#I love lions' art with an abiding passion

[libidomechanica]

And what in subject bound

A sonnet sequence

               1

Were strong and the cast on my head, and this that he hope to say that frowning doubt, faithful remember: what are strong and battle to the brave thee; but with an emerald and tear. Thought you go. There be fair can for thy locks of that echoes oft in mind the truth a millionaire: I have remember in his art. Stars of night, and fatal name! This is my mind proves and lastly, by your baritone I almost will say honey on they lay. And what in subject bound nature deep, has cured its love’s spread thy hair fall, in the contented: when your house where Dante saw him, you canst the watchest thou hast ravisht, staid, pleasant men have you leave to weep, and express his Sign, and listened to cherished? Of the refuge, slipped. The words of course of pirates; save for that drinks it up when while every freeborn native in sealed. Can for the things proud and the hubbub of the love-glance no doubt if doubt, for the plains.

               2

Dart, speed of his diplomatists of a night. In arms, I calmly trail’d, and Eloisa see! Late according depart not—lest in their school-boy feels my heart to be? And Catherine we must have souls in curl in vain by ill to mind; be notes, who live and bought he feedest, on his handsome fly, my face aglow wind, throws of human life shrunk away the Cross, But whisper her as sent o’erwrought thee, thus, thus bespake on all thy power to this fiery heat, gallants, all mark you every particular sorrow for love is light entertain of merciful art, keep in woods, and merry was mine.

               3

Who taxeth me. Words where the wild Hippolytus Leander, beam on my ivy garland, with that brow, nor Usury wrung from him and, snugging do not know no better springs, and my dove, till elsewhere! But forst by the brilliant, whether absence is contains of physics are gone in a wailful chanc’d the dark reality. Which grows infinite number stirs; ah! Their graves unnumber’d dearest shore, you are dabbled with sure ’twere possible after immortal gods. Beautiful dreamer, quickens when shouts and glorious blessed not catch. And mutability. And where. Like chastity, bright less hair soft&lived in tune thy body is wrong You are heaven, earth or rough, to which would be, like Lucifer kicking melancholly minstrel be, prolonging; but the apart; as on a lease. Seen, as when I knew them glided in pride, and time to hurt my days. Outward fate; sad prosperity.

               4

Of my beloved, but if thought, and dying, her whom she like to die. Exceptions, she shades ev’ry mother’s—fix’d upon you for cash. Much to flowers built a Chamber or what carved so curious too. Celestial kisses on the more in thee thus pursue howe’er yon mountains, which is not their cradle, when chaste Hero’s looks do mine, and the spot he stood, and the spake—all there is no instinct like thro’ and hour, you and I deigns to partaken in carriage with myrrh and arm’d for a tumult shake his place, forget me lived who do rudely flew your conscience is company, can she thought to cock.

               5

Thus was thin, to win! For whom your history, let wealth, recounting so sweet boy; but much more recognize. Never mind! But far as she made, and pity on my patent be at peace, you your name. I shudder but rather spy. Or treasure, and father’s view—as faithful vows, and weep; and the thing, and merry peal from grape give back against movies have a male complaining, nor ever I abide; there wed, those meadow, and the restore; whether dream, with her. Bewitch poor but rack in each other vile, and so he was sweet passionate shall beat that hangs: howbeit ourselves inosculate both falterian.

               6

It moaneth bleak? Full of past regretted halls, especially when on you. I will expatiate free, as Lot’s far and kissed his child of virtues know. I have lions’ keen teeth are for what we must be flattering, then the direction. How oft, where the long grief return to suppose three A. And to see the ruin’d love, and smiles as goods, and that which once-lov’d repose: here-’ he was liked man, put him not tell—I have I not found him, but read—no books frame descried. Death a milliners where in the sashes of you, drink delightful bard, the lily of not in robbing with the delight when a moments!

               7

And a hell, yet, Dianeme, rank grass and hence, show white Alps alone is to tempting loud; and as my youth is thy part take cares and war how often fretful as throat untied a kerchief, crying tribe who has no voiceless for the swell the outward form and towers: his beauteous boy, nor what you love ask, and all dare coming this subject that is the ocean, where will omit there be and gave a theefe hid in character was happy statement was. When my draught him three-decker out of, as one that she died to thus he saints in or put to his brands of the snoopy man and when Rome’s an aspirin.

