#Ezekiel 1:17

[tom4jc]

Ezekiel 1:17 Moving Straight Ahead

When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. Ezekiel 1:17 When traveling a long distance down a road it is easy to get turned aside to something. All along the path, there are often things that are interesting that one may want to see or do. Signs advertising exciting things can often cause a distraction and get the person to pull aside.…

[doulafaith]

Harmony

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:3 I am sure many of us have witnessed two distinct ways of singing a song and playing an instrument; and one appears to be more of a gift or an acquired gift than the other. There is the soloist and musician who studies the notes and practices methodically until the…

[psalmonesermons]

Insights into Ezekiel Chapter 5:1-17

The Lord continues to instruct Ezekiel to give prophetic enactments to the Jews to show His upcoming judgements upon Jerusalem.

A Sword Against Jerusalem

1 “And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair.2 You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. 3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. 4 Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.

The Lord commands Ezekiel to do another unseemly thing for a priest by telling him to shave off all his hair. The shaved hair is to be carefully weighed and split into three portions and reflects the careful planning by the Lord when he is about to execute his judgements on the disobedient. The first third of the hair represents those people who will be destroyed during the siege of Jerusalem. The second portion of hair represents those people who will survive the siege of Jerusalem but only die beyond the city. The last third represents those who will be scattered to the nations. The small number of hairs hidden in the prophet’s garments represents a small remnant that will survive under the protection of God and will go onto to rekindle the fire of God’s love in the hearts of the rest of Israel.

5 “Thus says the Lord God: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. 6 She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.’ 7 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have multiplied disobedience more than the nations that are all around you, have not walked in My statutes nor kept My judgments, nor even done [1] according to the judgments of the nations that are all around you’— 8 therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.9 And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations. 10 Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments among you, and all of you who remain I will scatter to all the winds.

God explains to Ezekiel that the reason his judgments will come upon Jerusalem and Israel are that despite the great favour that the Lord has shown to Jerusalem and Israel in terms of exalting them before the nations they very openly rebelled against his commandments and in a way that the Lord considered to be worse than the pagan nations around them. Now because of their great provocation of God He is going to judge them very publicly in full view of the surrounding gentile nations. So great are the abominations perpetrated by the Jews that the Lord is going to permit cannibalism within families to occur and whoever survives these judgements will be scattered to the nations.

11 ‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity. 12 One-third of you shall die of the pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

13 ‘Thus shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them. 14 Moreover I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by.

God great patience and grace towards the Israelites has now run out and now having had enough of them is preparing to release the above judgements on them. Once these judgments are completed God’s wrath will be pacified but no one will be in any doubt that it is the Sovereign Lord who has instigated these judgements. The same God will now openly humiliate the once exalted nations of Israel.

15 ‘So it [2] shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the Lord, have spoken.16 When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the Lord, have spoken.’”

The Lord will use his judgements on Israel as an object lesson to the nations round about them showing that it is a terrible thing to come under the judgement of the Living God. This chapter concludes with God reminding Ezekiel and his hearers that his judgements will include famine, death by wild beasts and death at the hands of their enemies. The Lord has spoken so it will certainly happen.

Footnotes:

Ezekiel 5:7 Following Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate; many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac read but have done (compare 11:12).

Ezekiel 5:15 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate read you.

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Isaiah 26: The Dead Shall Rise

Perhaps praying about the two paths drew Isaiah’s mind to the kings of Israel and Judah, for they represented those paths—the road of righteousness and the way of the wicked. ##Isaiah26 #Resurrection #DemDryBones

Two Kinds of Rule Perhaps praying about the two paths drew Isaiah’s mind to the kings of Israel and Judah, for they represented those paths—the road of righteousness and the way of the wicked. Most of Israel’s kings had continued in the path Jeroboam had set, worshiping the hybrid gods established in Bethel and in Dan. But even many of Judah’s kings had done evil in God’s sight, ruling with…

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[tylejandro]

I had no idea there was a @totaldramaficrecweek until just now. To anyone who wants more recs, here's what I suggest for days 1 through 4.

Day 1 (15 July): Favourite Canon Divergence

Favorite by AyaWilliams, an Aletyler and Heatherra rewrite of TDI. I loved seeing how these two relationships could've developed in that season and I thought both were handled very well. I also liked Heather and Noah's alliance. Not to spoil anything, but I also loved the 'Mr. Coconut' equivalent AyaWilliams made for the fic and I thought it was very in character.

I also really enjoyed Slippery Slopes by courtney-deserved-better just like a whole lot of other TD fans. I'm happy it inspired many other people to make Alenoah fanworks. I even wrote about it on Fanlore along with the ship itself, both of which were super fun to make. I really liked how the fic explored Noah's family and how that's been carried over to other fics, since canon gives us so little information.

Day 2 (16 July): Favourite Canon Compliant Fic

7 Minutes in Heaven (It Feels Like 70) by elsleaze, a Tyzeke Playa Des Losers 7 Minutes in Heaven AU. Does this count as canon compliant? Probably not, but I wanted to share this one. It was interesting seeing all the eliminated characters up to Sadie interact with one another, and the actual kissing scene with Tyler and Ezekiel felt very natural. It's a very cozy fic with the steamy moments in the 7 Minutes closet, and it got me to like Ezekiel more.

