#Great Shepherd

[bibleversegarden]

Jesus, our Great Shepherd, is leading us through our days and our nights. He is the One who truly cares for us and is watching over us for good. He loves us and desires that we stay close to Him. Apart from His guiding presence, we become the prey of evil that lurks on every side.

We cannot make it through life in our own strength; it is way too small. Our Great Shepherd is our Savior and Lord, who has called us to His perfect rest.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. See Also John 10:1-18 and 1 Peter 2:25

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

[kdmiller55]

Peace, Power, and Promises

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have…

[to2llynottoby]

Funniest thing about the Old Testament is how it consistently disparages bronze-age hero type characters crafted by its historical peers and lifts up that saddest patheticest wet little meow meows youve ever seen

[graciousheaven]

THE GOOD SHEPHERD Who is like You, O Lord our Redeemer? You gather all your sheep in the sheep pen, And feed them with good pasture. You heal the sick and bind the broken, You comfort those who mourn and strengthen the weak, You bring back the outcast and seek the lost. You protect your sheep from the beasts of the field, And fill them all with peace and joy. Who is like You, O Good Shepherd? You laid down your life for your sheep! You inhabit eternity, O God, And dwell in a high and lofty place, And with him who has a contrite and a humble spirit. You revive the spirit of the humble, And rekindle the heart of the contrite ones. Your ear, O Gracious One, is attuned To the cry of every broken and humble spirit. You offer deliverance to every repentant sinner. Lord, You lead your people through the deep. The Redeemer from everlasting is your name! Our souls no more shall know sorrow; For You have given us beauty for ashes, The oil of gladness for mourning. You have anointed our hearts with the oil of joy, And adorned our minds with the garments of praise. To the praise of your glory, O Lord, You have made us trees of righteousness – You have clothed us with the garments of salvation, And covered us with the robe of righteousness. In your love and mercy, You have redeemed your chosen ones. You cause righteousness and praise To spring forth before all nations. In the greatness of your strength You defeat your foes; You trample them in your fury, You make them drunk in your wrath, And bring down their strength to the earth. O Mighty One! The blood of your enemies shall fill the streets On the day of your vengeance. He who takes the way of the wicked Shall know no peace. Salvation is far from them; For their sins testify against them. The Lord is clothed with the garments of vengeance. For his wrath is kindled Against the sons of disobedience. He will repay his foes according to their deeds – Fury and torment shall be their recompense, Terror and dread shall fall upon the ungodly. But blessed are those who share in the Lord’s sufferings! They shall receive from Him their share of glory. For You, O Lord, are good to them. Blessed be your holy name, my God! For You give life and breath and all things to everyone. In You we live and move and have our being.

https://www.faithintheoneaboveall.com

[b4kuch1n]

polymer broadcast signal hijack

[piosplayhouse]

bingpup inspired by my dog who will only hump female dogs 10x his size even though he can't even reach their knees (drawn with my finger)

[m3llowm1sh]

chief and sarah as dogs to match these guys

[lesbians4armand]

“fiction affects reality” as in fiction makes people become domestic abusers if they see abuse portrayed in media, so abuse should never be portrayed: bad take, hayes code ass logic, not how that works

“fiction affects reality” as in gothic horror tv shows are really good at making people interact with art history: observationally true, very very funny effect.

[mispelled]

Scary dog privilege

[s0fter-sin]

prince!ghost and lord in waiting!soap

ghost is a warrior prince, next in line after king price and it’s always been accepted he would be the lone ruler; never one for entertaining the courts or indulging foreign rulers trying to consolidate their power. he hardly acts like a prince at all, in name only when he spends more time as a pseudo captain of the guard. price has never begrudged him that, not when he himself has been a lone king since his inauguration

though he’s a warrior prince, he’s never lost the favour of the people; many see him as a guardian even if he doesn’t interact with the people as much as benevolent and stalwart king price. who he does interact with is the kingdom’s children; always ready to bend a knee and listen to bright voices, to praise stick swords and shields or hear the plight of a struggling family. it was a common belief that if he wasn’t out protecting, then he was with the protected; face covered, blonde curls shining in the sun

soap’s always loved ghost. as his lord in waiting, it’s been his job to attend him since they were young and even as a child, he’d idolised him; his skills in battle, his surety. he thought his life would be nothing but service, clothing a brat prince and making sure his shoes shined. but ghost has proven more than that; he treats him as an equal, consults him on strategy and court politics and over time that idolisation turned into love

