#Genesis 31:25

[doulafaith]

Christ's Breakthrough

“His Abide”  Reading  Reflecting Responding To God’s Word while Walking it Out Context: Matthew 27: 1-66 Focus:  Matthew 27:51-52 “At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” Matthew 27: 51-52 Definition: Breakthrough – a military…

[touchofgoddotworld]

I Am In Anguish In This Flame (Part 2) (220) - November 18 2023

Play on other Podcast Apps The second of two programs looking at Luke 16:19-31, regarding the rich man and the destitute Lazarus. On earth Lazarus was at the gate of the rich man, begging for anything that may drop from the man’s table. After both died (in the physical sense), the rich man and Lazarus switched positions. The man was taken to Hades (the place of the dead) by angels, while Lazarus…

[mourningmoonss]

Ultimately I love catalysts I love hitting rock bottom I love the births that come from little deaths and the new terrain built from the ashes. Even when my eyes can’t see past the fire, my heart knows fresh air and new breath of life will come. God sees to it that every battle serves a purpose. With his grace every wound I bear and tear I drop and ledge I come to has already proven to and will continue to lead me to glorious days.

[autumnslance]

Pre-Dawntrail Schedule

End of April, all of May and June, to the beginning of July and release.

FF16 Crossover ends May 8

Yo-kai Watch Returns (with a new Framer Kit!) April 24 through June 25.

Moogle Tomes of Genesis Part 2 from May 14 through June 24.

Make It Rain goes from May 15 through May 31.

Producer Live Letter 81 is on or around May 16.

Dragon Quest X returns from June 5 through June 20.

Producer Live Letter 82 is on or around June 14.

48 Hour Maintenance June 26th through 28th; the expansion shouldn't take too much longer than normal, but they want to give folks plenty of time to download.

Early Access begins on June 29th.

Official Launch July 2nd.

[loveerran]

LDS Doctrine, 8yr-old Transgender Children and Policy

One of the most shocking things about the new LDS policies for transgender children, is the policy that appears to deny or severely restrict their access to baptism. I discussed that briefly here (last year and recently). This post looks more at the doctrinal side of the question.

LDS doctrine has been amazingly clear and consistent on the treatment of little children prior to the age of accountability (defined as 8yrs-old in Doctrine & Covenants 68) from the very early days of the church. I honestly feel this issue has some nuance, but the church has been absolutely unwavering in stating the tenet that children under the age of 8 cannot sin, or even if they can their sin is swallowed up in the atonement of Christ automatically.

I might personally believe that accountability for actions is a continuum based on the light and law an individual has received (2 Nephi 9:25-6, Luke 12:47-9, Romans 4:15, 5:13, DC 137:7 – a continuum applying to all individuals, regardless of age). However, LDS doctrine and statements are emphatic in declaring the complete innocence of little children, and that the atonement covers them completely until the child is 8 years old:

Moroni 8:8,11-2,14,19 (verses 20+ are much harsher) “...wherefore little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin… their little children need no repentance… little children are alive in Christ, from the foundation of the world… little children cannot repent; wherefore it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them…”

DC 20:71 “No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived at the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance”

DC 68:27 “And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands”

DC 74:7 “But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean”

See also Mosiah 3:16, Mosiah 15:25, DC 29:46-7, DC 137:10, JST Genesis 17:3-11, etc.

Taken together, little children are whole and clean through Jesus Christ until they arrive at the years of accountability and are capable of repentance. And that age is 8 years old. Church leaders have repeatedly restated this:

Dallin H Oaks: “We understand from our doctrine that before the age of accountability a child is ‘not capable of committing sin’” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins and Mistakes,” Ensign, Oct. 1996, 65)

Bruce R. McConkie “There comes a time, however, when accountability is real and actual and sin is attributed in the lives of those who develop normally. It is eight years of age, the age of baptism.” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Salvation of Little Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1977, 6)

And we can even see this in the policies laid out in the current General Handbook of Instructions:

31.2.3.1: Children who are Members of Record

(note: children of record are children whose names are on the rolls of the church prior to baptism at age 8)

"In the interview, the bishopric member ensures that the child understands the purposes of baptism (see 2 Nephi 31:5–20). He also ensures that the child understands the baptismal covenant and is committed to live by it (see Mosiah 18:8–10). He does not need to use a specified list of questions. This is not an interview to determine worthiness, since 'little children need no repentance' (Moroni 8:11)."