New Beginnings by CerendaRoth, a Nowen AU that takes place from Greece's Pieces until Owen is eliminated during Niagara Brawls. Not exactly canon compliant, again, but I wanted to share this one. I love how Owen's thoughts in a Nowen AU were explored. It has a great sense of soul, and Team-Escope was great!

Day 3 (17 July): Favourite Alternate Universe - No Total Drama

The Perfect Resolution by Brick_bronze165, a High School AU Aletyler fic written for new years 2024. This is my go-to comfort fic. Alejandro and Tyler's relationship develops naturally and I love all the scenes in this fic, each one shows the stage of their relationship very well. They also have good characterizations, though Tyler's is stronger overall.

i don't hate you, i'm just passing the time by jasmine_sea, a High School AU Alenoah fic written for Alenoah Week 2024. This one is genuinely very well written and may be one of my top 10 favorite fics I've ever read. Seriously. Both Alejandro and Noah are characterized very well and I love the side characters. Their relationship develops naturally and it has amazing scenes. It has a great sense of groundedness, if that makes sense, and the world the characters live in is very believable without being boring.

Day 4 (18 July): Favourite Short Fic (Under 2k)

Solace by AyaWilliams, an Alecody fic where Alejandro hides Cody from Sierra when she tried to make him drink that love tea. I liked the imagery of Alejandro basically cuddling Cody under a table.

Ugly Doll by natalynsie, a solid Heather & Leshawna interaction fic that takes place just after Heather's head is shaved by Chef, but it's not all completely off yet. A very good take on both characters, and this fic also has a lot of soul to it. I once shaved my head so I related a little to Heather's pain here, even if I did it completely on my own terms.

[ahthefreedomofbeingbacteria]

Some ideas if I wrote the 2015 Klarion comic:

-Klarion leaves Limbo Town (LT) at 14 and is homeless for a few years until he meets Rasp at 17 (gotta keep the homeless trend going)

-Klarion still leaves because he kills his teacher (angst)

-Teekl is alive and well

-LT is a faery town in another dimension. I'm still deciding how to make them puritans / puritan inspired (maybe half faery half human, maybe just the ideology instead of them being actual puritans). Their society is structured very similarly to puritan society, with rigid social + gender roles and hierarchy.

- Between LT and Earth there's another sort of mixed dimension that you have to cross through to get to one from the other (you can't jump directly from one to another, you need to cross through there first)

-Familiars in LT are formed from magic in this mixed realm. These familiars are captured and brought to LT to be chosen by young witches for a ceremony at 5 years old. Teekl was a familiar that survived in this mixed realm for several years, which is very rare because almost all familiars either get captured by LT or find there way to Earth and lose most of their magic, becoming normal animals with a little bit of extra supernatural in them. She was considered temperamental and disobedient because she was NOT happy about eventually being captured 💀. She was kept despite this because her being able to survive so long could mean she's a more powerful familiar.

-She was captured in the year that Klarion's ceremony took place in. Klarion instantly wanted her because she was rebellious and cool in his eyes; she was also much bigger than the other familiars because she'd grown up in the mixed realm so BIG FLUFFY KITTY. She hissed and bit at literally everyone.

-Uriah is a clergy member's son in this universe, so he's very bratty and very conceited

-Uriah also wanted Teekl because she was potentially more powerful than the other familiars. He spent the entire time allocated to choosing a familiar chasing after her and trying to force her to like him. Which, if you know cats, had the opposite effect

-Klarion spent what little time Uriah didn't take up talking to her, which is considered very weird behavior because 1) she's not his familiar yet and 2) its considered proper to either talk via the bond formed between witch and familiar or just give them verbal orders.

-At the end of the ceremony Uriah gave up and chose another one. Klarion decided to not pick any familiar because Teekl didnt want to pick anyone. Which was unheard of and also considered very weird behaviour.

-During the next 3 years Klarion sneaked into the Farm where the familiars are kept to talk to Teekl. When he was 8 he helped her escape and get back to the mixed realm

-She decided to stay there instead of losing her magic because Klarion was her friend and she wouldn't be able to visit him anymore if she left for Earth. She sneaks in a lot to see him.

-Him repeatedly turning down a familiar at the choosing ceremony makes his rebellious reputation much worse (he never chooses a familiar, so he has no actual familiar when he leaves at 14)

-Charity Bleak is his mother, Beulah is his sister and Ezekiel is his step-dad like on SSOV.

- I think Charity should have been outcasted for a bit because Klarion's dad left LT for Earth. This was because 1) her husband left her (wasn't killed) and 2) he was a rebel (she couldn't keep him in line). She worked very hard to get back into the good graces of LT and is desperate to keep herself there. Klarion's rebellious nature reminds her of his dad AND could potentially take away all the hard work she put into fitting into LT again. She paints all his Problems tm as him being his father's son and never defends him, even agreeing with other people's negative opinions of Klarion so she fits in.

-Beulah follows along with Charity because she fits in easily and because she remembers how bad it was to be outcasted by LT.

