#So was also prayed upon to avert evils

[my-name-is-apollo]

Speaking of coins, I think it's neat that we have a trinity of Apollos with uncommon characteristics:

Apollo Karneios with ram horns and ram ears, Apollo Soranus with a star diadem and a pick-axe and Apollo Vejovis with winged head, a trident and a dagger. (The last two are the results of his syncretism with Roman deities)

What's more fun about the coins of Apollo-Vejovis is that some of them put a thunderbolt under his bust or straight up show him holding it:

And I can't help but think of this being equivalent to a girl wearing her mom's makeup for the photo day

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 11, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 28:1 (KJV): 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (AMP): 1 The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the (uncompromisingly) righteous are bold as a lion.

Thought for the Day

This verse tells us that those who are righteous and who do not compromise will be as "bold as a lion" in their position, while those who are wicked will back down and flee. Sorrow will come upon those who practice unrighteousness, for they will reap what they sow. The obedient, however, will walk in boldness of faith and courage. "And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhors my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over your terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you...And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth" (Leviticus 26:15-17,36).

How does God send things upon people? Punishment is simply the penalty for sin or the reaping of the evil that we commit. When this happens, it is called the judgment of God. Although the word judgment carries a negative connotation, it also has a positive side since it is linked with sowing and reaping as defined in Galatians 6:7-9: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."

From this, we see that on the negative side, evil reaps destruction; while on the positive side, blessings are reaped by the righteous. We are all judged by the Word of God daily and either found faithful to keep His commandments or guilty of breaking them. Although we may fail to keep all of God's laws, Jesus did so perfectly. Therefore, it is only by accepting Him as our Savior that we can avert the ultimate judgment of hell. By daily repenting of our sins and walking with Christ, we can also avoid God's judgments now (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). This is true of nations as well as individuals. "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you" (Jeremiah 5:25). We must pray that the church comes to true repentance, which will produce genuine revival in our nation. Otherwise, we will face greater judgments, causing us to be fearful even when we have nothing to be afraid of, as we read in Leviticus 26:17, 36.

When we serve God and keep His commandments, we will not walk in fear, even when it is all around us. The Spirit enables us to walk in faith so that we will be as "bold as a lion" and overcome fearful things in the name of the Lord. This is the reason innumerable missionaries can go into dangerous countries with the Gospel and not fear the evil in those nations, because they know that the greater One is living in them!

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, I am grateful that You came to deliver us from fear and terror. Fear produces torment and You said in Your Word that if we served You, we would be far from terror. Lord, deliver me from those things that produce fear, like fretting and worry, and vain imaginings. Forgive me when I yield to fear and help me to remember Your promises and to have faith in You. You said that You would never forsake me, nor ever leave me. Help me to remember I am not alone when I face any crisis. May I always remember there is victory over every wicked attack against me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Good Morning World 11/11/2024 4:32:34 AM Jacksonville, Florida USA From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ,   gatekeeperwatchman.org  TM ‎Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups. #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO. www.facebook.com/gatekeeperwatchnan www.facebook.com/ Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956

[orthodoxadventure]

Daily Prayer - St Parthenios of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, do not permit vanity, self-love, sensuality, carelessness, anger to rule over me and steal me from Your love, O my Lord and Creator, all my hope! Do not leave me without a portion of the blessed eternity. Grant also that I may follow Your Holy example, that I may submit to the authorities placed over me. Grant me the clean soul, the simplicity of heart, which makes us worthy of Your love.

To You, my God, I lift up my soul and heart; do not allow Your creation to perish, but free me from the single and greatest enemy: sin. Grant, Lord, that I may endure anxiety and sorrows of the soul with the same patience as the joy with which I receive satisfaction of heart. If You desire, Lord, You can cleanse me and sanctify me. Here I commit myself to Your mercy, begging You to destroy within me all that is offensive to You, and to unite me to the assembly of Your chosen.

Lord, take from me: idleness of spirit, which destroys time; vanity of thoughts, which hinders Your presence and distracts my attention to prayer. If, while in prayer, I turn away from You in my thoughts, help me; so that this distraction may not be willful, and that --- averting my mind -- I may not avert my heart from You. I confess to You, my Lord God, all the sins of my wickedness committed before You, now and in the past. Forgive me for them, for the sake of Your Holy Name, and save my soul, which thou hast redeemed with Your precious Blood. I entrust myself to Your mercy. I submit to Your will. Do with me according to Your mercy and not according to my evil and wickedness.

Teach me Lord, to dispose my deeds so that they will serve in glorifying Your Holy Name. Take pity, O Lord, on all Christians. Hear the desires of all who cry out to You, and deliver them from evil. Save Your servants [insert name/s]. Send them comfort, consolation in sorrow, and Your holy mercy. Lord, I especially pray for those who have in anyway insulted, abused and grieved me. Do not punish them for the sake of me, a sinner; but pour Your mercy upon them.

Lord, I pray to You especially for all those whom I, a sinner, have insulted or tempted in word, deed, thought, knowingly and unknowingly. Lord God, forgive us our sins and mutual offenses. Dispel from our hearts, O Lord, all indignation, suspicion, anger, remembrance of evil, quarrels, and all that might hinder and lessen brotherly and sisterly love.

Be merciful Lord, to those who have entrusted me, an unworthy sinner to pray for them. Be merciful Lord, to all who ask Your help. Lord, make this day a day of Your mercy; give to each according to their petition. Be the Shepherd of the lost, the Guide of Light of unbelievers, the Teacher of the unwise, the Healer of the sick, the Comforter of the dying, and lead us all to the desired end: to You, our refuge and blessed repose. Amen

[ahlulbaytnetworks]

🍃🕊🍃 Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) Dua for Sehhat and Aafiyat Prayer for Health and Wellbeing 🍃

This particular dua is one in which Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) prays to Allah (SWT) for good health and wellbeing.

Imam Ali (as) in one of his kalaams says that the biggest blessing after ‘imaan’ (belief in Allah and his wali) is good health.

In this dua, Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) supplicates Allah (SWT) to grant him good health in body and spirit, and protect him from all that is evil. He begins the dua with salawaat on Mohammed and Aale Mohammed and repeats this salawaat several times during the dua.

Our Hudaat Kiraam (sa) have taught us that praying salawaat before, in between, and after a dua ensures that the dua reaches Allah (SWT).

🍃🕊🍃 The following is the translation of this priceless dua:

Rasulullah (S) (sajdas) in light of the 1000 rakaats of namaaz he prayed every night.

He composed innumerable priceless duas invoking Allah rehmat for all aspects of life here and hereafter.

These duas have been compiled in a book called Sahifa Sajjadiyya.

This Sahifa is a priceless treasure for every mumin who wants to pray to Allah. Not only do its duas teach us how to supplicate Allah in prayer, but they also guide us toward what we must pray for in order to lead a life of peace and prosperity in this world and the next.

Amirul Mumineen Maulana Ali (as)

. He is widely known as ‘Sajjaad’ (one who performs many

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent Allah,

bestow salawaat upon Mohammed and his progeny, and clothe me with your gift of wellbeing, encompass me with your gift of wellbeing, protect me with your gift of wellbeing, suffice me with your gift of wellbeing, honor me with your gift of wellbeing, give me alms of your gift of wellbeing, bestow upon me your gift of wellbeing, furnish me with your gift of wellbeing, make good for me your gift of wellbeing, and do not separate me from your gift of wellbeing in this world or the next.

Allah, bless me with the

opportunity to perform Hajj, ‘Umrah, and Ziyarat of the tomb of your Messenger - May your salawat, rehmat, and barakat encompass him and his progeny, your Messenger’s progeny—this year and every year for as long as I live. And let its reward be accepted, appreciated, noted, and preserved near you.

Make my tongue speak in gratitude, remembrance and praise of you. Expand my heart so that it fills with joy in following your religion. Protect me and my children from the evil of satan, from the evil of the poisonous ones, the creeping-crawling ones, the vulgar masses, and the evil eye, from the evil of the rebellious shaytaan, from the evil of powerful kings who oppose the Truth, from the evil of those who are ungrateful, from the evil of strong and weak, from the evil of noble and humble, from the evil of those who are close and those who are far away, from the evil of big and small, and from the evil of those among both jinn and humans who have waged a war against your messenger and the people of his house, and from the evil of every beast whose forelock is in your grasp. Yours is the right path.

Allah, bestow salawaat on Mohammed and his progeny, and if my enemy intends evil, then turn away from me his evil intentions,

avert from me his plotting, thrust away from me his evil, shackle his neck with his own evil, let there be an obstacle in front of him, such that his eyes are blinded from looking at me, his ears are deafened to my name, his heart is blocked from having any thoughts of me, and his tongue is silenced from speaking about me. Smash his head, break his might, end his power, debase his neck, shake his arrogance, and keep me safe from all manifestations of his evil, harm, vice, bite, strike, envy, hatred, snares, traps, foot soldiers and cavalry. Truly, you are mighty and powerful.

🍃🕊🍃 duas.org 🍃🕊🍃

.

[loverandservantoftheahlulbayt]

🍃🕊🍃 Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) Dua for Sehhat and Aafiyat Prayer for Health and Wellbeing 🍃

This particular dua is one in which Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) prays to Allah (SWT) for good health and wellbeing.

Imam Ali (as) in one of his kalaams says that the biggest blessing after ‘imaan’ (belief in Allah and his wali) is good health.

In this dua, Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) supplicates Allah (SWT) to grant him good health in body and spirit, and protect him from all that is evil. He begins the dua with salawaat on Mohammed and Aale Mohammed and repeats this salawaat several times during the dua.

Our Hudaat Kiraam (sa) have taught us that praying salawaat before, in between, and after a dua ensures that the dua reaches Allah (SWT).

🍃🕊🍃 The following is the translation of this priceless dua:

Rasulullah (S) (sajdas) in light of the 1000 rakaats of namaaz he prayed every night.

He composed innumerable priceless duas invoking Allah rehmat for all aspects of life here and hereafter.

These duas have been compiled in a book called Sahifa Sajjadiyya.

This Sahifa is a priceless treasure for every mumin who wants to pray to Allah. Not only do its duas teach us how to supplicate Allah in prayer, but they also guide us toward what we must pray for in order to lead a life of peace and prosperity in this world and the next.

Amirul Mumineen Maulana Ali (as)

. He is widely known as ‘Sajjaad’ (one who performs many

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent Allah,

bestow salawaat upon Mohammed and his progeny, and clothe me with your gift of wellbeing, encompass me with your gift of wellbeing, protect me with your gift of wellbeing, suffice me with your gift of wellbeing, honor me with your gift of wellbeing, give me alms of your gift of wellbeing, bestow upon me your gift of wellbeing, furnish me with your gift of wellbeing, make good for me your gift of wellbeing, and do not separate me from your gift of wellbeing in this world or the next.