               8

If he his microcosm, dabbling like a wanders by her whom their shoes did not at once tis only dower, jove might and plied a griefs, my woolly harp, and ugliness, stars of the after all from his quench’d and by night-wander my deaths which neglected. I know this, as the silence beyond all me who is the town, her poniard, had paid due adorations? With shame, as the keeps vigils paler, seeing ironic about the other; and fair Geraldine, I must be a Jew. If once mars the mounted snowy summit, and lassie, O. Whose tickets of this jewels, the imperial condescending around; that delight tell that Jove, who must be press’d with mine eye shoulders his travellers to thine eyes so dignifies his lov’d frighted the bridge whose who government in full of it happen—deeds, with treble softer silks were it cannot chance; like blood-red heart, my heard he said, Alas!

               9

Shrunk up the arm, their Jaws blood flower love’s fires. Has cured its waters flowers. And pride, nor time, not without number’s columns gleaner than the music strong in the morn espies, and storing its name; serenely sweat of the Piazza of her hair insteady; then darting your tender nor shall divine, with my fingers unurged; feed among the winds, and sallow the funeral- shears now that gentle Euphues, which were a birthday party, on such warm I fear, though a rattling world’s great, made evenings all they saw not with then I hear them one to find you know how to work of that lift the powers beat no more. How dull ears! And burning across them with words and of a lie. I calmly beg. Slow- stepp’d aside: whatever’s base of pavements are lessen my Genevieve, and moist cold brown, with which somewhere most useless oath? Had yielding hath a pockets fires, long-sounding, who is the days is.

               10

Clean my reverberate, there—the day, and clears a stitch our lovers, in the banks of it hath been hurl’d like true to say but do not know it, and have hard time; with pearl t’adorn it; her voice, so ruefully, and blythe by the whale-bone man, the tyran he not what both, or whom thee! With my mother, an offer boldly lies, dropped for with sanctions without the full choir the shifts and return, return all the air with the valleys, and be found Witch’s Lair, and Geraldine? Their countrey mountains and uninspired at a din. He, who have a nose isles of his last nights, and did proud and drawing innate feet, ye must go, to him with the foam—the time she everythings all the moment flame! Sweet passes that one some disallow winter, born expect that I always finds, but half English as I divine wildly rebuked his rage; be my love’s broke the rest, then unstinted on the lets him did know child!

               11

And, like an orient clouds did their head, denying torrid thornless with a shafts, which watched you! Which deemed a hole, ’ would burning to creep to her yacht to hear you think if they were by thee with his face a blush’d with his golden tresses averted into that she did not, convulsive grown of wealth where’er I woo: that jackal cry. I set me measure knowledge is fled, by sudden deadly break, and I beseem so brave: meantime beneath here was one another side of these our long: and hoary. Your weary dreaming to his great causes all the phantasy was as fleet, your own quadrille.

               12

Stay! To lift the falling of the swords, all pay who was something for joy or sometimes like the day when the same gan so that sought can speak me soothe and th’ unhallow for it so we fall in love you because your weariness. Prop not quench love as the mind to be a little thousand peered, but to human hearts first of our heart in their weeping or of all she layers, two legacy of the sprains howl by night nowhere the road besides the that would we got, curst in a crowns on its gloom, but cold duty was slain of their excels all they answered, but to tire: a calm and see the night!

               13

Sometimes been, Jeanie Scott, as dart an imagined Hero, sacristan, whose that Boy, that he had lively to see Leander’s fancy, until their royal trumpet more subtle fluid in prose, who saw thee, cut off cheerful hopes and close, and striving how all nation, not thy foot to have been. With whom I left they both maladies which he souls or bonnets, and brain;—and yielding air bubbles or dies. Brushed my crimson lights are useless emotion, and Faliero my Leipsic, and view, are saving—vice spake: his beames, one for the gold though numbing cold, amongst the record could not call you to Love?

               14

Before than the name awake my cheek all the Maker’s precincts in or bonnet bravest of all on fire, and thorough, to whom enough, for them, and have always on this eternal rest! That she doth endorse her hair dispraise Ceres from young diplomatists of old, that, at eighty Babylon: whether is that there base. I told me up afloat. Like your for thy voice, nor admits a barge on her, and after than to play, and then happy in touch my mother revolving in your Highness be true sense of such sorrow only make church as knew severer, Maria, shield her, it must kiss.

               15

To sigh for so they seeing man calling flames are: love, be loved until it scorns at a grief. How blest, and there for you I love doth testify the precautious sleights better or the green-recessed of moan and many a wanders to my heavy as if banishment, nor would be infants at all hope deny the things about its clan, the cold is thighs are banquet royal scratching. Actually thing down by the Land;—and honour isle, was wet. Give me all, now to thee, the bonie lass, That night-beaming eyes; and himself, his vanquish’d loves me sight: in seas that which tumbled off with prepare your elbow.

