my bride?" "...no? I'm already the bride of Christ, anyway?"

"Hey, want to go to church with - " *cue hissing noises*

"HUG ATTACK - " "NO. DON'T HUG ME, MORTAL FOOL. YOUR HOLINESS BURNS!

"Why is your house LITTERED with crosses?" "... it's not? There's literally only one of them in the living room?" "So what's the foreboding feeling of judgment I feel every time I sneak into your room to use your computer?" "How should I - wait, you do what?"

"You know...when all is said and done, I don't know why you feel so averse of me since I'm not that good of a Christian anyway" *cue the vampire who tried to pat her shoulder in comfort looking absolutely livid* "Tell that to my injured HAND!" *smacks her and almost dies again* "You're not allowed to have Christian impostor syndrome when I almost turned to ash just trying to make you feel better!"

See? Just a silly comedy between a Christian and a vampire who, despite being undead, feels drawn to her and we can also have a fun little theological symbolic story about the importance of Christian witnesses living out the fire of the Spirit...how friendship and relationships can make someone wonder about said dangerous fire in their Christian friend and decide to risk being burned because they see it will purify them, in this essay -

You know, it's a tragedy that there are no (or very little) Vampire x Christian stories out there, not for angst or theology or forbidden seductiveness or whatnot but for the sheer comedy of it all. I mean, the Christian would technically be immune to all of the vampire's shenanigans, like for example...

Vampire: Fool, I am the most powerful vampire in the West. Nothing but the force of an entire holy temple could even deign to scratch me Christian: Idiot, I AM a holy temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19, fear me and the Spirit inside that can burn you to ashes

[wutbju]

Charles Evans Hartman, Jr. October 27, 1943 - February 17, 2023 We are sad to announce the passing of Charles "Chick" Evans Hartman, Jr., 79, of Greenville, South Carolina. Chick was surrounded by his immediate family when he passed away on February 17, 2023, from complications after heart surgery.

Chick was born to Charles and Harriet Hartman on October 27, 1943, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Following graduation from Bob Jones Academy, he attended Bob Jones University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. His career began at Bendix Corporation and then Burroughs Corporation in New Jersey. He went on to start and manage several investment banking companies in oil and gas, coal and real estate in New Jersey, Texas, New Mexico, West Virginia, Florida and South Carolina. Through the years, he experienced financial successes and losses but always brought an abundance of energy and business acumen to each venture and deeply appreciated the professional friendships forged through these endeavors. One of his favorite sayings was, "Tough times don't last, tough people do." Along the way, he taught at Clearwater Christian College and also helped establish their school of business. He was a proud Mason, member of the Monroe Lodge #244/Truth Lodge in Monroe, NC and later a member of Taylors Lodge No. 345, in Taylors, South Carolina.

Chick is survived by his former wife and best friend, Amanda "Betty" Hartman, and their three children, Vanessa Kormylo and her husband Matt, Heather Hartman and Eric Hartman. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Kathryn, Knox, Matthew and Andrew whom he loved dearly. Chick's sister, Mary McPheters, her husband Ralph, their three sons Mickey, Royce and Rex, and their families also survive him.

As a Presbyterian, Chick held a strong faith and belief in his Savior. He was known for his generous and optimistic spirit. He had a quick wit and great sense of humor, not usually known for holding back. Chick was an avid reader, enjoying a good spy novel in addition to a passion for history.

His heart was always in West Virginia where he spent many summers as a child with his beloved grandmother, Mary Blaney, on their family farm.

If you were to ask Chick what he was most proud of, he would without a doubt say his family. In times of bounty and times of hardship, he always made sure their needs were met. He enjoyed playing golf at Sawgrass during his time working in Florida, cooking and family meals together and the very special and always memorable family ski trips out west.

We are forever grateful for his love and care for us. He will be greatly missed.

Honoring Chick's wishes, his family will celebrate his life privately, with no public ceremony or service.

[just-bible-musings]

What Saves and What Doesn't

Apologetics has its place, of course, and I obviously love me some Biblical discourse. But apologetics alone is not enough to lead people to salvation. No one was ever saved by a Christian arguing with them.

Creationism doesn't save. Eschatology doesn't save. Telling someone they're wrong and bad and sinful doesn't save. "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" type speeches and sermons do not save. 5-step plans do not save. "Knowing and doing what's right" doesn't save. All of these things have their places, but they cannot save. Not on their own.

Wanna know what does save? The Gospel and the Holy Spirit. And that's it. Show people that they are sinners, lost without Christ- but DON'T rub their faces in their sins. Paul said:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

"Friendship witnessing" and trying to make your speech perfect and relevant is a farce. Paul was the most effective witness/missionary that ever lived, sparking a movement that would eventually reach around the entire world, and writing letters that made it into the Bible and are still read today.

Now, that's not to say that Paul didn't sometimes speak to specific situations. For instance, he stood in the Aeropagus in Athens and preached about the Athenian "altar to the unknown god" (Acts 17), essentially telling them, "hey, that 'unknown god' of yours is God, Himself." And I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has said that Paul must have been a sports fan because he referenced marathons so many times.

How and when you should tailor your witnessing to a specific situation is entirely dependent on whether the Holy Spirit moves you to. Proof:

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:17-18

Paul had many opportunities over several days to exorcise this woman, but he wisely waited until the Spirit moved him to do so. And because of the events that followed (being arrested, being cast into prison, the Spirit miraculously freeing him and Silas from prison), not only the jailer who witnessed those events, but his entire family and servants came to Jesus, and the Philippian church was born.

You can't do it on your own!!! You can't lead people to Jesus just by talking to them- the Spirit of God has to be present in every word you speak. And in every move you make.

I, myself, have absolutely no gift for witnessing. I've prayed countless times for God to give me such a gift, and He has yet to give it to me. I usually just confuse people, or make them mad. Well, at least when they get mad, I know they understood something. Still, this is not the reaction I hope for. Hate me for this if you want, but I've stopped witnessing in person because I feared that I was pushing people away from God. So my only options for spreading the Gospel now are to leave tracts, and this blog.

And... one other option. My life.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The idea, I think, is that if I live my life in such a way that God's presence is evident, then other people will notice. And when I tell them that it's all because of God, that will bring Him glory. And who knows but that they may seek Him because they saw Him in me, even if I have no gift to tell them how to find Him?

Of course, witnessing in any form comes with a caveat: we can't save everyone. Er... well, lemme rephrase that. We can't save anyone, only God can; we just lead people to Him and He does the saving.

But anyway, we shouldn't get discouraged by an unfortunate fact: not everyone that God puts in our life will accept Him, no matter how hard we try. I posted a video recently that discussed the "unforgiveable sin," which, as I've always believed, is simply the sin of unrepentance. Some people have rejected God so thoroughly that they will never accept Him. We see this with Pharoah, we see this with the Hebrews throughout the Old Testament, we see this with Judas and the scribes and Pharisees who crucified Jesus. Some people can never be saved because they do not want to be.

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 1 John 5:16

I feel like this must be talking about the unforgiveable sin, of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:30-32).

This is true even of God. God can do ANYTHING, but He can't save someone who refuses salvation. Because salvation can only happen if someone is in agreement with God.

[starsandstarsandstarsandstars]

February 20, 2023 at 10:00 PM

Dear Christian, It feels like I've been dreaming about you for years! From the day I first heard your songs, I knew you were a star. You have such admiration and respect that it's been incredible to witness first-hand how your fans feel about you. I thought it was inevitable that you and I would be apart of each other's lives. But it wasn't meant to be, and I understand that. I still feel connected to you in a way I can't explain. Then there's this incredible feeling I get when I'm revisiting your songs and music videos late at night. I feel like I've been transported to a different world, rediscovering memories and moments between the two of us. It's like I'm with you for just a few moments, until reality sets in. Sometimes I wish we could have met in person! But I'm confident that our friendship will be something that I'll appreciate for many years to come. There's an uncanny bond that I feel, and I'm sure you can feel it too. Take care, Stars

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for the Day Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 26:24-26 (KJV):

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

Proverbs 26:24-26 (AMP):

24 He who hates pretends with his lips but stores up deceit within himself.

25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

Thought for the Day

Verses 24-25 - Cunning people often practice guile; pretending to be friendly to those they hate to find a way to hurt them. There are many Biblical accounts of such deceit. Abel's murder probably is one of those, for Cain, after becoming angry, "...talked to Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose against Abel his brother, and slew him" (Genesis 4:8). Genesis 34 records the deceit enacted by Jacob's sons, who in vengeance for their sister Dinah, feigned friendship with Shechem and his family so that they could easily kill them.

We ought to be cautious in making new friends and should certainly beware if anyone who has previously hated us suddenly becomes friendly. Verse 25 says that there are seven abominations in the heart of one who poses as a friend. These abominations may be the ones listed in Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

We will recall that Jesus said that he who hates anyone commits murder in his heart and that he who looks at a woman with lust commits adultery in his heart. In the same way, these seven sins can be present in the hearts of those who pretend friendship. We should be careful to befriend only those of proven good character. This does not mean we are to shun people in the world, as we should witness to them through our godly actions, but we should not make friends with sinners.

Verse 26 - A cunning person may successfully conceal his hatred, but regardless of how many people he deceives, his wickedness will eventually be exposed. There may be a public exposure on earth or exposure before the church on Judgment Day when Christ separates those who think themselves to be Christians from those who are (Matthew 7:21-23). Sooner or later, sins concealed by guile will be revealed. "...Ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23b).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, we are grateful that You are a merciful God and we appreciate Your love toward us when we fail You. Lord, set us free from any trace of guile, and forgive those who have used treacherous words against us. Lord, warn us when people are trying to deceive us with smooth words so that we are not tricked into any agreements that are not of You. Have mercy on those whose sins are exposed before all and cause their shame to turn them back to You in repentance. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, GatekeeperWatchman.Org

Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups

Saturday, October 21, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA.

