#Rapture Blogger theme

[hellyeahrihannafenty]

Vogue: 5 BadGal Beauty Lessons from Rihanna That Went Viral in 2017

There's no question that 2017 was the year of Rihanna. The just-released trailer for Ocean's 8, in which she stars alongside Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling and more as a pool shark with waist-grazing dreadlocks named Nine Ball, is just the latest proof.

Never mind that she didn't tour or release an album, RiRi was still the most-streamed female artist for the third year in the row. As Harvard's Humanitarian of the Year, she also took her altruism to the next level, from meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron to discussing international education, to blasting out a call to action to President Donald Trump regarding the devastation in Puerto Rico. And who could forget when she shut down the 2017 Met Gala, religiously executing the theme—as only she can—in her rapturously elaborate Comme des Garçons look?

But, in the midst of it all, the pop star also managed to leave an indelible mark on the beauty space, in many more ways than one. Here are just a few of the times Rihanna radically marched to her own beauty beat in 2017.

The Launch (and Slay) of Fenty Beauty Nearly two years in the making, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line bowed with the exact amount of disruption the industry needed. Whether she's inspiring women to go rogue with shockingly vivid shades or dreaming up an ultra-clever moniker (her new moody brown Mattemoiselle lip shade is aptly named "PMS"), each launch is more statement-making than the next. But most celebration worthy of all is the high premium she puts on diversity, from launching 40 different shades of foundation that cater to all skin tones to casting models and artists of various ethnicities in her campaigns.

The Video That Solidified Sweat as the Summer Beauty Accessory In DJ Khaled's "Wild Thoughts" video, RiRi served up endless beauty inspiration while purring over Santana's infectious "Maria Maria" guitar sample. Embracing the Miami humidity, she opted for glossy curls and dewy skin, as well as tropical turquoise smoky eyes and cherry red lips that popped against her glowing complexion. With less than two days to go before winter break, who isn't still feeling that heat?

The Feminist Slap Heard 'Round the World Queen of the clap back, RiRi had no time for the Internet's body shaming over the summer. In response to a male blogger who felt compelled to comment on her fuller figure, she posted an Instagram featuring side by side shots of rapper Gucci Mane (ten years and several pounds apart) and captioned it: “If you can’t handle me at my 2007 Gucci Mane, you don’t deserve me at my 2017 Gucci Mane." The takeaway? RiRi's size is always just right.

The Joy and Wonder of Kadooment Day In the spirit of body confidence, Rihanna attended her native Barbados' annual Crop Over Festival in her most show-stopping look to date. With electric blue hair and spangling of facial gems, she showed off her hourglass curves in a bejeweled bikini that left little to the imagination to mic-drop effect.

The Head Shave of All Head Shaves The music video for N.E.R.D.'s high-octane track "Lemon" (which features RiRi spitting bars like the seasoned pro she is) opens up with the singer shaving dancer Mette Towley's cloud of natural curls to reveal a powerful new buzz cut. Translation: If you want a new lease on life, shearing off your lengths—or helping a member of your girl crew do the same— is a BadGal's first step. [x]

[catherine-batty-author]

The show made me do it....

Hi @tinkdw , @ibelieveinthelittletreetopper , @elizabethrobertajones I wanted to post this to a couple of meta writers / bloggers I follow here re my thoughts about Destiel. 

Firstly, just so you know where I’m coming from, I’m a writer of fantasy/crime/thriller/romance fiction. World building a subtle development of characters is part of what I do.

I watch crime dramas – I’m horrible to watch them with because I ALWAYS work them out – because I PAY ATTENTION to what is on screen, both textually and sub-textually. I also believe that TV is an expensive media and what screen time there is is short. So if something has made it to screen, no matter how small, it is of significance. Writers, directors, actors, editors all felt this was MEANT to be seen. I also believe that just because two characters have great chemistry doesn’t mean they have to be a canon couple. (Morgan and Garica from Criminal Minds is one of the best one screen platonic friendships on screen, I’m glad the writers were brave enough to keep them that way and not push them into a relationship.)

I’m a whoivan so I am no stranger to fandom and there is no way you can be in ANY fandom and not know of Destiel.

Now, until last year I had not seen Supernatural. It was one on my watch list but never got around to it. So I decided to start with series one DVD and see how I got on. And ok, some of series one was a bit shakey, some of the stories not great… but the premise, the backbone of Sam and Dean, their relationship – THAT was great from the start and kept me watching. It still keeps me watching.

As I got to season 4, I wondered if everything I’d heard about Destiel was real. It wasn’t why I was watching, it was the brother’s journey that kept me going. Shippers are passionate, GIFS can be created to emphasize a point, but when those GIFS are out of context of the episode – did they still stand up as “Destiel”? So I went into season 4 open minded. (PS I’ve also had no issue accepting that Dean is a repressed bisexual – hints have been made all along, character building)

Oh.Dear. Lord. It’s real.

But let me take a step back. When watching S4 most of the time I was watching Cas on screen, his intensity with Dean appears to be him trying to work out the man he saved. His orders were to pull him out of hell, put him back together again. He did that, and in doing so he knew EVERYTHING about Dean until that point. He returned him to Earth the same bright souled, flawed human that he was, along with all his loves, fears, hopes and dreams. Everything he was, and everything he hid. His self loathing. Castiel KNEW everything about Dean.

But knowing someone and understanding them are different things. What I see in most of S4 is Cas trying to understand Dean. Because the man he put back together is not the man he sees and knows is really there. (He sees performing Dean before the other important people in his life do.)

Dean for his part mostly looks like his every hidden fantasy walked into the barn that day. And because it’s not a door he’s even prepared to peek through, it’s all unsubtle looks at Cas, his body language screams attraction when his actions say otherwise. (And “The Rapture” was fantastic as showing that he is drawn to CAS not JIMMY.)

S5 was seemed to build more on above, but if their plan was to end at S5 then you could say that they are brothers-in-arms. Castiel the angel that can’t quite figure out the human he saved and Dean the human who never felt worthy of this new friendship/crush, which also left him bemused.