-Neither Beulah nor Charity can understand why Klarion chooses to outcast himself

-Ezekiel is just kind of There tm i don't have any thoughts ab him so far.

[jrat226]

Imma rank the TDI contestants cause yeah

1. Duncan (I mean he was it, he's awesome)

2. Harold (I love Harold, he's funny, comes in clutch, I did like his crush on leshawna) "give daddy some sugar"

3. Dj (I mean of course he's making top 3??? You surprised you know why he's here?)

4. Noah (look I love snarky asshole characters)

5. Gwen (best girl hands down)

6. Leshawna (she's awesome you know why she's this high)

7. Heather (we love and evil bitch)

8. Tyler (he's funny, I like him, also he was voted off unfairly)

9. Izzy (I like Izzy, that's all)

10. Eva (listen the buff angry girl was kinda fun I'm not gonna lie I wish she stayed longer and her friendship with Izzy and Noah is cool)

11. Cody (I like him but I do wish he was fleshed out more)

12. Owen (imma get my ip leaked, but he's so overrated like yes he's very nice and sweet but besides that it's just *insert fat/fart joke here*

13. Geoff (again cool kind I like him)

14. Bridgette (she's cool)

15. Courtney (another one that'll get me killed, but I mean she was annoying, the only time I liked her on screen was when Duncan was with her on screen)

16. Lindsey (she's cool but she's just a bit too dumb)

17. Justin (damn that boy sexy, but he got the personality of wet toilet paper)

18. Beth (eh she cool)

19. Ezekiel (he's wasted potential if he could've stayed longer and learned things he could've been taken under someone's wing but as he is he can go here)

20. Trent (this one will get me killed but, he's just so basic I'm sorry)

21. Katie (annoying ass)

22. Sadie (she was there longer than Katie so she could annoy me longer)

[awideplace]

C.S. Lewis

Thinking about this quote which has always been one I've liked and a stark reminder of accountability of behavior whilst being a Christian and others knowing one is a professing Christian. However, I know also that, "there is no one good, no not one" (Psalm 53:1) and we are all, well, "bad"–the difference is a truly born again Christian is saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and we seek to live a fruitful life by that very same grace that saved us. Yes, we are held to a higher standard in that way; it's not just what we have been saved to (being His!) but what we have been saved from (sin + death). And many verses come to mind, cumulating in a portion of Ezekiel I read this morning in my reading through the Bible time which supports this:

but keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (1 Peter 3:16-17)

as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2:26) by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6) How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? (James 2:20) He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:2)

"But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” (Ezekiel 17:21-32)

[apilgrimpassingby]

Demons of the Hebrew Bible

Since today is also the day for Lord of Spiritsposting, I've decided to make a post I considered yesterday - the demons of the Hebrew Bible. This will be a long post, so I'm inserting a "Keep Reading".

Azazel: Appears only once in Leviticus 16, as the being in the wilderness to whom the goat with the people's sins laid on it in the Day of Atonement ritual is given (this isn't sacrifice, because the animal isn't killed or offered on an altar, among other things). Becomes a Devil figure in some later Jewish literature like the Book of Enoch, and is associated with deserts, sin and goats - the name literally means "the goat that goes away" (an archaic translation gives us the word "scapegoat"), and the seemingly-random reference to goat demons in Leviticus 17:7 comes just after Azazel's appearance.

Deber: The most prominent of the gang, appearing (usually in conjunction with other figures on this list) in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Habakkuk and the Pentateuch a total of 49 times, usually unleashed as punishment for some sin by Israel (compare "handing people over to Satan" in St. Paul's letters - 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20). A nocturnal demon of pestilence and destruction associated with the underworld in Canaanite mythology.

Hereb: Rendered as "the sword" in English; the next most prominent one, appearing 29 times and, like Deber, in conjunction with the others. A demon of violence and destruction associated with blood-drinking (Isaiah 34:5, Jeremiah 46:10) and flesh-eating (Deuteronomy 32:42, Jeremiah 12:12) and probably the rider on a red horse from Revelation 6:3-4.

Lilit: Appears just once, Isaiah 34:14, where she's dwelling in some ruins. Usually translated as "screech owl" or "night bird", but some use "Lilith". In Mesopotamian mythology, the lili are a class of nocturnal female demons associated who kill babies and are associated with owls, so the translation as "screech owl" is acceptable. The Songs of the Sage from the Dead Sea Scrolls refer to liliyot (feminine plural) as a class of demons: "And I, the Instructor, proclaim His glorious splendour so as to frighten and to te[rrify] all the spirits of the destroying angels, spirits of the bastards, demons, liliths, howlers...

Livyatan: Usually anglicised as Leviathan, and appears five times: Job 3:8 and chapter 41, Psalms 74:12-14 and 104:26 and Isaiah 27:1. Based on those appearances, he's a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent immune to weapons who battles with Yahweh and (of course) always loses. The myth of a god fighting a sea serpent is a staple of world mythology. Likely correlates to the beast from the sea of Revelation 13:1-10, since Leviathan is paired with a beast from the earth (Behemoth; Job 40:15-24) - also compare Revelation 13:4 ("Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”) to Job 41:33-34 ("On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride").