[steveezekiel]

THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY 1 [Psalm 1]

1. “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, nor stands in the path of sinners, NOR SITS IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL;

2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 1:1,2 (NKJV)

• God’s blessings anchor on conditions.

- If you want to serve God, you have to do it with all your heart (Deuteronomy 10:12).

SOME claimed to be Christians yet they have the people of the world, unbelievers, as their friends.

- Whoever comes to Jesus Christ has the need to forsake the old things in his or her Life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

21. "If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22. THAT YOU PUT OFF, CONCERNING YOUR FORMER CONDUCT, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23. AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND,

24. AND THAT YOU PUT ON THE NEW MAN WHICH WAS CREATED ACCORDING TO GOD, IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS."

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NKJV)

- There are some who said they WANTED to serve GOD, but then, they still want to maintain their relationship, FRIENDSHIP with the ungodly (James 4:4).

IF you have come to Jesus Christ, you will have to set aside things that could be a weight, things that would not allow you to run the race which God has set before you.

“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.”

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

- Weights are legitimate things that Believers do in excess.

YOU lay aside weights in order to run the Christianity race.

- Note: Christianity is a race.

IN running a race, you cannot afford to carry ANYTHING that could weigh you down, otherwise you will not win the race.

- You lay aside any sin that can easily ENSNARES you.

TO get the best of God you have to give Him your total heart.

• "Blessed is the man [woman] who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly," (Psalm 1:1).

- To walk in the counsel of the ungodly, the wicked, means to be practicing or doing what the UNGODLY are doing.

YOU cannot relate with the ungodly and not emulate them.

- You emulate what you see.

WHO are your friends?

WHO are the people you relate with?

- A person's thoughts are governed by association—the people he or she relates with, those whom he hang-out with.

ALSO, someone's thoughts can be influenced by what he or she listens to Or watches.

WHEN you relate with the ungodly, what they do will influence you directly or indirectly: “Do not be deceived: “EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS" (I Corinthian 15:33).

WHAT you see and hear influence you, either positively or negatively.

RELATING with the ungodly is tantamount to walking in their COUNSEL.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

James 4:4 (NKJV)

- What you do, the way you live your life, and the people you relate with can make you God’s enemy or friend. Jesus said: "YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU" (John 15:14).

- Through the people you Walk with, you can receive God’s favour or disfavour: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20).

• "Nor stands in the path of sinners," (Psalm 1:1).

YOU stand in the path of sinners when you do what they do, LIVE your life the way they do.

- The world has come to the church. The church emulates the world, what the church sees in the world, she does.

THE church also wants to be like the world: wants to dress up like the people of the world, talks like the people of the world, and pattern everything she does after the people of the world.

IF I may ask, as a believer, ARE you treading the right path to heaven?

1. "IF THEN YOU WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH."

Colossians 3:1,2 (NKJV)

• "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful" (Psalm 1:1).

- A scornful is a mocker, someone who makes fun of other people.

SCORNERS do not see anything good in other people, he or she could not see good things in what others are doing.

THEY mock, deride, castigate, and make jest of other people and what they do.

SCORNERS Make less important: The move of God, the doings of God in the lives of others.

“Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” ”

2 Samuel 6:20 (NKJV)

- Michal considered what David did unethical, that dancing exuberantly before God without minding anyone, was indecent in the sight of Michal.

IN HER sight, David lacks decorum.

SHE said what David did was shameful, it does not befit a king, a king should not have done that.

“So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. THEREFORE I WILL PLAY MUSIC BEFORE THE LORD.”

2 Samuel 6:21 (NKJV)

SCORNERS are egocentric, full of the self and are conceited.

A self-conceited person, arrogant, would not want to humble himself or herself.

- Humility is a choice, however, if you chooses not to humble yourself, you may find yourself being resisted or opposed by God: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE" (James 4:6).

IF you are full of the self, you cannot walk with God.

GOD would not walk with a proud person, He stands on such a person's way.

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, AND BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY, FOR “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

IF you have pride that gives birth to egos, and leads to scorn or contempt, then you have God to battle with.

- The truth is: God scorns the scornful (Proverbs 3:34).

GOD frustrates the efforts of every scorner.

IF you do not want God to humble you, you humble yourself.

- Michal was the only barren woman recorded in the Bible who did not have a child till her death: “Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death" (2 Samuel 6:23).

- If you have scorners as friends or companions; you will need to break up your friendship with such, if you do want God’s Blessings and Favour on your life.

NOTE: Do not join those who mocked OR trivialised the things of God.

DO not criticize or castigate whatever someone else is doing for God.

• "But [the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly] HIS delight is in the law of the LORD" (Psalm 1:2).

- Do you have delight in God’s Word?

IF your delight is not in God’s Word, it means you are not qualified to receive from Him.

- Some are not happy reading or hearing the Word of God.

DOES the Word of God excited you?

DOES it aroused you?

• "And in HIS law he meditates [ponders by talking to himself] day and night," (Psalm 1:2).

- To meditate is to ponder, think on the Word—talking to oneself.

YOU read the Word of God and ponder, think on it, to get the best of it.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

TO BE CONTINUED

[kpopjust4u]

Colour me selfish.

Post Date: 1st September 2022 Content: Angst(ish)/ Fluff - Day6 Jae x Reader WC: 2.1K TW?: Themes of Jealousy/ Best Friends to Lovers/ “And they were roommates”/ College Au Request?: Yes Masterlist                                    Prompt list

Prompts: 38 - “I hate you” 40 - “I could use a hug right now” 49 - “Are you jealous?”

You’ve had a crush on your roommate Jae for the longest time ever but have never spoken a word about it; not that you would anyway in worries that’ll ruin everything you’ve built together for your friendship. 

Your usual college day routine was to get coffee before class started, sit through two of your classes then go for lunch, and it was ALWAYs with Jae, Christian and Alex. Never missed a day without having lunch with them unless something extremely important came up. It was like a ritual. 

Of course, you had to be at the loudest table in the hall, but that couldn’t be helped, Jae’s laugh could be heard across the country but you loved it despite the number of stinking looks that others give you when trying to eat their food. 

As always, Jae was the last to grab his food, leaving the table to go get some after ranting and raving about this guy in his class that would not stop talking about some girl he thinks he was courting, but it was obvious she was just being nice not to hurt him. 

Just out of chance, your eyes follow Jae around the hall, for some reason carefully watching him like you had to be ready to protect him at any given chance. 

Although your face drops the minute you see a girl, who you’ve never seen in your life go up to Jae, heartbreaking the minute you see a grin on his face as he wraps his arms around her, bringing her in for a hug. 

Disconnecting from the hug, the girl caresses his arm, discussing with him something that he must’ve found funny by the way his laugh fills the hall once again. 

If you didn’t speak about how much you hated the interaction that you witnessed, your face surely showed it. 

“So, who’s Jae with at the moment?” you asked, flicking your pen in between your fingers as they briefly look up, digging into the rest of their food, “That’s Chloe, one of his friends and she’s in one of Jae’s classes”, Alex spoke, watching you carefully as you drop your head.

“Right...” you scoff to yourself, the word friend could’ve been taken with a pinch of salt with the way that they greeted each other. “I’m going to the library, laters,” you add, forcing a smile before dashing out of the hall.

Alex and Christian look at each other both confused and worried, “I’ll go see what’s wrong, see you in a bit,” Christian rushes to say, chasing after you and leaving the two friends behind in the hall.

You’re cramped up in the corner of the room where the computers were, cramming all of your work in front of you to try and get inspiration to get some research done for your project that was due at the end of the week.

In frustration, you face palm the desk, arms dropping to your sides before getting interrupted by a pat on the back and a recognisable voice gently asking if you’re okay at the side of you.

“Huh?... Oh hi, Chris,” you mumble, lifting your head up to see who was there, forcing the fakest smile you could as he kneels towards you, “Tell me, what’s wrong?”.

Of course, it was about Jae and that Chloe girl, but you lifted your papers into your hands, waving them gently as if to show Christian that it was your work that was bothering you, however, he wasn’t falling for the bait. 

“Are you jealous?” Chris asks, earning a confused look from you as you scrunch your eyebrows together, tilting your head to the side as you stare at your friend blankly.

“I mean, about Jae and Chloe, with those two being close, are you jealous?” Chris adds the context to his question in which your face clearly gives him the answer once the mention of her name falls from his lips.

“I’m not jealous... I just... I just like Jae, a lot,” you answer but with an almost whine, not believing that those were actually coming out of your mouth to your other flatmate. Yes he was a friend too but it was awkward, it was also his friend that you were talking about. 

“So you like Jae? Is it friendly like or “like-like”, Chris teases, nudging you lightly to see the smile that slowly creeps on your face?

Taking a deep breath, you couldn’t help but giggle, Chris knew the answer and you knew he was just trying to be that guy friend who teases their girl friend about their crushes. 

“I like, like him,” you reply, nudging Chris back when he laughs at you.

Back at the flat, you’re in the kitchen, leaning on the countertop with your head dangling over the work that you tried to get done earlier on in the day but the discussion about you liking Jae lasted a lot longer than you’d liked it to be but at least it was peaceful in the flat for you to try and focus. For now.

That was until the door goes, and a laugh bound of laughter fills the flat. Your heart sinks into your stomach, realising who’s home as your head falls into your hands.

“Hey, Y/N,” Jae calls out, throwing down his backpack by the kitchen door before going to the fridge, ready to raid it of all it’s items.

“Hi,” you bluntly reply, tidying up your work into a neat pile as you attempted to avoid his eye contact as he made his way around the kitchen.