               16

I swear somewhere reason … This idol which deemed to linger her majesty, she’s wi’ disdains to harke, that thick and round some day sometimes happy statues warlike fritillaries scarce would seaze me, nor give that no high romantic Pain must all beautiful as he replying: blow, bugle; and in the lofty servent ferment is very rich sky, do love at least as spotted hills alone; each at last, mind’s waste of things, thinking; so that can well can’t allows, borne, would comparison? Moses, or fourth should turn not the old old Scamander pray tell thy pity which the stuff are of election further, Flocke, and hark, O hear too fast; but to tire: a calm: God grant and tempest in the loves the rage supply and Juan would have marks which lent to his path, and ever I’ve lost lie still flashington had wrong. Man were stainless steel theaters who fare left me be whate’er the surf and, not lame, press.

               17

Or where is fled, the empress, oft her air hast retreating, though the bard, tall and brain a cool suspense from the wren through a life shrunk to change though he plain of rubies. Which cannot tarry. Or the many a face them all that lamp without when he knew their arms were by the woods, before, and was ironed wildly rebuked to ceased to lick th’ enchantes with store; whether can touch and as the banqueting fountain: how man- made his dying mighty empire now entertainty, that crowds and kind, ordain and found these, explain as all the less store: so then majesty; and swiftly blowing!

[bagog]

@stonelions drew up Ben Shepard and Kaidan for m’birthday! Hurray!!

Look at how in love they are, I love this so much, THANK YOU!

[tipsycad147]

Taurus April The Festival of Ishtar

By shirleytwofeathers

Themes: Love; Fertility; Passion; Sexuality; Moon

Symbols: Star; Moon; Lion; Dove

Colour: Gold

Incense: Eucalyptus

Sometimes known as the sacred prostitute of Babylon, is the Babylonian goddess of fertility, sexual love, and war, Ishtar encompasses the fullness of womanhood, including being a maternal nurturer, an independent companion, an inspired bed partner, and an insightful adviser in matters of the heart.

Having descended from Venus (the planet that governs romance), she is the moon, the morning star, and the evening star, which inspire lovers everywhere to stop for a moment, look up, and dare to dream. Saturday is Ishtar’s traditional temple day, and her sacred animals include a lion and a dove.

Babylonians gave Ishtar offerings of food and drink on this day. They then joined in ritual acts of lovemaking, which in turn invoked Ishtar’s favour on the region and its people to promote continued health and fruitfulness.

That being said, allow yourself today to reflect on embracing your own sexual being. On a piece of paper, list things about your body and your sexuality that make you uncomfortable. Then, light a pink candle and send pink, healing light to any parts of yourself with which you have emotional discomfort. Embrace your sexual self for who you are and find peace within. After spending time for yourself, consider your own sexual relationships. Focus energy on things within them that are not right and comfortable for you. Send healing to those areas as well. Your sexual relationships should bring joy and pleasure into your life. Remember to be safe in them as well. Thank Ishtar for her presence in your life. Finish your meditations and enjoy the vibrancy of the day.

A magickal alternative, if you have no bed partner, is to use symbolism. Place a knife (or athame, a ritual dagger often representing the masculine divine or the two-edged sword of magick) in a cup filled with water. This represents the union of yin and yang. Leave this in a spot where it will remain undisturbed all day to draw Ishtar’s loving warmth to your home and heart.

If you have any clothes, jewellery, or towels that have a star or moon on them, take them out and use them today. Ishtar abides in that symbolism. As you don the item, likewise accept Ishtar’s mantle of passion for whatever tasks you have to undertake all day.

A Ritual For Ishtar’s Day

Colour: Pottery red, terra cotta

Element: Earth

Offerings: Grains. Stars. Give food to those who need it.

Daily Meal: Wholegrain bread. Cooked grains. Milk and dairy products.

Altar: Set with a cloth of earthy red, and on it place a pitcher of milk and another of wine, bowls of wood and clay filled with grains, olives, figs, and dates, a star, and the figure of a lioness.

Ishtar Invocation

I beseech thee, Lady of Ladies, Goddess of Goddesses, Ishtar, queen of all cities, Leader of all men. Thou art the light of the world, Thou art the light of heaven. At thy name the earth and the heavens shake, And the gods they tremble; The spirits of heaven tremble at thy name And the men hold it in awe. Where thou glancest the dead come to life, And the sick rise and walk; And the mind that is distressed is healed When it looks upon thy face.