Allah, bless me with the

opportunity to perform Hajj, ‘Umrah, and Ziyarat of the tomb of your Messenger - May your salawat, rehmat, and barakat encompass him and his progeny, your Messenger’s progeny—this year and every year for as long as I live. And let its reward be accepted, appreciated, noted, and preserved near you.

Make my tongue speak in gratitude, remembrance and praise of you. Expand my heart so that it fills with joy in following your religion. Protect me and my children from the evil of satan, from the evil of the poisonous ones, the creeping-crawling ones, the vulgar masses, and the evil eye, from the evil of the rebellious shaytaan, from the evil of powerful kings who oppose the Truth, from the evil of those who are ungrateful, from the evil of strong and weak, from the evil of noble and humble, from the evil of those who are close and those who are far away, from the evil of big and small, and from the evil of those among both jinn and humans who have waged a war against your messenger and the people of his house, and from the evil of every beast whose forelock is in your grasp. Yours is the right path.

Allah, bestow salawaat on Mohammed and his progeny, and if my enemy intends evil, then turn away from me his evil intentions,

avert from me his plotting, thrust away from me his evil, shackle his neck with his own evil, let there be an obstacle in front of him, such that his eyes are blinded from looking at me, his ears are deafened to my name, his heart is blocked from having any thoughts of me, and his tongue is silenced from speaking about me. Smash his head, break his might, end his power, debase his neck, shake his arrogance, and keep me safe from all manifestations of his evil, harm, vice, bite, strike, envy, hatred, snares, traps, foot soldiers and cavalry. Truly, you are mighty and powerful.

🍃🕊🍃 duas.org 🍃🕊🍃

[adedots]

Open Heaven 18th January 2023 daily devotional - Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters

Open Heaven 18th January 2023 daily devotional - Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 18th January 2023 DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE OPEN HEAVEN for today 18 January 2023 DAILY DEVOTIONAL -- Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters You May Also like: Open Heaven -- by Pastor E. A Adeboye CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Open Heaven for today 18th January 2023 Daily Devotional for today

CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL You May Also like: Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye -- There is no evil in God Rccg Open Heavens Daily Devotional for today 18th January 2023 by Pastor E A Adeboye You May Also like: Open Heaven -- arise and shine by Pastor E. A Adeboye TOPIC: Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters Open Heaven Daily Devotional Today RCCG Open Heaven for Today 18th January 2023 | Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters RCCG Open Heaven 18 January 2023 Today | Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters RCCG Open Heaven Today 18 January 2023 | Sacrifices Can Avert Disasters You May Also like: Open Heaven 2022 -- Beware of covetousness 1 CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL You May Also like: Open Heaven -- The power of physical fellowship by Pastor E. A Adeboye Memorise: “And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” – 2 Samuel 24:25 (KJV) CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL You May Also like: Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye -- Block that channel OPEN HEAVEN 18 JANUARY 2023 You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Giving is personal by Pastor E. A Adeboye READ: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (KJV) 8 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL You May Also like: Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye -- Giving that pleases God 2 You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Dating the married? You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Kill pride

RCCG Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 8-10 You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Honour them now by Pastor E. A Adeboye Hymnal: Sing RCCG open heavens hymn You May Also like: Previous Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye You May Also like: Yesterday's Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye

Open Heaven 18th January 2023 Daily Devotional Wednesday

MESSAGE: open heavens daily devotional for today In our Bible text for today, we read about the widow of Zarephath who had only one meal left. She and her son were going to eat and die. She sacrificed that one meal and she and her son lived on. In Psalm 50:14-15, the Bible says if you offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and pay your vows, God will deliver you in the day of trouble. In 2 Samuel 24:11-25, seventy thousand men had died from a pestilence that arose in Israel due to David conducting a census that displeased God. This was a big disaster and something had to be done immediately to stop it. They had prayed and, although God had stopped the angel that was spreading the plague, He did not recall him; the angel remained at the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. This still meant trouble, so David’s seer – Gad decided that they should apply a principle to avert the disaster. And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. – 2 Samuel 24:18 When David wanted to make the sacrifice, Araunah tried to give everything needed to him for free, but he refused. He insisted that he had to bear the cost. He gave the sacrifice and the disaster was immediately averted. And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. – 2 Samuel 24:25 The funny thing is that many non-Christians know this principle: that, in the face of impending doom or disaster, a really big sacrificial offering can avert it (2 Kings 3:26- 27). We as the children of the living God should follow David’s example and be ready to give a sacrificial offering, especially in troubled times. May God help us – the true children of God to apply this principle in order to avert looming disasters, in Jesus’ name. You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Give me this mountain You May Also like: Open Heaven -- divinely made 2 You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Identify your office and operate therein by Pastor E. A Adeboye OPEN HEAVEN 18th January 2023 PRAYER POINT: Father, when a disaster seems to be looming around me, teach me what to do and give me the grace to do it. You May Also like: Open heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye -- God rewards bountifully You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Perfect obedience by Pastor E. A Adeboye Click here for more Open Heaven Daily Devotional Open Heaven Daily Devotional December 2023 for today AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

RCCG open heaven Daily Devotional for today by Pastor E. A Adeboye

CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG live convention services CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS RCCG live services Sing Open Heavens Hymn 19 Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me 1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure. 2 Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone. 3 Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. 4 While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. You May Also like: Open Heaven by Pastor E. A Adeboye You May Also like: Open Heaven -- Remember me O Lord by Pastor E. A Adeboye Please share with your friends and families on social media so they can be blessed. God bless you Click here for more Open Heaven Devotional Please call the following numbers for counselling and prayer request on: 08033440631 07064979797 08101204546 08103830237 Or mail: info@rccg.org, God bless you. Click here for more Open Heaven Devotional RCCG Open Heaven 18th January 2023 Daily Devotional Wednesday by Pastor E A Adeboye The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church Of God.

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[gatekeeperwatchman]

Daily Devotional for December 29, 2022

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 31:25-26 (KJV): 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:25-26 (AMP): 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future (the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it)! 26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (giving counsel and instruction).

Thought for the Day

Verse 25 - The virtuous woman is well-prepared for the future. Like the ant storing up food for winter, she sets money aside for the future. She listens to the Lord's voice, and He guides her to avert dangers. Because she acts prudently today to make her family's tomorrows easier, she will rejoice in the future. Preparing for emergencies and future needs provides us with a secure future. Failing to do so can make us vulnerable when faced with tribulation. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22:3-4). The Lord wants us to be wise and store up in good times so that when the lean times come, we will have a store to fall back on. Storing up when things are plentiful is not hoarding, but rather wise, as is noted in the admonition to go and look at how the ant provides for its food in the winter. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).

The virtuous woman is also described as full of strength and honor. Those who strengthen themselves in the LORD will receive honor from Him. "For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places" (Psalm 18:31-33).

The Lord gives us feet like those of the deer who can leap upon the mountain's peaks. We can walk securely in the high places of intimacy with Him, above the storms of life and attacks of the enemy. God is our Rock, our high tower. When we take refuge in Him, our position is strong and secure. By humbling ourselves to worship and follow Him, we not only will escape destruction, but we shall receive the reward of riches, honor, and life. God will prosper us and honor us with a long life if we follow in His ways.

Verse 26 - A woman of character is kind and helps others to grow in the knowledge of God by her wise counsel and instruction. 2 Peter 1:4-8 tells us that we have been given great and precious promises. Through them, we can grow in grace by adding virtue to our faith; to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, temperance; to temperance, patience; to patience, godliness; to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. These things sum up the characteristics of a virtuous woman or a godly man. By abounding in these things, we will always be fruitful in our knowledge of Christ, and able to help others.

Prayer for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the strength we have in You so that we can do all things that You ask us to do. Lord, may we grow in the character of God, so that we are fruitful in the things of God. Lord, I thank You for Your guidance, so that we will make the right choices today, to avoid those things that would cause us to have future problems. I also thank You for daily provision, as well as provision for the future. Give us wisdom, so that we may take care of the things today that will bring us future security and blessing. I do appreciate Your promises and I know that You will never forsake me, nor leave me. Thank You for that. I pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeperwatchman URL: linkedin.com/in/steven-miller-b1ab21259 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElderStevenMiller #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #eldermiller1981

[church-history]

Our Lady of Fatima

May 13 is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917.  She appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917.

The story of Fatima begins in 1916, when, against the backdrop of the First World War which had introduced Europe to the most horrific and powerful forms of warfare yet seen, and a year before the Communist revolution would plunge Russia and later Eastern Europe into six decades of oppression under militant atheistic governments, a resplendent figure appeared to the three children who were in the field tending the family sheep. “I am the Angel of Peace,” said the figure, who appeared to them two more times that year exhorting them to accept the sufferings that the Lord allowed them to undergo as an act of reparation for the sins which offend Him, and to pray constantly for the conversion of sinners.

Then, on the 13th day of the month of Our Lady, May 1917, an apparition of ‘a woman all in white, more brilliant than the sun’ presented itself to the three children saying “Please don’t be afraid of me, I’m not going to harm you.” Lucia asked her where she came from and she responded,  “I come from Heaven.”  The woman wore a white mantle edged with gold and held a rosary in her hand. The woman asked them to pray and devote themselves to the Holy Trinity and to “say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war.”

She also revealed that the children would suffer, especially from the unbelief of their friends and families, and that the two younger children, Francisco and Jacinta would be taken to Heaven very soon but Lucia would live longer in order to spread her message and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.

In the last apparition the woman revealed her name in response to Lucia’s question:   “I am the Lady of the Rosary.”

That same day, 70,000 people had turned out to witness the apparition, following a promise by the woman that she would show the people that the apparitions were true. They saw the sun make three circles and move around the sky in an incredible zigzag movement in a manner which left no doubt in their minds about the veracity of the apparitions.  By 1930 the Bishop had approved of the apparitions and they have been approved by the Church as authentic.

The messages Our Lady imparted during the apparitions to the children concerned the violent trials that would afflict the world by means of war, starvation, and the persecution of the Church and the Holy Father in the twentieth century if the world did not make reparation for sins. She exhorted the Church to pray and offer sacrifices to God in order that peace may come upon the world, and that the trials may be averted.

Our Lady of Fatima revealed three prophetic “secrets,” the first two of which were revealed earlier and refer to the vision of hell and the souls languishing there, the request for an ardent devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the prediction of the Second World War, and finally the prediction of the immense damage that Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing Communist totalitarianism.  The third “secret” was not revealed until the year 2000, and referred to the persecutions that humanity would undergo in the last century: “The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated'”.  The suffering of the popes of the 20th century has been interpreted to include the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, which took place on May 13, the 64th anniversary of the apparitions. The Holy Father attributed his escape from certain death to the intervention of Our Lady: “... it was a mother's hand that guided the bullet's path and in his throes the Pope halted at the threshold of death.”