(bold emphasis mine)

But for the first time in our history, we have an exception to this rule, and it applies only if the child is transgender. Instead of a meaningful interview with the local bishop or one of his counselors about following Jesus, a transgender child (and only a transgender child) who dresses differently or uses a different name and pronouns must have a worthiness interview with the regional Stake President directly. There is no other ‘sin’ that calls for this, even when little children have somehow perpetrated horrible crimes. If the Stake President finds the child worthy (is this even possible under the new guidelines??), he recommends the child for baptism to the First Presidency. The First Presidency is the highest council/court in the church, from which there is no appeal. The First Presidency then chooses whether or not to permit the child to be baptized. This new policy is spelled out in the Handbook:

38.2.8.9: Individuals Who Identify as Transgender

"Any exception to this policy requires the approval of the First Presidency. To request approval, the mission president, or the stake president for an eight-year-old, interviews the person. If he finds the person to be worthy and if he recommends baptism and confirmation, he submits a request for approval to the First Presidency using LCR."

(bold emphasis mine)

In the past, the church has denied baptism to the children of polygamists and to the children of gays (possibly others). In those cases, it could always be said the child’s parents were at fault, not the child themselves. This new policy is a marked departure from that and, in my opinion, is inconsistent with the church’s doctrine. I hope to see this policy adjusted as other policies have been when they do not align well with our core values and doctrines.

Love,

Erran

[djarins-cyare]

✭ Series Masterlist ✭

Languishing in a dull and lonely existence on the forest moon of Endor after travelling there to help salvage Death Star wreckage, a nearly fatal encounter with a mysterious bounty hunter out in the forest heralds an opportunity to utilise long-forgotten skills and develop something more profound than you ever thought possible.

Second person POV, present tense. Set post-season 2, diverges from Canon events before TBoBF and season 3. This is a novel-length, exceptionally slow burn with an original plot, worldbuilding, and fully-developed characterisation. SWU concepts and lore are accurately researched.

WORDS: 406,560

PAIRING: Din Djarin x Female Reader/You

RATING: Explicit (18+)

CHARACTERS: Din Djarin, Reader/You/Female OC, Original Non-Human Character(s), Original Human Characters, Greef Karga, Cara Dune, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Grogu, Peli Motto

TAGS: Slow Burn, Slow Build, Romance, Love, Sexual Tension, Eventual Smut, Smut, Sex, Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, Fluff, Fluff and Smut, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Relationships, Healthy Relationships, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Dark Past, Additional Warnings In Author's Notes, Bounty Hunter Din Djarin, Soft Din Djarin, Touch-Starved Din Djarin, Din Djarin Needs a Hug, Smart Din Djarin, Soft Dominant Din Djarin, Ewok Species, Mandalorian Culture, Mando'a Language, New Razor Crest, Thoroughly Researched, Worldbuilding, No use of y/n.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This took me almost a year to write and four months to edit/proof. Each chapter is prefaced with specific tags and (where necessary) warnings, plus word counts. End notes contain translations and comments… this baby is thoroughly researched, so I’m sharing context where appropriate. I’ve also added definitions of in-universe terms so people less familiar with the franchise won’t be left wondering what the hell certain words or references mean. This is a slow burn (adult themes), and although the explicit content only occurs in the latter half, when it does, it warrants the ‘E’ rating. Basically, the first half is a love story, and the second half gets spicy. I hope you enjoy it!

READ THE COMPLETE STORY ON AO3:

(Chapters containing explicit content marked †)

Chapter 1: The Obstacle

Chapter 2: The Interrogation

Chapter 3: The Covenant

Chapter 4: The Snare

Chapter 5: The Strike

Chapter 6: The Groundwork

Chapter 7: The Genesis

Chapter 8: The Progression

Chapter 9: The Hide

Chapter 10: The Beast

Chapter 11: The Adjustment

Chapter 12: The Storm

Chapter 13: The Broadside

Chapter 14: The Intercourse

Chapter 15: The Village

Chapter 16: The Confession

Chapter 17: The Reprieve

Chapter 18: The Fortification

Chapter 19: The Ambush

Chapter 20: The Meridian

Chapter 21: The Homestretch

Chapter 22: The Union †

Chapter 23: The Overture

Chapter 24: The Crescendo

Chapter 25: The Harmony †

Chapter 26: The Cadence †

Chapter 27: The Ride †

Chapter 28: The Veneration †

Chapter 29: The Spree †

Chapter 30: The Tribute †

Chapter 31: The Courage

Chapter 32: The Feast

Chapter 33: The Exhibition †

Chapter 34: The Reward

Chapter 35: The Binding †

Chapter 36: The Synergy †

Chapter 37: The Match †

Chapter 38: The Flag †

Chapter 39: The Foundling †

Chapter 40: The Future †

✨Additional Media✨

@burntheedges has written a spectacular little drabble detailing what Din was up to during the paragraph break near the end of chapter 1 (*SPOILERS* you don’t find this out until chapter 27).