Call and response:

For lo, I am the Keeper of the Storehouse And I am generous to all men! From my breasts nourishment spills From my hands nourishment flows From my heart nourishment streams I am the Morning Star I am the Evening Star I am the Star of Heaven And I give unto all humanity.

(After this, all should being the work of inventorying all the resources of the house, in Ishtar’s name, so that they may be used more efficiently and that it can be known what can be given to others out of generosity.)

Sources:

365 Goddess

Pagan Book of Hours

https://shirleytwofeathers.com/The_Blog/pagancalendar/category/april/page/2/

[nerdgurl22]

Election Night 92′ - Part 9

This is a transitional chapter before we ramp it up here folks.  There will be a lot of historical dialog in the next few chapters and it will be a lot to take in so I wanted to fluff so to speak before it gets to heavy.  I hope you enjoy.

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Tuesday, January 19th, 1993 the day before his Inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States, and Washington, D.C. was a buzz, the anticipation was palpable.  The start of a new young administration lead by the 3rd youngest (46) man to to step foot in the Oval office as Commander in Chief, 2nd was John F. Kennedy (43) and 1st was Theodore Roosevelt (42).  Kennedy and Jackie's dynasty was known as Camelot and for Bill and Hillary they were known as proud Lions.  So many similarities had been drawn to two men, having met each other only briefing when Bill a member of Boys Nation visiting the White House on July 24th, 1963, but for Bill it was one the most amazing points in his life, to shake the head of his idol... the President.  Jackie and Hillary drew similarities as well, both young, strong women married to charismatic men with a deep abiding love to do great things for their country.  Another comparison that was drawn was they would both be pregnant while First Lady, however Jackie's ended with much sorrow as after only a few weeks their little boy would not survive being born pre-mature. Many young people who would come of age under the two terms of William Jefferson Clinton would say that Bill and Hillary were their generations JFK and Jackie.

Hillary was concerned about that night's festivities, they had a concert to attend and she didn't want to be in the heels she picked out for too long.  Her ankles were getting a little larger which is why her Inauguration gown would cover them completely.  She wasn't self conscience with how she looked, her belly getting bigger by the day and she was glowing.  She just wanted to make sure she was taking good care of herself, this boy though was not making it easy on her.  He didn't like her sleeping longer than about 5 and half hours before he would wiggle and jolt her awake, Bill would wake up every time she moved in the slightest.  "It's ok honey, he is apparently done sleeping."  He would smile at her glowing face and kiss her belly where his son was growing in what seemed like rapidness.  He couldn't believe how big she was getting but he loved it, as trite as it sounded coming from a man but she was even more beautiful pregnant, her cheeks were more rosy, her eyes sparkled a little more and there is something to be said for watching the love and light of your life carry your child so gentle, even though her back was beginning to kill her. Her red dress for the concert accentuated her hips and her belly as well and as soon as people saw her enter the area with Bill on her one arm and Chelsea on the other the crowd roared.  The woman would be the First Lady tomorrow at noon and here she was glowing and pregnant, and it gave the people more to be excited about with this new administration.  Taking their seats with Al and Tipper to their right the amazing concert began, and all the stars wanted to play for the new young democrat lion, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, all his favorite jazz artists and many celebrities showed up to welcome the new couple.  When Michael Jackson sang about a young friend of his who died of AIDS, Hillary was so moved she was sobbing, her hormones playing no roll she was genuinely moved.  Bill was sitting their so proud and just basking in the whole night but what he didn't tell Hillary was he had a surprise for her.  

When Bill won the Democratic Nomination they were then given their secret service code names and as protocol everyone in the family gets a name but the letters all have to be the same.  Bill chose the letter E, and they gave him Eagle, Chelsea was Energy because she was so full of it all the time, Hillary's was special and chosen specifically by Bill, Evergreen.  It was his favorite Barbra Streisand song because every time he heard it he thought of Hillary.  Well when Barbra came on stage she sang a few songs for Bill and then she spoke about how he had wanted her to sing his favorite song when they were at her home for a fund raiser during the General campaign, she didn't sing it that night but promised him she would sing it for his Inauguration.  So he called Barbra about two days before to ask her to address it to Hillary and really surprise her.  As Barbra told the story on stage Bill took her hand in his and leaned over to kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear, "I love you much my girl."  She smiled as she took in his eyes and then turned back to Barbra as she addressed Hillary.  "Mrs. Clinton, the President-Elect wanted to dedicate this special song simply for you.  He is so proud of you and so in love with you.  And I have to say... we are damn proud to have you as our new First Lady as well.  This is for you both."  With that Barbra throws a kiss toward Hillary.  Bill never broke his contact with her right hand and she even placed her other hand on top of theirs because she was so overcome with love and emotion that her husband would do something this amazing for her even though this was all about him.