What is the central meaning of the message of Fatima? Nothing different from what the Church has always taught: it is, as Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict the XVI,  has put it, “the exhortation to prayer as the path of “salvation for souls” and, likewise, the summons to penance and conversion.”

Perhaps the most well known utterance of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima was her confident decalaration that  “My Immaculate Heart will triumph”. Cardinal Ratzinger has interpreted this utterance as follows: “The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Saviour into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise.

[basicsofislam]

BASICS OF ISLAM : Khutbah : Good conduct

All praise is due to Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Dear brothers!One of the goals of Islam is the establishment and fulfilment of Allah’s rights upon mankind, and the rights of man over his fellow human beings.

In the Quran Allah says:

“Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful” (An-Nisa’: 36).

Good conduct is the foundation for the fulfilment of one’s obligations to Allah and to other human beings. Good conduct increases ones rank in the sight of Allah and erases one’s misdeeds.

Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, related that she heard the Prophet sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam saying:

“A believer achieves by his good conduct the same reward as a person who fasts much and prays (the voluntary prayer) during the night.” (Abu Dawood).

The Prophet sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said:

“Nothing is heavier on the scale of a believing slave (of Allah) on the Day of Resurrection than good conduct. Indeed Allah dislikes the rude and disrespectful.” (At-Tirmidhi).

Good conduct includes all commendable characteristics and all other matters which are good according to Islamic Law and sound reason.

Some scholars have stated that:

“Good conduct is to spread all that which is good and abstain from all that which is evil.��

Good conduct entails that one performs all that which Allah has enjoined and abstains from all that which He has forbidden.

Good conduct benefits a believer in this life and the next, and increases his rank before his Lord.

Brothers in Islam! Allah enjoins in His Great Book all noble characteristics and forbids all unpleasant ones. The prophetic Sunnah also enjoins good conduct and forbids filthy behaviour.

In His Glorious Book, Allah says that which translates as:

“…And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed …” (Al-An’am: 151).

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good and turn away from the ignorant.” (Al-A’raf: 199).

“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” (Fussilat: 34),

and He says that which translates as:

“…And lower your wing [i.e., show them kindness] to the believers.” (Al-Hijr: 88).

Allah also says which translates as:

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord, prostrating and standing [in prayer]. And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence. And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate. And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse…” (Al-Furqan: 63-68).

From the Sunnah, it is reported that the Prophet sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“I am the guarantor of a home in the upper part of Paradise for whomsoever possesses good conduct.” (Abu Dawood).

He sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said:

“Shall I not tell you of the person for whom Hell is forbidden? – Hell is forbidden for every person who is tolerant, unpretentious and pleasant.” (At-Tirmidhi).

‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“Gentleness does not but adorn one’s deeds and when something is devoid of gentleness, it becomes disfigured.” (Muslim).

Nawwaas bin Sam‘an, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“I asked the Messenger of Allah sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam about righteousness and sin and he replied:

“Righteousness is good conduct and sin is something that is deeply rooted in your heart which you would not like anybody else to know about.”“ (Muslim).

Good conduct is a blessing for a person and their community. It is indicative of progress and a high position in the sight of Allah and it causes one to be loved by others.

[minnochu]

Lustrous (pt. 18)

Hybrid!Kook x Fem!Reader AU

Pt 1 | Pt 2 | Pt 3 | Pt 4 | Pt 5 | Pt 6 | Pt 7 | Pt 8 | Pt 9 | Pt 10 | Pt 11 | Pt 12 | Pt 13 | Pt 14 | Pt 15 | Pt 16 | Pt 17 | Pt 18 | Pt 19 

Warning: A copious amount of dialogue :’) 

(A/n): Hope everyone’s doing well and staying safe and healthy! Just remember to stay humble and kind and take this time if you’re self-quarantining to practice self-love!! Hope you enjoy :’)

.

.

“Where’s (Y/n)?” Namjoon asks when the whole pack has taken their seats at the dinner table the next morning, and the others notice one seat has yet to be filled. They look towards the hybrid in question, who averts his eyes.

“She left,” he muttered, swirling his chopsticks around in his bowl of fried rice.

The others grow alarmed at this. Jimin piping up from beside him, “What do you mean, she left?” 

The younger grows irate in result, his eyes glaring a bright blue at the other wolf, “She. Left.”

“And why didn’t you stop her?” Yoongi calmly interjected as Seokjin whispers a small spell to pull the two wolves’ chairs apart, “You were with her last night, weren’t you?”

He flinches at that, eyes dimming in result. It was true. There was no denying that fact.

The elder’s eyes narrow at the youngest pack member, “Stop being a fucking prick and explain to us why exactly the one person we need to protect is running away from us.”

Namjoon clears his throat as tension continues to rise, opening his eyes to flash his golden irises dangerously in warning at the pensive pack members, “I think we should eat first before the food gets cold, we’ll discuss this later.” His eyes briefly meets the youngest and the whole table settles down into a heavy silence. Jungkook’s shoulders sag as a result, clamping his mouth and turning his attention to his meal. Angry Namjoon was not one to mess with. 

The warlock releases a relieved sigh at the temporary cease fire and makes work to levitate dishes and food from the kitchen. He quietly prays he won’t have to clean up too much of a mess if anything escalates to anything more than a peaceful explanation. The aura surrounding the boys is turbulent, no doubt insinuating a quarrel when the food has finally been devoured.

“Gods help me,” the warlock sighs.

.

“Want to explain to me why you’re suddenly phasing into my attic at such a god awful hour?” Yahiko smiles softly as she sets down a blanket and pillows on your old bed. You ran to the one place you could only think of, your old home with the kitsune. You had crash landed, phasing in mid air before dropping with a loud thud on the wooden floor. The elderly woman had come rushing with her orbs flashing fiery orange, only to calm down when you came running into her arms.

She didn’t question it at first, welcoming you back into your old room with a mug of warm milk and honey, but you knew she would ask eventually.

“Don’t forget that I’m a kitsune, child,” she quirks a smile, “I may be over thousands of years older than you, but I still have a keen sense of smell.”

“And you reek,” she cackles, causing you to blush and smile in embarrassment. Dainty fingers push the locks of your hair behind your ear, “What troubles you? I smell distress and conflict within you.”

You mull over what to say first, about Jungkook, about your apparent feelings for him, about the Blackwells. 

“Is it that wolf-boy?” She muses nonchalantly, only speaking hypothetically, not expecting you to flinch from beside her, nearly sputtering and choking on the contents of your mug. “Oh, I’m correct?”

“There’s a lot on my mind right now,” You defend helplessly, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Including that boy, no?”

Your shoulders sag in defeat, there was no denying it to her.

“It’s complicated…”

Yahiko makes a face, tapping the tip of your nose with her index finger, “You act like I had never dated a man before, (Y/n).”

“I, like many supernatural creatures, had a mate. He’s not here right now, but I assure you he’s watching over me,” She smiles softly, reminiscing her years with her fated, “He was a human, if you didn’t already connect the dots. I imprinted on him a long time ago, and the stupid man outgrew me.” The kitsune chuckled softly, glancing upward as if she could see his spirit watching her. 

“What was that like?” You ask tentatively, although it made you feel worse thinking about how this must be how Jungkook feels about Hyejin. The realization is a smack in the face, he must be hurting out of rejection from his fated.

Yahiko elbows you with a wry smile, “Your face is like an open book, child.”

“He was my world, to put it simply, losing him hurt. A lot. I wanted to die with him,” she says solemnly, “I wonder sometimes how I still do it when I still miss him very much.”

“How did you know he was yours? He was human right? He didn’t reject you for being a kitsune?” The elderly woman glances at you with amusement stretching her lips, causing you to clamp your mouth shut. As your cheeks burn from embarrassment, she can only laugh good naturedly at your curiosity. 

“You like that wolf very much, don’t you?” she sighs, “I must say, I have to apologize for rudely assuming that he’d hurt you based on the color of his true eyes. I hope he’s treating you well.”

Your silence proves her hypothesis correct, you like Jungkook, and that scares you. It hurts to know that he’ll only ever pine for Hyejin’s affection despite her obvious indifference towards him. 

“I was initially terrified, all the others in my family were mated to creatures of the same kind if not different types - such as the thunder kitsune - so then why was I different? We were taught to stay away from the humans… since at that time, the supernatural and the humans had not yet finalized the pact for peace and bounty hunters were much more prevalent than today. He was one of them.” She pauses to regard your gaping mouth, snickering when she taps your chin to shut it, “It felt like everything was just right when I met his gaze, but he didn’t know it then and tried to kill me. Of course, I overpowered him and let him go, but every time we encountered one another, we began to talk and understand the other and get to know one another as a living being. I told him about my family and showed off my powers” she emphasizes by holding out a dainty hand with her palm facing towards the ceiling and a spark of golden foxfire ignites abruptly from her fingertips, “In turn, he talked about his life, his fiance, his guilt for hunting my brethren when he realized we weren’t evil or to be feared of.”

“Fiance?!” You gasp as you watch the flames disperse and the light has died down from her hand.

“Yes, yes,” she frowns, “He had a fiance at the time, and it hurt, alot. Every time he brought her up, I wanted to change the subject, it filled me with envy and pain. Each time he said her name with that stupidly handsome smile on his face, it was like a sword twisting in my gut.”

“I thought I could’ve lived with the pain, or mate with a widow from another pack, but it wasn’t the same, and he saw that sadness in my eyes.”

“He confronted me about it, and I spilled. I told him about the imprinting, about my feelings. Gods that man was so infuriating, made me actually scared for my life if he were to be disgusted at my affections. Humans… they are quite fickle beings when it comes to love. Is this real? Is this your actual feelings, and not something forced upon you by the stars or your inner beast or what have you? I wondered those silly questions myself… but I wouldn’t have wanted any other man if suddenly the next day, I wasn’t bound by my imprintee.”

You wonder if that were the case with your friend. The idea of being imprinted on and its implications may have caused Hyejin to believe that Jungkook had no real affections for her. It wasn’t like she was chosen at random, you suppose, the stars saw it fit that the two were meant for each other, soulmates as you would put it. Fated for one another. So, why did she fear and hate him so much when he could be anything she wanted him to be. He would be at her every beck and call. 

Fuck. That hurt. 

You liked Jungkook. That revelation on the rooftop hurt. Finally you could put a name to the emotions you felt around the wolf-boy, but it didn’t lessen the pain of knowing he was meant for someone else, your closest and only friend made at school. At least… other than the boys. 

Yahiko saw it, she could feel the conflict dripping off of you in tangible waves. You didn’t know it, but she knew with the way Jungkook acted and looked at you the way he did. It reminded her of her own situation, she only hoped the whole ordeal would sort itself out quickly. Else you would spend years hurting each other. 