S6, Dean with Lisa. Well this was where I was wondering if Destiel would be ticked to the curb. But no. Dean needed to experience what he thought he had wanted. What he believed his parents had before that November night.  He tells Lisa in S5 that when he pictured himself happy, if was with her – but the reality wasn’t what he wanted. He cared about them, loved them. But when he walked away from them after Cas took their memories, he wasn’t broken.

Cas in this season is clearly falling for Dean. He goes from intrigue and mild jealousy (Anna) in S4/5 to full on heart eyes by the end (The Man Who Would Be King) is just epic.

S7 – despite the reduced role of Cas, it was great for setting up grieving Dean for later seasons. When Cas is lost to the Leviathans, Dean is equal parts upset and angry for Cas’ actions. But in the end he still carried that trenchcoat around for months, in various cars. But he did the same with Bobby and the flask, and there is no ambiguity as to his feelings towards Bobby. For me he grieved the loss of family in both cases and in similar ways – that was until they both return. Dean’s reactions are different to the return of Bobby and Cas. Subtly different, but different never-the-less. (Then you compare the loss of Cas and Bobby in this series to S13? There is NO comparison. He hasn’t lost a friend/crush or father figure, he’s lost the absolute love of his life).

And Cas/Meg? Well there is a great relationship. Two great actors and chemistry, with an obvious set up for a possible “impossible romance” (which could have been enthralling in its own right if Destiel wasn’t pushed in my face 😉 ) but their chemistry worked so much better in the platonic sense.

I’m only half way through S8, Cas is out of purgatory and this is for me when Destiel the ‘romance’ is going canon. Benny’s reaction alone when Dean and Cas reunite is telling. You can see his brain going ‘friend my ass!’.

For the most part, what I’ve seen is subtle acting by all parties, a slow progression from strangers to comrades, to friends and now friends who are clearly falling for each other - it could have stayed platonic with some odd but explainable behavior between Cas and Dean. It is all there, on screen if you look. Now, I may be a few seasons behind but I know what is happening currently and I’m highly encouraged they are showing a deeply complex, touching and enduring love story where the characters have gone on an epic journey to find that love. The genders of those characters means fuck all.

I know for many of you what I’m saying is old news. But I wanted you to know that someone who has only recently started watching Supernatural and went in with an open mind, I can clearly see what is in front of me.The show made me do it. I ship Destiel. They are one of the greatest OTP’s of all time. It isn’t imagined. It isn’t exaggerated by GIFS.

For those of you who have studied this series into the minutest of details (and not just for Destiel) and those of us who are observant and see these small things as we have watched – we are being rewarded. For those who choose not to see, or have their own petty reasons for not wanting see such a powerful love story, well they are the ones losing out on something spectacular.

Wow, this ended up being longer than expected (a theme in my writing, haha!) and it didn’t go into any real detail!

Keep on meta writing and being awesome in this fandom - your blogs make me smile.

[joaniebluetoes]

Aidan at the BFI / RT Television Festival 8/4/17 - some thoughts.

I took no pictures. I just listened and watched very carefully. It was the first time I had seen him irl and didn’t want to waste any time with buttons, shutters and seeing if my thumb was in the way again.

The audience were incredibly polite in how they received him and asked him questions, and gave him gifts during the Audience Question section at the end.  It was through courtesy or blind and utter shock, put it that way, but it was not a melee.  Someone should have served tea and cucumber sandwiches on best china.

He came onto the BFI IMAX theatre stage to no special fanfare, no rapturous or out of place applause.  It was quite muted.  We had been told to come and take our seats before he arrived, so the reception committee outside must have been pretty thin and according to some he was just left with the professional autograph hunters to receive him (I didn’t see any of that - I was in there and up in my seat pretty quickly, like a greased ferret through a drainpipe actually).

They showed 2 clips from Series 3.  This perhaps was the reason behind the request “no recording of any sort whatsoever” at the beginning.  People did though.  Some of the ushers were moving around trying to stop people recording or taking pictures using mime gestures (”cut it” slashing fingers across throat), which reminded me of the old days when they would try and stop teenagers kissing in the back row at the pictures.  That approach worked just as well as it did all those years ago.

He didn’t move around a great deal.  I’d heard stories of Restless Fidgety Turner, but no, he wasn’t.  Mostly sat there with his left leg crossed across his right, and his hands out in front resting on the bucket lounge type of chair you find in Costa Coffee (other coffee retail outlets are also available).  His hair was down to start with.  It had obviously been cut since filming but it was still mid neck length.  He had brought his elasticated hair band with him, and this was on his wrist most of the time.  The beard was in good health but not out of control.  It wasn’t Odessa level of frizzy.

There were minor issues with technology.  One of the clips was shown right in the middle of someone answering a question (forgive me, I think it was Damien) and it took them a while to realise and halt the clip half way.  It involved a scene with Demelza’s brothers who are new characters in series 2. 

The other minor issue was with Alison Graham’s voice microphone which packed up too.  Aidan was able to project his voice beautifully to the back of the auditorium without any assistance, and all those lessons from Ian MacKellan on not muttering must have sunk in and stayed there from his days on the Hobbit and from 5 years in theatre too of course. [note to self - his mike was working just fine, but attached on very securely to his paler than usual tee-shirt].

I am not able to remember everything.  There were times I even forgot

to keep watching him like a hawk.  Alison Graham from Radio Times asked all the questions initially, and I agree with others who said she was a bit Series 1 focussed and of course “ The Elephant in The Room question” had to be mentioned.  Yada-yada.  We’ve moved on already.  We also already know the history of how he got the role, the story of only ever one name in the ring, that he had the scripts Fed-Ex’d over (but it was the first time I’d heard it was about 3 months after he got back from filming the Hobbit)

There was not much talk of what had gone on in series 2.  To those who follow him as slavishly as I do there was not much new to report, but that wasn’t the point.  It was the opportunity to see and hear him that counted.  I was personally glad.  I didn’t want a post-mortem on who said or didn’t say the right thing at the wrong time to the person who should have been as they were in the book.  The television series is a separate entity in my mind.  It was said again, and it can’t be said enough, this is a 21st century adaptation by a woman, from the source material written by a man in the middle of the 20th century, about a FICTIONAL set of characters in the 18th.  It changes even further between the script and the screen.