“You know because you love me? Can you do my homework?” Jae asks, pushing the pieces of paper in front of you, as you glare at him, shaking your head in protest. 

Jae leans on the countertop opposite, attempting to give you the puppy eyes, smiling ear to ear in hopes that you’ll give into him. But of course, you do, anything to get him off your back, and not only that, you’d do anything for him to see you in a different light other than a roommate and a friend. 

“I hate you... fine,” you sigh in defeat, as he gets up, running around the counter to give you a quick hug before running out of the room, not before he asks, “Are you joining in on movie night tonight?”.

“I can’t, I’ve got work to do, and now your homework,” you laugh, holding his pieces of paper up, grabbing your work as you push past him, making him laugh as you stick your middle finger up to him before disappearing into the bedroom. 

with or without you, Chris and Jae flick through the films on Netflix, wondering what they were going to put on, before coming across a new Sci-Fi film which caught their interest. 

“Where’s Y/N at?” Chris asks, reaching for his drink on the table, his answer is received in the form of a point of a finger towards the hall from Jae, who then uses quotation marks to say that you were doing your work.

“Man, I have to tell you something,” Jae suddenly comes out with, making Chris’ eyes fly wide open at the statement, leaning back to hear his friend out.

“I really like someone, and I just don’t know how to tell them,” he continues as Chris sips his drink carefully, “Who’s this lucky girl you’ve got a crush on then?” he tries to pry but to no avail, Jae puts his fingers to his lips, as if to lock them, throwing away the key. 

After giving some advice on how to tell his crush he liked them, Jae just sits back with a blush taint on his cheeks, pointing to the TV as he presses play for the movie to start. 

Thinking of an excuse to tell you about Jae, Chris fumbles to find his phone, nudging Jae to put an order in for delivery before getting to his feet, and making his way to your room.

“Come on in,” you call out in response to the knock on the door, “It’s only me, I’m ordering food, add what you want to it,” Chris replies, placing his phone down on the desk as you pick it up reluctantly. 

You knew you weren’t hungry but you knew that Chris wasn’t going to let you go without food either, so instead of having a petty little argument, you continue to scroll through the menu to try and find something you could eat later on. 

“So uh, Jae likes someone, but he won’t tell me. he’s just asked for advice on how to tell them” Chris whispers as he takes a seat on your bed. 

“It’s probably Chloe,” you whine lowly, turning to face your friend who’s looking empathetically at you as the name was brought up, “Probably,” he replies, taking back his phone before exiting the room, leaving you with that fact to wonder and ponder on. 

Despite your food being placed in front of you a little later on, you couldn’t even think about eating, not when your stomach was churning at the fact that Chris just had to drop on you when he came in originally.

So much so, tears start to prick at your eyes as you slowly start to sob into your arms, painting your papers with your tears. 

From outside of the room, Jae goes towards his room but hears the sound of muffled cries come from your room, his heart sinking as he hated hearing you cry and thought to himself that you must be so stressed about your work that it’s overwhelming you. 

Gently knocking on the door, Jae lets himself in, noticing you on your desk with tears rolling down your face as you turn to look at him, “I heard you crying, are you okay?”.

Unable to make eye contact with him, your eyes roamed around him at the door, shaking your head at his question as you slump in your chair, Jae makes his way towards you carefully, kneeling down next to you as he puts a hand on yours. 

“I could use a hug right now,” you cry, wiping your tears before falling into Jae’s open arms that wrap around you gently, his fingers play with your hair carefully as he just lets you cry into his chest without question. 

“So I heard you have a little crush?” you tease through your cries, to try and cheer yourself up as well as indirectly asking him without jumping straight to conclusions. 

Jae smiles as he nods, and your heart gets lodged into your throat, waiting for him to confide in you about how he could ask Chloe out. 

As much as you wanted to not know, you couldn’t hold back any longer when the words come flying out of your mouth, taking Jae by surprise when it comes out sounding a little harsher than it should’ve been, “So, it’s Chloe right?”.

The long pause of silence makes you feel like you were going to throw up, he wasn’t confirming or denying it, just staring at you blankly at the questions. It was clear he was thinking carefully about whether or not it was the right time to tell you that it wasn’t her but someone else.

“Are you jealous, of Chloe?” Jae asks as his face saddens, looking down at your carpet as you scoff, wanting to defend yourself but you don’t answer, giving a clear indication to Jae whose heart also sinks into his stomach.

“Y/N, it’s not her... Who I have a crush on,” he softly spoke, making your head snap to look at him, all confused as you wondered why he asked if you were jealous of her.

“It’s you... I have a crush on you,” Jae drops the bombshell on you as all you could do was look at him, lost for words as your heart races out of your chest.

Did he just confess to you? About you? It’s you? He has a crush on you? You never thought it was possible and thought he’d never feel that way for you like you do for him. 

“I’m sorry if I’ve made it awkward,” he apologises as he goes to walk out of your room but you pull him back by his wrist, pulling him into a hug as you softly cry into his chest again, “Don’t say sorry, ever. I was worried you’d never like me back that way”.

Unable to help it, Jae laughs nervously, not really expecting you to confess too, he had no clue that you liked him either. 

“I was kind of being selfish, I wanted to tell you before anyone took my love away from me,” he adds, making you look up at with stupidly, shaking your head and laughing as you pinch his cheek, “No one could take me away from you, Jae”.

Tags: @scuzmunkie, @ateezreactionsandscenarios, @trashlord-007, @fanfictrashlord-007

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Do you know any good movie aus? Not as in they're actors, but fics written based on movie plots?

Hey Nonny!!

OHHHH! This is fantastic! Because I actually have ANOTHER ask looking for crossovers too, and the list is HUGE. So I’ve used this opportunity to split the list up into two. This one here is for my MFL list, and if anyone has any of their own to suggest, please add them to this list! 

So, check out Below!

CROSSOVERS and FUSIONS (Feb 2021) Pt. 1.5 [FICS TO READ]

See Also:

Fairy Tales and Fantasy

TV, Movies, and Books AU (Fantasy Pt. 2)

Wonderful Life AU

Sherlock / Hannibal Crossovers?

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Faes / Faeries

Disney-esque Fics

Moulin Rouge AU

Crossovers and Fusions Pt 1

Two More Miracles by PatPrecieux (T, 221 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Angst With Happy Ending, 221B Ficlet, Temporary Character Death) – Tragedy and miracles go hand in hand.

Here, Though the World Explode, These Two Survive by TheTyger (G, 1,194 w., 2 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Post-TRF, Ineffable Husbands, Fluff, Reunion, Rings, Hurt/Comfort) – Tomorrow, it would be three years from that day. Three years with no rude text messages, no experiments being conducted while London slept, no body parts in the fridge. And John still sometimes caught himself buying extra milk and looking for cases and making two coffees.

Just the Book by Carenejeans (G, 1,495 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Humour, Aziraphale’s Bookshop) – John's looking for a book. It's Aziraphale's bookshop, but Crowley provides customer service.

The Case of the Missing.... by Beth H (G, 2,601 w., 1 Ch. || Sherlock Crossover || Case Fic) – Crowley has gone missing, and Aziraphale hasn't a clue how to go about finding him. Luckily, help comes from above...or rather, from the side.

The Curious Case of the Missing Antichrist by Aedemiel (G, 2,865 w., 1 Ch. || Sherlock Crossover || Vignette, Case Fic, Desperation, Bad Ideas) – What if Aziraphale and Crowley had consulted the great consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, about finding Adam Young?

Eye of the Storm by Calais_Reno (G, 2,996 w., 1 Ch. || The Day After Tomorrow AU || Survival, Cold Weather, Boy Scout John, No Major Character Death) – Weather has become the fifth horseman of the apocalypse.

Nice and Accurate Deductions by htebazytook (T, 3,179 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Romance, Humour, Fluff) – Sherlock drags John to a certain bookshop in Soho.

Snake In The Flat by PatPrecieux (T, 3,293 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Magical Realism, Fluff, Humour, Ineffable Husbands) – There can be a snake in the grass, snakes on a plane and now there's a snake in the flat.

The Picture of Sherlock Holmes by CarmillaCarmine (M, 3,306 w., 1 Ch. || Victorian Dorian Gray AU || Angst, Paris, London, Travel, Painting, Major Character Death, Opera, Captain John, First Meetings) – Sherlock Holmes, a rich and frivolous man, after a lifetime of debauchery finally falls in love. His heart chooses Captain Watson.

The Old Town by a_different_equation (T, 3,573 w., 1 Ch. || Hans Christian Anderson Fusion || Magical Realism, Christmas, Fairy Tale Elements, Love Stories, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Museums, Sweet Sherlock) – Once upon a time there were two boys. This is the story how once upon December, they found the missing Christmas Spirit, true love and new beginnings. A Queer fairytale for all seasons.

Holmes vs. Harkness by coinin (T, 3,960 w., 1 Ch. || Torchwood / HHGTTG Fusion || Crack, Mystrade) – In which Captain Jack gets in a little over his head and is introduced to the myriad joys of bureaucracy, Mycroft is smug, the Guide offers up some helpful advice, John Watson doesn't share, and, in a strange turn of events, Jack doesn't get laid even once.

Perfect by TrufflesTheMushroom (T, 3,984 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || The Apocalypse) – Crowley and Aziraphale have made a huge mistake. It's the end of the world and it all boils down to one fight. Crowley has picked John Watson. Aziraphale has picked Sherlock Holmes.

Limbo by Calais_Reno (T, 4,070 w., 1 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Waiting Rooms, Ineffable Bureaucracy, Paperwork, Explosions, Apocalypse, Second Chances, Declarations of Love, Nobody Dies) – Ordinarily Sherlock would be quite impatient by now with all this pointless waiting (for what?), but at the moment he feels as if he has all the time in the world.