@roughdaysandart has sketched a fantastic study of chapter 33 and it’s absolutely perfect (*SPOILERS* cliffhanger ending for the chapter).

@djarin-desires has created some awesome AI images of a few scenes using Midjourney.

I spent a stupid amount of money on the Hot Toys official Din Djarin action figure, simply so I could photograph him in poses from my fic 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is just a taster of what’s to come, but here he is offering to help Reader climb onto the speeder in chapter 8.

🧡💚 Thank you for reading! 💚🧡

➤ MAIN MASTERLIST

Dividers by @samspenandsword

[getvalentined]

I saw another of these floating around that was...wrong, so I'm putting this together so people can keep characters' ages straight more easily. I'm not listing everyone, obviously, but characters whose ages get misstated most often.

Does this match up with the wiki or the Ultimanias? Absolutely not! The Ultimania says that Lucrecia was pregnant for three years! The wiki says that Vincent was shot after Sephiroth was born, even though Lucrecia was still pregnant when it happened! The source material, however, is 99.99% internally consistent with regard to the timeline, so I go with that, and that's what we're going by here.

Jenova Project S (1977 · [ μ ] – εγλ 1977)

Vincent: 26-27 (October 13, 1950)

Lucrecia: 27-28 (July 22, presumed 1949 or 1950)

Hojo: 32 (born 1945)

Pre-Crisis Core (2000 · [ μ ] – εγλ 2000)

Genesis: 23 (born early 1977, see first link below)

Sephiroth: 22-23 (born in late 1977, probably Christmas)

Angeal: 21-22 (born late 1977/early 1978, see first link above)

Zack: 16 (born in 1984)

Cloud: 14 (August 11, 1986)

Aerith: 15 (February 2, 1985)

Nibelheim Incident (October 2002 · [ ν ] – εγλ 0002)

Genesis: 25

Sephiroth: 24-25

Angeal: 23-24

Zack: 18

Cloud: 16

Aerith: 17

The Crisis (December 2007 · [ ν ] – εγλ 0007)

Genesis: 30-31

Sephiroth: 30 (physically ~25)

Angeal: 29-30

Zack: 23

Cloud: 21

Aerith: 22

Vincent: 57 (physically 27)

Lucrecia: 57-58 (physically ~34)

Hojo: 62

Advent Children (2009 · [ ν ] – εγλ 0009)

Genesis: 32-33 (physically ~30)

Sephiroth: 32 (physically ~25)

Cloud: 23

Vincent: 59 (physically 27)

Dirge of Cerberus (2010 · [ ν ] – εγλ 0010)

Genesis: 33-34 (physically ~30)

Cloud: 24

Vincent: 60 (physically 27)

Lucrecia: 60-61 (physically 34)

Hojo: 65 (physically nonexistent)

Edited April 2024, when Hojo's age was canonized by the Rebirth Ultimania.

[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

[godsavetheanimalz]

my (personal) favorite albums of 2023!!! 1. Jeff Rosenstock - HELLMODE 2. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin 3. Liturgy - 93696 4. Anohni - My Back Was a Bridge For You To Cross 5. Geese - 3D Country 6. Snõõper - Super Snõõper 7. Billy Woods & Kenny Segal - Maps 8. Lonnie Holley - Oh Me Oh My 9. Sprain - The Lamb as Effigy 10. Sampha - Lahai 11. Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter - SAVED! 12. JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES 13. Squid - O Monolith 14. Wednesday - Rat Saw God 15. Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We 16. Kara Jackson - Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? 17. Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You 18. Genesis Owusu - STRUGGLER 19. Indigo De Souza - All of This Will End 20. Underscores - Wallsocket 21. 100 gecs - 10,000 gecs 22. Paramore - This Is Why 23. King Krule - sPacE hEavy 24. Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me 25. grouptherapy. - i was mature for my age, but i was still a child 26. Parannoul - After the Magic 27. Spiritual Cramp - Spiritual Cramp 28. The Armed - Perfect Saviors 29. Screaming Females - Desire Pathway 30. Jeromes Dream - The Gray In Between 31. Alice Longyu Gao - Let's Hope Heteros Fail, Learn and Retire 32. Zach Bryan - Zach Bryan 33. amaarae - Fountain Baby 34. feeble little horse - Girl With Fish 35. Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS 36. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are 37. squirrel flower - Tomorrow's Fire 38. Frost Children - Hearth Room 39. Hotline TNT - Cartwheel 40. Snow Strippers - April Mixtape 3

[mapsontheweb]

Genesis chapter 10 "The Table of Nations": mapped to probable locations.

