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oldmanatom · 4 years ago

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A Locked Tomb Fanmix But It’s All Classic Country

this exists entirely because one night the thought “but what if i made a Locked Tomb fanmix with only classic country songs” popped into my head, unprompted, and i thought it was too hilarious to not do.

the art on the cover is done by @starfleetofficial, who this mix is also dedicated to. thank you for recommending me these books, continuously “yes, and”ing my semi-coherent TLT messages sent at 5 in the morning, and being so supportive about this idea. (also check out her version, A HtN fanmix but it’s all Fiona Apple!) the cover design is referencing the famous Marty Robbins album, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.

my one listening note: this will probably be more enjoyable if it’s approached with an open mind and an expectation that it’s taking itself about as seriously as the official fanmixes do.

see below the cut for a song list and some lyric excerpts.

this mix has implicit spoilers for both Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth.

Gideon the Ninth mix: youtube / spotify / full res cover Harrow the Ninth mix: youtube / spotify / full res cover full mix: youtube / spotify / full res cover

Gideon the Ninth:

1. Johnny Paycheck, “Take This Job And Shove It”

You better not try to stand in my way 'Cause I'm walkin' out the door Take this job and shove it I ain't working here no more

2. Dolly Parton, “When Someone Wants To Leave”

It's a sad situation I must say When someone wants to leave as bad as you want them to stay

3. Loretta Lynn, “I’m A Gettin’ Ready To Go”

I'm gonna praise my savior's name everyday that I'm livin' Glory hallelujah I'm not ashamed to let my salvation show This old world's just my dressin' room and I'm a gettin' ready to go

4. Waylon Jennings, “I Ain’t Living Long Like This”

I tried to run but I don't think I can You make one move and you're a dead man friend Ain't living long like this Can't live at all like this, can I baby?

5. Loretta Lynn, “This Haunted House”

This haunted house I'm livin' in is killing me And the ghost of your love won't set me free Each morning finds me crying and alone In this haunted house we used to call our home

6. Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty, “After The Fire Is Gone”

We know it's wrong for us to meet But the fire's gone out at home And there's nothin' cold as ashes After the fire is gone

7. Loretta Lynn, “How Long Will It Take”

(How long will it take?) How long will it take to make you want me How much longer has this old heart gotta break (How long will it take?) How long will it take to make you need me I keep a waitin' and a wonderin' how long will it take

8. Stonewall Jackson, “Don’t Be Angry”

Maybe someday you're gonna hurt me I've been hurt in love before Only God can know And time alone will tell

9. Dick Curless, “A Tombstone Every Mile”

It's a stretch of road up north in Maine That's never ever ever seen a smile If they'd buried all them truckers lost in them woods There'd be a tombstone every mile

10. Johnny Paycheck, “(It Won’t Be Long) And I’ll Be Hating You”

Lately life with you has been unbearable All my faith in you has gone and I know it won't return I did everything to make you happy I could do Now you've gotten me hatin' things I used to love to do And it won't be long and I'll be hatin' you

11. Norma Jean, “Let’s Go All The Way”

All the way means happiness living side by side Halfway means a heartbreak if one of us should lie Just give me a clue that you love me too Hold me in your arms and say “Oh, let’s go all the way”

12. Loretta Lynn, “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven”

Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die Lord, I wanna go to heaven but I don't wanna die Though I long for the day when I'll have new birth Still I love the livin' here on earth Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die

13. Homer & Jethro, “She Made Toothpicks Of The Timber Of My Heart”

She was seasoned, I was green Yes my darling lumber queen Wound me ‘round her finger like a clinging vine

14. Patsy Cline, “The Heart You Break May Be Your Own”

You'll look around and when you've found That you are all alone Then you'll get wise and realize The heart you break may be your own

15. Buck Owens, “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail”

Well every night you drag me where the bright lights are found There ain't no way to slow you down I’m as 'bout as helpless as a leaf in a gale And it looks like I've got a tiger by the tail

16. Charley Pride, “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me)”

Before you take another step, there's something you should know About the years ahead and how they'll be You'll be living in a world where roses hardly ever grow 'Cause all I have to offer you is me

17. Faron Young, “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young”

I wanna leave a lot of happy women A-thinkin’ pretty thoughts of me I wanna live fast, love hard, die young And leave a beautiful memory

18. Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, “The Last Thing On My Mind”

I've got reason a plenty for goin' This I know, this I know The weeds have been steadily growin' Please don't go, please don't go

Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind I could've loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind

19. Marty Robbins, “The Master’s Call”

I felt the end was near, that death would be the price When a mighty bolt of lightning showed the face of Jesus Christ And I cried “oh Lord forgive me, don't let it happen now I want to live for you alone, oh God these words I vow”

Bridge: Lefty Frizzell, “Long Black Veil”

She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me

Harrow the Ninth:

1. Hank Williams, “I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive”

Every thing's against me and it's got me down If I jumped in the river I would probably drown No matter how I struggle and strive I'll never get out of this world alive

2. Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, “Those Memories Of You”

In dreams of you, my body trembles I wake up and call your name But you're not there, and I'm so lonesome Without your love, I'd go insane

3. Hank Snow, “I Don’t Hurt Anymore”

I don't hurt anymore, all my teardrops are dried No more walking the floor with that burning inside Just to think it could be time has opened the door And at last I am free I don't hurt anymore

4. Patsy Cline, “Stop The World And Let Me Off”

Oh, stop the world and let me off I'm tired of goin' round ‘n' round I played the game of love and lost So stop the world and let me off

5. Charley Pride, “Lie To Me”

Oh, lie to me, say you love me Tell me I mean the world to you It would mean so much, I'd be so happy And it's the least you can do

6. Hank Snow, “Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)”

Warnin' signs are flashin' by us but we pay no heed Instead of slowin' down the pace we keep picking up the speed Disaster's gettin' closer every time we meet Doin' ninety miles an hour down a dead end street

7. Patsy Cline and the Anita Kerr Singers, “I Can’t Forget”

Where are you, darlin'? Are you with someone new I can't forget you I'll always be loving you

8. Lynn Anderson, “If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)”

You're so much hurt I wish you wouldn't stay If I kiss you will you go away?

9. Connie Smith, “Once A Day”

Once a day all day long And once a night from dusk till dawn The only time I wish you weren't gone Is once a day, every day, all day long

10. Charley Pride, “Just Between You And Me”

But just between you and me I've got my doubts about it 'Cause just between you and me You're too much to forget

11. Buck Owens, “Hello Trouble”

A comin' up my sidewalk Just as plain as day A well a here come trouble that I never thought I'd see When you went away

12. Loretta Lynn, “Fist City”

You'll bite off more than you can chew If you get too cute or witty You better move your feet if you don't wanna eat A meal that's called Fist City

13. The Davis Sisters, “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know”

You think you know the smile on his lips The thrill at the touch of his fingertips But I've forgotten more Than you'll ever know about him

14. Kitty Wells, “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” (Charlie Walker’s version is on the Spotify playlist)

When you learn these things are true I'll be waiting here for you As you tumble to the ground Pick me up on your way down

15. Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty, “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly”

And that's the reason that my good looks and my figure is gone And that's the reason I ain't got no hair to comb And you're the reason our kids are ugly, little darling

16. Loretta Lynn, “Who Says God Is Dead”

If I were you I'd kneel and pray 'Cause we're not promised one more day Remember blood was shed Who says God is dead?

17. Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires, “Imagine That”

Can you believe I'd swallow my pride (Well yes, yes, I guess you can) 'Cause you know you've always had my foolish heart Right in the palm of your hand, oh

18. Jody Miller and Johnny Paycheck, “Let’s All Go Down To The River”

Jesus is the man at the river And he's washing people's sins away He can save your soul if you give him control Oh be ready for that judgement day

19. Bobby Bare, “Dropkick Me, Jesus”

Make me, oh, make me, Lord, more than I am Make me a piece in Your master game plan Free from the earthly temptation below I've got the will, Lord, if You got the toe

20. Lynn Anderson, “Heaven’s Just A Sin Away”

Devil's got me now Oh, gone and got me now I can't fight him anyhow I think he's gonna win

Heaven’s just a sin away Oh, just a sin away Heaven help me when I say I think I’m givin’ in

21. Loretta Lynn, “Out Of My Head And Back In My Bed”

I'm gonna search everywhere that you might be When I find you I'm a bringin’ you home with me I want you out of my head And back in my bed Before the morning comes

22. Johnny Cash, “Big River”

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf She loves you, Big River, more than me

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you, Big River And I'm gonna sit right here until I die

#the locked tomb #gideon the ninth #harrow the ninth #gideon nav #tlt #i am 100% expecting for this to entertain maybe five people (two of which have seen it already) and to otherwise go unnoticed #but that's okay because it's a labor of love and every time i either listen to the playlist or look at the damn cover i just start laughing #anyways if anyone has questions about anything on here my ask is open. it's large and somewhat...imaginative in what songs are on here + why #one flesh one end #listen to this

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creepingsharia · 4 years ago

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“They Shot My Wife in the Head and Cut Our Four Children into Pieces”: Muslim Persecution of Christians, November 2020

Pakistan: Yasmeen and her son, Usman, lay dead and dying from a hail of bullets from their Muslim neighbors; none of the Muslim bystanders “lifted a finger” to help, and Usman eventually died. (Asia News)

by Raymond Ibrahim

The following are among the abuses that Muslims inflicted on Christians throughout the month of November 2020:

The Slaughter of Christians

Indonesia: On Nov. 27, Islamic terrorists beheaded a Christian priest and killed three other Christians by slitting their throats in Lembantongoa village. A Salvation Army church and six Christian homes were also torched during the raid. While acknowledging that an Islamic militant group was responsible, authorities claimed that the attack was not “religiously motivated.” One human rights researcher said that this “latest strike was a ‘clear escalation’ of violence against Christians.”

Democratic Republic of Congo: Between November 20-25, members of the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces slaughtered approximately 20 Christians in a number of villages. According to a clergyman who lost his family in the massacres:

They tried to force some of our Christians to convert to Islam. They also tried to force my wife and our four children to convert to Islam, but when they refused to convert, they shot my wife in the head while our four children were cut into pieces with a Somali sword.

The clergyman, who was not present during the attacks, added that “the rebel militants intend to establish an Islamist state ruled by sharia (Islamic law).” Two days after the raids, a journalist reported that the people were still in a state of terror and bewilderment:

There was a throng of Christians flooding the streets in a helpless situation, as well as radical Muslim extremists surrounding five churches. Ten girls had been raped and 15 girls abducted from the Anglican Church and Roman Catholic Church, with 14 Christians admitted to a hospital in critical condition with injuries to their heads, and others with fractured hands and legs due to the use of guns, machete, clubs, Somali swords and axes.

According to the report, there have been many such attacks on Christians in the weeks and months leading to this one, including where “more than 50 Christians who refused to recant their Christian faith were killed, especially women and children.”

Mozambique: During the first weekend of November, members of an Islamic State linked terror group slaughtered 50 people in the Christian-majority African nation. In the words of one report,

Islamic militants turned a village soccer field in northern Mozambique into an execution ground when they beheaded more than 50 people during three days of savage violence between Friday, November 6, and Sunday, November 8…. In one attack, gunmen shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ stormed into Nanjaba village on November 6, firing weapons and setting homes on fire. Two villagers were beheaded and several women abducted….. [A]nyone who refuses to support the jihadists and embrace their beliefs is attacked, and their property set on fire. Thus Christians who refuse to deny Christ are among the victims. The attacks are among the worst seen in recent years in the brutal campaign by militant Islamists to establish an Islamist caliphate in the oil and gas-rich Cabo Delgado province. Desperate people are flooding in to the Christian mission stations for protection.…. More than 2,000 people have been killed and about 430,000 left homeless in the region since 2017.

Ethiopia: On Nov. 1, a few hours after federal troops “withdrew unexpectedly,” to quote an eyewitness, 60 armed terrorists stormed a school. Announcing that they now “controlled the area,” they proceeded to hunt down and massacre at least 54 ethnic Amharas, “mostly Christian women, children and elderly.” According to the report,

In the latest attack targeting ethnic Amhara, who are mainly Christian, some survivors were able to flee to a nearby forest, while the assailants rounded up women, children and elderly who were unable to run away, before shooting at the defenseless group…. One victim found the bullet-riddled bodies of his brother, sister-in-law and three children in the school compound. Witnesses said that the attackers dragged some victims from their homes to the school, and reported that a school building and 120 houses were burned down…. This is the latest deadly assault in a spate of massacres in the past month in Ethiopia, which have left several dozen dead, apparently targeting the mainly Christian Amhara ethnic group.

Nigeria: A number of people were killed in the ongoing jihad on Nigeria’s Christians. A sampling follows:

Nov. 1: “Islamic extremist militants in northeast Nigeria attacked a predominantly Christian village near Chibok, Borno state on Sunday morning, killing 12 Christians and kidnapping women and children… A church pastor was among those killed. Villagers suspected the assailants were militants of Boko Haram, which seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria.”

Nov 6: “Armed Fulani killed four Christians in north-central Nigeria on Friday and the next day kidnapped seven persons, including five daughters of a church pastor.” “To date, the kidnappers have yet to make contact,” Luka Binniyat, a local activist, said: “Kidnapping of Christians is occurring almost on [a] daily basis…”

Nov 17: Christian community leader Haruna Kuye and his son, Destiny Kuye “were sleeping in their home in Gidan Zaki village when they were brutally shot dead,” said a local source. “It was a well-planned murder by evil men who sneaked into the village and headed for his home and unleashed terror. The heartless killers also attacked his wife and daughter, but they survived with injuries” from machetes and gunshot. “Pray for the Christians of Katarma village in Chikun Local Government Area,” he said. “Most Christian villages on that axis have been destroyed in the past three days, many killed, and some kidnapped.”