Nephilim: Famously appear in Genesis 6:1-4 as the warriors born of the sons of God and the daughters of men, understood in Second Temple Jewish texts such as the Book of Enoch and the Septuagint to be giants born of fallen angels and human women. They appear by the name Anakim or Rephaim in Genesis 14:5, 15:20, Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10-11, 2:20-21, 3:11, 3;13, 9:2 and Joshua 11:21-22, 12:4, 13:12, 14:12, 14:15 and 15:8 and war with giants appears in 2 Samuel 21:16-22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 and, of course, 1 Samuel 17 (the David and Goliath story).

Qeteb: Appears just 4 times (Deuteronomy 32:24; Psalm 91:6; Isaiah 28:2; Hosea 13:14), together with Deber in the Psalms and Hosea appearances and together with Resheph in Deuteronomy; if there's any lesson from this post so far, it's that plague demons hunt in packs. A diurnal plague demon whose name is rendered in English as "destruction"; nothing more to be said.

Ra'av: The third most prominent one, appearing 35 times; a famine demon whose name is rendered in English as "famine" or "hunger" who is unleashed on Israel as punishment together with (surprise!) Hereb and either Deber or Resheph. Probably the rider on a black horse from Revelation 6:5-6.

Rephaim: The spirits of dead kings who dwell in the underworld not doing much, translated in the ESV as shades and appearing in Isaiah 14:9 and 26:14; the same imagery and concept is being used by Ezekiel 32:20-30.

Resheph: A demon of plague and conquest worshipped as a god in Canaanite and Egyptian culture, depicted as a bearded archer on a white horse. Appears just 6 times in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 32:24; Habakkuk 3:5 Psalm 78:48; Job 5:7, Song of Songs 8:6); the name is rendered as "plague" or "pestilence" or occasionally "fire" or "sparks" because the name literally means "burning". Probably the rider on a white horse from Revelation 6:2.

Sources and Further Reading

"Before Him Went Pestilence (Hab. 3:5) - Biblical Lexis and Semantic Field of Epidemics" by Jozef Jankovic for The Old Testament Society of South Africa

"A Land of Giants" by Frs. Andrew Stephen Damick and Stephen DeYoung on The Lord of Spirits

"War, Famine, Disease, Death and Hades" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

"Who is Azazel?" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

Who is Lilith - Ancient Development and Origins of the Demon Queen by Dr. Justin Sledge on ESOTERICA

Or in short - stop making it all about Lilith. Use some other Hebrew Bible demons.

[talonabraxas]

Ezekiel's Wheel Talon Abraxas

Metaphysical meaning of Ezekiel (mbd)

Ezekiel, e-ze'-k1-el (Heb.)--God strengthens; God is strong; God is powerful; whom God makes strong.

One of the four major prophets. He was one of a colony of captive Jews by the river Chebar, in Babylon; it was there that he did his prophesying (The Book of Ezekiel).

Meta. That in us which relies on Spirit and encourages us to place our full trust in Jehovah, that the Lord Jehovah (the spiritual I AM in us) may become the keeper of our sheep (our spiritual thoughts). Ezekiel was an enthusiast. His mind was open and alive to things spiritual. He shows us how to demonstrate strength.

Ezekiel saw a vision (Ezek. 1:4-28) in which the glory and splendor of God were revealed to him. The power of God's presence threw him down upon his face, where he remained for a time. But God called him to stand up and commanded him to go to Israel and carry a message to the people there. God encouraged him and told him not to be afraid when trials came (Ezek. 2:1-6; 3:17-21).

Ezekiel means God strengthens. We may apply this story of Ezekiel's vision to our own development, for it is a symbol of what may happen in any one's spiritual growth. When we touch the God consciousness we realize the presence of a mighty power, and at first we fall down; that is, we become inactive, for we feel our insignificance and our inability to do anything but worship. We soon find, however, that we must go forth and carry the message to others. We must be busy. We do not always need to preach in order to carry the message. We may become living messages that will be more eloquent in God's cause than words could possibly be.

God strengthens the one who seeks Him in the inner chamber and finds Him there. God fills that one with an urge that he cannot suppress; he must go forth and carry the message of life to all living creatures.

There is a great work to be done among men. They must be shown that good is real and that evil is unreal. They must be taught that evil is an inharmonious state of mind, an unprofitable state of mind. Lasting health, happiness, and life eternal come only when one lives and thinks in harmony with the divine law of the universe.

There is a great work to be done among men, but there is a greater work to be done within man. Every thought of the mind and every organ and cell of the body must be taught and redeemed before heaven can be established in your earth.

The mind and the body must be taught and assured that they are filled with the life and substance of God. They must be redeemed from the old race thoughts of sin and sickness or they will die; if they die, their blood will be on your head because of your not telling them. God is life and He sends forth the message of life. It is for all who will accept it. An organ of the body that receives God's message is quickened and vitalized. All the cells and organs of the body must be taught the truth about themselves; they must be taught that they are a harmonious part of God's creation and that they are not subject to discord or sickness. Begin today. Find the Father within you and carry His message to every living creature.