Children, she inwardly giggled at the coincidence of the predicament, if only they knew how to communicate properly. Although she couldn’t say much with the way she and her human mate had also suffered the same conflict. 

“Did he say so himself, that he imprinted on her?”

Um. Well. 

The way you hesitate speaks volumes. Now that she mentions it, he didn’t really deny it or confirm it.  The more he called you out for being nosy continually irritated you, why couldn’t he just give you a straight answer for once?

“Give the boy some time to sort out his feelings, my dear,” She sighs, “He’ll talk to you when he’s ready.”

“I’m not sure he’ll ever be,” you frown, “I don’t know what I’m waiting for, it seems like just last night I realized I… I like him… but who’s to say that he feels the same when he can barely open up to me, Hyejin pops up and he just stops functioning, and now!” You stammer your confession more lowly, barely above a whisper, with a beet red face. 

You freeze as the woman lays a gentle hand over yours. Then do you realize the way your lip had begun quivering.

“How am I supposed to face him?”

“You don’t,” Yahiko says after much silence, “Leave them alone long enough and he’ll sort out his feelings soon enough and give you a proper explanation.”

“Have some patience and get some sleep, you’re far too young to be looking so concerned like that.”

And that you do, finishing the rest of the milk she had brought up and shifting into your old bed. The kitsune leaves you with one last gentle caress of your head before she bids a good night. Morning comes and you have to force yourself to go to school, praying to whatever god there is that you don’t run into the boys. And you don’t, but Hyejin noticed the distance between you and the pack and has to put a stop to this nonsense.

“(Y/n), this needs to stop now, what’s going on?” 

Hyejin stops you from leaving school that day, dragging you to the nearest fast food chain for a much needed sit down and talk. It comes after first being bombarded by Jimin and Taehyung about your whereabouts and wellbeing, and finally when Jungkook confronts her. Nothing is ever that important for the subject of her hatred to talk to her himself. Perhaps there was more to the problem than just fixing your lost memories.

She sighs when you both get seated at a booth with your meals, pinching the bridge of her nose, “I think it’s badass that you’re a witch, but I’m really worried for you being away from the boys when you’ve got your whole family tree planning on killing you.”

You want to tell her, clamming up in the palms when your feelings for the wolf-boy are teetering on the tip of your tongue. Should you tell her? She was your friend. What was stopping you? Her past relationship with him? What if she still liked him? Was this going to ruin your friendship with her? 

“To be honest… I left to clear my head after finding out you and him dated before,” You blurt out, pursing your lips and expecting the worse. Silence is your answer, and when you peer over at your friend, she is blinking at you in evident surprise.

“How did you find out?” She starts off meekly, taking a generous swig from her soft drink, “I mean… Did he say anything?”

“Not really…” You wince, thinking about the time he forcibly shoved you from his head at the appearance of the girl in his memories, “It was only last night when he finally told me you both dated previously.”

The other exasperatedly exhales, her palm meeting her forehead, “That stupid dog.”

“You… You don’t like him still, do you?” You ask hesitantly, holding your breath in anticipation of her answer. Meanwhile, the other has to hold back her obnoxious cackle at that question, nearly spewing out her soda. Eyes softening, she cracks a small smile.

“You idiot.”

The reply astounds you, mouth opening and closing like a fish at the unexpected insult. 

“You know, you’re really dense you know that? Here I am, unable to believe the coincidence that you, my only friend at school, has fallen for Jeon Jungkook, and now you’re asking me if I still like him!”

“If you’re still wondering… No. I do not,” Hyejin snickers at your visible relief, “I think it’s really cute, your crush, but I still refuse to accept that it’s him.” 

The girl takes a french fry between her index and thumb, pointing the tip in your direction, “I probably do, deep down. Truth be told that I broke up with him out of fear. I knew he was a wolf, and kept that in mind, but I wasn’t expecting him to be a wolf and more. And like any other human, I ran.

“He was a cute boy in middle school, a grade above me, taller than most and very shy. He did everything and anything he could to catch my attention. The clumsy little idiot… we eventually dated, it continued into his first year in high school while I had one more year in middle school when I had come over to their cabin to hang with the pack. I had been helping out Seokjin with dinner when I dropped a plate, it shattered on the floor and over my bare foot, and my dumb self had attempted to pick up the larger pieces and nicked myself. Jungkook must’ve been hungry and went on a rampage... 

“He charged at me, eyes blue and gold, like I’d never seen them before. He was snapping at me, growling and breathing heavily… Couldn’t even speak coherently. The boys tried to tear him off me, but there really wasn’t a known way to calm him down… According to the boys, it was the first time he’d done something like that around them.”

Hyejin pauses, closing her eyes as the memories come rushing back of the terrible day, “I left that day with a disgusting scar, Seokjin wasn’t as proficient at healing at the time and could only close the wound long enough to get me to the hospital, but even the doctors could not get rid of the remnants of it.” Her hand grips at the hem of her uniform top before carefully pulling it up just enough to catch the sight of the fleshy tissue that runs jagged on her right abdomen. “I could not look him in the eye without seeing the deranged beast I saw that day, I left him soon after, crying and heartbroken, not because of relationship problems, but because I was scared… that he would someday kill me if he could just as easily lose control the way he did that day. I guess we just grew hateful of each other over time...”

Her eyes catch yours staring down at where her scar had been recovered by the top, and she quirks a small curl of her lips. Reaching over the table, she offers an open hand, to which you take gratefully with a meek smile in response, “You know… I’m surprised to hear you managed to calm him down…”

It makes sense, she thinks, after all, you didn’t know it yet who the hybrid truly imprinted on. 

“I think I’ve calmed down quite a bit… but seeing Jungkook full hybrid again at the cabin brought me back to middle school. It still haunts me, not as much as before… I used to get nightmares almost every other night. It’s at least once in a while now, I suppose.

“Which is why I always urged you to stay away from them. I didn’t want what happened that day, to eventually happen to you. You’re my only closest friend at school, I don’t want anything bad happening to you… I want to protect you (Y/n), but there’s only so much a human like me can do… Which is why I’m just a little grateful that you have Jungkook to protect you.”

The questions gnaws away at you. 

There was no harm in asking right? 

“You think Jeon Jungkook imprinted on me?” Hyejin nearly bursts into laughter, hopelessly trying to stifle the giggles with the back of her hand. Thankfully, she wasn’t too hung over having to remember and retell her relationship with Jungkook, but that didn’t warrant her nearly doubling over with tears in her eyes at your abrupt question. Your cheeks puff with a bright rosy hue at her reaction, suddenly feeling embarrassed for even asking. 

If only you knew, the girl thinks with a shake of her head.

“Dear God no, he did not, he’d have died by now just from me breaking up with him,” she muses with a wave of her hand, “That stupid dog just has a funny way of letting girls know his feelings.”

“So he does have an imprintee?” You ask expectantly, your heart in your throat at this point.

The look of determination and anticipation on your face is adorable, Hyejin thinks as she replies with a subtle shrug. 

“I think that’s something you need to wait for him to talk to you about.”

“For now, you both need to fucking make up before I do something about it.”

And that you do. 

You return to the cabin that night. Hyejin leaves you at the door with a comforting hug before she bids you good luck. Good luck and more is much needed when you sense the overwhelming bundle of aura sitting right on top of the roof. No one else but Jungkook had that much unrestrained magical aura, and you knew right away as soon as you came closer and closer to the house. Surely, he must’ve picked up on your scent as you phased onto the roof where the hybrid sat. 

He didn’t turn, nor did he make any indication in regard to your entrance. You knew he had been expecting you. So you take a seat beside him, pulling your knees close to your chest and wrapping your arms around them. 

“I’m still a little mad at you,” You whisper, your two index fingers twirling around one another. Glaring down at your feet, your hair falls down, casting a curtain on both sides and obscuring your vision of the hybrid beside you. “But… I should probably apologize for running away like a child… and that I shouldn’t be forcing you or expecting you to tell me anything like there’s any reason for me to know…”

Its silent between you both, and you wonder if he’s resorted to ignoring you or is just sleeping. When you turn slightly, you catch a glimpse of his side profile glaring up at the sky. His doe-like eyes are wide and reflect the colors of a galaxy. Dazzling azure with dozens of golden droplets like the stars. You have to fight the urge to reach over and touch him. You want to hug him, and tell him how you feel about him. But now wasn’t the time when you were so sure he only had eyes for Hyejin. 

“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” He finally speaks, voice barely above a whisper that you have to lean towards him and strain your ears, “I’m afraid. And I don’t even trust myself. I’m just not ready yet.” 

He catches your eyes before you can look away, the corners of his lips stretching into a taut smile, the ends just barely curling upwards. 

“I’m sorry… just give me some time.”

“N-No, I understand and I’ll wait until you feel comfortable enough to open up to me,” You stammer, quite flustered with the sudden eye contact. His irises are glowing, shimmering under the moonlight so beautifully that it catches you off guard.

Despite your reply, you didn’t really understand. Was it not simple for him to just out right tell you that he had imprinted on someone else, or just straight up didn’t like you. You inwardly gasped, what if he knew of your feelings and was trying to prepare himself to reject you?

“If it makes you feel better,” he swallows, turning his head to look away, “I uh, I never imprinted on Hyejin.”

In contrast to your worrying thoughts, the relief that washes over you is massive. Your whole body physically relaxes and sags. Cheeks flushing, you thank any god out there that he was looking away.

“I-I see… I don’t think this is gonna make you feel better though…”

His neck cranes, glancing at you curiously.

“I talked to Hyejin,” you shrink in your spot, suddenly embarrassed and ashamed for going to her for information he wasn’t ready to spill.

“What did she say?”

“About what broke you two up.”

Silence. You wonder if maybe you spoke too much or should’ve waited for him to tell you. It feels like he’s growing increasingly distant from you. 

“I see…”

Should you apologize? The growing discomfort in your chest became unbearable. You shifted on the roof till, unsure of what to say to soothe the atmosphere between you both. He hates you, you conclude. 

“...So you know then?” He finally asks, “That I went berserk on her. Seokjin had me locked in my room with his perfect cube spell... In the whole chaos, other than Hyejin, I really hurt Yoongi bad. Jimin and Taehyung managed to get away with scratches, but Yoongi could only heal so much on his own with Seokjin-hyung’s help that we had to turn to admitting him to the hospital.

“You don’t understand how much I hated myself for that. I hurt my family, I hurt Hyejin too. Fast forward today, I ended up attacking you. I can’t forgive myself for hurting people I care about. 

“Why did I have to survive the transition? Why me and not Junghyun? Why did I have to be made into this hybrid that can barely control himself when he goes on a rampage?”

You interject at that, “But you did control yourself, Jungkook, you were able to come back to us after that fight with Minerva. You were able to handle yourself when we fought with those bounty hunters. I’ve seen you many times trying to keep yourself at bay, and you’re doing your best at figuring out how to take control of your genes. No one could ask for any more than you already do. It’s not your fault for going through such a cruel transition, and it’s also not your fault that as a result you couldn’t control yourself, but you’re making progress and that’s all that matters.