Everyone knows by now that series 4 has been announced to start filming in September. It was announced as an aside comment from Aidan as a throw away comment and there was a little ripple of applause [which I think I started].  He seemed a little surprised that he should get such a reaction.  I did seem to notice that Debbie and Damien did a little stiffening, but only for a second.  Bless him again, for going ahead of message.  Debbie’s still writing series 4 at the moment.

The audience questions seemed to try and get closer to the theme of the session which was “Ross Poldark - an old fashioned hero for a modern time (sic)” than the questions asked by Alison Graham.  But I agree that was never really addressed in any depth.  Out came the “We never called him a hero” response and well trodden explanations of the flawed, real, certainly not emotionally heroic figure. But it was my feeling that everyone already knew the answer to that one before they came.

An hour in Aidan land goes by in a fraction of the time.  I’d like to borrow the Tardis and go back again and hear it all again.  It was never ever going to be enough time for everyone to get everything they wished for.   

The best part for me were: The questions from the audience.  They knew the really important questions.

Most seemed quite shell-shocked once handed the roving microphone but all were very, very brave through their fear - and he responded to them carefully and tried to answer the whole of the (often several questions-in-one) question posed to him.  And he did it with honesty, wit, charm and as if no-one had ever asked him that question before ever.  His fingers sometimes drummed lightly on the edge of the chair arms and he tied his hair back at some point (he’s definitely done that before - whoosh and it was done).  He was much more animated answering the audience’s questions, and it was a real lottery as to who got the chance to ask their question.  But no matter, everyone stayed in their seats (pretty much) and there was no fighting, pushing or actual biting.

Congratulations to those who got their questions asked, answered, had their gifts delivered to the stage, got to the stage to deliver their gifts and in one very special case received an actual hug.  Warm fuzzy feelings all round.

He seemed to me to be saying “I am a working actor, doing the best I can with what I’ve got on the day.”  Of course I’d like to go back and play scenes differently.  I won’t be playing the same role over and over again because that doesn’t keep my interest.  I’m not going to be, or want to play socially morally responsible man in every role.  To him, his characters are complete and distinct units to each other but he can see how others can draw parallels between his different roles.  He wouldn’t mind if Ross Poldark had a beard in series 4, but from the reaction of Debbie, that ain’t never gonna happen in any universe she has any say in ever.  He’s still not too comfortable sat in front of a big picture of himself, but did ask if he could turn around and watch one of the clips on the screen [as if he needed to ask permission].  At one point he offered to take his tee shirt off for Alison Graham.  I wonder how she’s been since then?

What really struck me was the way he said goodbye to everyone. Even though he’d announced he had to go because he had a wedding to go to in Dublin, it still took him a few minutes to leave the stage.  He paid attention to those who had come forward (it wasn’t a stampede, just a polite gathering), signed the odd thing, shook a couple of hands. And then stood at the edge of the [very narrow] stage and thanked everyone for coming, did a little theatre bow with his hands together and received a very, very polite and restrained round of applause.

We didn’t see him leave.  He was gone [in a puff of smoke, I’d like to pretend], but no. Just went.  And then hellos and goodbyes were said amongst the online fans [just as long as you looked like your profile picture or someone said your name] and the fans gathered in their little pockets of preference and talked about their favourite subject for the rest of the night.

So, the burning question for a first timer is ..... how was it for you Joan?  Oh pretty much like the real thing, mostly an out of body experience with very little real recollection of each moment by moment.  But yes, when can I do it again?

Sorry if I didn’t see you or get chance to talk to you whilst I was there.  It may take me some time to recover, but special mention must go to the lady who greeted me on the way out of the auditorium with “You’re Joan Ellis?” in an excited tone “I just loved your nipples!”  The things that you get recognised for, hey?  I am a serious blogger I will have you know...  oh yeah?

[cookiesbookcorner]

January 2017 Post Compilation

January 2017 Book List

List of 4 titles to fit the theme of new and fresh starts.

Social Experiments Galore

My book review on BioShock: Rapture by John Shirley

Life's Torture

My book review on Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Didn’t know I had a blog? Come visit!

[ecotone99]

[SF] Nuptial Rupture - A sex hex complex of ominous promise.