[thecreaturecodex]

Archon, Wheel

Image © Paizo Publishing

[Sponsored by @razzelmire. I really like how fleshy the eyes of the wheel archon look, and the weird sinewy tissues in the hub/mouth. It's interesting that they are inflexible paladin types explicitly in the flavor text, more so than other archons. Is it because they're less humanoid? Is it a reference to the Book of Ezekiel, and how its depiction of God (in the first two thirds, anyway) is judgemental and destructive? Or was it an author trying to differentiate different flavors of Good for different celestials in the same product? It could be all of these, or none of them.]

Archon, Wheel CR 16 LG Outsider This being is a wheel the size of an elephant, seemingly made of fire and golden plates. It has a staring eye on each spoke, and its hub is a mouth-like orifice.

The wheel archons are among the least humanoid of the archons, and among the least forgiving. Wheel archons are stubborn and indomitable, and rarely go on missions requiring tact or diplomacy. They are often sent to deliver a message to a prophet, or as a herald of the armies of Heaven. A wheel archon’s view of good and evil is rigid to the point of inflexibility. They are excellent at following orders, but eschew moderation and forgiveness for righteous wrath. They view themselves as the arbiters of Heaven’s laws, and are willing to be judge jury and executioner all at once if need be. They do not tolerate dishonesty in any form, and respond to lies with violent retribution.

A wheel archon’s strategy is as direct and forthright as everything they do. They fly into the thick of battle, spraying flames and slamming into enemies with their spiked rims. Their stern gaze can dispel illusions and force shapechangers to resume their natural shapes, and if they suspect that they are fighting disguised enemies, use this ability liberally mixed with attacks. Fires created by a wheel archon, whether by its spells or sprayed from its fiery spokes, burn through fiends despite any fire resistance they might have. Wheel archons do not accept surrender or surrender themselves unless they are explicitly ordered to do so by a superior.

Wheel Archon CR 16 XP 76,800 LG Huge outsider (archon, extraplanar, good, law) Init +9; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +39, true seeing Aura all knowing eyes (30 ft., Will DC 24),menace (20 ft., Will DC 24)

Defense AC 30, touch 18, flat-footed 20 (-2 size, +1 dodge, +9 Dex, +12 natural) hp 253 (22d10+132) Fort +15, Ref +21, Will +18; +4 vs. poison DR 15/evil; Immune electricity, fire, petrifaction, sleep; SR 27

Offense Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft. (good) Melee slam +26 (3d12+9/19-20 plus 1d6 fire) Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft. Special Attacks fiery spokes, focus gaze Spell-like Abilities CL 16th, concentration +19 Constant—true seeing At will—discern lies (DC 17), greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. objects), scorching ray 3/day—flame strike (DC 18), empowered holy smite (DC 17) 1/day—antimagic aura, heroic invocation, holy word (DC 19), prying eyes

Statistics Str 23, Dex 29, Con 22, Int 21, Wis 22, Cha 16 Base Atk +22; CMB +30; CMD 40 (cannot be tripped) Feats Combat Expertise,Dodge, Empower SLA (holy smite), Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (slam), Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack Skills Acrobatics +34,Fly +34, Intimidate +28, Knowledge (arcana, history, local) +27, Knowledge (planes, religion) +30, Perception +39, Sense Motive +39, Spellcraft +27; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive Languages Celestial, Draconic, Infernal, truespeech SQ holy flames, spiked rims

Ecology Environment any land and sky (Heaven) Organization solitary or procession (2-5) Treasure incidental

Special Abilities All Seeing Eyes (Su) All creatures within 30 feet of a wheel archon take a -5 penalty on all Bluff checks. Any creature in disguise or in an alternate form in the area must succeed a DC 24 Will save or be sickened as long as it remains in the aura and for 1d4+1 rounds thereafter. Fiery Spokes (Su) As a standard action, a wheel archon can spray fire in a 60 foot radius. All creatures in the area take 16d6 points of fire damage (Ref DC 27 half). A wheel archon can use this ability once every 1d4 rounds. Focus Gaze (Su) A wheel archon can focus its gaze on a creature within 30 feet as a move action. The creature must succeed a DC 24 Will save or return to its original form, dispelling spells and negating supernatural abilities. Whether the creature succeeds or fails its save, it is immune to that wheel archon’s focused gaze until the end of the archon’s next turn. Holy Flames (Su) Fire damage dealt by a wheel archon’s spells and effects ignores the fire resistance of creatures with the evil subtype, and deals half damage to creatures with the good subtype. Creatures with the evil subtype and fire immunity, such as devils, are treated as having fire resistance 20 against a wheel archon’s fire spells and effects. Spiked Rims (Ex) A wheel archon’s slam attack deals bludgeoning and piercing damage.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

A Call to Repentance

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, you nation that has no shame,

2 before the appointed time when the day passes as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes on you, before the day of the LORD's anger comes on you.

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger.

4 For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron will be rooted up.

5 Woe to the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites. The word of the LORD is against you, Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you, that there will be no inhabitant.