Nov 26-27: the Rev. Johnson Oladimeji was ambushed and killed by Muslims as he traveled home from to Ikere-Ekiti, where he leads a congregation of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

28-29: “Fulani herdsmen attacks on predominantly Christian communities in Kaduna state on Saturday night and Sunday morning killed seven Christians.” Two children were also kidnapped and four people wounded.

Pakistan: On Nov. 9, Muslim neighbors opened fire on and murdered Yasmeen, a Christian mother, and Usman Masih, her only son in front of their home. According to the report,

On the day of the shooting, Yasmeen left the house around 10:30 and passed Ishrat Bibi [her Muslim neighbor, later described as “a bully and contemptuous woman”] who was holding a stick and began to fight and beat her neighbour. Two months earlier the two had quarreled over the water drain in the street.

At one point Ishrat Bibi called her two sons, Hassan Shakoor Butt and Khizar Shakoor Butt who, having come out with their guns, fired 20-21 bullets at Yasmeen. The latter’s son Usman came out of the house and seeing his lifeless mother went to help her, but he too was hit by shots.

Shabeer Masih [the husband/father of the slain] says that his son lived for about twenty minutes, asking for help, but no one in the village lifted a finger; a car passed by, but no one tried to take the son to the hospital. Usman had become the father of a little girl just a week ago and had another three-year-old daughter. ‘The whole family was very friendly and had good relations with the people of the village,’ adds Shabeer crying.”

Mariyam Kashif, a social activist and Catholic teacher, denounced the murders as “a huge example of intolerance and hatred that spreads against Christians.” She added that this animus is nourished in the public school system, where “a reform of the curriculum is needed to eliminate all aspects of hatred and contempt. Only in this way will we be able to teach and enlarge hearts, changing the mentality of our society.”

Austria: A Muslim terror attack targeting a Catholic youth group was thwarted at the last minute. According to the November 27 report (in translation),

[The] killer wanted to cause a bloodbath of the Catholic youth group … during a prayer evening in Vienna. The Islamist failed, however, because of a door that was locked by a timer … 17 children and young people belonging to a Catholic youth group escaped a catastrophe by a hair!… Seconds later, the assassin was shot down by WEGA [special Austrian police force] officials in front of the city’s oldest church….. The 17 young people escaped the attacker by turning off the lights when the first shots were fired…. The young people stayed in the dark until 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday [Nov. 24]. Then the police gave the all-clear and the 17 boys and girls could go home.

Death to Apostates and Blasphemers

Uganda: On November 23, Muslim relatives, including uncles and aunts, killed their own 6-year-old nephew because his father—the murderers’ brother, a former Islamic sheikh—had converted to Christianity and refused to return to Islam. Earlier that day, members of his extended family had a two hour meeting with the apostate, Emmanuel Hamuzah, 38, who repeatedly “refused their demand to renounce Christ.” Soon afterwards his uncle and four of his siblings came to and attacked Emmanuel outside his house. His young boy, Ibrahim Mohammad, 6, was outside with him. “You should renounce this Christian faith, which is a disgrace to our family,” they announced. “I refused to yield to their demand, and they started fighting me with kicks and blows,” Hamuzah later explained. “I tried to defend myself while the other attackers were stepping on my child’s neck, suffocating him.” The attackers fled when neighbors responded to the commotion, but his son died. The family did not report the incident to police in fear of more reprisals.

Two days earlier, on November 21, Muslims killed a Christian pastor and his 12-year-old son. Pastor Wilson Niwamanya and his son Peter were returning home after having delivered Christian literature along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo when four “radical Muslims” armed with blunt objects and a horn-hilted dagger known as a Somali sword stopped them. According to another Christian worker, who was present but escaped,

When the four attackers emerged from the bush, they immediately caught hold of Pastor Niwamanya, saying, ‘This man must die for disrespecting our religion.’ The attackers began by beating them with blunt objects and thereafter used the sword and stabbed the young boy in the stomach. He died while the pastor and I tried to wrestle the attackers.

Once other motorcycles began to appear, the attackers fled the scene. The pastor was rushed to a medical center where he later died from wounds to his head. Earlier, including in the days leading to the attack, he had been receiving threatening text messages, including an order to “stop giving people books that discredit Islam, and if you continue distributing these books, then you are risking your life.”

According to the report,

Pastor Niwamanya, a well-known missionary in the area, had carried out Christian-Muslim debates in 2016, including one in which an Islamic leader openly rebuked him. Islamists began monitoring him after he appeared at an evangelistic event in Masaka in 2010 with evangelist Umar Mulinde, who suffered a horrific acid attack in 2011… Pastor Niwamanya’s lawyer, Isaac Sendegeya, was shot dead in July 2019 dead by unknown persons. He was 39. The widow of the deceased pastor has been receiving treatment for a previous attack she suffered for her faith and is in need of financial assistance – as do her surviving children and 15 others at the orphanage the pastor operated.

In another incident in Uganda, Muslims ambushed and butchered David Omara, 64, a Christian pastor and well-known radio preacher, for comparing Christianity and Islam. According to David’s son, as quoted in a Nov. 6 report, soon after finishing his broadcast,

someone telephoned my father appreciating his presentation. He then requested him to meet somewhere with some of his friends. We left the radio station. As we arrived at the said place, there came out of the bush six people dressed in Islamic attire, and they started strangling and beating my father with blunt objects.

While beating him, one of the Muslims said, “This man ought to die for using the Koran and saying Allah is not God but an evil god collaborating with satanic powers.” “As they were hitting my father,” the son continued, “with blunt objects and strangling him, I fled to save my life. Two attackers ran after me but could not get hold of me.” During the deceased’s November 4 funeral,

“Area residents were shocked and saddened by the murder,” the report notes, “and church members were both fearful of further Islamist violence and sorrowful as they mourned at a tearful burial.” His widow “fainted and collapsed with deep groaning” and, last reported, “was treated for shock that rendered her unconscious,” at a hospital: “After Electroconvulsive therapy involving stimulation of the brain, she still did not recognize people.” Pastor David Omara—whom associates lauded for having “worked tirelessly for the kingdom of God to the day he breathed his last breath”—is survived by his (traumatized) wife and eight children, aged between 10 and 30.

Egypt: A spate of blasphemy related accusations and arrests erupted in November. “In the past few days,” to quote from a Nov. 20 report, “several arrest warrants have been issued for Egyptian Christians accused of insulting Islam. A young Muslim man was also detained for mocking the hosts of the Cairo-based Holy Quran Radio Station.” Additionally, “On Nov. 11, the Supreme State Security Prosecution investigated two Christians … and referred them to criminal court on the grounds of mocking Islam and insulting religion.” In yet another incident, a Christian teacher and a Muslim girl were arrested on Nov. 11 over comments on Facebook seen as insulting and contemptuous of religion. “The next day, Nov. 12, the public prosecution ordered the arrest of the teacher, identified as Youssef Hani, and the girl, who goes by the name Sandosa on Facebook, on charges of blasphemy.” After Hani’s critical comments on Islam were shared on Facebook, social media calls for his death appeared. “He must be killed,” read one social media post. “Someone volunteer, people, we will not continue to debate with a few absent-minded [Christian] minorities…We will squash them…”

Iran: On Nov. 15, one month after a convert to Christianity was whipped 80 times, another convert, Zaman Fadaei, was lashed an equal amount of times and for the same reason: sipping communion wine. He was scourged at Evin Prison, where he has been serving a six year prison sentence for organizing house churches and promoting “Zionist Christianity.” After stating that “Last month, the clerical regime [also] lashed Iranian Christian convert Mohammad Reza Omidi 80 times for drinking communion wine” the Nov. 17 report adds that,

Many Iranian Christians are in prison in Iran for practicing their faith. Heavy bail bonds and exile sentences are additional pressures that the Iranian regime imposes on Christians…. International organizations have repeatedly censured the Iranian regime’s suppression of religious minorities, including the Christian converts, for practicing their faith.