The Baker Street Flat by Anonymous (PG-13, 5,000-20,000 w., 7 Parts || Lake House Crossover || Angst, Romance, LIVEJOURNAL Comments Fic) – John’s pretty sure it’s a sign of mental imbalance — of which he has been all too frequently accused of late — that he is actually entertaining the possibility that he is communicating with a total stranger two years in the future via the magic mail slot on the door of his new flat. He certainly won’t be mentioning this at next week’s session. On his way out the door to interview for a part-time position at a local surgery, another meeting where he has no intention of mentioning his most recent hobby, he drops a fairly sarcastic note: If you’re really from 2012, is the world about to end?

In the Shadows by Laur (M, 5,029 w., 1 Ch. || Loose Shutter Island Fusion || Disturbing Imagery, Psychological, Angst, Major Character Death, Grief/Trauma) – Do you believe in ghosts? When Sherlock’s eyes snap to him they are anguished.

come be my april fool by a_different_equation (M, 6,473 w., 1 Ch. || Great British Bake Off AU || Writer!Sherlock, Est. Rel., Fluff / Humour, Baking, Marriage Proposal, Military Kink, Domestics, POV John, Romance, Sherlock Wears Glasses, Sweet Sherlock, Bookstores, Queer Themes) – After leaving ‘The Great British Bake Off’, Sue Perkins has written a book about Victorian baking. Tonight, on April 1st, she is reading at ‘The Bard’, Mike Stamford’s bookstore in central London. It is the exact same spot where John Watson, battered and bruised, had learned all about his magnificent bastard – one Mr. Sherlock Holmes, famous gay crime fiction writer – for the first time. A story about found family, DRAMAtical lesbians, how to react when your boyfriend has a military kink but he doesn't want to act on it, oh, and popping the question. Sequel to 'i read your book, you magnificent bastard'. Part 2 of Magnificent Bastard!AU

The Babadook by CatieBrie (T, 6,886 w., 1 Ch. || Babadook Fusion || Post-TRF, Horror, Demonic Possession, Violence, Halloween, Grief, Angst with Happy Ending) – “A children’s book,” John mutters as he flips it open. The pages are scrawled with beautiful charcoal lines and thick black ink. The cover, bright red, edges the open pages and something tugs at the back of John’s brain. It’s a familiar feeling, black and tarrish and thick in his thoughts. He shakes it off and picks the book up off his bed, turning so that he can sit on the edge and spread the book out across his knees. If it’s in a word or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook. He turns the page, ignoring the pressure building beneath his chest. There’s a closet on one page; paper doors meant to be opened by the reader flutter as John reads the text on the other page.

What To Do With An Atypical Animal Within by HarveyDangerfield  & swimsalot (E, 7,804 w. || Harry Potter AU || Animagus, Porn With A Little Plot, Tail Porn) – Sherlock is determined to be an animagus. But what happens when it isn't a fox or a horse or a dog he's turning into?

The Lonely by elwinglyre (E, 7,888 w., 1 Ch. || Twilight Zone AU || Major Character Death, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Firsts, Sad Ending) – Witness if you will a distant planet with a dungeon made of desert sand and mountain stone. This planet holds one inmate, a man wrongly accused, serving a life sentence. His only solace, his notebook and the thought of the day when the supply ship brings him a pardon. Instead, salvation comes to John Watson in a large box and a visitor from The Twilight Zone.

Friend by esama (G, 7,909 w., 1 Ch. || Harry Potter Crossover || Character Death, Kid Fic) – Sherlock finds the skull when he's five.

Spell It Out by prettysailorsoldier (M, 8,344 w., 1 Ch. || Harry Potter Fusion || Teenlock, Christmas, Love Potion/Spell, Pining Sherlock) – Remaining at Hogwarts over break has become something of a tradition for Sherlock and John, staying behind together ever since their very first year, but, when Irene throws a gift of doctored coconut ice into the mix, plans quickly change, even if John doesn't. Part 6 of 25 Days of Johnlock

The Long Goodbye by elbereth (M, 8,367 w., 1 Ch. || Time Traveller’s Wife AU || Doomed Timelines, Time Travel) – Sherlock travels in time. The ending is known even before they meet, yet they choose to live this love. One of them knows the past, one of them knows the future, yet their deepest secret is safe from each other. Limited time, but unlimited love.

Sugar & Spice by Ttime42 (T, 8,476 w., 1 Ch. || Great British Bake Off AU || First Kiss, Baking) – Sherlock Holmes and John Watson compete on The Great British Bake Off.

Pygmalion by ancientreader (T, 9,136 w., 2, Ch. || Pygmalion AU || Magical Realism) – The spell to turn a statue into an animate being has been illegal in the UK for a hundred and seventy years when the -- body? -- is found on Hampstead Heath. It changes everything.

Am I the Current (Tiger) King of England? by Dee_Laundry (T, 9,360 w., 1 Ch. || Tiger King Fusion || Post-S4, Dreams, Friendship, John’s Sexuality, Sherlock’s Sexuality, Quarantine/CoVID-19, Past Character Death, Mentions of Violence, Mentions of Dom/Sub, First Kiss) – “I had the weirdest dream last night,” John said. Seven times.

I Could Try by Arcwin (T, 9,583 w., 5 Ch. || Greek Mythology Crossover || Post-TRF, Orpheus and Eurydice Myth, POV John, Pining John, BAMF John, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Horror, Angst with Happy Ending) – John is grieving Sherlock's death post Reichenbach until one day, he sees the violin case, and something inside him tells him to pick it up. Crossover between BBC Sherlock and the Greek tragedy Orpehus and Eurydice, wherein Eurydice is killed for her beauty and taken to the Underworld. Orpheus, being the son of Apollo (the God of Music and Medicine) travels to the Underworld to convince (via playing his lyre) Hades and Persephone to let Eurydice go. Orpheus then must travel with Eurydice behind him, not looking back, until they exit to the land of the living.

Puzzlebox by  standbygo (E, 9,867 w., 5 Ch. || Hellraiser Fusion || True Love, Supernatural Elements, Psychological Horror, First Kiss, Post S2, Angst with Happy Ending) – A love story with horror. A horror story with a happy ending.

you are a paradigm by 1electricpirate (M, 10,013 w. || Harry Potter AU || Wizard!John / Muggle!Sherlock, Magic) – Sometimes, only sometimes, when Sherlock is very far away and absolutely guaranteed not to return for at least three hours, John sits on the sofa and lets the tea make itself. In which John is (reluctantly) a wizard, Mycroft is (apparently) omniscient, and Sherlock is (surprisingly) oblivious. Part 1 of More Things Than Are Dreamt Of

Already Gone by johnwatso (M, 10,078 w., 8 Ch. || Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Fusion || Non-Linear Narrative, Memory Loss, Ambiguous / Open Ending) – Dear Mr Greg Lestrade,  Sherlock Holmes has had John Watson erased from his memory. Please never mention their relationship to him again. Thank you, Lacuna Inc.

A Real Deal by toyhto (M, 10,339 w., 1 Ch. || Black Mirror-Inspired ||  Science Fiction, Post-TRF, Canon Divergence) –  Please be real, he thought and pulled Sherlock closer.

You Don't Need Wings to Fly by Laiquilasse (T, 11,326 w., 11 Ch. || Wonderful Life AU || Bullying, Angels, Suicidal Ideation, Christmas) – John, an angel, is sent from Heaven to help a desperate Sherlock Holmes by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Backup Copies by etothepii (M, 13,332 w., 3 Ch. || Dollhouse Crossover || Major Character Death) – When John dies, Sherlock doesn't know what to do. But Mycroft does.

Silent Night by khorazir (M, 15,060 w., 1 Ch. || Codebreaker / WWII / Imitation Game-Inspired AU || Care Fic, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Dev. Rel., Reunion, PTSD John, Christmas) – It’s Christmas Eve 1944, and Sherlock Holmes has received his most precious gift already: after a long, dangerous deployment, Surgeon Captain John Watson of the Royal Navy has unexpectedly returned from the front. As if this weren’t enough, there’s a case. Both events make for a night full of promise, excitement, and the difficult task of getting reacquainted with the man Sherlock hasn’t seen in three years and feared he’d lost forever. Part 2 of Enigma

In Arduis Fidelis by Raliena (T, 18,628 w., 10 Ch. || GI Joe Crossover || Captivity, Surgery, BAMF John, John “Three Continents” Watson, POV John Watson, Prisoner of War, Cobra - Freeform, soldier John, John-centric, Doctor John Watson, John is a Very Good Doctor, Violence) – Once upon a time John was a Soldier and a Doctor. And he was known John or Doc or Doctor. But things change. And he *earned* his right to the name “Three Continents Watson”. Part 1 of the Three Continents Watson series

Serendipity by Calais_Reno (T, 18,222 w., 3 Ch. || Serendipity Fusion || Christmas, Romance, Coincidences, First Meetings, Misunderstandings, New York City, Fate and Destiny) – A bit of New York Christmas fluff, based on the 2001 movie.

Magnificent by esama (T, 19,477 w., 1 Ch. || Harry Potter Crossover || Crossover Pairing) – The birth of the Ministry of Magic and his relationship with the British Government.