I am changed into a woman, as if born a girl. I am at my own wedding, set in a huge Gothic cathedral, being escorted up the aisle by my father, who is identical to my real dad. As he cradles my arm I savour my new form, snug beneath my tailored gown. My trim shoulders and narrow chest bear a pair of pert breasts, held high by my brassiere. My slim, supple waist blooms into a broad, flexible pelvis atop of my voluptuous thighs that brush the heavy drape of my luxurious dress. My whole physique, my total spirit, frames and contains my precious flower of maidenhood. My diminished height is below my papa's stature, when as a guy I stood several inches above. My compact proportions give me superior balance and prim poise as I glide on tiny, precise feet. But surveying the scene I mark a number of incongruities. It appears to be night, as all the stunning stained-glass windows on the right of the church are darkened. However, those opposite are illuminated by a milky lambency of solemn lunar luminescence that pours through, displaying their colours in tenebrous tints and casting dramatic shades across the crowded congregation. The vast temple is further lit by a dense parade of heavy candelabras mounted along the side walls whose multitude of flickering flames, excited by the slight but swift draughts flitting through the cavernous interior, beget grotesque shadows that dance in frenetic parodies of stiff reality. My exquisite attire, of the most lavish silk, is a shimmering black, not the usual virgin white. It is decorated with delicate lacework of iridescent green, vivid against the pervading dim hues. I am holding an elegant posy of ebony roses, and as I ponder whether such flowers naturally exist a sharp prick from one of their thorns cuts deep into my left ring finger. The ambience reverberates with the polished tones of the building's impressive organ. Its noble ranks of silvery pipes can just be distinguished through the murky aspect, their lofty orders flanking the apse. These play an intricate fugue of eerie counterpoints, executed with demonic virtuosity. Their diminished and augmented harmonisations never resolve, slipping through endless thematic variations that leave a sinister impression with their always implied but never completed cadences. The numerous guests are a fascinating array of people I have known in my previous life, family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues and even enemies. They are each at the age I knew them best, caught in time-warps of various durations. I am disappointed that they are in common garb rather than the smart costume one would expect for this hallowed occasion. I am further perturbed that they are engaged in muted conversation, leaning towards their neighbours with heads bowed in surreptitious whisper, creating a vulgar atmosphere that jars the regal, haunting music. I turn to my father for reassurance, but he just gives me a mischievous wink with a wry smile, as if it's a clever joke. He is whistling a silly little tune which seems to be Sousa's "The Liberty Bell", commonly known as the theme from Monty Python's Flying Circus. As I ruminate these bizarre circumstances I become aware of the groom and his best man, their backs towards me. Suddenly I realise the gravity of my situation. I am about to be united in holy conjugality, to whom I know not. The thought of consummating my vows with a man fills me with terror. I feel trapped in the intrinsic bondage of my dream femininity, nauseated to the core of my still masculine will. My confused emotions receive another jolt as I draw level to my future husband and discover he is my true male self and his attendant is his and my brother. They are both decked in tuxedo and black tie, instead of the expected morning suits. My initial relief upon recognising myself as such changes to utter disgust at the incestuous alliance about to be sanctified. Then my attention is drawn to the sound of pitiful weeping. I turn to view my mother, sitting on the front pew. She has grown obese, far larger than I've ever seen her. She is stuffed into a gaudy frock and outrageous hat, her corpulent figure adorned with a superfluity of tacky beads, cheesy broaches and other glitzy jewellery. As she bawls into her handkerchief I speculate whether her lachrymose exhibition has a flavour of bitter desperation in place of the wistful joy one would hope for. Next to my distraught mum are my four bridesmaids, who are my previous persona's current and past girlfriends. They look beautiful in their matching crimson robes. But they too are chatting among themselves, perched on the edge of their bench in a scrum. I hear the serpentine hisses of their secret susurrations punctuating the garbled noise and perceive them flashing suspicious glances at me before resuming their huddled conference. Throughout this freakish ceremony I could not fail to espy the presiding minister, looming motionless before the alter. He is wearing a capirote and full-length vestment, both the same striking red as the girl's gowns. He towers with confidence, and I experience a subtle anxiety at his inscrutable presence. As the uncanny toccata halts, at last finding a concordant conclusion, I again catch my dad's face, who just clicks his tongue and raises his eyebrows before humming "Yakety Sax", that frivolous refrain from the Benny Hill Show. I spin my head to regard my familiar fiancé, but he too gives me an expression of cheeky humour. Meanwhile the officiating priest begins his service in a commanding, stentorian voice, its ghoulish sonority projecting over the buzzing chatter. He proclaims:

"Through dark stark glum we come

To humbly mark

Fit witness this true union

Share their new joyful ploy

Confessing via dire odds God's blessing."

"Marriage is the bridge to grace

Through which the switch of gender flows

Tenderly shows in love above reality

The sinful glove of fantasy."

"That gift will lift the rift

Spill the sap at rapture pure

Capture bound tight wound

Right founded reckoning

From sombre beckoning."

"Yet let shy vows arouse

Those chosen by the law

Restore the primal state

Before chimeric fate."

He pauses, before demanding, "If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." At the finish of this categorical directive everything goes quiet. My heart palpitates as my soul is wracked with overwhelming guilt that twists the sinewy essence of my vital substance. But then, after an excruciating moment of pregnant silence, the chapel is rocked with the teeming roar of hysterical laughter. In a condition of shock, unable to digest what is happening, I examine the location to see that one and all are howling in manic merriment. Even my mother is bursting her sides, shaking like an accordion as she shrieks like a frenzied hyena. My ladies-in-waiting are giggling with sprightly glee, their features glowing like ripe cherries. My father, husband-to-be and brother are bent over double in extreme amusement, convulsing themselves inside out. Only the diabolical pastor remains unmoved, posed like an impenetrable statue. My universe falls apart. I am melting, my torso shrinking away under the tight grip of my bodice. My skin is shrivelling like a deflated balloon, hanging limp from my contracting skeleton. My eyes are slipping from their sockets, turning into watery slime. My teeth are loosening, detaching from my mushy gums. My bowels are disintegrating, descending through my dissolving anatomy. The world rises as I sink into the earth, a pool of protoplasmic sludge leaking beneath my hem, oozing across the floor. Finally my consciousness dwindles, fading into fuzziness, emptiness, nothing.

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[tipsoctopus]

"His own Istanbul", "Immense", "Vital" - Lots of Liverpool fans can't get enough of "new legend"

Liverpool have the perfect reward for their efforts this season after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final of the UEFA Champions League on Saturday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side narrowly missed out on English Premier League glory but put all that behind them in Madrid to eventually show their class and finish off Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit.

An early penalty set the tone for victory, which was coolly dispatched by Mohamed Salah after a Moussa Sissoko handball.

We all love the Champions League theme tune but you’ve never heard it like this before! Check out the video below…

With both teams struggling to hit their best form from then on, the Reds had to defend stoutly in the face of Tottenham possession until well into the second half when super-sub Divock Origi found space in the box to accurately finish past Hugo Lloris, sending the travelling Liverpool supporters into raptures.

Origi has far from been a regular under Klopp this season but has scored some massive goals including a Merseyside Derby winner, a double against Barcelona in the semi-final of this competition and now this career defining effort.

Whatever happens now for him at Liverpool, he’ll always be something of a club legend.

These fans were obviously overjoyed by his impact, taking to Twitter on Saturday to share their thoughts…

Can you believe Divock Origi was our Champions League difference maker 😳 #YNWA

— JFT96 (@Mr_ITellYah) June 1, 2019

@DivockOrigi fairplay for hanging in at @lfc and producing the goods when needed, delighted for you 👍 #LFC #YNWA #UCLFinal #ChampionsLeagueFinal

— Dara Hayes (@DaraMichael) June 1, 2019

What an absolutely fantastic night to be alive!

What a vital player Origi has been to us this season & glad to see him grab one in the final. #YNWA #ChampionsLeague2019 #ChampionsLeagueFinal #UCLfinal #TOTLIV

— Reav (@ReavLIVE) June 1, 2019

Honestly, it had to be Origi. His goals have been massive all year. Unbelievable! #YNWA #LFC #SixTimes #ChampionsLeageFinal2019 https://t.co/x3bB4jjoVr

— Mike Hatfield (@MHatfield_10) June 1, 2019

I’ll tell my kids how Origi got a statue next to Bill Shankly #YNWA

— Omar Cham (@don_drilla) June 1, 2019

Divok Origi deserves a stand named after him, or a statue: Something. He’s been immense. #UCLFinal #LFC #YNWA!