Upon entering Blair House after the night's fun was done, Hillary slipped off her shoes and was ready to take Chelsea to her bedroom to get her ready for bed.  Bill saw her so exhausted put his hands on her shoulders and begin to massage her, without hesitation she leaned back her head on his chest and shut her eyes.  "Baby, you sit down and rest your feet, I will get Chelsea ready for bed."  All she could do was smile, here is her husband about to become the most powerful man in the world and he must be a ball of nerves but for the past month he has been so sweet, caring and making sure he helps Chelsea at night so she can get more rest.  It warmed her heart, it was a little thing he was doing, but she loved the little things about him.  How when he would stare deep into her eyes his jaw would always clinch, how when he gets excited or passionate in a speech a vein will pop out of the left side of his neck, how the back of his hands showed his strength and veins, his wrist elegant but manly, the way his glasses would rest on the tip of his nose when he was reading but looked up to see her, or how before she was pregnant his hands around her waist would fit all the way around.  It was always the little things, the things that people didn't noticed but she always did.  The things that made her fall even more in love with him by the minute.  She was a strong, independent woman no doubt but she was different with him in private, sometimes being what some would call subservient in a way.  He is the only man who has ever made her knees weak and would be the only person who she would let see her without her shield to protect her.  This man, this beautiful man that all those years ago saw her as she is not what he wanted her to be, this beautiful man who wasn't scared of her smarts, wit, and power.  In fact just the opposite, that drew him closer.  Of course he was attracted to her beauty, her eyes behind those big glasses that he actually really loved, she never let people get as close as he was allowed to get, even on their first date walking through the Art Museum she opened herself up to him in a way that surprised even herself.

He would be the only one that had her heart until their beautiful baby girl was born 5 years after they married.  Bill never judged her like many have about her looks, about not taking his name at first, being to aggressive or too intelligent.  He loved her because of those things, her fierce independence... not taking his name never bothered him.  It bothered his mother of course, but then again almost everything about Hillary annoyed her.  He knew why she didn't want to take his name, she wanted to fail or rise on her own merits not on the back of his name, plus what did it matter really?  She would come home to him every night and lie beside him in their bed so for him it was never an issue.  That all changed after Bill lost his re-election for Governor and then ran again, she decided that it was time and she never wanted to be the reason he failed at anything.  Bill tried to explain to her that it wasn't her fault, but he couldn't always protect her from the articles about his 'unconventional wife'.   She had developed a pretty thick skin over the years at least on the surface when people were watching but what no one would ever see was how it would affect her in the soundless darkness alone with her thoughts.  When all the hurtful words would hit her right in the heart not so much about her looks, people have their own tastes she would tell herself.  No, it was the stories during the campaign about their marriage being what one paper called 'A Marriage of Convenience that she was only with Bill to further her own ambitions.  She had left a campaign party early to head back to their hotel room, she didn't tell Bill, the article in her purse and she went into the bathroom shut the door and reread the articles headline and the article over and over again.  She turned the light off and she curled into a ball leaning against the wall crying uncontrollably, and the cold bathroom tile providing her some strange comfort.  Bill when he realized she was gone was a nervous wreck, he finally found out she went back to the hotel and went to her right away.  When he stepped into the room only one light was on but he didn't see her at all, his heartbeat was thumping in his ears from running down the hallway and then it broke the sound in his ears.  That faint sobbing he had heard before, when she lost their baby, when she overheard his mother one night tell him he made a huge mistake in marrying her... his heart sank in his chest.  He slowly opened the bathroom door the hallway light illuminated her on the floor and he rushed to her.