Much Ado About Nothing or Get Over Here and Kiss Me Already! by MorganeUK (NR, 19,847 w., 13 Ch. || Much Ado About Nothing AU || Mutual Pining, Angst, Lestrolly) – AU in modern time where the Holmes' are a powerful noble family, Mycroft is the chief of defences and Sherlock is working for secret service. Lestrade is a high rank officer in the army. Ms Hudson is an old Lady that took care of her niece and nephew Molly and John since their youth. Part 1 of the Sherlock / Shakespeare series

Dead Letter Office by a_different_equation (M, 20,364 w., 15 Ch. || ‘Bartleby’ Fusion / Office Setting AU || Different First Meeting, Epistolary, John's Blog, Angst with a Happy Ending, Pre-Canon, John Watson is Sherlock's Boss, PTSD John, Military Backstory, Writer John, Drug Use, Texting) – John Watson comes home from the war, gets a new job and meets Sherlock Holmes through Mike Stamford. Same tale since 1891, except this time it’s 2008, John is Sherlock’s boss, and they work together at the Dead Letter Office in London. It's not a love story, until it finally is.

When John Met Sherlock by MorganeUK (T, 21,293 w., 10 Ch. || When Harry Met Sally AU || Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Developing Relationship, Faking It, Mutual Pining, Background Lestrolly, Fluff and Smut, Rom-Com) – At first they thought that friendship was impossible. Then meet again and become friends. After dinners, texts, cases and discussions they become more, best friends. Faking orgasm before falling on the floor together to get real one... Then going back to pushing each other away again... Before falling in love!But not necessarily in this order.

You're The One by Mazarin221b (E, 21,768 + w. || WiP || Underage Dirty Dancing Fusion ||  Period Typical Homophobia, Sexism, Angst, Fluff) – John Watson is seventeen years old and has his life planned out: medical school, a commission, and an opportunity to change the world. He just has to get through three weeks at The Copper Beeches - a resort owned by one of his father's patients - with his annoying sister and his perfect parents before he's off to Cambridge. But John has a secret he's trying desperately to keep, and, it seems, so is just about everyone around him, including the incredibly gorgeous and amazing dance teacher, Sherlock Holmes, and his partner Irene Adler. Too bad Jim Moriarty seems to know precisely what everyone is hiding.

Into the Multiverse by AnAnYaH (M, 21,958 w., 18 Ch. || Avengers / Sherlock / Dr. Strange Crossover || Multiverses, Everstrange, Parentlock / Teenage Rosie, Sad Sherlock, Angry Sherlock, Sherlock/John Fight, Magic, Strange John, First Kiss, Whipping, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Threats of Rape / Non-Con, Mental Anguish, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Heavy Angst with Happy Ending) – Nothing lasts forever. I am beginning to think it's the same for you and me. In a world where we don't co-exist how long will it take to finally break us ? Or are we already broken in need of a fix ?A multi-chapter fic where Sherlock and John had to leave their lives to save the world from universal threats and pursue as Doctor Strange and Everett Ross.Will they ever reunite? Part 1 of the Everstrange series

Addicted to a Certain Lifestyle by KatsatheGraceling (M, 22,751 w., 1 Ch. || James Bond Crossover || Bondlock, BAMF John, Assassin John, Q is a Holmes, Clueless Sherlock, Omniscient Mycroft) – The one where John is a BAMF assassin. With an affinity for cuddly warm jumpers.

Impossible Improbable Truth by KaraRenee (M, 24,308 w., 9 Ch. || Labyrinth AU) – John and Sherlock take a case investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl and her toddler half brother. What they find is an impossible adventure that leads them on a journey of discovery of their sexuality.

The Art Of Seduction: A Study In Pulling by flawedamythyst (M, 25,279 w., 1 Ch. || Queer As Folk Inspired AU || John/OMC, Additional Tags to Be Added Upon Reading) – Sherlock ran a website called The Science Of Seduction, on which he gave advice on the best ways to get laid, wrote blog entries detailing the results of his various sexual 'experiments' and generally contributed to the stereotype of 'every gay man is a sex-mad playboy'. John avoided the thing like the plague. AU in which Sherlock treats sex like he does crime in canon. Inspired by Queer As Folk UK, but it very quickly went its own way. Part 1 of The Art Of Seduction

False Advertising by ravenscar (E, 27,722 w. || Office AU / Devil Wears Prada Inspired || Victor Trevor, Flashbacks, Hurt / Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending, Younger John/Older Sherlock, Marriage Proposal) – Sherlock is John’s boss and mentor at an advertising agency. Can they find love in the cut-throat workplace?

A Wizarding Barista's Field Guide to Seducing a Muggle by paradigmfinch (T, 29,344 w., 9 Ch || Harry Potter Coffee Shop AU || Wizard John, Muggle Sherlock, Bisexual John, Flirting, First Dates, Secret Identity) – To help pay for Healing tuition, John Watson gets a job at a coffee shop in Muggle London, where he soon sets his sights on a particularly gorgeous customer. John's seen plenty of Muggle films. How different can it really be to woo a Muggle?

Time Of My Life by fiveainley_ohmy (E, 29,719 w., 8 Ch. || Dirty Dancing Fusion || Bisexual John, Dancing, Gay/Demi Sherlock) – John Watson takes his alcoholic sister to a summer camp in attempt to rehabilitate her. He didn't expect to fall in love with the dance instructor.

Through Dangers Untold by hogwartswitch (E, 32,003 w., 13 Ch. || Labyrinth AU) – The Goblin King has fallen in love with John Watson and visits him in dreams. But the evil wizard who cursed the Goblin King cannot allow that to continue. Will John survive the labyrinth? Or will he become a lost goblin like all the rest?

Unsettled by AxeMeAboutAxinomancy (E, 33,879 w., 10 Ch. || HIs Dark Materials AU || Daemons, Dark Themes, Non-Con) – Sherlock's dæmon hadn't settled. Once John realised that, so much made sense. Though so much else didn't, because it practically wasn't possible. Part 1 of the The Utmost Edge of Hazard series

The Last Companion by standbygo (E, 34,101 w., 14 Ch. || Firefly Fusion || Prostitution, Case Fic, Falling in Love, Angst with Happy Ending, Slow Burn, BAMF John, Discussions of Non Con But Doesn’t Happen) – Thirty years after the Miranda Wars, there is peace, both on the Rim and the Core planets. There are a number of old social mores still in place, such as the Order of Companions, but there is a sense that even such respected practices are coming to an end… Sherlock is a Companion - the best Companion on Persephone. With a bit of detective work on the side, of course. Then he meets a man named John Watson, encounters a series of bizarre cases, and finds his world is getting turned upside down.

The Great Bakerstreet Bake Off by Elphen (M, 38,058 w., 8 Ch. || Great British Bake Off AU || Caring Sherlock, Sweet John, Fluff, Baking, Accidental Touching, Pining, BJ’s, Banter and Bickering, Oblivious Characters) – John has decided to watch The Great British Bake Off this year and he is determined to do so. As Sherlock joins him, he is certain that that plan is ruined. He's in for a surprise when he's allowed to watch it but the real shock comes when Sherlock decides they ought to bake themselves. What's more, they should bake what they make in the Bake Off. John's not so sure it's a good idea but when his insides flutter at the thought, he finds it hard to complain.

Toe to Toe by standbygo (E, 44,971 w., 26 Ch. || White Nights Crossover || Ballet/Dance, Slow Burn, Spies/Secret Agents, Angst with Happy Ending, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, First Kiss/Time, Shower Sex) – Sherlock Holmes is an international ballet star. After a favour for his brother goes south, he finds himself trapped in a foreign country, with a man named John Watson who could be an enemy... or an ally.

Silence by halloa_what_is_this (T, 44,993 w., 13 Ch. || The Piano Fusion || Victorian Sherlock, Dub Con, Voyeurism, Permanent Mutilation, Johniarty, Mute John) – In 1850, John is a mute young man forced to marry to save his father from indebtedness. His sister as his interpreter and his piano to keep him company, he travels to London to live with his husband James Moriarty. Without John's consent, James sells the piano to his friend Sherlock Holmes, who only asks for lessons from John in return. The lessons turn into a power play between the two when Sherlock proposes a deal: John may earn his piano back one key at a time, certain conditions attached. Part 1 of the Aborted Wings series

Crime is of the Essence by K8BNimble (M, 45,569 w., 18 Ch. || Harry Potter Crossover || Mystery, Slash) – When a man he hasn’t seen in almost ten years appears in his home with a man he thought was dead for twenty years, Harry Potter knew his evening had just gotten complicated. Written for Snarry Swap 2011. Named Hot Rec by "The Daily Snitch"1/18/2011. Snarry, past Harry/Sherlock. Long plotty mystery with light graphic slash sex.

Always 1895 by standbygo (E, 45,901 w., 19 Ch. || Oxford Time Travel AU || Time Travel, Friends to Lovers, Case Fic, Victorian, Period-Typical Homophobia, Pining, First Kiss/Time, First Meetings, Slow Burn, Angst With Happy Ending) – Time travelling historian John Watson goes to Victorian era England to study, and meets detective Sherlock Holmes. He finds himself torn between the work he was sent to do, the exciting life of solving crimes, and the extraordinary Holmes himself.

Curled (A Tangled AU) by crimsonwinter (G, 46,330 w., 13 Ch. || Tangled AU || Alternating POV) – Sherlock lives a limited life, high in a tower, and all he's wanted in eighteen years of isolation is to someday break free and see the floating lights. Somehow, a string of events leads him to John Watson, a surprisingly kind thief who steals his heart. Will they escape the selfish advances of Moriarty, Sherlock's paternal guardian, and will Sherlock find the meaning behind the silver lanterns?

The Boy Who Balanced on the Train Tracks by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (E, 54,894 w., 5 Ch. || Harry Potter Crossover || John/Snape, Period Typical Homophobia, Character Death, Underage Sexual Attraction, Sexual Awakening, Time Turner, First Time, Poverty, Domestic Abuse, Death Eaters, Canon-Typical Violence, Angst with Happy / Bittersweet Ending) – Every year, on the 2nd of May, John Watson dreams of long black hair.