— Kaylan Geekie (@KaylanGeekie) June 1, 2019

Origi is the spirit of Liverpool. So fitting he brought us this championship in so many ways. Origi is his own Istanbul. Counted out. Never respected. Never say die. #ynwa

— dw (@dw2foosfan) June 1, 2019

Again we have to sign Origi a lifetime contract. 🙌🏼 Our new Legend. 🏆❤️#YNWA 🔴 #Liverpool #UCLFinal

— N F • 🎩 (@nasso77x) June 1, 2019

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[meeshgames]

Travel Between Rapture, Columbia in BioShock's Awe-Inspiring PS4 Theme

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[recentanimenews]

The Four Immigrants Musical

In 1931, Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama published the Four Immigrants Manga, a collection of comic strips that offered readers a unique window into the lives of four Japanese immigrants living in San Francisco in the early 1900s. Stonebridge Press rescued Kiyama’s work from obscurity in 1998 with a beautiful new edition that was translated by Frederik Schodt, and while it’s never been a mainstream hit, it has enjoyed a stellar reputation among critics. Playwright Min Kahng recently adapted Kiyama’s work into a musical that’s garnering rapturous reviews from Bay Area newspapers. Lily Janiak, the San Francisco Chronicle‘s theater critic, praises Kahng’s efforts to bridge the gap between page and stage with imaginative sets, music, and choreography. “To Kahng’s swashbuckling, jazzy score, played by a six-person live band, Dottie Lester-White’s choreography reveals the immigrant characters as the true engine of American might,” Janiak argues, continuing:

Arms churn and piston. Heels click jauntily… But perhaps most magical is the panoply of ways Martinson incorporates Kiyama’s artwork. She doesn’t simply parade static panels across the stage for performers to act in front of. They can reach in and grab props, cut-outs with thick outlines that might have been drawn by a giant felt-tip marker, and the panels might reach back. Projections, by Katherine Freer, swoop images in from different directions, moving along with the characters and creating the feel of a flip book.

Janiak’s sentiments are echoed by San Francisco Examiner critic Jean Schiffman, who praises “Leslie Martinson’s strong and sensitive direction” and Kahng’s “affecting second act.” “By the time the loneliest of the foursome send for picture brides from Japan,” Schifmann observes, “the struggles of the slowly maturing characters, set against the social and political backdrop of the era, has become truly involving, and touching.” Here’s a peek at TheatreWorks’ production:

For more information about performances, visit the TheatreWorks website; for more information about The Four Immigrants Manga, visit Frederik Schodt’s website. Let’s hope the positive buzz leads to performances in other cities!

MANGA, ANIME AND JAPANESE POP CULTURAL NEWS

Shelby Long posts an in-depth analysis of volumes 37-38 of Skip Beat! “While Skip Beat!’s switching to Saena’s point of view is memorable for a number of reasons, (including that it’s the first time an adult woman is telling a story),” Long explains, “I regard it as being especially important because it frees Saena from the caricature of being ‘just’ Kyoko’s mom. It explores motivations for Saena’s undiluted hatred for motherhood – a take on motherhood that all too often gets played down or marginalized in media.” [Black Girl Nerds]

And speaking of manga moms, Jocelyn Allen sings the praises of Aoi Ikebe’s short-story collection Nee, Mama. “Ikebe doesn’t focus on the usual notions of motherhood and family,” she argues. “And more than her gentle lines and quiet pages, it’s this that I love about Ikebe. Her characters seek connections with each other, they struggle to find themselves and their place. And they don’t always manage it perfectly. But they reach out to each other. And sometimes, that’s enough.” [Brain vs. Book]

As One Piece turns 20, Brigid Alverson asks manga bloggers Jason Thompson, Deb Aoki, David Brothers, and yours truly why Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series is the most popular comic in the world right now. [B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog]

The June 2017 Diamond Direct Graphic Novel sales figures are in. [ICv2]

Martin de la Iglesia highlights three anime-to-manga adaptations worth reading. [The 650-Cent Plague]

IndieWire assembles an all-star team of television critics to discuss their favorite comic book adaptations. And while many of the answers are predictable — Batman, Supergirl, Preacher, and Jessica Jones all got nods — InuYasha made the cut as well. [IndieWire]

Help the Anime Feminist team choose their next manga read-along project! Before clicking over to the discussion thread, keep in mind that there are two criteria for a read-along title: first, “that the manga are available to legally buy in English,” and second, that they “lend themselves to interesting feminist discussion.” [Anime Feminist]

This sounds too good to be true: Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir will participate in a panel discussion of Yuri on Ice!! at the Crunchyroll Expo in August. [Anime News Network]

Serdar Yegulalp profiles Ghost in the Shell heroine Motoko Kusanagi. [Ganriki]

Agent Dale Cooper prepared a Twin Peaks-themed bento box on Japanese TV. [io9]

Move over, Hello Kitty — there’s a new Sanrio character in town. Her name is Aggretsuko, and she’s a “white-collar red panda with anger issues.” The contrast between her public behavior — polite comments, pleasant smiles, diligent typing — and her private thoughts — expressed in fierce, 20-second death metal blasts — will be familiar to anyone who’s endured the tribulations of cubicle life. [New York Times]

By: Katherine Dacey

[asegbolu]