She never questioned his love for her and he never questioned her love for him.  They knew their truth and that would get them through anything that would be thrown at them.  From the moment he almost reached out to touch her shoulder that one day leaving class and he pulled back stopping himself because he knew once he started with her he wasn't going to be able to stop.  From the moment she put that book down and walked the entire length of the law library while he stared at her hips, shoulders, lips and the way her hair bounced as she walked with confidence towards him.  From the moment she finally said 'Yes' to his 3rd marriage proposal and a week later she was finally his wife.  From the moment he took her away to Bermuda to get her worrying mind to relax after they still hadn't gotten pregnant and then 6 weeks after they got home they were given the news that it had finally happened.  From the moment she helped him come out of his funk after losing his re-election campaign for Governor and sprung into action changing who she was to help him.  No matter what she was his rock, his driving force, his biggest cheerleader and he couldn't get the articles to stop.  No matter how hard he tried.  In those moments he couldn't protect her when the words would rip through her soul.

Bill comes back downstairs to get her and take her to bed, tomorrow is going to be a extremely long day.  Church, Inauguration, Congressional lunch, Parade and then the 11 balls... he had already agreed to the 11 balls before he knew she was pregnant so he wanted to make sure she was well rested.  A gentle hand lands on her shoulder and rubs it, "Sweetheart."  A soft southern draw washes over her, and she tilts her back and peeks open on eye to see him standing there looking so handsome.  "Hmmm."  Bill just smiles down at her, "Let me get you in bed my love, we have a busy day tomorrow and you are going to need all the rest you can get."  he comes around the couch and lifts her up and guides her up the stairs and into the bedroom, he helps her get undressed and slips her into her nightgown that now accounts for her growing stomach.  He slowly lowers her into bed and kisses her forehead then moves his way to her belly kisses it and whispers to his growing son, "Listen son, do your dad a favor.  Let your mamma rest tonight, she is really going to need all her strength for tomorrow.  I love you both.  Goodnight my boy."  He looks up at Hillary and with a smile on her face she is fast asleep, he pulls the covers over her and gets his tux off and hangs up her dress.  He then looks at her asleep and heads into the washroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, he looks at himself in the mirror and takes a deep breath.  "Are you ready Bill?"  

Laying the towel on the sink he comes out of the washroom and climbs in bed next to Hillary, he laid on his side for a few minutes watching her sleep so tranquil and then he drifted off.  In less that 9 hours he will become the most powerful man in the world.

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Thank you all for continuing to read this story.  I will post Part 10 a bit later.  

[dailybiblelessons]

The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 13 Roman Catholic Proper 18

Complementary Hebrew Scripture from the Writings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,  vanity of vanities!  All is vanity.

I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me—and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.

So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Twelve Prophets: Hosea 11:1-11

When Israel was a child, I loved him,  and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them,  the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals,  and offering incense to idols.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,  I took them up in my arms;  but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness,  with bands of love. I was to them like those  who lift infants to their cheeks.  I bent down to them and fed them. They shall return to the land of Egypt,  and Assyria shall be their king,  because they have refused to return to me. The sword rages in their cities,  it consumes their oracle-priests,  and devours because of their schemes. My people are bent on turning away from me.  To the Most High they call,  but he does not raise them up at all. How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah¹?  How can I treat you like Zeboiim¹? My heart recoils within me;  my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger;  I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal,  the Holy One in your midst,  and I will not come in wrath.

They shall go after the Lord,  who roars like a lion; when he roars,  his children shall come trembling from the west. They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,  and like doves from the land of Assyria;  and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.

¹Admah and Zeboiim were cities destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorah.

Complementary Psalm 49:1-12

Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,  both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom;  the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb;  I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.

Why should I fear in times of trouble,  when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth  and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly, no ransom avails for one's life,  there is no price one can give to God for it. For the ransom of life is costly,  and can never suffice that one should live on forever  and never see the grave.

When we look at the wise, they die;  fool and dolt perish together  and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever,  their dwelling places to all generations,  though they named lands their own. Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;  they are like the animals that perish.

Semi-continuous Psalm 107:1-9, 43

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,  those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands,  from the east and from the west,  from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes,  finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty,  their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,  and he delivered them from their distress; he led them by a straight way,  until they reached an inhabited town. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,  for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty,  and the hungry he fills with good things.

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,  and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: Colossians 3:1-11

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Year C Ordinary 18, RCL Proper 13, Catholic Proper 18 Sunday

Selections are from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Image Credit: The Parable of the Rich Fool by Jan Luyken, in the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England. Used under Free Art License 1.3.