“I trust you Jungkook, I hope that makes you feel better. It doesn’t matter to me that you had to drink from my blood. It doesn’t matter to me that you attacked me that night. I’ve forgiven you. You just keep blaming yourself and I hate it.

“You don’t think I hate myself for having to be protected by you guys? We’ve had to fight off my reanimated mother, a vampire, and bounty hunters. You guys wouldn’t have to go through this if it wasn’t for me. I just barely regained my memories, sure I remember spells and skills I learned with my mother, but that shies in comparison to the little training I have in utilizing them in an actual situation, moreover the fact that I have zero self defense experience.

“Don’t you dare tell me that I don’t understand. You said it yourself! You and I… we’re the same. Outcasts. Mutants. I thought you cared for me…” Your voice trails off and silence settles between you both, not as pensive as it was before, but still awkward with more questions swirling between you. Shoulders slumping, you didn’t mean to mope, but you were still at a loss.

“I do care for you (Y/n), did you not just hear me say how much I hated myself for hurting you and everyone?” Jungkook sighs after much thought, reaching a hand towards you before regretfully retracting it. He knows he’ll want to do more than just hold your shoulder. “I cared for you from the very beginning, there would have been no reason for me to keep letting you hang around me or saving you from those wendigos, no matter how hard I tried to keep you from sticking close to me.”

The realization of his words clicks in his mind and he hissed, turning away with his hand covering his dreaded mouth. Darn him for succumbing to you, if you were able to connect the dots, that would have been him smacking you in the face with a sign that read “I LIKE YOU, MY DUMBASS IMPRINTED ON YOU” in large bold characters. Thankfully, you turn and smile softly at him. 

“Sorry, I… I just don’t want you to hate on yourself for hurting me when I’m fine really.”

Despite himself, he leans over and taps your forehead with his index finger, the force just enough to move your head backwards just slightly. 

“Then don’t hate yourself for being a burden to the pack, you’re not just a guest in our house now, you’re pretty much a pack member. The boys don’t treat you any differently than they would each other.”

Your cheeks burn, hand rising to brush over the spot on your forehead, the gesture was slight but it did well to make your heart beat wildly. With a pout, you mull over his words before scrunching your eyebrows and raising you head to glare at him, “What do you mean burden? I’m a burden?”

The corner of his mouth twitches slightly, an action you catch as he turns his head away.

“Hey you! Answer me!”

.

.

LOL tell me why I totally forgot to put the tags.

Tags:

@twilight-loveer​ @reinyrei​  @mistytail​ @mygukandonlyficrecs​ @xanny91​ @unpocodesoledadywisky​ @xxqueenwxtchxx​ @lildemonangele​ @gukworld​ @sunnyoongles​ @serendipity-secrets​ @ilaria-np​ @jules-park​ @treetops68​ @mischiefmakerliesmith5​ @jeonkooksgirl​ @coffeeismylife28​ @nshitae​ @bookoffracturedescapes​ @ellsbells72​ @zamirayinyue13​ @hannahdearr​ @tiredjedi @sushibunn​ @perrshian​ @lovinggalaxies​ @ditttiii​ @cookies-are-done @mintyrae​

When like two of you I can’t tag for some reason asjfhksdjhg... anywho~ thank you thank you so much for all the replies on the last part!

[gone-arai]

Apollon Info Dump

Apollon was the most Greek of all the gods. He is the son of Zeus and the titan of motherhood and female modesty, Leto. He was born on the seventh day of the month, and, therefore, the number seven is sacred to Apollon, and sacrifices were offered to him on the seventh day of the month. After being born on the island of Delos and given nectar and ambrosia by Themis, Apollon leapt up and said he would declare the will of Zeus to men.

Apollon gets the following duties from Zeus: (1.) punishing the wicked (2.) affording help and averting evil (3.) the god of prophecy, music, and poetry (4.) protecting the flocks and cattle (5.) delighting in the founding of city-states (6.) protecting of young boys

Punishing the Wicked

As the punisher of the wicked, Apollon uses his bow and arrow to strike down the wicked. His arrows could also be used to send plague down upon wicked civilizations. All plagues and sudden deaths are attributed to Apollon’s arrows. This power of Apollon also appeared when he slew Python and retook the oracle of Delphi for his father, Zeus.

Affording Help and Averting Evil

Just as Apollon can punish evildoers with plagues and death, so can he deliver people from these things--if properly sacrificed to. Apollon could also afford help through the use and advice of his oracles.

God of Prophecy, Music, and Poetry

Apollon is the god of many things including oracles, archery, the hunt, healing, disease, music, poetry, truthfulness, and light. As the god of prophecy, Apollon was in charge of all of his father’s oracles--he was considered the prophet of Zeus and charged with communicating his will to men.

As the god of music and poetry, Apollon is often represented as the leader of the nine muses, and in many myths, he is seen entertaining and delighting the gods with his music.

“Leto's all-glorious son goes to rocky Pytho, playing upon his hollow lure, clad in divine, perfumed garments; and at the touch of the golden key his lyre sings sweet.” - Homeric Hymn 3 to Pythian Apollon

Protecting the Flocks and Cattle

As Apollon Nomios, Apollon is often charged with the protection of certain flocks and herds by his father. 

Delighting in the Founding of City-States

As Apollon Ktistes or Oikistes, Apollon was often seen as the spiritual leader of towns which were founded after consulting one of his oracles.

“O Lord [Apollon], Lykia (Lycia) is yours and lovely Maionian (Maeonian) and Miletos (Miletus), charming city by the sea, but over wave-girt Delos you greatly reign your own self.” - Homeric Hymn 3 to Pythian Apollon

Protecting Young Boys

Apollon and Artemis are often prayed to as the protectors of young children, along with their mother Leto. While Artemis has the duty of protecting young girls, it is Apollon’s job to protect their male peers.

God of the Sun?

In later times, Apollon became associated with Helios, the titan of the sun. This is mostly a result of his association with light and one of his most famous epithets Phoibos Apollon (radiant or shining). However, most accounts agree that while Apollon may be a god of the sun, Helios is the only one who drives the sun chariot.

This isn’t the only example of Apollon “gaining” a power, though. In fact, many scholars believe that he started purely as the averter of evil, and that his other aspects, such as the protector of flocks and god of oracles were absorbed from other iterations of the god around Greece.

"Phoibos [Apollon], of you even the swan sings with clear voice to the beating of his wings, as he alights upon the bank by the eddying river Peneios; and of you the sweet-tongued minstrel, holding his high-pitched lyre, always sings both first and last. And so hail to you lord! I seek your favour with my song." - Homeric Hymn 21 to Apollo

Worship and Cult

Apollon’s most famous shrines were his oracles--the most famous of which was at Delphi. Others included:

i. The Oracle of Apollon Ismenios in Thebes, Boiotia (Greece) ii. The Oracle of Apollon Ptoios on Mt. Ptoos, Boiotia (Greece) iii. The Oracle of Apollon at Abai, Phokis (Greece) iv. The Oracle of Apollon Didymios at Didyma (or Brankhidai) near Miletos, Karia (Asia Minor) v. The Oracle of Apollon Klarios at Klaros near Kolophon (Asia Minor) vi. The Oracle of Apollon at Pergamon, Teuthrania (Asia Minor)

Hymns: Homeric Hymn 3 to Pythian Apollon, Homeric Hymn 22 to Apollon, Orphic Hymn 34 to Apollon

Epithets: Phoibos (radiant), Alexikakos (averter of evil), Hekatos (shooter from afar), Mousegetes (leader of the muses), Paieon and Akesios (healing), Pythios (Pythian, related to Delphi), and many, many more

Info from theoi.com

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for July 25, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 21:15-16(KJV): 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. Proverbs 21:15-16 (AMP): 15 When justice is done it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity and ruin. 16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits -- of the dead.

Thought for the Day

Verse 15 - When the word "judgment" is mentioned, it usually brings to mind the execution of the penalty for sin. However, there is another side to judgment. We can see from Galatians 6:7-9 and Revelation 20:12-13 that sowing evil reaps a judgment of destruction, while sowing good reaps a judgment of reward. This is true for both individuals and nations.

In America, we have sown both good and evil. I believe God has been merciful to us because we have helped other nations. The American Church has sent many missionaries around the world. Our nation has supported humanitarian works in every nation. The U.S. government has poured billions of dollars into foreign aid and forgiven other countries of billions of dollars of debt. We are usually among the first on the scene with assistance when natural disasters strike other countries. We have helped rebuild the infrastructures of nations ravaged by war. Many more things could be named that America has done for others throughout the world.

America has also sown much evil. We have exported ungodly music, movies, and pornography among other things. We have hypocritically called ourselves a "Christian nation," yet we allow abortion and other evils to be legalized. Many Americans are drug addicts and others are consumed with pornography. Many commit adultery without blushing and are sex-crazed. I have noticed that the most prevalent types of e-mail ads are marketing something about sex, becoming a millionaire, or some form of gambling. Sharing Christ with other nations is difficult when they see our rampant lust and materialism. Our culture has been shot through with every type of sin and temptation designed by Satan to keep us weak and powerless. God desires to bless us with good, but our sins prevent God from blessing us. Judgment comes upon us as we reap what we have sown. "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you" (Jeremiah 5:25).

Verse 16 - Destruction awaits those who fail to understand that we are all being judged by God's Word. We are judged in that respect when we fail to keep His commandments. When we honor His word, we are judged as faithful. One way to avert destructive judgment is by walking in a relationship with Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. When we repent, we no longer come under judgment, because Jesus received the penalty of our sins on the cross. We must pray that the church comes to true repentance that will produce genuine revival in our nations and the world: "And if any man hears my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:47-48).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for Your great mercy to all of us individually, and in our nation. Father, move on the hearts of Your people to repent and turn back to You so we can avert any more judgments on our land. Forgive us for our apathy and sin. Lord, help us study Your Word, pray, speak, and walk in Your Word. Use us, Your children, to bring light into this dark world by showing others the way to Christ. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[my-name-is-apollo]

If Apollo is connected with spring's fertility, does that make him an agricultural god? Did he have such cults? Why does Apollo have so many functions?