Open Heavens Daily Devotional messages

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY 20TH JUNE 2017 THEME: EVANGELISM: BE MORE PROACTIVE Memorise: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: Proverbs 24:3 Read: Acts 5:12-16 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women) 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. MESSAGE Soul winning can trigger the miraculous, as seen in the lives of the apostles. If you really want signs and wonders to attend to your life and ministry, you must be prepared to declare Jesus Christ at every opportunity you have, and if you lack such opportunities, you must be prepared to create them. In our Bible reading for today, it is recorded that through the hands of the apostles, several miracles were performed. This was a generic statement affecting all the apostles because they were all preaching the word of God (Acts 5:12). After this generic statement was made, Peter was singled out. Concerning him, it was said that he did not need to lay hands before miracles took place; rather, even his shadow was conducting deliverance and healing services while he was busy moving from place to place. Why was this so? How did Peter excel in signs and wonders? lt was because he took advantage of every opportunity he had to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He could face any crowd and declare his faith in Jesus Christ to them (See Acts 2 & Acts 3). God saw this attitude and was quite impressed, and He said, ''Since you are unstoppable in declaring My word, signs and wonders will never cease in your life." Can you take the act of witnessing to such limits as you have never been before? In various life endeavours, several Christians plan, set goals and targets, and come up with strategies to accomplish them, but when it comes to soul-winning they don't do any of these. As a marketer, you devise plans on how to reach out to a larger segment of the market and on how to get a larger market share for your products. That is how it should be for soul-winning too. What is your plan or strategy for winning more souls to Christ this year? For many individuals, couples or families, there is no plan for evangelism. No specific number of converts is being targeted daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Due to this lack of planning, some people cannot boast of five converts in 12 months. What a shame! Several opportunities that God gave us to win souls have been lost to lack of planning. If you set a monthly target of winning 20 souls, you will take every opportunity that comes your way more seriously and exploit them in order to achieve your target. Success in evangelism can never be attained without a plan. Repent today and become more proactive in evangelism. Come up with a plan for the year and prayerfully pursue it. It shall be achieved in Jesus' Name. Action Point: Draw up a one-year evangelism plan stating the number of souls to be won daily, weekly and monthly, and prayerfully execute it. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 10-11 Jeremiah 50:44-51:11 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE 1. Wonderful story of love; Tell it to me again; Wonderful story of love; Wake the immortal strain! Angels with rapture announce it, Shepherds with wonder receive it; Sinner, oh, won't you believe it? Wonderful story of love. Refrain: Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love. 2. Wonderful story of love; Though you are far away; Wonderful story of love; Still He doth call today; Calling from Calvary's mountain, Down from the crystal-bright fountain, E'en from the dawn of creation, Wonderful story of love. [Refrain] 3. Wonderful story of love; Jesus provides a rest; Wonderful story of love; For all the pure and blest, Rest in those mansions above us, With those who've gone on before us, Singing the rapturous chorus, Wonderful story of love. [Refrain]

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2tnwRmu

[xbreed]

PIPILOTTI RIST 🏮 This thirty-year, three-floor retrospective of the Swiss sybil of video installation was good and good for you: If you saw it, you would have undergone a therapeutic rapture. Many lined up to watch Rist’s early, boisterous single-channel tapes, which played on monitors in single-viewer booths; from the first, with the herky-jerky song and dance of “I’m Not the Girl Who Misses Much” (1986), they were worth waiting for. Elsewhere, cushions encouraged lingering in the artist’s more recent amniotic environments of immense projections, hanging scrims, and dangling L.E.D. lanterns. Music was integral to everything here. So was emotion, strong on bliss but laced with bittersweet aches. If Rist had a theme, it’s was the communion to be found at the bottom of loneliness. Abolishing distinctions between the insides and outsides of subjects and objects, and between sensing and being, her art is a Gesamtkunstwerk for the whole human organism. ✏️ via @newyorkermag @pipilottirist #mxtbreed #mxtart #mxtdesign #swissartist #pipilottirist #installation #therapeutic #projections #innovation #inspiration #creative #gesamtkunstwerk #allthingsgood #art #design #visualarchitects #blog #artofvisuals #inspirational #createyourhype #bestoftheday #upandcoming #artwork #blogger #visualsgang #visionaries

[sundownunited]

Late nights and Early mornings, a constant mantra at SXSW, and plague on my soul. Day 3 starts only a couple of hours after Day 2 ends, but this first session in the morning at 9:30am is a must for me, as I’m current affairs “woke”, as the kids say.

First session is “Cover POTUS as the Failing New York Times”. The title alone is enough to guarantee my attendance… and apparently 2,000 others as this session was a packed to capacity, which is saying quite a bit for such an early session. The session was lead by NYT columnist Jim Rutenberg, who was having a fireside chat/interview with his boss, NYT Executive Editor Dean Baquet. It was an excellent discussion on journalism’s role in politics, combating fake news, the economic model of news agencies in the 21st century, and of course, covering Trump, all the while cracking jokes in an engaging and lively session.

Here are some significant takeaway quotes/points from Dean Baquet (not verbatim):

“Trump wants the favor of NYT and when he doesn’t get it, goes into a rage.”

“I think it’s more important to cover the story and say it’s false, then to not cover it at all because it’s false.”

“We are hiring like crazy, 3 renown investigative reporters, bulked up white house and political coverage. We are preparing for the story of a generation. There are going to be 20 books written about this period in Journalism.”

“The original mission of the collective community of journalists became clear again after the election: aggressive coverage of the government.”

“The reason Breitbart is not journalism is because they are not in seek of the honorable pursuit of the truth.”

“The next generation doesn’t understand the secret text of journalism. They don’t realize an NYT journalist risked their lives to bring news from Aleppo Syria.” …On what the difference is between bloggers and journalists.

“200 stories are put out a day by 1,300 NYT employees.”

“Digital headlines are different from print. They have to tell more, since it’s just a headline link, rather than a print paper with a picture and layout architecture.”

Next, I headed to WeDC house for their session “Technology & Storytelling”, for reasons that should be obvious if you are reading this article. Halfway through this session, they had to pause and clear everyone out because an attendee fainted. SXSW is a marathon, not a sprint; make sure you eat, drink, and sleep! The session continue after EMS took the woman out. The session focused on VR experiences in story telling, which, though very interesting to me, is not a medium I am currently in, and as a result, I left early.

Next up was a podcast meetup, so I could share and brainstorm ideas about pod-casting to level up my own podcast I co-host, The Feedbak (www.thefeedbakcom), that covers lifestyle, culture, politics, events of leisure events, with a focus on music and nightlife. The meetup was in a conference room the JW Marriot. A good sized crowd, but unfortunately the execution of the meetup became more of a Q&A session hosted by the organizers rather than a chance to talk with other pod-casters and share ideas. As a result, I again left early, though I did gain a little knowledge from a few questions answered.