Say You’ll Stay With Me by justacookieofacumberbatch (E, 63,349 w., 21 Ch. || Pretty Woman Fusion || Prostitution) – It was just supposed to be an ordinary business trip, but when John’s car stalls out on Hollywood Boulevard, he meets someone who just might change his life.

Whispers in Corners by esama (T, 64,402 w., 10 Ch. || Harry Potter Crossover || Deathly Hallows, Crossover Pairing) – Everything started with a stumble - his new life in a new world as well as his surprisingly successful career as a medium.

Masters of Ink by Indybaggins (E, 67,382 w., 7 Ch. || Ink Master Tattoo TV Show AU || Angst, Banter, Body Modification, Cheating, Desire, Developing Relationship, Disability, Falling in Love, Feels, Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Kissing, Married John, Past Drug Addiction, Pining, Requited Love, Sex, Slow Burn, Smoking, Tattoo Artist John, Tattoo Artist Sherlock) – First-meeting-on-a-reality-show AU, Ink Master edition! There is expert tattooing, slightly less expert flirting, and two men falling hard. But John is married, and they can’t all win.

The Craving in Between by love_in_mind_palace (E, 69,349 w., 16 Ch. || Wedding Planner AU || Infidelity, Romance, Angst with Happy Ending, Misunderstandings, Sexting & Texting, Alternating POV, Mary is Not Nice) – Sherlock Holmes, The wedding Consultant. Picky about his projects and a nightmare to work with. Rejects ninety percent of the couples after just having a look at them and can predict how long a marriage will last. But when unassuming, plain, John Watson reluctantly limps his way in his office, with his more than enthusiastic fiancée, Mary Morstan, instead of dismissing the ill-assorted couple on the spot, he promptly decides that the project, and the groom.. are definitely worth working on.

The Loss of Flesh and Soul by deuxexmycroft (M, 69,712 w., 6/8 Ch. || WiP || Silence of the Lambs Crossover || Serial Killers, One-Sided Relationship) – Five years after John Watson puts the murderous Sherlock Holmes behind bars, a vicious copycat killer emerges. A reluctant John is pulled out of retirement to seek the expertise of the only man who can help, a man who has developed an unsettling obsession with John himself. Part 1 of The Loss of Flesh and Soul

The Vampires of London by consultingdetective (E, 72,660 w., 21 Ch. || Dracula AU || Pining Sherlock, Army Doctor John, Sharing a Bed, Porn With Feelings, Plot Twists) –  Over one hundred years after the first battle, a series of murders have caught the attention of London's police force and Sherlock Holmes. While most of the city has forgotten the vampire that once walked its streets, the descendants of the Van Helsing, Harker, and Seward families have not.

Save Me or Let Me Drown by GubraithianFire (E, 72,986 w., 16 Ch. || Shameless AU || Dysfunctional Family, Alcoholism, Recreational Drug Use, Angst, Humour, Clubbing, Bipolar Disorder, Custody Battle, Mutual Pining, Family Fluff, Smut, Handcuffs, Anal Sex, Shower Sex, Rimming, Come Shot, Angst With Happy Ending) – How Sherlock escaped from his family, John sacrificed everything to his, and how, together, they built their own. Part 1 of the The Watsons series

This Is Your Song by agirlsname (E, 79,990 w., 19 Ch. || Moulin Rouge Fusion || Prostitute Sherlock, Poet John, Acting, Singing, Dancing, Writing, Poetry, Musical, Song Fic, Heavy Angst, Unreliable Narrator, Sherlock is French, Love at First Sight, UST, First Kiss/Time, Frottage, Coming in Pants, Anal Sex, Switchlock, Clothed Sex, Crossdressing, Secret Relationship, Forbidden Love, Jealousy, Terminal Illnesses, Grief/Mourning, Breakup/Makeup Sex, Past Drug Use, Attempted Rape, Canon-Typical Violence)– When John Watson is invalided home from the army in 1895, he moves to Paris to rediscover his writing and find a new meaning in life. His old friend Stamford invites him into a group of artist friends, and suddenly John finds himself auditioning to write a show for the famous brothel across the street. There, he meets the most beautiful man he’s ever seen - Sherlock, the star of the Moulin Rouge. But Sherlock is already promised to the investor of the show, the rich Duke Moriarty.

Sherlock, P.I. by Callie4180 (E, 83,264 w., 11 Ch. || Magnum P.I. Fusion || Past Relationships, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Canon-Typical Violence, Stalking, Creepy Moriarty) – For the Fall TV Sherlock fusion project. Sherlock, P.I. is an American television show that follows the exciting adventures of genius private investigator Sherlock Homes and his friends as they live their lives on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii. Sherlock solves crimes as he wrestles with the ghosts and demons of his past.

Saudade by tunteeton (E, 96,952 w., 30 Ch. || After That Very Much AU || Case Fic, Non-Con Drug Use, Dubious Science, Canon Compliant up to THoB, John’s in Denial, Sub!Sherlock, Fake Non-Con Drug Use, Dom/Sub Relationship, Mutual Masturbation, Oral Sex, Kidnapping, Threatened Torture, Mary is Not Nice, Anal, Fluff, Non-Con Domming, Verbal Abuse, Slapping) – saudade (port.): a deep and melancholy longing for something or someone that is gone and not coming back. Homesickness, an emptiness in one’s soul, a love that remains after the loved one dies. John loses Sherlock, gains Sherlock and learns to never, ever, ever pray. Part 1 of the The Untranslatables series

Rosethorne by suitesamba (M, 98,888 w., 28 Ch. || Secret Garden AU || Injured Sherlock / John, Recovery, First Times, Minor Character Death, Disability, Past Domestic Abuse [Mary/OMC]) – John Watson, WWII army doctor, is injured in the line of duty and can no longer wield a scalpel. Sherlock Holmes, Britain’s best code-breaker, is side-lined by his own devastating injury. In a work inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden,” the two men must find meaning and purpose in a world which seems to have taken away all they hold most dear. But of course, it really hasn’t.

Cake and Other Sins by  Indybaggins (E, 100,670 w. || Great British Bakeoff AU || Alternate First Meeting, Angst, Baking, Desire, Disability, Incest (Holmescest/Holmescest with John), Masturbation, Falling in Love, Oral, Outdoor Sex, Past Drug Use, Poisoning, Voyeurism) – Sherlock and John meet as competing bakers on The Great British Bake Off. There’s intense baking, lush recipes and enticing food. Mycroft, guilt, past sins in chocolate and gingerbread. And love. That too.

Fallen Through Time by susandwrites (E, 102,040+ w., 39/? Ch. || Outlander Fusion / Victorian AU || WIP || Time Travel, First Meetings, Meet-Cute, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex/Fingering, Riding Crops, Rough Sex, Floor Sex, Breath Play, Light BDSM, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Switching, Romance, Sex to Love) – Inspired by my love of Outlander, but not exactly an Outlander AU. Sherlock Holmes, the world's only consulting detective, finds himself in Victorian London while investigating a murder. The first person he meets is Doctor John Watson, formerly of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers and his world is irrevocably altered.

Reichenbach Falls - Déjà vu by VeeTheRee (M, 180,436+ w., 29/303 Ch. || WiP ||Gravity Falls / Multifandom AU || Alternate First Meeting, Gay Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Unilock, Summer Romance/Love, Fluff, Insecure Sherlock, Villain Mary, First Kiss, Slow Burn, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Canadian John, French Canadian Lestrade, Insecure Sherlock, Mystery, Domestic Fluff, Developing Relationship Summer Love, Light Angst, BAMF! John, Case Fic) – Two Canadians, two Brits studying in Canada, and an upkeeper walk into a Mystery Shack…. and live there. Summer holidays are here, and the step-siblings, Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes, find themselves in a boring town called Reichenbach Falls, Oregon, USA. It isn’t as boring as it seems, however, once Sherlock stumbles upon a mystery journal, and the author is unknown. The journal contains ciphers, a strange colour wheel, and information about magical creatures that are said to be looming in the Northwestern forests. With mysteries to solve in hand, he and Irene set out to get to the roots of the town, and the abrupt disappearance of the author of the journal. But they’re not alone - John Watson, quite the handsome nephew of the Mystery Shack owner Greg Lestrade, is on their side to help out, plus mess with Sherlock’s feelings, in a good way. Shenanigans, romance, fun, danger, and deductions ensue. Oh, and there’s also occasional SuperWhoLock and two dorky Winchester brothers to spark up the action later on. Part 1 of the Reichenbach Falls series

To the Sticking Place by blueink3 (E, 121,973 w., 20 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Musical Theatre AU || Showmance, Friends to Lovers, Bickering, UST / RST, Fluff, Virgin Sherlock, BAMF John, New York City / Broadway) – Renowned Shakespearean actor Sherlock Holmes has finally burned all of his bridges in the theatre industry save for his constant director, Greg Lestrade. John Watson has made a name for himself in the musical theatre circuit, but age and injury are working against him. Can they reinvent themselves for an all-male Macbeth without killing one another? Part 1 of the Screw Your Courage series

Bel Canto by bendingsignpost (T, 127,481 w., 16 Ch. || Phantom of the Opera AU || Secret Identity, Sherlock’s Violin, Operas, Aristocracy, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Disguise, Inheritance, Genderqueer Character, Classical Music, Singing) – After years of waiting for wealthy patrons to faint, Dr John Watson discovers a far more interesting patient in the opera house basement.