and ghost has always felt the same. he’d begrudged the idea of a lord in waiting, not wanting someone always in his business but then came this spitfire who never missed an opportunity to push back on him; to make him dig deeper. johnny is more than some mere servant; he’s his confidant, his best friend, his… everything. he could be simon with him, not prince ghost

but simon figures that out too late

king price gets word from king shepherd, a kingdom they’ve only recently stopped feuding with and he’s offering up his son, prince graves, as a way to bond their kingdoms together and firmly put war behind them. price is ready to deny him, he doesn’t fear war from shepherd, when he sends some ancient laws that leave him unable to refuse. he hates it, hates that he’s ruining ghost’s happiness and feels like he’s betraying his adopted son but there’s nothing he can do

graves comes to their kingdom within the month and it’s clear from the moment he walks through their gates that he’s the opposite of ghost; arrogant and conceited, his ceremonial armour glossy and untouched by battle. he’s dismissive of their servants, of their ways, of their people and ghost hates him

graves insists that the wedding happen as soon as possible, pushing the craftsmen and cooks beyond their limits to prepare and every moment ghost spends with him, the more he dreads his wedding day. every evening he retreats to his room, exhausted, and it’s all johnny can do to keep him afloat; trying to keep him positive as ghost falls away and simon breaks in his arms. he wants to whisk him away like the old tales, the pain his oldest friend and love is in making his heart ache but all he can do is promise to be there with him

but it seems graves wants to take even him away

“soap’s been my lord in waiting since we were children,” ghost protests, voice barely clinging to civility. “i wouldn’t want to lose such a valuable worker.”

“there are plenty of decent servants in our kingdom; you’ll forget this one soon enough,” graves waves away, carding a possessive hand over his curls and it’s only bc he’s looking for it that soap sees ghost’s jaw twitch beneath his neck gaiter. “it’s custom for one marrying into our kingdom to embrace all that it has to offer, leaving who they were behind to become someone better. you’re entering a new life with me; you don’t need the baggage of this dreary place.”

soap feels sick as he walks behind them, his blank expression hiding all sign of his breaking heart.

“soap is beholden to me,” ghost declares. “we were sworn together by the old laws. i’m afraid a custom isn’t enough for me to break a vow to the gods.”

graves lets out a disgruntled noise, tugging harshly at one of ghost’s curls with only a thin veil of fondness; his conceding smile not reaching his eyes.

“i never made a vow to the gods,” johnny points out later. “price gave me to you because he was sick of me setting fire to the kitchens.”

simon hums and sets his freshly cleaned armour aside, turning to him with a twinkle in his eyes he’s barely seen since sheperd’s missive. “you pinkie swore that you would never leave me; that’s more powerful than any promise to the gods,” he says and soap’s thrown back fifteen years, to a willow tree big enough to touch the sky; to two boys from different stations who didn’t care that one was dressed in silk and the other in scraps.

johnny feels a lightness he hasn’t in a month as simon winks at him. “besides, do you really think graves is smart enough to figure it out?”

the days pass quickly, graves’ veneer of affection growing ever thinner, and before either of them are ready, it’s the eve of ghost’s wedding.

he’s said nothing, done nothing but stare at the wedding robes graves had tailored for him in the fashion of his kingdom and johnny doesn’t know how to break the silence. he draws out each second as he fusses with the cape piece and ensures the shoes shine in the fire light until he has no more excuses.

he sighs as he straightens up, brushing off polish onto his pants. “i suppose this is where i leave you,” he says with a weak smile but it quickly dies when simon still doesn’t look at him. “i’ll be here in the morning to help you get ready… good night, simon.”

johnny bows and makes for the door, trying to convince himself he didn’t just say goodbye.

but he’s stopped by simon’s hand loosely wrapping around his wrist.

he looks back as simon finally tears his eyes away from the robes, looking at him with such clear longing it almost brings him to his knees.