From the New Oxford Annotated Bible 5th edition.

Genesis 10 (NRSVue translation):

These are the descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; children were born to them after the flood.

2 The descendants of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The descendants of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The descendants of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.[a] 5 From these the coastland peoples spread. These are the descendants of Japheth[b] in their lands, with their own language, by their families, in their nations.

6 The descendants of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 7 The descendants of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he was the first on earth to become a mighty warrior. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city. 13 Egypt became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim, from whom the Philistines come, and Caphtorim.

15 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth 16 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 19 And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim as far as Lasha. 20 These are the descendants of Ham, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.

21 To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born. 22 The descendants of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The descendants of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg,[c] for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the descendants of Joktan. 30 The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31 These are the descendants of Shem, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.

32 These are the families of Noah’s sons, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.

[jooheons]

spider-man 2099 / miguel o’hara reading guide 

miguel o’hara was a young genetics genius employed at mega corporation alchemax, in the future city of nueva york of the year 2099 (a future universe where all superheroes got wiped out). he became spider-man when one of his experiments to replicate the powers of spider-man is used against him, his dna is rewritten and became fifty percent spider. 

essential reading:

spider-man 2099 (1992), #1-10

spider-man 2099, #11-14

spider-man 2099 annual, #1

2099 unlimited #1-3 *

spider-man 2099, #15

ravage 2099, #15 *

x-men 2099, #5 *

doom 2099 (1993), #14 *

punisher 2099 (1993), #13 *

spider-man 2099, #16-22

spider-man 2099, #23-33

2099 unlimited #8 *

ghost rider 2099 #7 *

spider-man 2099, #34-38

spider-man 2099 special #1

spider-man 2099 meets spider-man #1

2099 unlimited #9-10 *

spider-man 2099, #39-46 *

2099: world of tomorrow (1996), #1-8 *

2099: manifest destiny *

* in early 1996, editor joey cavalieri was fired. it led to the cancellation of the 2099 titles. for spider-man 2099′s case, peter david (creator and writer) chose to resign in solidarity with his editor, finishing his run with issue #44. the last two issues of spider-man 2099 were done without his input and the series ended with issue #46.

* cross-overs are optional reading, they’re grouped together with the original spider-man 2099 issues because it’s part of their collection. 

non-essential reading (crossovers):

fantastic four 2099 (1996), #4, #6, #8

captain marvel (2000) #27-30

exiles (2001-2008), #72 *

exiles #75-99 

exiles annual #1

timestorm 2009-2099 (2009),  #1–4 *

* exiles!miguel is a variant (not the same from his 1992 run), he’s from earth-6375 here. 

* timestorm!miguel is a variant, he’s from earth-96099 here.

semi-essential reading (main marvel universe):

superior spider-man (2013),  #17-21

superior spider-man #22-26

superior spider-man annual #1

superior spider-man #27-31

superior spider-man annual #2 

essential reading (spider-verse event):

spider-man 2099 (2014) #1-5

amazing spider-man (2014) #1

amazing spider-man (2014) #9-15

spider-man 2099 (2014), #6-12

spider-man 2099 (2015), #1-5

spider-man 2099 (2015), #6-10

spider-man 2099 (2015), #11-16

spider-man 2099 (2015), #17-21

spider-man 2099 (2015), #22-25

spider-man 2099 meets spider-man (1995)

amazing spider-man (2018), #32-36

semi-essential reading (back to 2099):

spider-man 2099 (2019)

spider-man 2099: exodus alpha (2022)

spider-man 2099: exodus #1-5

spider-man 2099: exodus omega

spider-man 2099: dark genesis #1-5

other media:

spider-man: shattered dimensions (2010, video game)

spider-man: edge of time (2011, video game)

ultimate spider-man, the spider-verse: part 1 (2015, animated series)

spider-man: into the spider-verse (2018, film)

spider-man: across the spider-verse (2023, film)

this reading guide will be updated should any upcoming projects arise! 

[talonabraxas]

Archetypal, Intellectual–Creative, Substantial–Formative, and Physical Material, are the names on the “Secret Doctrine” p. 200 diagram for the four lower planes of the cosmos. These names do not originate with HPB or her Adept-Teachers; they are the names used in Kabbalah for the four planes, which are also called Atziloth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Asiah, respectively.