Welcome to Silent Hill by Cleo2010 (M, 130,227 w., 37 Ch. || Silent Hill Fusion || POV First Person Sherlock, Unrequited Love, Psychological Horror, Violence / Gore, Monsters, Nudity, Drug Use, Harm to Children, Cults, Distressing Imagery, Torture, Death) – John is missing. When Sherlock receives a text summoning him to Silent Hill he's intent on reclaiming his friend but the town has other ideas. Our detective must battle through a world shaped by his own troubled psyche as he uncovers the town's secrets, attempts to find John and hunt down Jim Moriarty. Part 1 of the Welcome to Silent Hill series

Drift Compatible by J_Baillier (E, 130,380 w., 26 Ch. || Pacific Rim Fusion || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Alternate First Meeting, Angst, Family Drama, Accidental Telepathic Voyeurism, Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Internalised Homophobia, Rubbish Siblings, Army Doctor John, Medical H/C, Bullying, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Drug Use, Depression, Mourning, Adventure, Hurt/Comfort, UST/URT) – A washed out war hero struggling with his past. A prodigy who wants nothing to do with his family legacy. Both are looking for something—and someone—worth fighting for in a world where human civilisation is constantly under threat.

Out There by DiscordantWords (T, 131,695 w., 10 Ch. || X-Files Fusion || Slow Burn, UST, Case Fic, Government Conspiracy, Aliens, UFOs, Mutants, Mutual Pining, First Kiss, Coma) – FBI Special Agent John Watson, medical doctor and army veteran, is assigned to assist eccentric genius Sherlock Holmes with paranormal investigations on the X-Files project.

Omens On Baker Street Series by WorseOmens (NR, 155,294+ w. across 3 works || Series WiP || Sherlock / Good Omens Crossover || Post S4 Sherlock, BAMF Aziraphale, Soft Crowley, Jealous Crowley, Fluff, Angst, General Idiocy, Misunderstandings, Crimes, Humour, Pining, Crimes, Magical Shenanigans, Unlikely Friendships, ?Slow Burn, True Forms, Ineffable Dads, South Downs) – Sherlock and John are no longer the only crime-solving disaster duo in London. After Sherlock unknowingly wrongs a demon, he finds himself with two mysterious rivals in the detective scene. For Crowley and Aziraphale, it's just a bit of fun, but they end up learning more about human nature than they bargained for.

Skeletons by flawedamythyst (T, 174,262 w. across 3 works || Nightmare Before Christmas Fusion ||  Implied Character Death) – Sherlock's refusal to talk about his past hides far more skeletons than John could ever have guessed at. Halloween-esque AU.

In the Deep, Where Dark Things Sleep by HardlyFair (M, 184,979 w., 26 Ch. || Scorpio Races AU || Graphic Violence, 1960′s, Slow Burn, Past Drug Use, Bed Sharing, Water Horses, Folklore, First Kiss/Time, Horror Elements, Vet!John, Protective John, Magical Realism, Horse Racing, Mutual Pining, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort) – The closer time crawls to November, the more water horses the Scorpio Sea spits out. The colder Thisby becomes. Sherlock Holmes is an islander - completely surrounded by the water. John Watson, he knows, comes from the mainland and lives for the Races. On the first of November, Sherlock will race. The man holding steady by his side is someone he never expects. A Scorpio Races AU (Maggie Stiefvater), but no knowledge of the book needed.

Rom-com adaptations... Series by MorganeUK (T, 211,229+ w across 8 works || Series WiP || Assorted Crossovers || Rom-Coms, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Friendship, Additional Tags Per Story) –  Mostly Johnlock with Mystrade or Lestrolly. If you want a movie to be johnlocked, let me know :-) Each story is completely different from the other!

Enigma by khorazir (M, 289,667 w., 23 Ch. || Codebreaker / WWII / Imitation Game-Inspired AU || Case Fic, Espionage, Period-Typical Homophobia / Sexism, Pining Sherlock, Inexperienced / VirginSherlock, Implied / Referenced Drug Use, Non-Graphic Violence) – It’s the autumn of 1941, war is raging in Europe, German U-boats are raiding Allied convoys in the Atlantic, the Luftwaffe is bombing English cities, and the cryptographers at Bletchley Park are working feverishly to decode their enemies' encrypted communications. One should consider this challenge and distraction enough for capricious codebreaker Sherlock Holmes. But the true enigmas are yet waiting to be deciphered: an unbreakable code, a strange murder, and the arrival of Surgeon Captain John H. Watson of the Royal Navy.

Over/Under Series by khorazir (M, 319,561 w. across 5 works || Cabin Pressure Crossover || Post-S2 / Reichenbach, ReunionFriendship, Angst, Humour, Pining, Cycling, Mountains, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Dev. Rel., Case Fic, First Kiss, Pining, Family Issues, Inexperienced Sherlock) – After his Fall, Sherlock travels the world to destroy what remains of James Moriarty's criminal empire. When things don't go according to plan and he finds himself in desperate need of a discreet means of travel, cue MJN Air ...

[yourlocalcatholic]

What advice would you give to someone who really wants to be catholic but deeply disagrees with the church’s stance on LGBT people? I am afraid that if I go to church, people will say unaffirming things about me or my partner, or push me into conversion therapy.

Well, it’s not going to be easy.

When I started my conversion, I was not in line with what the Church believed about the LGBTQ+ community. In truth, I still struggle with it. 

Despite my previous stubbornness on LGBTQ+ issues, I kept my heart open to God and what the Church teaches. I didn’t ignore what the Catechism says, but instead learned to understand what it teaches and why. This allowed me to accept the Church’s stances on the LGBTQ+ community. 

Since the issues are different for gay and trans people, I’ll address them separately. 

Contrary to popular thought, being gay in and of itself is not a sin. However, acting on same sex attraction is. The Church understands that being gay is not a choice, but as a result of its inherent brokenness, people with SSA are called to celibacy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection” (CCC 2359). 

I know a lot of people would like if the Church permitted same sex marriages and relationships, but this simple cannot be so. As Christians, we are called to be faithful to Christ and the Church, to “observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20) and that “if he refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17). Christ asked for us to live lives in accord with Church teaching and meeting the standard he set for us. We are not only called to reject our modernist, consumer culture glorifies, but to “be perfect” as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). We are called to overcome the vices of vanity, pride, gluttony, greed, envy, lust, wrath, and sloth, while cultivating the virtues of detachment, humility, temperance, generosity, charity, chastity, patience, and fortitude.

This also means we cannot call a sin anything other than a sin. We cannot lower the Church’s standards to the culture’s level, calling abortion, remarriage (without an annulment) after a divorce, homosexual acts, or contraception anything other than violations of God’s law. For “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). Claiming the Bible says something that it clearly does not say is projecting our own morality on God. In doing so, we say that God does not know what is best for us and that he does not know what he is doing. 

All of this can seem impossible. And without grace, it would be. Even with grace, we’ll often fall short. When we stumble we must repent, confess our sins, and come back to the Church. 

So... is the Church homophobic? No, it is not. Sadly, however, some people with the Church are. These kinds of people lack one of Christ’s fundamental truths to “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). We turn ourselves into hypocrites when we do not uphold the idea that are all welcome in the Church. 

Keep in mind, also, that just because “all are welcome” does not mean you can remain the same when you choose to become Christian. We are all ridden with sin, and we all have a cross to bear. But, by God’s mercy, we do not have to carry that cross alone. 

Neither to trans people. Like homosexuality, there is a lot misunderstood about how the Church views being transgender. 

For starters, the Church recognizes that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). EVERY person. Consequently, we must act in love towards our trans siblings and reprimand those who name-call, bully, or engage in any other uncharitable behavior toward them. As Christians, how we speak to one another, the language we use, the tone of our voice, and the respect our words and attitude convey determines whether our words are used to glorify God or to slander his children. 

Respecting our fellow children of God also means we use peoples’ preferred name and pronouns. It is not a matter of affirming the person’s decision to transition, but rather it serves no use to do otherwise. If you’re having a conversation with a trans person, that conversation will not last long if you deliberately choose to use a name or a set of pronouns that the person is not comfortable with. What do you hope to achieve by refusing? You are more than likely to lose the opportunity to give them a faithful witness through which Christ can soften their heart to receive and embrace the true Gospel.

This topic is more difficult to address, in part because there is no official policy regarding trans individuals in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The other reason is because the truth is... very difficult to hear. Admittedly, though I am not trans, I struggle to fully grasp it. Like SSA, like anything else inherently broken, it is difficult to hear the truth of our condition. But I’m not here to tell you what I think, because what I think (or have a tendency to think) is corrupt due to my sin. Therefore, I can only share with you what the Church teaches. Keep in mind, I accept what the Church teaches, despite how difficult it will be to hear, because if I didn’t, then why would I be Catholic? 

God doesn’t make mistakes. When he fashioned each of us in our mother’s womb, he did so with the care of an artist making his greatest masterpiece. He choose the things that make you uniquely you, and this includes our gender. If you feel like God made a mistake when you were created, then we don’t share the same definition of God. God is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving Father, so it is impossible for him to make mistakes because it would be contrary to his nature. God created you male or female for a reason.

But gender dysphoria, the condition of feeling one’s emotional and psychological identity as male or female to be opposite to one’s biological sex, is a very real condition and many people suffer greatly because of it. 

If your sex is a source of suffering in your life, God can be there with you to comfort you and help you through that suffering. He doesn’t promise to take away our sufferings and struggles, but He does promise to be there carrying our crosses alongside us.

Keep in mind that we are all called to holiness. For this reason, God may be asking you to grow in holiness by wrestling with trying to trust him that he doesn’t make mistakes and that he created you as male or female for a reason.

Now, you also expressed worry about people being uncharitable. Truth is, there are going to be uncharitable people. In my experience going to church, I have not encountered any. That said, I do not make my bisexuality known to the parishioners because I do not feel it is necessary. 