Judges presiding the trials in the clerical regime’s courts have been instructed to consider maximum punishments for religious minorities and particularly the Christian converts. The Iranian regime criminalizes conversion to Christianity, and severely restricts the faith practiced by Armenian and Assyrian Christians.

Attacks on Churches, Crosses, and Christian Symbols

Austria: According to a Nov. 2 report, as many as 50 young Turks attacked a church in Vienna-Favoriten on Thursday evening, Oct. 29:

The attackers stormed into the parish church of St. Anton in Favoriten, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and kicking pews and other furnishing in the church…. Another Afghan was arrested over the weekend while shouting ‘Islamic slogans’ in St. Stephen’s Cathedral…. Churches in Vienna are now being monitored more closely as part of the patrol service.

Syria: To cries of “Allahu Akbar” (video here), a cross was ripped down from a Greek orthodox church in a region “controlled by U.S.-backed militants,” said a November 1 report. The cross had been torn down years earlier, when the Islamic State controlled the region, but was restored by locals in an effort “to encourage Christians refugees to return to the city.” The report adds that

ISIS and Turkey are encouraging a small group to commit these horrible acts. Prior to the ISIS invasion and destruction of the city, it was home to a minority of Christians belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, Syriac Orthodox Church, Chaldean Catholic and Syriac Catholic Church, and various Protestants.

Italy: On November 25, a 31-year-old Palestinian refugee decapitated the head and cut off the hands of a historical Virgin Mary statue in Marghera, a suburb of Venice (image above). Video surveillance and a witness on the scene helped identify the vandal. A translation of an Italian report captures local sentiment at the desecration:

A grim and shocking show for those who believe in that symbol [the Mary statue] and the sense of community of belonging that was deeply wounded by an act of vandalism. Without head and without hands, almost playing out the violence of an execution, the rage poured out on a mutilated statue, that of the Madonna… The motive is as yet unclear why he threw himself with such brutality against a statue, a symbol of faith, whether it is a case of mental imbalance, or he acted by virtue of a religious milieu…

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro called it a “vile act,” a symbolic “slaughter,” which “wounds our sensibilities.”

France: On November 19, a Muslim man dressed in a jellabiya, traditional Islamic garb, entered the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand and began chanting in Arabic and doing prostration prayers in the sacred Catholic compound. A number of passersby grew worried by this display, police were contacted, and, after questioning, the man—who it was determined had not broken any laws—was set free.

General Violence and Abuse

Pakistan: For two months after kidnapping her, five Muslim men repeatedly gang-raped and tortured a deaf and mute Christian teenage girl. All this time, police ignored the parents’ pleas to intervene. It was only when a local authority took up the case that the girl was located and returned to her parents, though only after months of court meetings and trials, as one of the kidnappers insisted the girl had willingly converted to Islam and married him. According to Juliet Chowdhry, Chairperson for the British Asian Christian Association, as quoted in a Nov. 16 report:

This young woman has suffered the most vile and horrid attack. There are few women my age that could survive such an ordeal and yet despite her young years, she has shown a strength and faith in God that is remarkable… [A]ll Christian women should be moved to tears at the base cruelty faced by our sisters in Pakistan. This story should be a wakeup call—but how many of you will actually actively get involved in eradicating this evil?

Egypt: Due to another Facebook post made by a 22-year-old Christian which was deemed offensive to the Muslim prophet Muhammad, rioting Muslims attacked Christians and their properties in the village where the youth originates (though he was not there). According to one report,

[T]he Muslim villagers of al-Barsha have resorted to burning the farm huts and yards owned by Copts and located on their agricultural lands. These huts and yards are used to keep the cattle during daytime and to store cattle feed. Six of them were set on fire on the night of 29 November, in response to continuous incitement by fundamentalist Muslims against the Copts…. The hostilities against Barsha Copts go back to 25 November when the village Muslims waged an attack against the Copts with stones and fireballs. The attack took off from one of the mosques in the vicinity of the village’s Islamic Institute to cries of Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) and verbal insults against Christians.

The face of an 80-year-old Christian woman was burned when a fireball crashed into her home. Church property was also damaged, a stable burned down, cattle stolen, and the windows of Christian homes shattered.

Separately, on the evening of Nov. 8, Nabil Habashy Salem, a 61-year-old Christian businessman responsible for building the only church in Bir al-Abd, Sinai, was abducted in front of his house. According to the report, Salem had gone out

at 8pm to buy something from a nearby store, when three armed unmasked men stopped him by force in the middle of the busy street. They forced a passing pickup truck to stop, threatened its driver and forced him out at gunpoint. They shoved the senior Salem into the truck and quickly drove away while firing bullets in the air. Those on the street were terrified…; nobody could do a thing. Peter Salem [his son] directly notified the police and filed a report. He sent an urgent plea to President Sisi to interfere in order to find his father, lest he meets the same fate of Bekhit Aziz Lamei who was kidnapped last August from al-Abtal village in South Sinai, and to date has not been found.

Austria: A 19-year-old Afghan refugee struck a 76-year-old Catholic nun in the face in the city of Graz before fleeing. Thanks to surveillance video, police managed to apprehend him. According to the Nov. 2 report,

The suspect, already known to the police for drug offenses and assault, has confessed to the crime; his motive is still unclear, police say. Several anti-Christian incidents have caused a stir in Austria, after last week’s terrorist attack by a man shouting Islamist phrases at a cathedral in France.

Bangladesh: On Nov. 9, armed Muslims attacked a Catholic Christian village, “wounding faithful and desecrating their church — smashing windows and destroying books and other religious items,” states the report. Problems started in late September, when Rafiq Ali, a Muslim man with forged documents seized the land of Josper Amlorong, a local Christian farmer. On November 9, Amlorong reported the land grab to police and, after confirming that it was his, they evicted Ali. That evening, a vengeful Ali returned with dozens of armed Muslims who wreaked havoc in the village. Discussing the temporary land grab, Amlorong said,

Ali and his people forcibly entered my property and took possession of it. They threatened my life. They told me to leave the land. It is my only piece of land…. If I lost my land, I couldn’t live [he has been battling cancer for the past three years]. Without treatment, I will die…. Being I am Christian, Ali thought I am weak, but I will not leave my land until I draw my last breath.