The Kabbalistic view of the inner constitution of the human being relates to these four “worlds” or planes, showing that “as above, so below.”

Etz Hayim “Tree of Life” Talon Abraxas

According to the Jewish tradition, the 32 Paths of Wisdom concept is derived from the 32 times that the name “Elohim” is mentioned in Genesis, Chapter One. — Sephiroth: “Elohim said:” *

Kether – “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” 1:1* Chokmah – “Let there be light” 1:3 Binah – “Let there be a firmament … let it divide …” 1:6 Gedulah – “Let the waters be gathered … let dry land appear …” 1:9 Geburah – “Let the earth put forth grass … etc.” 1:11 Tiphareth – “Let there be lights in the firmament …” 1:14 Netzach – “Let the waters swarm … let fowl fly …” 1:20 Hod – “Let the earth bring forth living creatures …” 1:24 Yesod – “Let us make man …” 1:26 Malkuth – “Be fruitful and multiply …” 1:28 Mothers: “Elohim made:“ Aleph – “the Firmament and divided the waters …” 1:7 Mem – “the two great lights … and the stars.” 1:16 Shin – “the beast of the earth after its kind …” 1:25 Doubles: “Elohim saw:“ Beth – “the light, that it was good.” 1:4 Gimel – “that it was good.” (the separation of dry land and waters) 1:10 Daleth – “that it was good” (the earth bringing forth grass, etc.) 1:12 Kaph – that it was good” (the two lights in the firmament) 1:18 Peh – “that it was good” (swarming of waters with creatures; of air with fowl) 1:21 Resh – “that it was good” (the beasts of the earth) 1:25 Tav – “every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” 1:31

Elementals: “Elohim –“

Heh – “hovered over the face of the waters.” 1:2 Vav – “divided the light from the darkness.” 1:4 Zayin – “called the light Day, and darkness Night.” 1:5 Cheth – “called the firmament Heaven.” 1:8 Teth – “called the dry land, Earth … and the waters, Seas.” 1:10 Yod – “set them [the two lights] in the firmament of the heaven” 1:17 Lamed – “created the sea-monsters, creatures that creep, and fowl.” 1:21 Nun – “blessed them [sea-monsters, creepers, and fowl] …” 1:22 Samekh – “created man in His own image.” 1:27 Ayin – “created He him; male and female created He them.” 1:27 Tzaddi – “blessed them [male and female].” 1:28 Qooph – “said: I have given you all …” 1:29*

*There are two exceptions to this: The first is Gen1:1, and Sephirah 1/Kether, wherein “Elohim said” is assumed. The second is Gen1:29, and Elemental 12/Qooph, wherein the focus is shifted from the “Elohim said”, to the “I have given you all …”

[rottenpumpkin13]

because I like to make my beloved stinky red poetry boy suffer, what would happen if Genesis had a stroke pre CC? A&S reactions?? degradation begins?

I bring you yet another sad AU that I won't write lmao

The lights above the combat sim blink, indicating that it's ready for him. Lazard asks if he's ready, and Genesis almost jokes that he was born ready, but holds back. He doesn’t want to jinx it. It’s not that he's worried. He only needs to match his previous score from last year, but he's confident he will surpass it. After all, he's only gotten better, sharper, his movements more calculated. He has no need to worry. It's just a standard performance review.

Genesis spends a moment in the silence while the program boots up, offering a few prayers to the Goddess as his thumb traces the hilt of his sword. No need to worry.

The gray walls dissolve into a forest. Again he pays attention to the details; the scent of pine, the low hum of the materia threatening to come to life in his bracer, the crunch of the leaves beneath his boots. He's ready. From the shadows, grotesque figures begin to materialize: monsters slithering through the underbrush. 1-2-3-4. Genesis knows the task at hand is simple, which is why he doesn't falter: kill them all. 5-6-6-8. They keep coming. 9-10-11-12.

His senses sharpen. 13-14-15-16. He launches into action. The red rapier slashes through the first wave of them, flames flaring from each blow. 17-18-19-20. Each maneuver is precise. It has to be, each strike calculated, he can't falter. 21-22-23-24. He knows eyes are on him—evaluating, scrutinizing, judging. 25-26-27-28. The pressure to perform fuels his need to get the job done quickly.

He becomes a blur of crimson, blood mixing with the color of his coat as he moves around the simulation. 29-30-31-32-34. The chime overhead signals that he's matched his previous record. He could stop now, rest on his achievements, but he can't bring himself to do it.