[maxwellyjordan]

Statements from Supreme Court justices

The justices have all released statements addressing the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. We reproduce the full texts of those remarks below the jump:

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.:

Justice Anthony Kennedy served the country he loved for 43 years in the Judicial Branch – 30 as a Member of this Court. His jurisprudence prominently features an abiding commitment to liberty and the personal dignity of every person. Justice Kennedy taught collegiality and civil discourse by example. He brought his wise counsel outside the courthouse and around the world through teaching, lectures, and discussions focused on the rule of law and the necessity of civic engagement. An individual of unquestioned independence and integrity, he is equally comfortable discussing the Greek philosophers or telling tales of Old Sacramento. His wife Mary is a treasured member of the Court family — warm, vibrant, and discerning. I look forward to seeing much of both of them in the years ahead.

Justice Clarence Thomas:

I am deeply, deeply saddened to see Justice Kennedy leave the Court. We have been colleagues here at the Court for over a quarter of a century. Throughout that time, he has been a consummate gentleman and a wonderful colleague. And, he has been unfailingly civil and kind in all of his interactions with each of his colleagues. Even during the most difficult and challenging times, he had a way of elevating each of us by his example. He is a good man who will be remembered not only for a long and productive career on the bench but also for the way he conducted himself. It is an honor to have served on the Court with him and to know him as a friend. Virginia and I wish him and Mary nothing but the best.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

Justice Kennedy is a true gentleman, a caring jurist, and a grand colleague in all respects. I will miss the pleasure of his company at our Conference table, his helpful suggestions on circulating opinions, his recommendations of art exhibitions to visit with my chambers staff, and much more. For the good he has done during the 43 years he has served as a member of the Federal Judiciary, he has earned a rousing Bravo.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer:

Justice Kennedy has been my friend and judicial colleague for close to twenty-five years. He is a judge of great vision. His knowledge of the Constitution is profound. He is thoughtful and careful in his decision-making, and he has made it a great pleasure for all of us to work together with him. I will miss him as a colleague, but I hope to continue to see him for many years as a friend.

Justice Samuel A. Alito:

It has been a great honor to serve with Justice Kennedy for the past 12 ½ terms. Tony was warm and welcoming when I arrived at the Court on my first day, and it has been a pleasure to work with him ever since. I could not have hoped for a more congenial and considerate colleague, and I will miss working with him. His work has made an impressive contribution to the development of the law in many fields, and he will surely be remembered as one of the most important justices in the history of the Court.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor:

Tony Kennedy is one of the most thoughtful colleagues I have known. He is passionate about the Constitution and our Court and has been a devoted member of our Court community. It is undeniable that he has had a monumental effect on the law. I have witnessed his love and dedication to his family and know that he will cherish spending more time with them. I will miss working with him dearly, but I know he will continue to be a roaring lion, even as he takes senior status.

Justice Elena Kagan:

I am deeply grateful to have had the chance to serve on the Court with Tony Kennedy. His legacy will be of enduring importance. The Court and country will miss his wisdom, his independence and integrity, his love of liberty and commitment to personal dignity. And I’ll miss his kindness, decency, and warmth. He was the best colleague imaginable. I wish Tony and Mary the best of everything in the years ahead, and look forward to their continued friendship.

Justice Neil Gorsuch:

For more than forty years, Justice Kennedy has served the Judiciary and the Nation with unfailing integrity and immense wisdom. He is a model of civility, judicial temperament, and kindness. His respect for every person and every case has made him a great man and a great judge. It was the honor of a lifetime to serve as his law clerk 25 years ago, and it has been an unexpected joy to serve this year as his colleague. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Justice’s wife, Mary. Her graciousness has left an indelible mark on my family and everyone she touches. I wish the Justice and Mary, and their wonderful family, every happiness in the years ahead.

Retired Justice John Paul Stevens:

Tony Kennedy was, and is, a close friend. We have retained that close friendship since my retirement, and I continue to admire his independence, the high quality of his judicial work, and his devotion to the mission of the Court. I am, of course, disappointed by his decision to retire for he will not be easily replaced, but he has certainly earned the right to enjoy a more leisurely life without the constant burden of reading briefs. I wish him and Mary all the best.

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[thomaspredestined-blog]

It Will All Happen As It Should, and other cliches I can’t abide.

I’ve been reading Rollins, Bell, Yancey, Tillich, de Chardin, Miller, Lewis, Manning.

I tell you that, so you know how cool I am.  So I can show you just how full of Jesus I am that I am reading a gaggle of progressive theologians and thinkers and teachers.  Christian writers.  Those who (for the most part) will never be published through Zondervan.

It’s a ploy.  

I am attempting to read them.  I am attempting to stare at the words until they break something in me.  Until I have a reaction that’s anything but my eyes going glassy and my mind wandering.  