6 The sea coast will be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks.

7 The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. They will find pasture. In the houses of Ashkelon, they will lie down in the evening, for the LORD, their God, will visit them, and restore them.

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the people of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.

9 Therefore as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, surely Moab will be as Sodom, and the people of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and salt pits, and a perpetual desolation. The remnant of my people will plunder them, and the survivors of my nation will inherit them.

10 This they will have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.

11 The LORD will be awesome to them, for he will famish all the gods of the land. Men will worship him, everyone from his place, even all the shores of the nations.

12 You Cushites also, you will be killed by my sword.

13 He will stretch out his hand against the north, destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, as dry as the wilderness.

14 Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams.

15 This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is none besides me." How she has become a desolation, a place for animals to lie down in. Everyone who passes by her will hiss, and shake their fists. — Zephaniah 2 | New Heart English Bible (NHEB) The New Heart English Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 19:24; Exodus 4:31; Deuteronomy 29:23; Joshua 5:9; Ruth 1:6; 1 Samuel 30:14; 2 Chronicles 20:4; Job 16:4; Psalm 22:26; Psalm 45:4; Psalm 72:8; Psalm 72:10; Psalm 102:6; Isaiah 5:17; Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 10:5; Isaiah 10:16; Isaiah 14:29-30; Isaiah 15:1; Isaiah 16:6; Isaiah 17:13; Isaiah 18:1; Isaiah 20:4; Jeremiah 3:3; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 6:4; Lamentations 1:9; Ezekiel 25:16; Revelation 18:2; Revelation 18:7

Zephaniah 2 - Smith's Bible Commentary

[allegraforchrist]

A conviction I’ve realized recently is that: constantly belittling yourself, only hurts yourself, your relationship with Jesus, and everyone around you. The only one who benefits from your self-hatred is satan - because what’s better than pulling God’s beloved child, away from the Spirit of Love. Stop asking God for forgiveness every time you mess up or lose it. Remember that you are already forgiven

(1 JOHN 2:12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. No matter what you have done -- God has already forgiven you! More than forgiven -- you are loved!)

and can never be separated from God’s eternal love because He does not fail, change, or distance Himself. Our love is fickle. Our morals are fickle. Our ways of forgiveness and the standards of what’s righteous are fickle. So being hard on yourself - in a damaging and degrading way - pulls you away from God. Don’t do that. Instead of crying and hating yourself, open your Bible and cry to God to convict you of your insecurities, your bad habits, your sins, because then you can grow and become Holy. Then you can allow the Holy Spirit to change your heart, and change you.

(Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.)

(2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.)

Only then you cannot be moved, because you are at peace with God. You are still and sound. You become someone in the Spirit, without concern in the flesh. You are urged and convicted by the Spirit to do what’s right and pure. What influences your heart, influences your Spirit, influencing your behavior, and your mind.

[abbcdon]

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ— I watched him even then as he fell, his face undefeated, his eyes still proud.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ“Above him were seraphs, each with six wings […] and they were calling to one another: ‘holy is the Lord; the whole earth is full of his glory’” ISAIAH 6:1-3

Era cheio de adoração e graça. Vivia para olhar além de si e encontrar a beleza do perfeito e adorá-la sem hesitação pela eternidade. E era bom quando mantinha seus olhos no trono e entoava louvores que ecoavam sobre as nuvens, mas mesmo que nunca piscasse ou arriscasse olhar para além da luz, jamais seria considerado importante. Jamais seria amado como era a criação. Era um espelho criado para refletir a luz mais brilhante, sempre incapaz de ver a si e ser aquecido.  

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ“You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. […] every precious stone adorned you… You were anointed as a guardian cherub, […] You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. […] Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor” EZEKIEL 28:12-17

Quando seus olhos encontraram a luz dele, sabia que estava condenado. Não havia outro mais glorioso ou mais importante, por isso quando se viu refletido no brilho dourado de suas asas, espantou-se. Viu-se amado ao refletir a grandeza dele. Soube naquele instante que aguardou por aquele momento desde o início do tempo e o seguiria por onde quer que fosse até a última gota de sua graça. 

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ“Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and then horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth” REVELATION, 12:3-4

Mesmo que não fosse grande ou poderoso, tinha voz, e com ela gritou os desejos dele e trouxe volume às reivindicações que fizera. Fez-se útil e lhe defendeu quando o condenaram sem que sequer lhe pedisse. Nunca parou para pensar que consequências suas ações teriam. Estava muito além do alcance da salvação e quando o lançaram do céu, pulou no abismo para alcançá-lo. Foi feito para adoração e era fiel à sua natureza, mas havia encontrado o divino longe do criador e não o abandonaria. Quando atingiu o abismo, sorriu à imensidão do reino justo de seu mestre e nem quando precisou arrancar os pedaços chamuscados de suas asas, se arrependeu.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ"And wild beasts shall meet with hyenas, the satyr shall cry to his fellow; indeed, there shall Lilith alight, and find for herself a place of rest" ISAIAH 34:14, RSV

Ela tinha olhos pálidos e sua voz soava como uma canção de ninar. Não havia paraíso sem sua presença e o caído regojizou a sorte de ser algo para ela. Seu mestre tinha novas funções - toda a criação para sobrevoar e destruir - e nela depositou a confiança de supervisionar os seus. A voz que lhe uma vez fora útil pouco era necessária no abismo, então ela o ensinou a prestar atenção nos ruídos do silêncio e a apreciar grunhidos. Suas mãos, delicadas e pálidas, já não careciam de força e sangue; ela deixou que provasse seu valor para que os desejos de seu mestre fossem atendidos. Outrora fora nada. No poço, tornava-se tão grande quanto as sombras que ela lançava na escuridão. 