The excess adrenaline coursing through his veins urges him to continue. He pushes forward, the rapier cleaving through flesh and bone. 35-36-37-38. He's reaching Sephiroth's territory now, the skill level escalating. He knows he can do it, knows he can match Sephiroth’s record. 39-40-41-42.

Lazard's voice sounds over the speakers, urging him to stop, but Genesis ignores it. 43-44-45-46.

He ignores the alarm blaring in the background, the warnings flashing across his vision which grows blurrier by the second. He's consumed by the fight, by the need to prove himself. 47-48-49-50. His blood boils hot and thick in his veins, matching the heat that clings to him and makes him hungry for the release of the cooling aftershock once he reaches his goal. He needs to make it to 70.

He reaches 58 when his body betrays him. Exhaustion hits him with the force of a monster's jaws clamping shut on him, swallowing him whole as his limbs grow heavy and his movements sluggish. He falls to his knees, his heart racing uncontrollably as he fights to catch his breath. 58. So close.

The heat is unbearable, and he peels off his coat, desperate for relief. The simulation halts, the forest and monsters dissipating as the combat sim becomes blank once again.

Angeal, Sephiroth, and Lazard rush in as the doors open.

He's informed that he did surpassed his previous record, though he hasn't matched Sephiroth's. Still, the progress is undeniable. Genesis feels a swell of pride mixed with his fatigue as he nods in acknowledgment. This is fine. He just needs to rest now. He's tired but pleased, rising to his feet with his mind already drifting to creature comforts like a long, hot shower, apple cider, and then curling up in bed with a book. He just needs to get back to his apartment. He's done here.

Sure, he's walking a bit strangely, but he’s done here. Yes, his vision is blurry, but it's just the aftershock of the fight. He's fine.

He doesn't understand why Sephiroth is calling out to him, why his face looks so concerned, or why he keeps asking him to raise both arms above his head. Genesis complies, thinking it's so dramatic. And now Angeal is asking him to smile—also dramatic. Of course, he can smile, but he has no reason to now.

And now they're yelling for help, and Sephiroth is coming towards him. They're so dramatic. Of course he isn't having a stroke. He was fine only a minute ago. He beat his own record; they all saw. He's fine. His entire body feels numb, but he's fine, just tired.

He's trying to tell them that he's fine, but his words aren't coming out as intended. He's slurring his speech, and now they're dragging him away. He can't understand what's going on or why they're all yelling or why he's being taken to medical.

Suddenly, he can't understand anything at all.

All of that happened four weeks ago. Genesis slipped into a coma shortly after it.

Hollander says he was supposed to wake up two weeks ago, and they all expect to be there for him. It's the aftermath of a stroke, and Angeal and Sephiroth know there will be changes. Genesis will be angry, he will be upset, but they are going to be there for him. So why isn't he waking up?

That's the question Sephiroth asks Hollander one day. Hollander—who always acts as if he wants to say something whenever Sephiroth is around—hesitates.

Sephiroth is aware of the mutual disdain between Hollander and Hojo, and knows that in Hojo's eyes, Genesis is as good as dead under Hollander's care. Still, for Genesis' sake, Sephiroth has placed his trust in him. He's been consumed with guilt, blaming himself for the overexertion that caused Genesis' stroke. If he hadn't set an unattainable record, Genesis would never have tried to match it.

This time, Hollander grants him the courtesy of explaining what's really going on—that Genesis is degrading while in his coma.

Sephiroth asks about the degradation, if there's any way he can help. And Hollander smiles. He asks if Sephiroth really doesn't know. Of course, Sephiroth doesn't know. He doesn't know what's happening to Genesis, but he does know that whatever it is, he is going to help. He'll do anything in his power to cure him.

Anything.

Even if it means deserting Shinra after learning about the true horrors of what led Genesis to that state, that Angeal is next, that their whole existence has been a carefully concealed lie, and that he now needs to find the cure—or rather, as Genesis once said, the gift of the goddess.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil of David.

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! — Psalm 32 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Genesis 19:16; Genesis 24:48; Exodus 15:1; Leviticus 26:40; Judges 5:1; Ruth 1:13; Job 30:11; Psalm 7:10; Psalm 18:16; Psalm 22:1; Psalm 25:8; Psalm 31:10; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 64:10; Matthew 6:12; John 1:47; Acts 13:11; Romans 2:9; Romans 4:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19; James 3:3; 1 John 1:9

[tournament-of-x]

The Hole

Announcement!