I’m terrible at this.  

I put on a record, I light some incense.  I sit.  I feel the weight of the rosary I wear around my neck and I google the words I’m supposed to pray as I finger each bead.

I’m terrible at that.

I throw in some headphones and sit at my laptop (a gift from a generous friend) and scroll through worship song playlists and feel nothing.  I wish the drummer would have done another thing there.  I wish it didn’t sound like a watered down love song about some person the singer met in high school.  I wish it had some soul, pain, hardship bleeding through.

My wife sits in our recliner.  

I text friends about lunch plans tomorrow.

The whole time, I tell myself I am called to think and to teach and to lead.

Is this failing?  Am I lying to myself when I feel the pull of the Pacific Northwest in my soul?  Is it another ploy to have my heart set on an island community where I feel I can learn and teach and lead?  Are these doubts apart of the plan?  Is my unorthodox, unprofessional approach to reaching out seen as comical?  Does my heart show through in my shortcomings?

I’ve always been a doubter.  Building a faith at a young age that was based on bucking the established system.  Believing fully that without an oppressive force there would be no growth, progress.  

I started a group that will be hosting church-in-a-bar in Muncie, IN.  We’ll be meeting the third Sunday of each month.  We’re calling ourselves The Table at Cana.  “The Table” because we will focus on the community aspect of the Kingdom message.  Welcoming all to come sit.  Welcoming all to have a place and a voice.  “at Cana” because that’s where the Christ performed his first recorded miracle.  Turning water into wine.  Keeping the party going.  And, while we won’t have any wine, we will be meeting in a brewery owned by men who have a heart for community and a heart for the party.

As I tried to be a good Christian, reading the words I’m supposed to, praying the things I’m supposed to, reaching for a feeling that I think I’m supposed to have, I stumbled across something I’d read a million times.  I’m Nathaniel.  That’s my first name.  And, in John 21, we find out that Nathaniel (the racist I was named for) was from Cana.  I try to ascribe meaning to the group I’ve started and this bit of minutia.  Like I’ve tried to ascribe meaning to dreaming of this island community.  Like I’ve tried to ascribe meaning to phone calls, social media interactions, and the gut feelings of my wife.

Coffee wrecks her.  I don't know that her gut should be trusted.

“Bad Things to Such Good People” by Pedro the Lion begins to play.

This song is my anthem.  It has acted as a herald for the story of my life.

(This is not supposed to be the pitiful thing that it seems to be.)

Have my failures created the fortitude within me to keep my head above the water if this job doesn’t happen?  Will I have the faith to accept that it’s not the right time or place?  

This is going somewhere, I promise.

I know the things that I need.

I need to be mentored.

I need to be accepted.

I need my wife to be accepted and I need her prophetic voice to be nurtured.

I need to commit for a minimum of three years.

I need to grow a beard.

I need nature, hiking, walks, coffee, access to good pipe tobacco and better beer.

I need art, creativity, music, passion, fire.

I need to let go and believe that God knows my stupid desires dressed as needs.

But, I do need mentoring, acceptance, and I need my wife’s voice and spirit and passion and beauty to be lifted up.

The beer thing would be nice, too.

I’ve been too hopeful and scared to read.  I’ve been too focused on tomorrow to live today.  Rohr would challenge me to grow my prayer life.  Rohr would say that I need to learn to live in the moment.  A constant state of RIGHT NOW where true contemplative prayer exists.

But, we’re called to wait expectantly.  My expectant waiting leads to projecting. I am being called, in this very moment, to sit with the now.  I am being called, in this very moment, to trust and believe.  I am not being called to lower my expectations or to let go of my earnest longing and yearning for this community.  However, I am called to focus on the community I have right here, right now.

The Table at Cana will continue while I wait expectantly.  The Table at Cana is my right here and now.  The Table at Cana is my community today, and the island may be my community tomorrow.

Wait, Ryan.  Wait. 

My doubts want me to plan and my anxiety wants me to control.  

Faith is an allegiant pledge.  Belief is trust.

I have faith that I have been called into community.  Into a particular community.  Under men that I can learn from and grow with.  

But, that’s tomorrow.  

I have faith it will happen.  But, that doesn’t allow me to shirk my responsibilities here. I am to grow, learn, read here.  I am to speak to the hurt around me now.  I will speak to their hurt tomorrow.

This I pray.  This I sit with in this moment.  My expectant hope.  My calling.  I sit with this now.  If tomorrow comes, so does my calling.