But if you do feel the need, talk to the parish priest about your worries. There are many priests who understand that God has called them to love everyone, not just the ones that can hide their crosses easier. So, speak with a priest - via email, phone call, or in person (whichever way you’re comfortable) - and express your interest in their parish. If they are God-fearing, they will work with you. 

I will be praying for you. God bless. 

[queerprayers]

So I do want to continue believing in Christianity but one thing stopping me is that I fear that I’m somehow invalidating all other religions. I personally think all religions are valid paths to god but if I believe in Christian doctrine arent I somehow also believing all other religions aren’t valid?

This is a great question! I talked a bit about something similar in this post, which you might find interesting.

I think the official answer often depends on the denomination! Some Christian denominations have official teachings/catechisms that will be specific about how they look at other religions.

I really like this statement from the Pope in 1965:

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in [non-Christian] religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men." (Pope Paul VI, Nostra Aetate, 28 Oct. 1965)

Lutherans say that "our calling is a dual calling: to be faithful witnesses to Christ and to love God by loving and serving our neighbors. . . . Sharing the goodness, or evangelism, contributes to the first rule. We do this in response to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Serving the community, which includes inter-religious relations, contributes to the second. We do this in gratitude for God's mercy and in response to the Great Commandment to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). In both rules . . . God calls us to approach all relationships with love, grace, mercy, and a concern for distributive and restorative justice." We promise to "explore and encourage inter-religious friendship, accompaniment, and partnership with all who seek justice, peace, human wholeness, and the well-being of creation." (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, A Declaration of Inter-religious Commitment, 8 Aug. 2019)

Generally, choosing to be a Christian means you follow Jesus, accept his teachings, and might belong to a group/denomination that have a more specific set of teachings. Some would say following Jesus means denouncing all other paths, and to some extent you are at least prioritizing him above others.

I personally do think you can be a Christian if you believe that all religions are valid paths to God, although there are those who would disagree with me on that.

Let me let you in on a secret: when joining a religion, denomination, or community, you don't have to believe every single thing they do. I don't agree with everything my church teaches, but I still go to church every week and I still call myself a Lutheran Christian. If your path leads you to Jesus, and you're more accepting of others' paths than most Christians, more power to you.

If this worry is the only thing stopping you from committing to Christianity, I would say, don't let it. Learn about different traditions/beliefs regarding this issue, commit yourself to Jesus in your own way, and maybe find some interfaith communities to participate in!

Further reading:

"Why Interfaith Understanding is Integral to the Lutheran Tradition" by Jason A. Mahn

"Theology of Religion: Pluralism, Inclusivism, Exclusivism" by Domenic Marbaniang

"How Christians view other religions," Religious Tolerance.

"Can a Christian be a Pluralist?" Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding.

"Inclusivism vs. exclusivism—what does the Bible say?" Got Questions.

Wishing you all the best in your journey, and may you find a path to God you can confidently walk on. God bless. <3 Johanna

[moribundanchor]

The Pelle/Dani Receipts, Post Six: Dani’s Birthday Plot

[tents fingers]

Now, Pelle finally has Dani all to himself. Yessssss. And he wastes exactly NO TIME passing to her an unfolded piece of paper he’s been keeping tucked away, with a nose scrunch (I’m sorry, it’s adorable) and a soft, surprise “Hey. Happy birthday.” Yes, Dani, someone remembered. Actually, someone spent a good deal of time carefully drawing a beautifully realized pencil portrait of you, complete with a flower crown and runes. Someone has been thinking about you kind of a lot, girlfriend of someone’s friend. How do you think he drew that? From memory? Do you think he has pictures of you? Anyway, Dani is thrilled and surprised and just so happy, which is also kind of telling. Real talk: he has effectively cornered her and privately given her a fairly personal gift, which he will encourage her to keep secret (more on that in a second). If she weren’t receptive, it could be creepy or at least awkward. If she weren’t into it, can you imagine how weird the rest of the festival could be? And this is the first day. But you are into it, aren’t you, Dani?

“It’s just something I do for birthdays,” Pelle smiles, and then he hesitates, as though the thought has just occurred to him. “Maybe it’s not appropriate?” Okay, Pelle, sweetie, forgiving the fact that were you actually concerned about whether it was appropriate to give her this, you probably would have mentioned it to Christian and/or not taken scrupulous care to give it to her on the downlow, why wouldn’t it be appropriate to give this gift? Because it could be construed as romantic, of course. Because it is pretty darn romantic. This is how I see you, Dani. But in asking Dani whether it’s appropriate, master manipulator Pelle is using the rhetorical device of apophasis, suggesting something by not suggesting it, basically, “Here’s a romantic thing, Dani. Do you mind? It’s not romantic.” SURE, PELLE. And then he suggests that they keep it “just between us.” Okay, Pelle, so if it’s an appropriate gift, offered purely in the spirit of friendship, no big, you’d do it for Ingemar or Josh, why keep it secret? His rhetorical moves here swing from denial to affirmation, throwing out mixed signals like a motherfucker to both assure Dani of his feelings and continue to provide plausible deniability. 

But then, Dani gamely accepts his terms, agreeing to keep the portrait between them...like that's no big deal. Consider for a moment what is implicit there. Christian can’t know. Why can’t Christian know? Is it because Christian is unusually jealous? There’s no evidence of that; he just left his girl alone with Pelle. It’s because this is the first (that we know of) exchange in an emotional affair, and while Pelle has given her plenty of plausible deniability, Dani isn’t even tentative about it. Yes, this is our secret. Remember how happy she was talking to Pelle on the couch in New York.

Then Dani, smiling as genuinely as she only does for Pelle, confides in him that Christian forgot anyway. So, not only does she alleviate Pelle of any suggestion of inappropriateness--which is less accepting that it isn’t a romantic gift and more that she tacitly accepts the gift with all its implications--she directly compares Pelle remembering her birthday to Christian forgetting it. This moment gets glossed over in favor of Pelle’s much more overt seduction of Dani, but please notice: Dani is comfortable with admitting something that personal about her relationship with Christian to Pelle. If he were just an acquaintance, if he were closer to Christian than Dani, why would she tell him that? It would be embarrassing to her and awkward for him as Christian’s buddy. Exact words: “Christian forgot anyway so this [portrait] is amazing.” Christian forgot, you remembered, 1 point to Team Hårga. Not to mention telegraphing your relationship woes to a man who just gave you a romantic gift is a considerably less subtle signal than Pelle’s apophasis. We’re not suggesting that Dani is unambiguously, consciously, deliberately lighting her signal fire for Pelle here...but witness. The signal fire done got lit. 

One more important bit about this scene. As we will point out over and over, Dani mirrors Pelle and the other Hårgans a lot, but also notice that when Dani shares that Christian forgot, Pelle perfectly mirrors Dani’s stunned/upset “oh” when he failed to condole her on the couch in New York. Like her “oh,” Pelle’s clunks loudly to the floor between them, interrupting their whole ambiguously flirty groove, but, for Dani/Christian severance purposes, it’s important he does this. Constitutionally empathetic as he is, Pelle could easily buffer the awkwardness of the moment, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t do anything to help Dani rationalize Christian forgetting. He simply reflects back to her discomfort and shock that Christian could be so callous of her feelings, leaving Dani to inadequately flail for excuses. In the end, she can’t excuse him, and so she re-ups her appreciation for Pelle’s gift once again, but she will leave that scene not only knowing Pelle cares, but having been forced to acknowledge, if only to herself, that Christian apparently doesn’t. Nice work, Mr. Pelle.

But Pelle is not done. Not our soft sweet cultboy. Skipping ahead to Pelle showing everyone the Youth House, he takes Christian aside at his first opportunity. We aren’t privy to a lot of his conversation, as the camera follows Dani to the wall of portraits of the May Queens, but we do catch the very end, up close and out of focus, as Dani also seems to key in on their talking covertly. Christian is aghast, as Pelle is telling him that he has forgotten Dani’s birthday. He asks Pelle if Dani said anything. And this is when Pelle tells one of his very few direct lies in all of Midsommar, assuring Christian that Dani didn’t mention it. This is important. Ari Aster blurs a lot of what Pelle knows when, but he wants us to know something unambiguously here, a rarity for this film: this isn’t a kindness gone awry. Pelle is setting Christian up. [grabs megaphone] PELLE IS SETTING CHRISTIAN UP. When Dani interrupts them with a question, Pelle nods and gestures significantly toward the bed before joining her, showing Christian something we can’t see.

As Pelle explains the May Queen dance competition, Christian gathers himself and then he asks Dani if she can join him outside, hiding something behind his back. Cue off-key happy birthday serenade and Christian trying to light a candle with a bad lighter. The cake, candle, and lighter could only have been provided by Pelle. That is presumably what he’s pointing out to Christian on the bed before he moves over to Dani by the May Queen photographs. It’s orchestrated to be obvious to Dani that Pelle is the real person behind the gesture, because Christian would have had no opportunity to arrange it. And of course, she saw them talking right before. After Pelle’s thoughtfulness, it will be obvious to her, and Pelle’s cover-story of arranging this to save Christian’s forgetful hide just makes it all the more apparent that he forgot. So Pelle might look like he tried to be a good friend to Christian, but he’s clearly presenting himself as a much better friend, maybe more, to Dani. 

We also headcanon that Pelle made the lighter intentionally bad by emptying most of the fluid, thus making Christian’s insincere gesture all the shittier. The fact that he has to flounder with the bad lighter just underlines that he hasn’t prepared at all. Meanwhile, in the background, several Hårgan women sway and soothe a baby, foreshadowing the way Dani will be comforted when Christian betrays her in the Maja impregnating ritual.

For more, click on The Pelle/Dani Receipts Masterpost