Welcome to the Hole Bracket! From the beginning, the Tournament of X has been a double-elimination tournament, so now that the primary bracket has concluded, it's on to our unfortunate losers' second chance. Whosoever wins the Hole Bracket will escape the Hole and be granted a shot at winning the entire Tournament of X!

With that said, the First Half of Round One will begin in five days on Saturday, September 2nd, at 8AM EST! The First Half of Round One will consist of 32 matches, and each matchup will be open to voting for one week.

The lineup for the First Half of Round One is as follows:

Match 1: Fenris vs. Christian Frost

Match 2: Lactuca the Knower vs. Ora Serrata

Match 3: Lost vs. Caliban

Match 4: Abigail Brand vs. Malice

Match 5: Nameless, the Shape-Shifter Queen vs. Mondo

Match 6: Burke vs. Amass

Match 7: Wagnerine vs. Fabian Cortez

Match 8: Crule vs. Spike

Match 9: Cam Long vs. Sprite

Match 10: Doorman vs. Darkstar

Match 11: Icarus vs. Broo

Match 12: Cipher vs. Mimic

Match 13: DJ vs. Silver Samurai

Match 14: Orphan-Maker vs. Asp

Match 15: Mesmero vs. Solem

Match 16: Oya vs. Dragoness

Match 17: Sevyr Blackmore vs. Wither

Match 18: Syzya of the Smoke vs. Tarn the Uncaring

Match 19: Cosmar vs. Genesis

Match 20: Typhoid Mary vs. Mentallo

Match 21: Whirlwind vs. Summoner

Match 22: Arclight vs. Blink

Match 23: Professor X vs. Maggie Braddock

Match 24: Candra vs. Havok

Match 25: Snot vs. Mad Jim Jaspers

Match 26: Jumbo Carnation vs. Big Bertha

Match 27: Redroot the Forest vs. Pestilence

Match 28: Rasputin IV vs. Empath

Match 29: Jersey Devil vs. Toad

Match 30: Alchemist vs. Proteus

Match 31: Fever Pitch vs. Neal Shaara

Match 32: Mr. Immortal vs. Wallflower

Remember, this tournament is a contest of popularity, not a contest of abilities. As always, asks and propaganda are both welcomed and encouraged.

Contestants Index

[sarehime]

Divine Sin - A Saurondriel fanfic

Genesis 1 

1:1 Ilùvatar, The Most Glorious One, looked at the ground that is full of potential life. 

1:2 He loved creating.

1:3 Reaching out and took a piece of earth in His hand. 

1:4 He said, “I shall create the most beautiful creatures. The more beautiful creatures than them, you didn’t see before. You shall call them Eldar.”

1:5 The Ainur, His most loyal subjects, bowed to the command. 

1:6 He smiled and then started to remounded the clay with His own hands. Fashioned the clay a new shape. 

1:7 The Ainur eyed His work impressedly.

1:8 Save Melkor. There was a jeaolusy in his eyes and he looked at the work with despise.

1:9 Then left the holy council, said, before the holy door, “What a foul work!” 

1:10 The Ainur shivered because of that lippiness.

1:11 Aule, The Great Smith, said, without looking at the other the disrespectful party, “Impudent!” 

1:12 Mairon, Aule’s aide, looked at his master, he saw a rage in his eyes. Then turned back to the work of The Great One. 

1:13 Uncaringly what happened around him, he was monitoring one piece of clay fashioned by the Hands of Great One, rather the work. 

1:14 The most beautiful piece of the holy work.

1:15 The Hands of Ilùvatar procreated a sculpture, with a beautiful face. He created the woman first. 

1:16 And He placed a piece of Himself on her groin. 

1:17 He said, “Let her gift of creating. She shall create new life in her.”

1:18 The Ainur shivered again. “O, Great Father! She is come from mud. How can she create a living thing?” 

1:19 One of the Ainur, Mairon, raised his voice. “You dare to question The Great One! Look at the beautiful creature, no doubt she can perform Ainulindale. The Great Chant of Creation!”

1:20 Then he turned to Ilùvatar. “O, Great Father! Gift her to me. My heart warmed by her. I shall cherish your gift, she shall become the apple of my eyes!” 

1:21 Without answer, The Great One turned his eyes away from him, he said, “I know what you don’t know.” 

1:22 With that words, Ainur became silent. Bowed their heads obediently. 

1:23 Then, Ilùvatar leaned towards the woman. He separated the lips of the woman from each other. 

1:24 Then He whiffled between of lips of the woman. 

1:25 The woman drew in The Holy Aether. Given a life to a lifeless sculpture. 