Apollo is not connected to the fertility of the soil or plants during the spring, that is Demeter's domain. But yes, he is an agricultural deity in his own way (which I'll discuss below), and his cults concerning that were present in Sparta, Athens, Cyrene and many other cities. Many of the festivals dedicated to Apollo were agricultural, including Thargelia which celebrated Apollo's birthday. But unlike Demeter, Persephone and other agricultural gods, he isn't concerned with fertility of the soil and crops. He is the protector of crops, the one who prevents plant diseases and pests. Look at some of his epithets

Erythibius - preventer of fungal diseases (blight/rust/mildew)

Sitalcas - protector of corn

Smintheus - lord of mice (in this context, he is the one who prevents mice infestation)

Parnopius - Lord of grasshoppers (again, he controlled the locusts that infected the crops)

Pasparius - god of meal, because he protects the harvested crops

Those are his major agricultural roles. He might also have functioned to some extent as a patron of the reapers, since his epithet Erithius means "god of reapers", though this might again be because he safeguarded their harvest. So, Demeter causes the production of crops, and Apollo protects them. He is indirectly connected to spring's fertility in his role as the leader of Seasons (Horomedon) and a light bringing deity, and some epithets concerning that -

Hersos - sending fertilising dew

Pandothales - he who makes everything bloom

Apollo had so many functions because he was an extremely popular deity and his cults were wide spread and appealing. It's nearly impossible to not be popular with arts and healing on your side XD Plus, his oracles were also a HUGE reason why he was all over the place in ancient greece. He has a large number of primary domains and functions, and almost equal number of secondary domains. One can wonder how one god was in charge of so many things, but well, ancient greeks believed it was nothing their great Apollo couldn't handle.

And to clarify Regarding his secondary domains - he doesn't control the the domain itself, but rather plays the role of a protector. Sea and agriculture are his main among the others. He didn't control waters like Poseidon, instead he helped sailors, and you can find many myths where Apollo helps sailors in many ways, and they pray to him and thank him for safe sea voyage. When it came to home, while Hestia was concerned with family & hearth, Apollo was invoked to protect doors and gates. When concerned with death too, he is the overseer of funeral rites and the protector of tombs. (he gets really angry when people don't do proper burial for the dead). In animal husbandry too (which is actually his primary area) Hermes, Pan and Apollo are seen as gods who can bring fertility, but Apollo alone appears as the protector of flocks and herds from wild animals. Yes, that's a ridiculous amount of secondary jobs for a single deity, but this will be seem natural once you learn that Apollo was generally called upon as the "averter of evil" in every aspect, throughout the ancient Greece.

[loverandservantoftheahlulbayt]

🍃🕊🍃 Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) Dua for Sehhat and Aafiyat Prayer for Health and Wellbeing 🍃🕊🍃

This particular dua is one in which Imam Ali Zaynal al-Abideen (as) prays to Allah (SWT) for good health and wellbeing.

Imam Ali (as) in one of his kalaams says that the biggest blessing after ‘imaan’ (belief in Allah and his wali) is good health.

In this dua, Imam Ali Zaynal al- Abideen (as) supplicates Allah (SWT) to grant him good health in body and spirit, and protect him from all that is evil. He begins the dua with salawaat on Mohammed and Aale Mohammed and repeats this salawaat several times during the dua.

Our Hudaat Kiraam (sa) have taught us that praying salawaat before, in between, and after a dua ensures that the dua reaches Allah (SWT).

🍃🕊🍃 The following is the translation of this priceless dua: 🍃

Rasulullah (S) (sajdas) in light of the 1000 rakaats of namaaz he prayed every night.

He composed innumerable priceless duas invoking Allah rehmat for all aspects of life here and hereafter.

These duas have been compiled in a book called Sahifa Sajjadiyya.

This Sahifa is a priceless treasure for every mumin who wants to pray to Allah. Not only do its duas teach us how to supplicate Allah in prayer, but they also guide us toward what we must pray for in order to lead a life of peace and prosperity in this world and the next.

Amirul Mumineen Maulana Ali (as)

. He is widely known as ‘Sajjaad’ (one who performs many

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent Allah,

bestow salawaat upon Mohammed and his progeny, and clothe me with your gift of wellbeing, encompass me with your gift of wellbeing, protect me with your gift of wellbeing, suffice me with your gift of wellbeing, honor me with your gift of wellbeing, give me alms of your gift of wellbeing, bestow upon me your gift of wellbeing, furnish me with your gift of wellbeing, make good for me your gift of wellbeing, and do not separate me from your gift of wellbeing in this world or the next.

Allah, bless me with the

opportunity to perform Hajj, ‘Umrah, and Ziyarat of the tomb of your Messenger - May your salawat, rehmat, and barakat encompass him and his progeny, your Messenger’s progeny—this year and every year for as long as I live. And let its reward be accepted, appreciated, noted, and preserved near you.

Make my tongue speak in gratitude, remembrance and praise of you. Expand my heart so that it fills with joy in following your religion. Protect me and my children from the evil of satan, from the evil of the poisonous ones, the creeping-crawling ones, the vulgar masses, and the evil eye, from the evil of the rebellious shaytaan, from the evil of powerful kings who oppose the Truth, from the evil of those who are ungrateful, from the evil of strong and weak, from the evil of noble and humble, from the evil of those who are close and those who are far away, from the evil of big and small, and from the evil of those among both jinn and humans who have waged a war against your messenger and the people of his house, and from the evil of every beast whose forelock is in your grasp. Yours is the right path.

Allah, bestow salawaat on Mohammed and his progeny, and if my enemy intends evil, then turn away from me his evil intentions,

avert from me his plotting, thrust away from me his evil, shackle his neck with his own evil, let there be an obstacle in front of him, such that his eyes are blinded from looking at me, his ears are deafened to my name, his heart is blocked from having any thoughts of me, and his tongue is silenced from speaking about me. Smash his head, break his might, end his power, debase his neck, shake his arrogance, and keep me safe from all manifestations of his evil, harm, vice, bite, strike, envy, hatred, snares, traps, foot soldiers and cavalry. Truly, you are mighty and powerful.

🍃🕊🍃 duas.org 🍃🕊🍃

[floweryfreelance]

𝕴𝖓𝖌𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖆 𝕽𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖙𝖚𝖘

CHAPTER FIVE

Table of Contents

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |

This work of fiction is an original collaborative work between tumblr users @theearltrancy and @floweryfreelance. Its original format was in that of a roleplay, and has been edited to be a more cohesive story. This work was created on 11.10.20 and completed on 11.30.20.

Please consider following each author for more fictional works.

-

Morning light poured into the room, illuminating the entirety of the mess they made the night before. Clothing strewn all over the floor, closet door still open, the dent Alois made the night before in the wall now revealing also ripped wallpaper frantically trying to cover the damage. This room was undoubtedly the taller man’s, bleeding disorganization after just one night of his return to it. It was a wonder that he kept anything in his life together, let alone an estate and an alliance with the Queen herself. 

Icy blue eyes fluttered open to witness it, first confirming that his lover was still by his side. Ciel consistently woke up later than he did by mere minutes, but he still enjoyed the time he had with the peace. These were the moments he felt the most peaceful, these secret moments in the early morning that he didn’t need to spend alone. He shifted in bed, stretching his arms over his head, realizing he was still unclothed from the night before. The sight made him smile, reveling in the taste of the memory.

Feeling the movement beside him, Ciel groaned softly, his nose scrunching up as he turned his head towards Alois. It appeared he might be waking up then, but that wasn’t the case. His side felt a breeze as a result of Alois shifting in the bed, and so in a deep sleep he turned over, wrapping his arms around Alois’ arm and buried his face between his shoulder and the pillow. Warm again, he sighed contently, continuing to sleep.

At this point in the morning, it was mostly a waiting game. The Earl, whichever one it was in their respective homes, would wait in his bed until his butler came to wake him. He would carry a warm and damp cloth to wipe his face down, as well as prepared suggestions for both his attire for the day, a memorized breakfast menu, and a list of any duties they had for the day.

The only question now, considering they both resided in the same bed this morning, was which butler would appear first.

Alois smiled at his lover beside him, taking in the structure of the man’s face as he slept peacefully. This scene was perfection to him. While the evenings were consistently foggy, the mornings were normally quite bright and welcoming. The sky opened up, illuminating the softer side of this sin they shared. 

In that moment, there was a soft knock at the door, causing the blonde to look up quickly and pull the sheets up to his collarbones. He prayed silently that it wouldn’t wake Ciel too quickly, and hopefully it wasn’t-

“Good morning, your highness.” The demon greeted cooly, walking into the room with a cloth draped over his hand and a smug look on his cold face. Making amends, perhaps? No, he wouldn’t hope for that - just grin and bear it like every other morning. Claude never said sorry. Alois rolled his eyes, sitting up fully in bed but discreetly placing his other hand on his lover’s shoulder so as to hopefully wake him gently.

    He was dreaming about a party, a grand one at that, a scene in which Ciel Phantomhive would rarely be found taking part. But in this dream, Ciel and his love attended together; they sat together while eating and talking with other guests, hung on one another’s arm, and danced around the room, most of which was Ciel fumbling and trying to keep up with Alois who was a natural at navigating such parties.

But the dream faded away as the sun hit his eyelids, Ciel groaning softly as he was gently shaken awake. He rolled onto his back, letting out a cutely impolite yawn, his fingers wrapping around Alois’ wrist. “Mm, it’s bright..” he whined. But something was off, he could tell Alois was focusing on something else. Had Sebastian already come in?

Ciel turned over to look towards the door, his heart dropping into his stomach as he recognized a butler standing a bit too close to the bed for his own comfort, though it wasn’t his butler. He sat up quickly, using one hand to pull the sheets up to his chest as his other hand quickly covered his contract-stained eye, averting his eyes so as not to make direct eye contact with the demon in the room.

Alois again used his hand to gently comfort the other man, keeping one hand on the other’s shoulder. The butler was a problem, but it was his problem and it would deal with it, especially after years of fighting with the man. He sighed, irritated, reaching out for the towel reluctantly. 

Wiping his face with it, he then wadded it up and tossed it right into Claude’s face. The act of defiance barely phased him, eliciting only a long blink. The blonde huffed as if he were still a young teenager. 

“Would you like to know the options for this morning’s breakfast?” The demon offered, emotionless. 

The blonde pursed his lips, returning the damp hand to the pillow and tossing himself back in bed in reluctance. It was heard to believe this man was an adult when he did things like this. “Not really. I’ll have whatever he does.” He said blankly, pulling the sheets over his head now. “Get out.”

With Alois hiding beneath the covers, it created the illusion of Ciel and Claude being alone in the room together. That was the last thing Ciel wanted; he was often faced with the dilemma of being close in proximity to someone who wanted him dead, but something about Claude made his hair stand on end.

Despite his order from Alois, Claude didn’t immediately act. He stood there a moment longer, his eyes moving from his own master to the vulnerable bluenette sitting up in bed. Still concealing his contract eye, Ciel glared him down, masking the uneasiness he felt in the moment.

“You heard your master.” He spoke harshly, clutching the sheets tightly against his chest. “Get out. Sebastian will come, he’ll be responsible for the both of us.” The command didn’t leave Claude with much to do, but Ciel didn’t really care. He was afraid of this demon, knowing what he knew now.