Back at the WeDC house earlier, I had sparked up a quick conversation with my neighbors in line who told me about Neil DeGrasse Tyson (NDT) making an appearance at the National Geographic (Natgeo) house at 3pm. With this intel in hand as I left the podcast meetup, I headed straight for Natgeo.

Natgeo is, surprisingly, crushing it this year at SXSW! They have an open bar with a great listing of Natgeo TV show themed drinks (covered in Day 1 article). They also have great interviews, VR sessions, giveaways, and even parties/shows at night. If such as a thing as “nerd lit” exists, Natgeo is undeniably it.

I hit Natgeo over an hour before NDT was to go on. I sampled some drinks and did some work on my laptop while a session narrated by a NatGeo photographer David Guttenfelder on his photography work in North Korea (which was rather amazing).

Once that finish, Neil DeGrasse Tyson took the stage with director Ron Howard to talk sciene shop on science/scientist in movies/tv and Natgeo’s new tv show directed by Ron Howard about Albert Einstein called “Genius”. This session was amazing. NDT lead the conversation, asking questions of Ron Howard, while constantly cracking jokes and commentary; NDT’s charisma is a godsend for the science community. The crowd laughed, applauded, and was just overall in rapture during the entire hour long session. Natgeo even gave away thick, illustrated coffee table books on NDT’s Star Talk show.

Here’s a few quotables/points taken away:

“No nation owns science. If your country pulls back on science, then others will arise to take your place.”

“Scientists have not been viewed as fellow human beings until recently when TV/Movies began creating scientist characters with fleshed out personalities.”

“First get your facts straight, then distort the facts.” — Mark Twain as quoted by NDT.

Next and final conference session of the day to hit was Mark Cuban’s “Is Govt Disrupting Disruption?” This was another 2,000 full capacity session in the same ballroom in the Austin Convention Center (ACC) as the NYT session earlier that day. The session also featured founder of The Zebra, Adam Lyons, and was moderated by Michele Skelding of UT-Austin.

The session was OK, but compared to the earlier NYT and NatGeo sessions, I found myself becoming victim to my lack of sleep and nodding off. The overall theme of the discussion was around what the government should regulate and what it should not, a time old debate in the US and many other countries. I didn’t hear too much new, but several laughs and some additional humorous comments about Trump kept my eyes open more often than not. I did take down one statement (not verbatim) by Cuban that stood out to me:

“I’m a libertarian, but I evolved through empathy that we as a society need to take on Healthcare so that, as Reagan said, we don’t have people falling over dying in the streets.” …on some healthcare as a right in the US.

With the day sessions behind me, I needed a bite, a drink and some conversation. I met up with some of the Domination Team at the “Health & Tech” happy hour at WuChow sponsored by Aetna.

This happy hour was specifically chosen because WuChow is the finest, fanciest, most delicious Chinese/Taiwanese restaurant in Austin and it plays old school 80s and 90s hip-hop exclusively to boot! True to form, excellent food at this venue along with crafty cocktails; it was packed, but I still made some friends with strangers and ate/drank rather well.

Meanwhile, most of the Domination Team was at Sidewinder’s bar for Canada’s “Eh” party. Food and drinks kept everyone there adding some lively energy to the party until the DJ played several songs of Canada’s own Celine Dion. That’s a quick way to get people to leave a party; Celine might be great, but she isn’t party great.

Other’s in the Domination Team got detoured from the Canadian party by a bar on sixth street wooing them off their path as they were walking by and giving them a free bottle service of liquor to just hang out for awhile. Helps to be pretty, turned up, and pushing good energy!

Next, I hit up the Hangar Lounge for Shopgate’s Decoded Fashion closing party. Made it a little late for food, but drinks, good music, and catching up with several members of the Domination Team kept me around for awhile. I eventually bailed and snuck back home to drop off my laptop, freshen up, and nap. Except the nap never happened; I instead hopped right back out in the SXSW mix for a show!

I first stopped by Empire Garage & Control Room to catch a few sets of some of my favorite local Austin acts (Riders Against the Storm, Magna Carda, Ava Rain, Alesi Lani and more.

  After that, I went to my true destination: Vevo House At Pelons Bar where Nick Grant and Jay Electronica were performing. Upon walking into the door (entrance granted by showing tweet of the show flyer), a waiter insisted we take shots of tequila he was passing out. I refused at first (can’t be getting too wasted and I had been drinking all day), but the waiter then gave a lengthy description on the incredibleness of the tequila that ended with him saying it was $60 a shot. Although I don’t believe the $60 price tag nor remember the length story of the tequila, for the waiter’s notable efforts, I went ahead and downed a shot. Helps it was free! We later dubbed the Tequila “Mermaid Tears” since that’s about the only liquid we could think of worth $60 a shot.

    I missed Nick Grant’s show at Vevo House, but caught Jay Electronica start to finish. Holy Hell, Jay can flow and perform… he rocked the hell outta that house. He came into the crowd of that tiny venue and stage multiple times, I have several selfie photos and videos to show for it. He even pulled a random Austin audience member claiming to be an artist and let him freestyle on stage for a minute or two. Overall, top notch hiphop performance, and I don’t say that very often about shows without a band or big stage presence/production.

Meanwhile, the majority of the Domination Team was at The Belmont venue for the Holonis party, taking picture’s with their childhood crush Mario Lopez (aka A.C. Slater), Bow Wow, and watching a show by Warren G. Open bar was flowing the whole time, and so were the smiles and turnup’ness.

A few others of the Domination Team closed it out at Intel’s AI Lounge where local Austin artist Mobley (think Pharrell but plays all the instruments live too).

After the Jay Electronica show, I called it a night at the incredulous early SXSW time of 11:30pm; the less than 3 hours of sleep the night before had fully taken its toll.

2017 SXSW CHRONICLES: Neil DeGrasse Tyson + Jay Electronica // DAY 3 Late nights and Early mornings, a constant mantra at SXSW, and plague on my soul. Day 3 starts only a couple of hours after Day 2 ends, but this first session in the morning at 9:30am is a must for me, as I'm current affairs "woke", as the kids say.