1:26 Mairon, with a burning passion, looked at the face. 

1:27 He didn’t know but The Great One knew. The face he looked at admirably wou’dst be the same face of his fall. 

1:28 Mairon. The most admirable one of His children loved the bonny things because of his perfectionism. 

1:29 He saw the possessive instics in him and wanted to protect His creation. 

1:30 He said, “I shall create her match. I shall make their hearts companion for each other, so they won’t feel the loneliness.” 

1:31 After said those words, He turned His eyes towards Mairon. 

1:32 Mairon looked at Him as well. His burning passion hast replaced with a burning rage.

1:33 Then Ilùvatar created the man. Beautiful, but not equal of the woman’s beauty. Just a parallel. 

1:34 He subtracted from him, not gifted him of the piece of himself. However, whiffled Holy Aether in him, he showed His mercy. 

1:35 He made him potent in order to make him protect His the most precious creation, the woman. Then He saw the man, and behold, the creation appear good to him. 

1:36 He said, “Stand!” And the woman and the man stood. “Open thou eyes!” He commanded. They opened their eyes. “Look at each other!” They bowed to the holy command. “Annominate each other!” The Great One saw that they obeyed Him. 

1:37 “Celeborn.” She said firstly because she was the firstborn.

1:38 “Galadriel.” He said secondly because he was the secondborn.

1:39 Ilùvatar nodded His head. “I made both companion for each other. Thee shall marry, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth with thou kind.” 

1:40 Mairon stormed out the holy council, belittled after the ceremony.

1:41 He cried three times. “I woll remember! I woll remember! I never forget!”

1:42 He reached The Holy Garden. “I not a better gift-bearer than this sculpture from the ‘dirt’?” 

1:43 He said, “I not the better?! I wou’dst cherish her more than anything! I wou’dst reshaped her so she become The Queen of my house. More than my love towards her, no one could loved their wife!” 

1:44 “Oh, what anguished words!” Melkor, like an ominous shadow, showed himself to Mairon. Mairon flinched but stood his ground. “What caused thee so much pain, my child?” He reached out and hold his chin. 

1:45 Mairon trembled under his hold. Felt his colossal might, he dropped his eyes on the ground. “I besought from The Great Father that gift the new creation to me. The woman one. But He refused and created another one in order to make him companion to the woman.” 

1:46 Melkor, like he understood the poor one, made a face of sorrow. “Our Father is merciless one for sure!” His hand dropped to Mairon’s shoulder. “But this shouldst not stop thee. What hapnen if thee claim the woman?” 

1:47 Mairon stepped back hastily. “Thee advice me to defy Our Holy Father? No! I ‘fraid the disastirous void!” Mairon started to tremble but those words hadst litted a fire in his heart.

1:48 He left Melkor in The Holy Garden. So ‘fraid! 

1:49 Melkor looked his left with a malicious smile. He knew, he hadst seen the fire in him. 

1:50 Then he turned his face towards The Holy Council. The Ceremony not hadst finished yet. 

1:51 Ilùvatar called his children. “Come forward, my childs, bless the twosome!” 

1:52 First Manwe came and blessed them with wisdom. He said, “In every situation, take valid resolution!

1:53 Then Varda came and firstly she turned to the woman, Galadriel. “Thy husband named thee The Lady of Light. I woll make thee worth thy name!” She blessed her with the most radiant hair! Her hair brighten with silver light. She gave same gift to the man, Celeborn. 

1:54 After her Aulë came and blessed them with handiwork. “Create thyselves pleasant things.” 

1:55 After her husband, Yavanna came and blessed them with colours of the flowers. “I gave ye colour in order to pleasant to look. While ye woll looking at each other, find peace and be gay with pretty colours!” 

1:56 Then Nienna reached them. The hearts of two trembled, do not know why. “I bless them with the will. Find thy way even if thee go through pain.” 

1:57 And other party of The Ainur blessed the pair one by one. Save Melkor and Mairon. 

1:58 Ilùvatar said, “I woll create a ground on The Arda. Go my childs and fashion an order on that ground. Take those two with ye!”

1:59 And He separated water and ground. Named the ground, ‘Valinor’ 

1:60 With that, Heaven of the woman and the man, born. They didn’t know but The Great One knew. Valinor wou’dst not their home for long.

*

Hello! I wrote this fanfic a long time ago but I wanted to publish it again :D Well, I planned to write it with bible-ish format since I think it suits them more, a kind of mix lotr-religous myths together… I hope you like it! 🥰 Also I am not sure it I should continue it but anyway… maybe I will continue lol