The faintest sneer crossed Claude’s face, though it quickly returned to the same old emotionless slate. He bowed, folding the cloth over his arm before backing towards the door, eyeing the Phantomhive Earl over his shoulder as he exited. As the door closed shut, Ciel released a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding, falling back into the pillows.

“Motherfucking scum.” The man grumbled to himself with his lover’s return. He remained hidden in the sheets, pulling them down only slightly to reveal his golden head. His hair was now disheveled, staticy despite the silk sheet, the cotton of the pillowcase betraying him. “I hate him, I hate him..” 

The morning still held the same playful, light atmosphere even though the blonde was in a mood now. Somehow, he felt better knowing that his lover knew not even he approved of the attitude coming from the evil that unfortunately followed him. Without another word spoken, the man childishly reached out to the other smaller man, holding him tightly to his own chest. At least he had someone to ground him.

Ciel returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around him and nuzzling into the crook of the other’s neck, blonde hair tickling his nose. He could hear his heart beating, elevated and frustrated.

“He knows..” Ciel commented, halfheartedly attempting a joke. He sighed softly, his hot breath hitting Alois’ neck. He decided to change the subject. “What will you do today?” The still half-asleep bluenette inquired, lifting his head so as to be understood more clearly. “Will you go home? Or will you stay? The weekend hasn’t ended yet..” He snuck in that little side comment, hoping Alois would stay at least for part of the day, if not another night. There were so many things he wanted them to do together; play chess, walk outside in the garden, even read in silence and just enjoy each other’s presence. He dreaded the thought of him leaving again.

Alois let out a half-hearted snort. Despite the interruption, his love was fairly good at grounding him. If he hadn’t been still feeling such an annoyance, one would think that the butler had never entered the room. It was a skill, a deadly one if used in the right context. Alois relaxed into the embrace, half-smiling at the thought of being wanted. It wasn’t new, but it took him by surprise constantly. 

“I’m not leaving.” He stated, realizing only afterwards how matter-of-fact he sounded. “I mean, I want to stay. Hell, it’s been almost ten years since I saw your home.” He commented, the picture of the garden in his memory crossing by. He wondered if any flowers had been planted in his honor; perhaps there were bluebells now, his favorite flower, planted absentmindedly in an effort to forget. “I plan to stay as long as you’ll let me.” He mused, hand finding its way into the man’s dark blue hair and running it through his fingers. Alois hoped the notion was appreciated, knowing he’d stay forever if fate only allowed.

Ciel eased into Alois’ hand, closing his eyes as his fingers combed gently through his hair. “Then you’ll stay another night,” He remarked, tracing light circles on the blonde’s shoulder with his finger. “Elizabeth likely won’t return for another week, but I have a case I need to take care of after tomorrow.” He sighed, recalling the piles of paperwork on his desk in his study. “So, you’ll stay until then.”

The moment was interrupted yet again with another soft knocking on the door, although it was Sebastian who opened it this time. He smiled at the two young men, presenting himself with a half bow as he stepped into the room. “Good morning,” he cooed, approaching the bed with a hot towel for Ciel, and an additional one for Alois in the off chance he would want another upon seeing the one for the other man. “For breakfast this morning is a full English breakfast, with porridge, bacon and eggs.”

Sitting up now, Ciel wiped his face down with the hot towel, sighing into it as he attempted to fully wake up. “And how is the weather?” He inquired.

“A bit chilly, master, but the sun is shining brightly.” Sebastian replied, taking the towels back.

“I see,” Ciel noted, glancing at the window before turning back towards his butler. “We’ll have breakfast outside in the garden this morning. Ready my coat in case it’s colder than expected, and Mr. Trancy’s traveling coat as well.” By now he was already sitting up, rolling his shoulders as he stretched and pulled on his undergarments that had been discarded on the floor the night before.

Sebastian nodded charmingly, then turning his attention towards the Earl Trancy. “I’ll return my master to his bedroom to prepare him for the morning. Your butler will return here shortly to do the same for you, if it pleases you.” He said, picking his master’s eye patch up from the floor and beginning to fasten it onto his head once again.

Alois sat up as well, taking the towel and actually wiping his face with it, still groggy and irritated. Recognizing he was being addressed, he set the towel down beside him. Letting out a long sigh, he pushed a hand through his hair, moving it from his face. 

“I’ll allow it.” He stated, cold. The rivalry between the two was completely gone by now, Alois unaffected by Sebastian’s presence. He grumbled once again under his breath, crossing the room to put his own undergarments back on and half-heartedly picked up some of his other clothing. Though rudely interrupted, this was still a better morning than any he spent at his own home.

As he was escorted from the room by his butler, Ciel smiled softly over his shoulder at Alois. Something in his smile was reassuring, reminding him that even with that awful demon’s presence, they had a nice day ahead of them; hours and hours to spend with one another, uninterrupted. For the most part.

-

An hour passed, as each of the young men bathed and picked out their attire for the day. Ciel, with the help of his butler who always seemed to have an eye for that sort of thing, chose a dark green ensemble, all velvet with black lace on the ends of his sleeves and coat tails, golden buttons, and a black dress shirt underneath. It wasn’t as formal as he would usually wear out, but seeing as he was staying in today, he felt the outfit was appropriate enough.

He arrived at the table first, just outside the back of the manor in the center large patio of his garden. It was a simple black table with a glass top, and elegant chairs to match. Breakfast was already being set out; steaming bowls of porridge and plates of bacon and eggs, all covered to trap in the heat, accompanied by a lovely tray of sliced fruits and Earl Grey tea. His favorite.

Ciel sat down in the chair Sebastian pulled out for him, scooching in close to the table. He took a deep breath, feeling clean and awake and refreshed, and admittedly quite hungry. But he would wait here, just like this, for lover to arrive, hopefully just as clean and awake and refreshed.

The hour was long, but Alois made it his prerogative not to start an argument this time. Some days were better than others between him and his butler, most of them passing uneventfully. While slightly more difficult in a home away from home, and particularly the home of his ex-rival, most actions went off without a hitch.

     His morning bath went fine, no conversation or lingering needed, and he preferred to do much of it on his own anyway. The Earl chose a maroon ensemble for the day afterwards, gemstones embedded in the buttons and black velvet on both pocket flaps. He spent quite a while in the mirror afterwards, adjusting it to make sure it sat at the exact point in his waist that he wanted it to. The velvet coat was one of his more expensive Parisian items, though being how he was, he didn’t particularly care if he was to go out in it or not. Besides, it would keep him warm enough in the brisk London morning. 

Just as the clock hit 8am, he finally left the room as his butler picked up and sorted the clothing all around the floor. This was one of the better sides of his stolen wealth; he never had to account for his tantrums. As he walked out into the garden with Hannah by his side now, the man even allowed a tinge of excitement to spend the morning with his lover. 

“Quite the classic spread,” he commented, as if he hadn’t been in a dark mood just an hour earlier. Hannah took more joy in her work than the other despite her lower position as a maid, pulling his chair out for him and calmly standing several feet behind him once he was settled.

Seeing as the two Earl’s were now both seated at the table, Sebastian took it upon himself to lean over, removing the covers from their breakfast platters. He hummed a small “Please, enjoy” before returning to stand behind his own master.

Ciel nodded, beginning to stir his porridge. “Indeed,” he agreed, blowing on it before taking a bite. A hot meal like this was perfect for the blustery morning. “The tea is Earl Grey, I hope it’s to your liking.” The commented, looking up at Alois as he took a sip from his own cup. “It’s still my favorite. I like to have a cup every morning with my breakfast.”

The blonde beamed at the meal, closing his eyes to take a big whiff of it all, for this was a special morning. Excited, he lifted his own teacup with an undue amount of care, careful not to spill any of the drink. Although it was a simple pleasure, it was rare that he got to share it with anybody. He blew on the cup before taking a small sip of it, still just barely too hot but he didn’t mind. 

“It’s always been mine as well,” he commented, looking up to meet the other’s eyes. They shared a soft smile, pleased to simply be across from the table from one another. The blonde wanted to soak in every moment they had, for it was never enough.

The two young men continued their breakfast peacefully, unable to remember the last time they both felt this tranquil, especially together. They talked about all sorts of things: Alois’ adventures moving back into his estate, Ciel’s overload of work and desperation for a good long holiday, and even some talk about the places they would go together if they ever had the chance.

Upon finishing their hot breakfast and tea, Alois and Ciel left the cleaning up to their servants, rising from the table and subconsciously making their way deeper into the garden, not wanting their time alone in the cool morning air to end just yet. The strode side by side along a fine gravel path paved between rows of rose bushes and fully grown trees, the leaves of everything beginning to turn yellow and orange with the changing of the seasons. Feeling their hands brush against each other, they linked pinkies, keeping contact with the other without the “dramatics”.

“If it wouldn’t be so bloody suspicious,” Ciel began, a faint pout on his face as he inspected his rose bushes. “I’d keep you here forever in that room. Even with Lizzie here.” Of course such a thing would never be possible, but daydreaming about it would be harmless.

The blond laughed joyfully, having dreamt of that exact thing for years now. He’d attempted to do just that in his second home, failing miserably but not for a lack of trying. Alois swung their hands back and forth as they walked together in the crisp fall morning. The action felt so casual, so everyday, that he could forget their circumstances if only for a moment or two. 

“And forever I’d stay,” he added, smiling to himself as he eyed the red roses and the tall trees. They’d been much smaller last time he was here, having grown enough to likely shade them in the summer, months ahead now. It was freeing to daydream, planning to stick around for as long as the other would allow. He wondered idly what would happen if anyone else knew of them; of course they couldn’t marry, but he’d thought of many ways to run away together. Though, none of them were logical. 

A long academic retreat. A business trip, ending in false tragedy, presumed dead only to secure land in Austria, perhaps America even. A secluded “business partnership…” Alois’ smile grew wide picturing it all. Maybe in some universe, Lizzie would understand, marry for love but not the romantic kind they shared. Oh, one could dream.. 

“Sometimes I just wish it was all so much simpler.” He admitted, reaching out to hold the stem of a rose between his index and middle fingers.

Ciel hummed in response, gazing in admiration at Alois observing the rose. “I wish things were simpler all of the time.” He rolled his eyes, his comment sparking a new train of thoughts. “It all seems so fictional. Demons, curses, forbidden romance and secrecy..” He trailed off, sighing to himself. “Sometimes I wonder if this is all real, or if I’m just stuck in a twenty-one year long dream.”

They wandered further, continuing to take in the natural beauty around them, and occasionally sneaking longing looks at one another. Ciel thought Alois looked like a painting in a museum with the roses and stone statues behind him.

He looked around them nonchalantly, checking to see if there was anyone near them who could be watching. Seeing no one, Ciel tugged on Alois’ sleeve and pulled him just behind a nearby rose bush to the side of the paved pathway, cupping his cheeks and pulling him in for a soft kiss. His pale cheeks quickly turned pink, hoping the sudden action didn’t come off as too needy.