[asegbolu]

Open Heavens Daily Devotional

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY JUNE 13TH 2017 THEME: *SOUL-WINNING AND SIGNS!* MEMORISE: "For though I preach The Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not The Gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16 READ: Acts 8:5-8 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was Great Joy in that city. MESSAGE During a time of famine, the Lord instructed Elijah to go to Kerith Brook, stay there and a raven would continuously bring him food there (1 Kings 17:2-6). He said, 'Yes Sir' and obeyed. He did not hesitate or question God. He did not even ask God to show him where ravens ever brought food to anyone in the Bible. He obeyed instantly. Instant obedience is strong evidence of faith. Anyone who would work signs and wonders in these last days must be a man or woman of faith. Do you have enough trust in God to the extent of obeying Him without hesitation? Moreover, in addition to faith, the fellow who wants to operate in the miraculous must be an incurable witness for Christ. He or she must be a soul-winner. In today's Bible reading, Philip did not wait for Peter to come and conduct a crusade in Samaria. He went there himself because he believed in God's command to go out and preach the gospel. People who are diligent in soul-winning usually have their prayers answered speedily. People often ask me what l do to get God to answer my prayers speedily aside from living holy. I tell them soul-winning and instant obedience. Even if you are going to kill me, I will still share the gospel of Jesus Christ with you. I do not look at faces to determine who I witness to or not. lf l am attending an occasion and you make the mistake of giving me the microphone, you will hear about Jesus. Some years ago, I received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan. lt was a serious gathering with eminent personalities of the political elite, traditional title holders and academicians all gracefully adorned in their beautiful gowns. At some point, they gave me the microphone and told me l had just five minutes to say something. l thanked them for honouring me and quickly added that I could not have received this honour but for Jesus. I further said that there is an honour waiting for some people in Heaven and that if they do not give their lives to Jesus, although they can be honoured here on earth, they will lose the honour of Heaven. I then gave an altar call. Beloved, witnessing for Jesus is our assignment wherever we go. Talk about Jesus everywhere you go and He will repay you with signs and wonders. When last did you win a soul to Christ? How many souls have you won to the Lord since the beginning of this year? You were saved and chosen for this reason. Are you fulfilling God's purpose of winning the souls of the lost? KEY POINT: As God works with evangelists, He will always confirm their words with signs and wonders in order to convince unbelievers. That's a key to the miraculous. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 22, Jeremiah 48:28-44 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE 1. Wonderful story of love; Tell it to me again; Wonderful story of love; Wake the immortal strain! Angels with rapture announce it, Shepherds with wonder receive it; Sinner, oh, won't you believe it? Wonderful story of love. Refrain: Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love. 2. Wonderful story of love; Though you are far away; Wonderful story of love; Still He doth call today; Calling from Calvary's mountain, Down from the crystal-bright fountain, E'en from the dawn of creation, Wonderful story of love. [Refrain] 3. Wonderful story of love; Jesus provides a rest; Wonderful story of love; For all the pure and blest, Rest in those mansions above us, With those who've gone on before us, Singing the rapturous chorus, Wonderful story of love. [Refrain] via Blogger http://ift.tt/2shMxJR

[asegbolu]

Open Heavens Daily Devotional

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY MARCH 10TH 2017

THEME: *WHEN GOD LOSES A BATTLE*

MEMORISE: 

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 

Psalm 24:8 

READ: : Acts 7:57-8:4 (KJV) 

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

8 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

MESSAGE: 

For quite a long while in times past, I usually said that the Lord of Host never loses a battle, but quite recently, the Lord corrected me and said, "Son, I can lose a battle to win a war. I never lose a war." According to His divine wisdom, when it pleases the Lord, He can choose to lose a battle in order to win a war. He can give up a battle, but He has never lost a war. We need to tap into this divine wisdom and apply its principle in our lives. It's all about looking at the bigger picture. You will gain more from winning a war than from winning a battle. You will also lose more when you lose a war than when you lose a battle. Some people are not ready to lose any battle, and as a result, they lose the war that is more crucial. Take for instance, evangelism. If you go to preach to an individual about Christ and an argument ensues, you are faced with the choice of winning a battle (the argument) or winning the soul of the sinner (a war). If you choose to win the argument, you will most likely lose that soul. This is why you should not get involved in arguments when preaching the gospel to unbelievers. Time to evangelise is not a time to argue about whose religion is more superior. Faith in Christ Jesus is more than just a religion. Simply tell the sinner about Jesus and God's love towards him or her. Share your salvation experience with him or her. Stir up his or her interest in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit will do the necessary work of conviction. After playing your part, you can then invite the person to surrender his or her life to Christ.

When you observe that God is seemingly losing a battle or battles, it is because there is a bigger war He wants to win. For instance, in the midst of intense persecution of the early Church, God allowed His beloved Stephen to be martyred. Why did He allow this? It's because He wanted to win the war of saving the ring leader of Stephen's murderers, Saul. Through Saul, He planned to convert whole cities and to virtually turn the world upside down, and He succeeded in this (Acts 17:6). At the end, it became a double gain for the Lord as Stephen had a triumphant entry into Heaven while Paul, who supervised his martyrdom, became a mightier instrument in the hand of God for the salvation of souls on a massive scale across the globe. This testimony about Paul in Acts 19:26 show the awesomeness of God's wisdom:

"Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:"

Anytime you follow God's wisdom, you will know when to lose a battle in order to win a war. 

PRAYER POINT:

Father, teach me to give up the battle that will enable me to win the most crucial wars. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Genesis 44-45, Isaiah 56

AUTHOR : PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 13 : WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love;

Tell it to me again;

Wonderful story of love;

Wake the immortal strain!

Angels with rapture announce it,

Shepherds with wonder receive it;

Sinner, oh, won't you believe it?

Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love;

Though you are far away;

Wonderful story of love;

Still He doth call today;

Calling from Calvary's mountain,

Down from the crystal-bright fountain,

E'en from the dawn of creation,

Wonderful story of love.

[Refrain]

3. Wonderful story of love;

Jesus provides a rest;

Wonderful story of love;

For all the pure and blest,

Rest in those mansions above us,

With those who've gone on before us,

Singing the rapturous chorus,

Wonderful story of love.

[Refrain]

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2mq2d8I