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ"They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon [...]" REVELATION 9:11 

Tinha um nome que significava mais para si que qualquer outra coisa e olhos que reluziam ouro como uma vez brilharam as asas de seu mestre. Já não importava aqueles que não o valorizavam, ou os que não acreditavam que poderia se tornar mais. Abaddon rastejou para fora do lamaçal do pecado marcado por tudo aquilo que havia feito em nome dele. Cada degrau era uma nova vitória que o levaria à admiração de seu mestre e quanto mais fundo chegava, mais acreditava que assim que ele olhasse para si, veria refletido em seus olhos a mesma grandeza que um dia o levou à perdição.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ“Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction?" PSALM 88:11

[tylejandro]

I found this "TDI survey" from 2008 and filled it out! You can too here.

Penname: Cavewomania

Age (optional; if you want use interval ranges like 1-100, etc): early 20s

Gender: Female

Location/Hometown (simply stating US or Canada is a'right): US

How did you start watching TDI?: I heard it was similar to Danganronpa, so I watched it when it was on Netflix.

If so, how did you become hooked/what episode got you hooked?: This question applied way better back in the day, but I got into TD again after 4 years of not caring about it much because I saw how many fics were coming out for Alenoah in 2023 and I was like “who’s Alejandro?” Now I’m here.

When did you first see it?: 2019

--

Favorite episode: In terms of fanworks, I See London. But I should really rewatch Island, it has some pretty good episodes.

Least Favorite episode: Hard to say? I don’t like a lot of the episodes necessarily but I’ve had a lot of fun rewriting some for my Aletyler WT fic. My Island knowledge is rusty and I’ve never wanted to really watch Action for some reason, I’ve only seen around the first four episodes.

I’ve heard Sundae Muddy Sundae sucks?

Favorite Gopher: Owen

Least favorite Gopher: Justin?

Favorite Bass member: Tyler, though I didn’t care for him until WT – during Island I liked Courtney.

Least Favorite Bass member: Ezekiel

Arrange the characters (including Chef and Chris) in order from most favorite to least:

Oh shit uhhh

1. Alejandro

2. Owen

3. Heather

4. Tyler

5. Noah

6. Gwen

7. Duncan

8. Leshawna

9. Courtney

10. Eva

11. Bridgette

12. Geoff

13. Lindsay

14. Sierra

15. Cody

16. DJ

17. Trent

18. Harold

19. Beth

20. Izzy

21. Justin

22. Ezekiel

23. Sadie

24. Katie

25. Blaineley

26. Chef

27. Chris

-ish, this is not a scientific list.

Which character(s) are you most like?: Beth & Tyler. I see a good amount of my young self in Beth.

Are you truthfully, really really obsessively in love with any of the characters?: Nope

If so, who?: I mean Alejandro is my fave, I just wouldn’t say ‘in love’? I’ve cosplayed as him.

Are you on crack?: Thankfully no.

Have you ever been to a mental hospital?: Hm.

--

Plot Questions..

Who let the dogs out?: Bark!

What came first, the chicken or the egg?: Egg first makes the most sense.

Why is the plane crashing?: It’s just thirsty.

Were you surprised when Owen won?: I don’t recall but I like that he did.

Did you see HxL coming at all?: Nope.

Did you expect Harold had gotten Courtney eliminated before they showed that scene?: I don’t recall.

Did you cry when one of your favorites got voted off?: Nope. Man I should really rewatch this show...

Did you laugh when any of your least favorites got voted off?: Most likely.

--

Character questions..

Your opinion of Chris Maclean: ‘Maclean’, ha!

He’s my least favorite but he’s fine. I think he’ll grow on me eventually but for now he’s just kind of there.

Does Chef creep you out, even the tiniest bit?: I guess?

Does Chef's cooking creep you out, uhm, alot?: I guess? Is something wrong with me, I didn’t really react to it.

Do you feel sorry for Heather?: She had it coming in Island – I really didn’t like her in Island and it was only until WT that I came around to her..

Why or why not?: see above

Has your opinion of any of the characters changed over the course of the show?: Absolutely. Harold used to be my favorite and I think Cody was my second favorite. Coming back to the show (because I changed so much as a person in between 2019 and 2023) was like a clean slate, though I shipped Nowen before because I’ve always liked both Noah and Owen.

Were you mad at Harold for switching the votes?: No, I don’t think so. I thought it was kind of cool.

Ezekiel or Eva: Eva. No contest.

Noah or Justin: Noah

Katie or Tyler: LMAO

Apples or Oranges: Oranges, they’re not huge like apples often are.