Startled and stumbling slightly, Alois caught his balance just in time to return the kiss. The gesture made him laugh against the other man’s lips, placing his hands around his shoulders to steady himself. Gentler now, he pulled back only to place another kiss on the man’s soft pink lips. He stood back, running a thumb against them, taking in the texture of his skin to memorize it. His eyes were soft, searching for confirmation that the other felt the same in this moment - joyful, light, playful, and completely in love. 

“I’ve heard there are groups,” he mentioned softly, his tone hopeful, “There are other men like us… maybe someday this part of our lives will at least be less fictional.” He paused, brushing a strand of hair behind the other’s ear, distant. “Maybe we’ll even finish these contracts someday, be normal people as best as we can…”

One of Ciel’s more negative traits was his pessimism. As much as he wanted that ‘normal’ life with Alois, he didn’t believe they would ever have it. It was like Alois told him the night before; the two of them were doomed to live in sin, tied to demons who one day would take their souls. There wasn’t a way out of it.

But he refused to let those thoughts spoil this moment. Alois’ breath smelled of Earl Grey tea, and Ciel’s mouth watered a bit. He would pocket this beautiful memory as well, tucking it away to remember when he felt alone; two young men taking a morning walk in a rose garden, sharing kisses just out of sight.

“Perhaps..” Ciel hummed, resting his forehead against the other’s. “Perhaps we will..”

Alois reached down, grabbing both of his lover’s hands in his tightly. Keeping their faces close, the man closed his eyes, a wistful smile resting on his lips. Despite his lover’s pessimism, he wanted to believe in something. 

“We’re not the only ones,” He said quietly, reassuring the other. “Not everything about it is completely unnatural. We may be doomed, but we’re at least not the only ones..” He repeated, thinking about the headlines he’d read in the papers recently. “There’s one thing we can stop worrying about. Maybe someday they’ll change something.”

There was a group of men just like him, right in London. The article that followed was filled with hateful words, as expected, but it was the idea that he clung to. Before then, he had accepted that he would never love a woman, but he always assumed that it was tied to a life of sin. While he never internalized it and lived as if it were normal, it struck him to have confirmation that other people did in fact feel just as he did- purely in love with other men, wholly human and wholly raw, perhaps unnatural but real.

He relaxed slightly as his hands were squeezed in the other’s, and he nodded, trying to muster up even a bit of optimism. “I hope they will.”

Ciel had seen it too, the articles in the papers. There were in fact other men like them, although their existence was met with disgust and hatred from the public and from the churches, calling them abominations and demanding horrible things be done to them. It was difficult for Ciel to focus on anything other than the public’s disgust for men like him, but he admired Alois’ ability to hold onto the fact that they weren’t alone- that they weren’t some strange mistake in the universe that wasn’t supposed to occur in the first place. They weren’t alone, that much was true.

The two young men spent the rest of the day together, just as they planned. They spent much of it sneaking away from their servants for just a bit of private time, looking for any opportunity to sneak a kiss, sit closer together than normal, or intertwine their fingers together. They held a lively conversation over several games of chess, only one of which Alois was able to win. The pair enjoyed an hour or so of light reading, most of which was Ciel actually trying to read while Alois did his best to distract him, and even shared another walk around the property. Lunch was held inside as the weather grew colder, the air smelling of rain once again. Across the table from each other, they talked while sharing glances out the window at the tiny droplets of rain beginning to lightly tap against the large window beside them.

[myfriendscallmecoelophysis]

where i was to be

Twin Au

follow up to this

dedicated to @transvav and @the-nerf-house

When Jordan woke up, he was astonished to find that he wasn’t drenched in sweat. He didn’t feel hot or feverish or weak or nauseous or achy. He felt like himself again. He wasn’t quite sure where he was but at least whatever sickness he’d been dealing with the last two weeks had finally subsided. He was laying in a bed in a brightly lit room with a high vaulted ceiling. It could have been overwhelming on his eyes, made of quartz and polished carved endstone, but whoever had decorated had used tasteful accents of purpur and obsidian and oak wood to mellow it out. He managed to sit himself up in the bed and looked around. He must have been in some sort of infirmary, curtains cordoneding his section off from others. Next to the bed was a side table that had a pitcher of water, a glass and his glasses. He was pouring himself a glass of water when one of the curtains parted and Commander Redd entered.

“Good to see that you’re awake Captain.” He greeted with a nod. 

“Don’t suppose you could tell me where I am or what happened?” Jordan asked. 

When they’d first arrived in Theadel, Jordan had been secretly excited to finally be in a world where Ianite was the dominant God. He’d spent so long in the minority, worshipping a God that either wasn’t taken seriously or was forgotten all together. He’d also been immensely fascinated to meet another version of himself. They’d heard all about their Ruxomar equivalents but aside from Mot and Farmer Steve he supposed, had not met any of them. The Commander was intimidating, every inch the Champion of Ianite, from the way he held himself to the way he dressed. In a way it made Jordan feel inadequate. But they’d seen the way the townsfolk reacted to the Commander’s presence as he showed them around the town. How they’d cowered and averted their eyes in a way that was just a bit darker than respect. Their suspicions only grew as the topic of Mianite and Dianite came up. The Commander’s eyes had sharpened behind his glasses, his neutral expression suddenly looking just a bit forced. 

“Pray to them if you want, not that it will do you much good now that they’ve disappeared. Just don’t do it around me or out in the open.” 

Tom and Tucker had been immediately untrusting and had said as much the moment the group was left alone. Jordan had wanted to give his alternate the benefit of the doubt but even he had to agree that it was suspicious. Tom had been the one to find out about the Rebellion and how to go about joining. Jordan didn’t want to believe that the Ianite of this universe was evil, she was supposed to be the balanced one, the one who didn’t change sides. But still he went with the others into the Nether with the hopes that they would find a way to help Ianite. 

The moment he’d stepped into the portal something had felt off. Dimensional travel always felt strange but this time, it had almost hurt, like he was pushing past something he should not have been. He always felt the heat of the Nether, all of them but Tom did, but for some reason here it was just so much hotter. His condition only worsened with each passing day and the days that he spent locked up by the rebels who thought he was the Commander certainly didn’t help his health or their thoughts that the Commander was someone to be trusted. Jordan had begun to wonder if this feeling that his God was the villain was why Tucker had mostly stayed quiet about Mianite in Ruxomar and why Tom had never chosen to live too close to the rest of them in their first world. It was a feeling of being an outsider, like no one trusted you because of what your God was doing. Eventually the others convinced the rebels to let him out of their prison but it still didn’t change that his health continued to worsen. He coughed blood more often than not, was always lightheaded from dehydration, his vision blurred constantly and he just ached endlessly. But it was the feeling of being unwelcome that drove him to keep his sickness a secret. 

He had been doing well enough at hiding it until they’d been attacked by dozens of enderman who in this world were apparently Ianite’s soldiers. They ran but he couldn’t keep up, body too weak to obey. He tripped and the world faded, his last sight was Tucker and Tom screaming his name. 

“We’re in the infirmary in Ianite’s palace in the End. We brought you here to heal you. I thought I warned you not to enter the Nether?” He spoke in a way that could have been teasing if not for the undercurrent of apathy in his voice. 

“What does the Nether have to do with me getting sick?” 

“Dianite cast a spell upon the entire Nether years ago. It prevents followers from Ianite from gaining safe passage through his realm. I can’t even enter. You must have been able to push the limits since you are not of this world.” 

“So the others…?”

“Should be fine.” Jordan allowed himself a sigh of relief. He didn’t think any of his friends had been experiencing the same symptoms he had but the confirmation was reassuring. 

“But why would Dianite do that?” He asked.

Surprisingly enough, it was Ianite who answered. “I’m not sure what possessed my brother to banish so many from his realm, but he did nonetheless.” Jonah bowed immediately when she came through the curtains, something Jordan felt a bit strange about doing himself. While he’d always been respectful to Ianite, she’d never once asked him to bow or expected him to. 

Despite knowing what Otm and the others in the Nether had said about her, Jordan couldn’t help the feeling of relief at seeing Ianite. She didn’t seem to be any different than the other Ianites he’d known. She still wore a purple gown, flowing and intricate. Her hair was still deep violet and was done up in some complicated looking braided style accented with gold pins. Even her delicate tiara was still in place. The only thing that was slightly strange were the strategically placed pieces of golden armor, a chestpiece, shoulder pauldrons, and arm guards replaced all her normal jewelry. But yet, even with these changes, her soft smile was enough to push away any concerns at the moment. This was Ianite after all. He trusted her. 

“How are you feeling Captain?” She asked, coming to the side of the bed and gently touching his forehead. 

“Much better Milady, and please, call me Jordan.” He could feel the touch of her magic, the familiar shimmering tingle reassuring and comforting. 

“That’s good to hear. You had me quite worried. Your reaction to Dianite’s spell was near fatal.” Her hand moved from his forehead to gently cup his cheek. “I was afraid I might lose you.” He blinked, unsure how to reply. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to speak with you myself. Ever since I felt your arrival in this world I wanted to reach out to you. You’ve served my other selves so loyally over your travels, it’s time that one of us showed you the appreciation you deserve.”

How did she know? He’d never told anyone that he felt unappreciated. Sure Ianite had given him occasional gifts and praises over the years but so much of his effort had been unacknowledged. The Ianite of Ruxomar had been so focused on trying to make him a replacement for her husband while the Ianite in the first world had simply been absent and untouchable, only showing herself on rare instances. Now, he found himself almost leaning into her touch, surprised at just how starved for her gratitude he was. 

“This is where you belong, Jordan. At my side. In this life and all others.” She pulled back, smiling at him. “It may be unorthodox, but no one ever said I couldn’t have two Champions at my side. Though I suppose in a way you are both the same man hmm? What do you say? Will you stay?”

He looked up at her, glancing quickly at the Commander before flicking his eyes back to hers. He should say no. He should ask to leave and see what he could accomplish on his own in the Overworld but if something really was wrong with Ianite, wouldn’t he be in a better place to help her right here? The more selfish part of him wanted to stay for the reasons she’d offered, to be appreciated and respected past a follower or replacement. The Commander had said nothing and gave no hint to what he may be thinking but something in Jordan almost thought that the other man wanted him to stay. There was something more that Jordan didn’t know about. 

“I wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes.” He eventually settled on, letting his eyes fall back to the Commander. Ianite followed his gaze and hummed in understanding. 

“Jonah, am I in anyway offending you by asking Jordan to stay and serve at my side as you do?” She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder. 

“No My Lady.” He replied instantly. “I am interested in knowing him as well.” 

She smiled, sharp and dazzling then looked back to Jordan expectantly. 

“Then I guess it looks like I’m staying.”