About this Series

The persecution of Christians in the Islamic world has become endemic. Accordingly, “Muslim Persecution of Christians” was developed in 2011 to collate some—by no means all—of the instances of persecution that occur or are reported each month. It serves two purposes:

1) To document that which the mainstream media does not: the habitual, if not chronic, persecution of Christians.

2) To show that such persecution is not “random,” but systematic and interrelated—that it is rooted in a worldview inspired by Islamic Sharia.

#Islam #Muslim #Sharia #Jihad #Legal #Law #News #Media #Politics #Religion #Terror #Travel #Immigration #Mosque #Persecution

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orthodoxydaily · 3 years ago

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Saints&Readings: Sun., May, 15, 2021

Holy Martha and Mary the Myrrh-bearing women (1st. c)

The righteous sisters Martha and Mary were believers in Christ even before He raised their brother Saint Lazarus (October 17) from the dead. After the murder of the holy Archdeacon Stephen a persecution against the Jerusalem Church broke out, and Righteous Lazarus was cast out of Jerusalem. The holy sisters then assisted their brother in the proclaiming of the Gospel in various lands.

Saints Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.

Martyr Timothy and his wife Maura (286)

Saints Timothy and Maura suffered for the faith during the time of persecution under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Saint Timothy came from the village of Perapa (Egyptian Thebaid), and was the son of a priest by the name of Pikolpossos. He was made a reader among the church clergy and likewise a keeper and copyist of Divine-service books. Saint Timothy came under denunciation that he was a keeper of Christian books, which by order of the emperor were to be confiscated and burned. They brought Saint Timothy before the governor Arian, who demanded him to hand over the clergy books. For his refusal to obey the command, they subjected the saint to horrible tortures. They shoved into his ears two red-hot iron rods, from which the sufferer lost his eyesight and became blind. Saint Timothy bravely endured the pain and he gave thanks to God, for granting him to suffer for Him. The torturers hung up the saint head downwards, putting in his mouth a piece of wood, and they tied an heavy stone to his neck. The suffering of Saint Timothy was so extreme, that the very ones executing the torment began to implore the governor to ease up on the torture. And about this time they informed Arian, that Timothy had a young wife by the name of Maura, whom he had married a mere 20 days before. Arian gave orders to bring Maura, hoping, that with her present they could break the will of the martyr. At the request of Maura, they removed the piece of wood from the mouth of the martyr, so that he could speak. Saint Timothy urged his wife not to be afraid of the tortures and to go the path with him. Saint Maura answered: "I am prepared to die with thee", – and boldly she confessed herself a Christian. Arian gave orders to tear out the hair from her head and to cut off the fingers from her hands. Saint Maura with joy underwent the torment and even thanked the governor for the torture, suffered in the redemption of sins. Then Arian gave orders to throw Saint Maura into a boiling cauldron, but she did not sense any pain and she remained unharmed. Suspecting that the servants out of sympathy for the martyress had filled the cauldron with cold water, Arian went up and ordered the saint to splash him on the hand with water from the cauldron. When the martyr did this, Arian screamed with pain and drew back his scaulded hand. Then, momentarily admitting the power of the miracle, Arian confessed God in Whom Maura believed as the True God, and he gave orders to release the saint. But the devil still held great power over the governor, and soon he again began to urge Saint Maura to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Having gotten nowhere, Arian was overcome all the more by a satanic rage and he began to come up with new tortures. Then the people began to murmur and demand a stop to the abuse of this innocent woman. But Saint Maura, turning to the people, said: "Let no one defend me, I have one Defender – God, on Whom I trust". Finally, after long torments Arian gave orders to crucify the martyrs. Over the course of ten days they hung on crosses face to face with each other. On the tenth day of martyrdom the saints offered up their souls to the Lord. This occurred in the year 286. Afterwards at Constantinople there began solemn celebration of the memory of the holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura, and a church was built in their honour.

Mark 16:9-20

9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.12After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Acts 6:1-7

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscripture #gospel #wisdom

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ascottywrites · 5 years ago

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The Angsty Post

Where Happy Endings come at the slowest of paces.

*Or, you know, sometimes not at all.

Rewriting the future by Synesthetic (Complete: 28/28| 106,631) --Steter

Two days before their planned bonding, alpha Derek Hale runs away with his secret beta girlfriend, leaving Stiles heartbroken. With the demands of his omega physiology forcing him to bond with someone before his first heat, Derek's uncle Peter steps in and offers a solution.

Backstage is Full of Parasites by Falln_Grce (Complete: 14/14| 61,346) --Steter

A little tweak to the Teen Wolf universe where Stiles learned to take care of himself from a young age. And despite going through trauma as a child, he's 17 now and has adjusted to the new normal as well as he can. With a soulmate-AU just to keep things interesting.

What if the Sheriff didn't turn to alcohol when his wife died... What if he focused all of his attention on helping a seven year old, recently removed from an abusive home, Isaac get settled into the Stilinski household... Where would Stiles fit into that world?

How I Long For Yesterday by sweetbutterbliss (One-shot| 6,017) --Sterek

Stiles blinks, his throat going dry, and he moves his thumb without thinking - liking the post. He feels a surge of petty satisfaction. At least the fucker will know he knows now. He stands up, his body feeling too heavy, and he blows out the already guttering candles. He lets out a sob of frustration when the last one won't fucking blow out. But he sucks it back in and bites down on his tongue, using his thumb and forefinger instead.

He throws himself into their empty bed without undressing. He lies there repeating the words 'Derek blew me off for Isaac' over and over. He tells himself to shut up while rearranging his pillow violently, but he goes to sleep with the refrain continuing its painful loop.

You're Not Who I Thought You Were by halcyon1993 (Complete: 21/21| 84,549) --Sterek

Stiles is lonely. The only person who really talks to him is his best friend, and even Scott seems eager to ditch him whenever someone better comes along. Following a stupid decision made late one night, his small world opens up as he discovers things he never before thought possible and he meets a mysterious man who could be the answer to all of his problems.

In Word and in Deed by lielabell (one-shot| 7,778) --Sterek

Stiles has stopped saying "I love you." Derek wants to know why.

(Once in a) Blue Moon by clarkoholic, skywardsmiles (Complete: 14/14| 60,051) --Sterek

Stiles and Derek are getting along, but they’re not a family, and they’re sure as hell not mates. Christ, they’re basically just two stupid guys who happened to get pregnant because of a full moon and sheer dumb luck.

We Are Made of Our Memories by JenyaKeefe (Complete: 9/9| 12,441) --Sterek

"I don't have amnesia." "Um, clearly you do. You're under a spell that's taken a year's worth of memories." "No. I've wakened from a spell."

Lost on you by devilscut (Complete: 7/7| 51,322) --Steterek

A deadly encounter with an Alpha changes Stiles' life forever - kicked out and betrayed by his best friend and brother, Scott McCall, he leaves Beacon Hills, but much to his surprise not alone. Ten years down the track, living a life he never dreamed possible, a chance meeting brings back memories of that night - the good and bad mixed with a whole lotta WTF that even now still has him scratching his head as to what happened.