“i don’t want graves to be the first man to touch me, johnny,” he confesses and johnny’s breath hitches. “i don’t want to be married to another… not when the one i’m set to wed isn’t you. but if i have to do this… please let me feel loved one final time.”

simon’s thumb brushes the back of his hand; their kingdom’s greatest warrior caressing him with a touch light as silk. he doesn’t pull johnny in, doesn’t need to; johnny’s already sinking into his touch.

desperation and love tinge every movement; johnny dancing his fingers over simon’s neck gaiter until he all too happily removes it, baring his scarred cheeks and lips. johnny kisses each one, willing his love and his touch to linger above all others as they move together; sharing breath, sharing body, sharing soul the way they wish they always have.

when ghost makes his way down the aisle, it’s not in the fine embroidered robes graves had laid out for him. he’s in his battle armour; dark and weathered, the sign of the ghost, the warrior prince, going to battle. the only thing missing is his helm, tucked under his arm.

showing his hair; curls gone and shaved tight to his skin.

a thing done only in a time of great mourning.

graves looks irate and it’s the only spark of joy ghost feels as he stops before the altar; set beneath the willow tree where johnny promised himself to him. one final insult.

ghost is silent throughout the ceremony and in spirit and in grief, so is the entire gathered kingdom until the priestess reaches the final vows and suddenly, a great roar rises above the crowd as seemingly every child in the kingdom swarms the altar.

ghost is too shocked to do anything but let them push him away from graves, bullying their way between them like they’re preparing to protect him just as he’s always protected them.

graves is furious but the children stand firm in the face of his threats until he moves to strike one-

and freezes as soap’s blade finds his throat.

“you would dare hurt these children?” he growls, sword following graves as he stumbles back. “you’ve kept up your charade the entire time and here is where you show your true colours. i think it’s time i show mine.”

graves splutters as johnny turns to the priestess and king price, falling to one knee and offering up his blade. “your grace, i wish to challenge prince graves for the hand of prince simon!”

his voice rings clear and he feels the eyes of every person in the kingdom.

but he only cares for one man.

who is watching him with more love than he’s ever felt.

“who are you to challenge me?” graves sneers. “you’re nothing more than a servant; no better than the dirt on my boots.”

johnny doesn’t bother to look at him, too caught in the love in simon’s eyes and the grateful look on king price’s face. “then you should have nothing to worry about. you’ve been crowing your accolades from the rooftops since you got here; let’s see if you live up to the hype.”

because simon only ever introduced him as his lord in waiting.

never as sir soap- his second in command and one of the greatest swordsmen their kingdom has ever seen.

[itsguysnightitsironic]

He was NOT A FAIRY, WHAT'S THAT? WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT? SARNAX I SWEAR TO-

"Shepherd could survive the feywild", SHEPHERD DOESN'T KNOW WHAT A FEY IS.

Oh, EP 6 of "Shepherd probably doesn't know a fey is" COS, I adore you.

Oh, the assumptions are immaculate.

he's very confused.

[densewentz]

In His Spot Day 10 (Fursona) and 11 (Yandere) got lumped together and shaken into some Dreamling fluff! (feat. some particularly unfortunate grad students)

[shepherds-of-haven]

You sigh. You've been wondering if he's seemed a bit brooding and distant towards you, these last few days, … You have been busy helping Red orchestrate the move out of Solhadur, so maybe he's just been giving you space to get things organized?

❗️❗️❗️

asfdjhslkdf now i can’t get the image of Commander Sulk himself watching MC and ex-Red menacingly from a distance out of my head 😭

Stock illustration of MC and Red hanging out together and being normal:

But zoom in past them, and what do you see?...

A dark presence...

[luna-the-cretar]

Someone (I don’t remember who, probably Victoria): do you have any friends?

Sarnax: no???? What are those????

*later*

Sarnax: *keeps referring to Shepherd as his friend*

Also???? Sarnax immediately going to check on Shepherd after the encounter with the lady trying to trade her kid away for pastries (which are basically drugs)???? Love that????

Like, in the prologue there was a little bit of pushback from both ends, then in chapter 1 Shepherd started getting all buddy-buddy with Sarnax (who imo seemed to be mostly neutral towards Shepherd), and now in chapter 2 Sarnax seems to show some sort of caring for Shepherd. Love that.

Absolutely adore it when a character who starts off not giving a shit about anyone starts to actually care about someone in some way (platonic or romantic, it doesn’t matter, i eat that shit up either way). ‘Course, it could be bc of the shit they encountered in Death House (no better way to become bffs than ✨Trauma✨), and also because they both clearly have some repressed trauma of their own that they seem to see and understand in each other, but still. Fucking love it. Adore their dynamic already.

[heu-ris-tic]

mondioring weekend 🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇

[khaantengri]

We are going back to that place in a couple of weeks.