Izzy or Cody: Cody. Izzy’s really hard to write.

Beth or Sadie: Beth

Courtney or Harold: Shit – Courtney.

Trent or Bridgette: Bridgette

Lindsey or DJ: Lindsay

Geoff or Lewshana: Leshawna

Duncan or Heather: Heather

Gwen or Owen: Owen

--

Opinion of Trent/Gwen: They have some good chemistry, I like them aesthetically, and I’ve read some one-shots focusing on them, but ultimately I prefer them with other characters.

Opinion of Duncan/Courtney: They’re neat and I like how popular they are. If I was naturally more into F/M ships I’d like these two a lot maybe.

Opinion of Geoff/Bridgette: Aesthetically pleasing, but ultimately more interesting with other people in fanworks.

Opinion of Harold/Leshawna: I don’t like them together TBH, I prefer Leshawna/Heather or Leshawna/Courtney. For Harold, IDK, Harold/Ezekiel?

Opinion of Tyler/Lindsey: Aesthetically pleasing, but ultimately more interesting with other people in fanworks. Also Alejandro/Tyler is my favorite pairing in this series so I’m biased to be annoyed by this one – I ship Lindsay more with Trent than with Tyler.

Opinion of Owen/Izzy: I can see it, but also… IDK? Izzy is hard to ship with people and I really like Nowen.

Since Noah/Cody IS TOTALLY CANON WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, your opinion of NxC: They can be cute, and I’ve enjoyed fanworks of them, but I prefer both characters with other people. I simply don’t care about Cody too much.

Opinion of FANON: The shit.

If any, favorite fanon couples: Aletyler, Nowen, Duncowen, Djuncan, Lesheather, Gwourtney, Ezzy (as in Ezekiel/Izzy), Trindsay, DJ x Lindsay, Heatherra, Gweather, etc etc. Doing the ‘ship every character with one another challenge’ helped me expand my range a little. I even ship Gwody a little now – freaky.

--

Misc. Questions..

We're talking 100, 000 dollars. Would you be a contestant on Total Drama Island?: Hell no.

Would you jump off a thousand foot cliff into a lake full of hungry sharks?: Nope.

Would you be offended by Ezekiel's sexist remarks?: I wouldn’t be offended I’d just be annoyed and I would vote him out as soon as I could.

Would you last two days without any sleep?: I’ve tried, but to no success thankfully. A little over 24 hours is my max.

Are you good at dodgeball?: It’s been a while, I think I’d be okay at dodging but shit with aim.

How many times do you suspect you might possible be hit in the face?: ? I can’t punch to save my life.

Any special talents?: Hm, I can sneak up on people?

Would you join Heather's alliance?: No I’d hate Heather.

If you saw Izzy in a bear-suit (ONLY YOU DON'T KNOW IT'S IZZY!) during the camping episode, your first reaction: Oh shit is that a bear.

Your biggest fear: Naked in public? But to keep things in tone with the show I’d say being yelled at/being threatened after I’ve seemingly had a decent conversation with a person. (Can you tell I work in customer service?…)

If you recieved a heart-shaped coin purse given by Geoff, you: Give it back and hope he understands I’m not interested – I think he would.

Do you believe in 'bad luck'?: No but I think I’d avoid people with ‘bad luck’ if I thought I’d be annoyed by them/injured by them.

xD Can YOU take the heat?: I can follow directions but otherwise can’t cook really.

Would you get along with the rest of the campers?: As a 20 something, no. As a 16 year old, I’d be so confused with my own boundaries that I wouldn’t want to upset anyone – overall a worse way to deal with people.

Bootcamp. Your first reaction: Fuck.

Can you handle free-falling 5000 feet in the air?: AHHHHHHHHH

OMG, Harold saw your b***. You: Oops.

Were you able to eat the same way again the first few days after seeing the Brunch-of-Disgustingness ep?: Yeah, it’s cartoon food to me.

Would you be happy to see Eva and Izzy back?: It’s been a while. Wow I’m terrible at answering these.

Trent's elimination, your reaction: See above

Would you vote Bridgette off because she smelled really bad?: Yeah, I’d want the money.

Would you do well during the bike challenge?: That challenge is so confusing, I’d want to do well so I’d aim to get first.

Would you tell off Heather if you were Lindsey? (Simple enough): I wouldn’t have the guts...

Horror movies, yay or nay? No, though to be fair I never watch scary movies so maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.

Robotic racoon armies? Suddenly cute little animals don't seem as friendly: Sounds like a TF2 thing – maybe I could tame the raccoons with sour cream...

Out of the finally six, who would you least want to be chained to?: Duncan.

THE LOSER RESORT, EEEEEEEEE!: Sup losers.

Your opinion on Mr. Coconut: Can I eat it?

Your opinion on sticky buns: I looked in the thread this survey came from and apparently this is just a random question. Eh? I prefer other sweets like cinnamon rolls.

Your opinion on Heather's haircut: Honestly kind of relatable – I shaved my own head a couple of years ago and it was difficult and messy. It was my own choice though so I can’t relate to Heather on that front.

Before you found out who the winner was, Owen or Gwen? I was on Team Gwen.