In Treatment by tzzzz (Complete: 22/22| 166,937) --Sterek

Derek hires Stiles, a professional alpha sex therapist, to help him through his heat.

The New Normal by midnightcas (Complete: 27/27| 63,392) --Sterek

After Stiles gets hurt...again, Derek puts him on the metaphorical supernatural bench. Meanwhile, Stiles tries to have a normal life and make normal friends. But when a new pack comes to town and the Hales start getting threats, things start to get a little....not normal.

The Mating Privilege by Kikileduc (Complete: 12/12| 35,380) --Sterek

Stiles and Derek have been happily mated. The pack is doing well, but in hopes of creating alliances for it to do better, Derek accepts a neighboring pack's request to allow two wolves to join the Hale-McCall pack for a full moon cycle. They hope to form a blood-tie, or at least a long term friendship between the two packs. The issue is Kohona, the tribal leader's daughter, has her eyes set on an unavailable alpha wolf. This could have drastic consequences for their young emissary, however...

Beta read by the amazing Splash_of_ bi! Cannot thank you enough!!

Jokingly I'm adding this WARNING after having two separate comments talk about heart palpitations and others stating they are physically shaking or experiencing high blood pressure after reading the first few chapters.... WARNING: read with caution if you have a pre existing heart condition, Derek and the Pack may cause you to be upset!!

If We Could Match by forestofbabel (Complete: 9/9| 23,455) --Sterek

As Stiles waits behind the camera during an interview, he thinks he should maybe quit. Because, in all honesty, despite the charming smile the actor is pulling out for EW, Derek Hale is kind of a jerk.

Your Heart for My White Fences by zgdtx (Complete: 10/10| 29,444) --Sterek

At first, Derek was the one night stand that he could not pry himself away from. Before he knew it, Derek was the married man Stiles had fallen in love with. Then, Stiles was the little lamb being tossed into a pit of wolves, helpless and alone. There was not much he could do, no, not much at all. Dark AU.

Call in the Air Stike (Tell Them to Make the Drop) by WednesdaysDaughter (Complete: 2/2| 5,126) --Sterek

"How do you tell your best friend that the guy you were slowly falling in love with flat out said you were nothing but a waste of space, and you’ve secretly felt that way about yourself once or twice on a bad day? The answer is, you don’t."

Twyla Hale by FiccinDylan (Complete: 13/13| 37,123) --Sterek

After the formula of their go-to product changes, "Hair Day" becomes "Hell Day" in the Hale Pack household. It's time for Derek to call in the pros, imagine his surprise when he's presented with a wicked tongued white boy with honey brown eyes.

***sure there’s some stuff that happens that’s not fun but i think I would characterize this as light angst in comparison to the inherent possibilities of this fandom lol

Baby You're Beautiful by supernaynay (one-shot| 1,089) --Sterek

“God you’re beautiful.”

Derek hadn’t even realized that the words had left his mouth until the whole room went silent, including Stiles, who until about five seconds earlier was busy yelling at him for putting himself in danger yet again.

I want to do this for you by Late_to_the_fandom (Complete: 17/17| 19,323) --Sterek

“You must be delusional,” Derek deadpanned as he stood abruptly and stalked away indignantly to throw the broken shards of his cup in the garbage can. “In what harebrained scenario of yours did you think I’d say yes to this?” His heart thundered in his chest as he stared at Stiles in disbelief. “Nothing good can come out of this and you know it.” He paced angrily, his hands fisting then uncurling as he tried to rein his emotions. He stopped suddenly, his glare piercing and his words cutting, “I would never let you use me like this.”

There's Something About Love that Breaks Your Heart by Stereklover11 (Complete: 5/5| 7,835) --Sterek

"I love you," Stiles said.

Derek didn't answer right away. Then he said:

"I'm sorry Stiles, but I don't feel that way about you. Or any guy for that matter."

The one where Derek is bisexual but doesn't know it and refuses Stiles' love...at first. ;)

Baby Daddy by DiscontentedWinter (Complete: 25/25| 55,369) --Sterek

Laura Hale decides it's time to expand her pack. And Stiles could really use the money. And Derek... well, that's when things get complicated.

Bake to Remember, Eat to Forget by butyoureyessaidyes (Complete: 19/19) --Sterek

It’s 6:18 A.M. on a Monday, and Stiles is using his thumbs to shape the fondant butt of a Winnie the Pooh sculpture. It’s the most action he’s seen in a long time.

Or the one where Stiles runs his own bakery, never locks the front door, and doesn't know he's part of a werewolf pack (until he does).

Kill Me Once, Shame On You by AllTheseSquaresMakeACircle (wip: 15/?| 46,512) --Sterek

In the aftermath of their final bout with Gerard, things kinda went to shit. Yeah, they won. But Scott had violated some major boundaries. Jackson was still an emotionally constipated douche. Erica and Boyd were missing. In general, everyone was left missing a piece of themselves in one form or another. There was also the fact that there was a literal pack of alphas bearing down on them. Stiles was really getting sick of this shit.

(There's) Sulphur in Our Blood by WonderWolf (wip: 19/21| 186,356) --Sterek

"Harris put you on a recon mission with Derek. You. Alone with Derek. On a mission. Together,” Scott says, slowly. “Does Harris want you dead?”

“I believe so," Stiles says gravely.

(Secret Agent AU where Derek blames Stiles for his sister’s death and Stiles is pretty sure that Derek’s going to murder him. As if that weren’t enough to deal with, Stiles’ familiar keeps having public breakdowns.

Oh, and there’s a mole in the agency, so there’s that too).

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apicturewithasmile · 6 years ago

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I am super fucking bored and want to procrastinate going grocery shopping so I decided to answer every fucking ask (that I liked) of that LGBT ladies ask list.

EDIT: I’m halfway through and I gotta say: If you wanna watch me lose my shit as the questions progress into more and more biphobic and misgynistic territory then you came to the right post on tumblr dot com.

1. How do you define your sexuality? ---- bisexual and queer 2. At what age did you first realize that you like girls? ---- pfff... 13? 5? 21? Who knows? 3. At what age did you first come out? ---- 13ish 4. Who was the first person you came out to? How did they take it? ---- I don’t know? Friends? I don’t think they reacted in any particular way because it was just an off-hand comment of mine and I hardly remember anything about it. 5. How out are you? ---- Very out. Could hardly be outer. 6. Has coming out lost you any friends? ---- Not sure about one friend who sorta stopped contacting me after I mentioned I’m bi. But we were growing apart anyway so maybe it’s a coincidence. 7. What is your current relationship status? ---- I have a boyfriend. 8. How many LGBT friends do you have? ---- Too many to count but still not enough. 9. Do you have any LGBT relatives? ---- Not to my knowledge but I don’t know many relatives of mine. 10. Have you ever cut your hair super short? ---- It is super short right now! (just had my pixie recut) 11. How often do you wear flannel? ---- Never. 12. How much do you like cats? ---- A LOT! 13. Do you wear skirts and dresses? If so, how often? ---- In summer I won’t be seen dead in pants! In winter I do wear pants more frequently but I consider dresses and skirts to be my natural form! 14. Do you wear high heels? If so, how often? ---- Rarely. Only for special occasions. 15. Do you have any tattoos? If so, what of and where? ---- Nope. 16. How accurate is your gaydar? ---- I think it’s okay. 17. Have you ever been to a gay bar or a gay club? ---- Yes. 18. How do you feel when platonic female friends refer to each other as girlfriends? ---- Let them do whatever they want. 19. Have you ever had a crush on a straight girl? ---- Unfortunately yes. 20. Ellen or Portia? ---- Neither. 21. Is your nose pierced? ---- No. 22. Would you ever want to get married, if not already? ---- Nopey nope! (unless it’s for financial/bureaucratic reasons) 23. Will you wear a dress for your wedding? 24. Would you ever want to give birth? ---- Meh. I like children and in a different timeline I definitly have some but... not in this one. 25. Have you ever watched The L Word? ---- No and I don’t plan to watch it since I’ve heard nothing but negative stuff (trans- and biphobia) from sources whose judgement I trust. 26. Have you ever dated a guy? ---- I am dating a guy right now. 27. How do you feel when someone uses the word gay to mean stupid, dumb, or boring? ---- it’s annoying and homophobic 28. How many rainbow items do you own? ---- Not that mayn actually but I do have some bi merch. 29. Have you ever been to a pride festival? ---- Yes, in Berlin and Brighton. 30. Have you ever celebrated National Coming Out Day (October 11)? ---- Not really celebrated but acknowledged its existence, I guess. 31. Have you ever participated in the National Day of Silence? ---- I have never heard of that. 32. Have you ever worn a woman’s suit? ---- I.... guess so? I don’t know. 33. Have you ever worn any men’s clothing? ---- Do my boyfriend’s shorts count? 34. Do you eat meat? ---- No. 35. Do you consider yourself a feminist? ---- Yes. 36. Who is your favorite LGBT celebrity? ---- Elton John 37. Are you religious at all? ---- No. 38. How often do you find yourself trying to sneak a peak or staring at a cute female woman? ---- probably more often than I even notice I do. 39. What is your ideal first date? ---- Coffee date! 40. Are you comfortable with terms such as lezzie, lesbo, dyke, or tranny? ---- I use neither of those for myself and also wouldn’t use them for anyone else unless they explicitly told me it was okay. 41. How outdoorsy are you? ---- Little. 42. In general, has being open about your sexuality affected your relationships with other females women (jesus fucking christ stop calling women “females”!!! we’re not cattle)? ---- I don’t know. Maybe it has intensified some friendships just because I started being more authentic. 43. How much makeup do you typically wear? ---- Usually none at all, sometimes lipstick and when I’m feeling very fancy some mascara and eye liner. 44. Have you ever attended a gay or lesbian wedding? ---- No. Well.... I was at a wedding of a bi women and a bi man but I know some fractions of the LGBTQIA+ community wouldn’t say this counts. 45. Are you more feminine or more masculine? ---- I’m... me? I guess others would say I’m more feminine. 46. How long is the longest relationship you’ve been in? Are you still with that person? ---- 1 1/2 years and counting :) 47. Have you and a girlfriend ever been mistaken for sisters? 48. Do you think it is possible for someone to truly be a 50/50 bisexual, or is the percentage always skewed in favor of one gender? ---- I think the person who wrote this question has a very wrong understanding of what bisexuality is; and the way this is phrased makes it really sound like “do you think bisexuality exists or is everyone really just gay or straight?” 49. Have you ever wished you were completely straight? ---- No. 50. Do you watch any LGBT YouTubers? ---- Alayna Fender, Ash Hardell, ContraPoints and Lindsey Ellis 51. Do you wear any combat boots, Doc Martins, or Timberlands? ---- I have a set of boots with floral print. 52. Have you ever been hit on by another female woman (djkbdnkmg)? ---- Yes. 53. How athletic are you? ---- Not at all. 54. What are your views on gender identity and bathroom use? ---- Let people be whatever gender they want to be and fucking let them pee!!! 55. What is your opinion of septum/bull nose piercings? ---- Not for me but looks good on some people. 56. What does equality mean to you? ---- It means equality. 57. If you are not a lesbian, about what percentage of the time do you find yourself attracted to other females women? ---- okay I’m starting to hate this list of questions more and more the further down I get. Has this person ever talked to a bisexual person before??? Has this person ever talked to another WOMAN before??? “If you’re not a 100% lesbian then.... how much percent lesbian are you?” 58. Have you ever shared clothes with a girlfriend? ---- Never had a girlfriend. 59. Have you ever liked or dated a girl with the same name as you? ---- No, but my name is rare in my country. 60. How flirty are you? ---- VERY! “Flirty” is my middle name. 61. Are you a virgin? ---- No but virginity is a shitty concept that should be abolished. 62. Do you listen to any LGBT musicians (i.e. Tegan & Sara, Melissa Ehteridge, Chely Wright, Elton John, Sam Smith, George Michael, Adam Lambert)? ---- ELTON JOHN!!!! Also Sia, David Bowie, Janelle Monáe... 63. Have you ever been told that you are too pretty to be gay? ---- No and I’m not gay anyway. 64. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your sexuality or gender identity? If so, please explain. ---- Not that I can remember but I did have to listen to some biphobic bullshit in my lifetime. 65. Have you ever driven an SUV, Jeep, or a pickup truck? ---- I can’t drive. 66. Are you or have you ever been a tomboy? ---- No. 67. Agree or disagree: Everyone is at least a little bit gay. ---- Again, I think the person who wrote this is forgetting the existence of bisexuality and pansexuality and any other m-spec variation. And also... straight people exist. 68. What personality trait are you most attracted to? ---- Know that tumlr post that’s like “name a non-sexual act that turns you on” and someone responded “when they reply to your sarcasm with something even more sarcastic” 69. Boobs or butts? ---- Both. 70. Beer or wine? ---- Wine. 71. Do you have a favorite lesbian movie? ---- Don’t really watch “lesbian movies”. 72. From 1-10, how attractive are muscular women? 73. From 1-10, how attractive are women who wear glasses? 74. From 1-10, how attractive are women who are covered with tattoos? 75. From 1-10, how attractive are curvy/plus-size women? 76. From 1-10, how attractive are women with short hair? 77. From 1-10, how attractive are masculine butch women? 78. From 1-10, how attractive are highly intelligent women? 79. From 1-10, how attractive are tall women (i.e. around 6 feet or taller)? ---- If you think I’m gonna rate women on a scale like some misogynistic fuckboy then you are wrong! 80. Have you ever been on your period the same time as a girlfriend? 81. Has a girl ever dumped you for a guy? Have you? ---- “Has a girl ever perpetuated a bisexual stereotype that I want to confirm so I can continue distrusting bisexuals?” 82. Do you carry a purse? ---- Usually I have a little backpack but I also have purses for spexial occassions. 83. Do you wear any hats such as snapbacks or beanies? ---- I wear a bowler hat in fall/winter 84. Have you ever pretended to be completely straight? ---- What is it with that “completely” straight? As if someone can be half straight. Newsflash: Bisexual people aren’t Gay Lite or Straight with a dash of Gay. 85. Would you ever date a trans girl? ---- Yes, of course I would. 86. How well do you think LGBT women are portrayed on television? ---- Usually not that accurately. 87. Have you ever had a crush on a woman who’s much older than you? ---- Hmmm... usually the women I fall for are closer to my age. Men on the other hand... I like them old! 88. Do you have any celebrity crushes? ---- Yep, lots. 89. Do you have any opinions on LGBT people in the military? ---- Potential murderers, just like anyone else in the military. 90. Do you believe in love at first sight? ---- No. But I believe in attraction at first sight. 91. Have you ever been told that you look gay (i.e. like a lesbian)? ---- No. 92. Where do you think is the best place to meet a potential lover? ---- In your friend circle. 93. Is there such a thing as “good” lesbian porn? ---- Yes. 94. Have you ever had a one night stand? ---- Yes. 95. How often do you wear a bra? ---- Most days but in summer I sometimes go without one depending on my outfit and the temperature. 96. Have you ever been part of a softball team? ---- No. 97. If you could live your life all over again, would you still be attracted to other women? ---- Yes. 98. What stereotype about LGBT women do you disagree with the most? ---- I disagree with all stereotypes because the function that stereotypes are supposed to fulfill is to give people permission to single out a group of people and judge them. Some people fit a stereotype - so what? Doesn’t mean all other people from that group do the same. 99. What advice would you give a girl who is struggling to figure out her sexuality? ---- Take your time, be kind to yourself, talk to other queer people. 100. What advice would you give a girl who is struggling to come out? ---- Put your own safety first. If someone doesn’t accept you then they don’t deserve being a part of your life.

#about me #ask thingy #oh the low-key biphobia in this one is too much for me to not be passive aggressive about it #((((:

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loveofyhwh · 6 years ago

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August 18: Job 2–4; Colossians 1:1–20; Psalm 44; Proverbs 21:25–26

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/august-18-job-2-4-colossians-11-20-psalm-44-proverbs-2125-26/

August 18: Job 2–4; Colossians 1:1–20; Psalm 44; Proverbs 21:25–26

Old Testament:

Job 2–4

Job 2–4 (Listen)

Satan Attacks Job’s Health

2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”Or disaster; also verse 11‘>1 In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job’s Three Friends

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job Laments His Birth

3 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job said:

3 “Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived.’ 4 Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. 5 Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 That night—let thick darkness seize it! Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. 7 Behold, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry enter it. 8 Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up Leviathan. 9 Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning, 10 because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes. 11 “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 13 For then I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept; then I would have been at rest, 14 with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, 15 or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. 16 Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? 17 There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. 18 There the prisoners are at ease together; they hear not the voice of the taskmaster. 19 The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. 20 “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, 21 who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, 22 who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes instead ofOr like; Hebrew before‘>2 my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. 25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

Eliphaz Speaks: The Innocent Prosper

4 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking? 3 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. 4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees. 5 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed. 6 Is not your fear of GodHebrew lacks of God‘>3 your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? 7 “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? 8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. 9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. 10 The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions are broken. 11 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. 12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it. 13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, 14 dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. 15 A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. 16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: 17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right beforeOr more than; twice in this verse‘>4 God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? 18 Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; 19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed likeOr before‘>5 the moth. 20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces; they perish forever without anyone regarding it. 21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom?’

Footnotes

[1] 2:10 Or disaster; also verse 11 [2] 3:24 Or like; Hebrew before [3] 4:6 Hebrew lacks of God [4] 4:17 Or more than; twice in this verse [5] 4:19 Or before

(ESV)

New Testament:

Colossians 1:1–20

Colossians 1:1–20 (Listen)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothersOr brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters‘>1 in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface‘>2 He is a faithful minister of Christ on yourSome manuscripts our‘>3 behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanksOr patience, with joy giving thanks‘>4 to the Father, who has qualified youSome manuscripts us‘>5 to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Preeminence of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For byThat is, by means of; or in‘>6 him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Footnotes

[1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [2] 1:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface [3] 1:7 Some manuscripts our [4] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks [5] 1:12 Some manuscripts us [6] 1:16 That is, by means of; or in

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 44

Psalm 44 (Listen)

Come to Our Help

To the choirmaster. A MaskilProbably a musical or liturgical term‘>1 of the Sons of Korah.

44 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. 4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. 10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. 11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. 13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstockHebrew a shaking of the head‘>2 among the peoples. 15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face 16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way; 19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Footnotes

[1] 44:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 44:14 Hebrew a shaking of the head

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 21:25–26

Proverbs 21:25–26 (Listen)

25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

(ESV)

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freloux · 7 years ago

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meme time

Tagged by @universe-on-her-shoulders , thanks! Jesus Christ is this a long meme so I’ll hide it behind a cut.

I tag @elphaba-in-the-tardis (YAY I can finally tag you!!!), @firstaudrina, and anyone else that wants to do this.

1. Are you named after anyone? Nope.

2. When was the last time you cried? This past Monday when I was crying from stress.

3. Do you like your handwriting? Yes, actually.

4. What’s your favourite lunch meat? Grilled chicken.

5. Do you have kids? No, and I’ve never wanted children. (The Losers Club from It are essentially my adopted children rn, though.)

6. If you were a different person, would you be friends with you? Depends? I’d like to think so.

7. Do you use sarcasm? Definitely.

8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

9. Would you bungee jump? No.

10. What’s your favourite cereal? Dr. Oetker Vitalis Schoko Muesli. OMG.

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? My Converse, yes.

12. Do you think you are a strong person? I always surprise myself by how much I’m able to endure.

13. What’s your favourite ice cream? I don’t like ice cream much to begin with, plus I’m lactose intolerant, so...next question.

14. What’s the first thing you notice about people? Faces.

15. What’s your least favourite physical thing about yourself? Don’t have one. I’ve gotten more comfortable with myself as time goes on.

16. What colour pants and shoes are you wearing right now? Black pants and SmartWool socks.

17. What are you listening to right now? "On the Wall” cover by Gospel Gossip. <3

18. If you were a crayon what colour would you be? Crayola Royal Purple (but pretty much any purple crayon, tbh.)

19. Favourite smell? I’ve got a few: Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Living Proof Prime Style Extender, Dove soap, and the scent of desserts baking.

20. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone with? Just got off the phone with my sister.

21. Favourite sport to watch? Soccer and baseball.

22. Hair colour? Brown

23. Eye colour? Brown.

24. Do you wear contacts? Yes. Glasses when I’m home at the end of the day/the weekend.

25. Favourite food? Many.

26. Scary movie or comedy? Eh, neither in particular. I like movies in general, so it depends on the film.

27. Last movie you watched? It - the 2017 version. Oh my god my heart.

28. What colour shirt are you wearing? Turquoise North Face fleece.

29. Summer or Winter? Spring is the correct answer.

30. Hugs or kisses? Hugs. Haven’t been kissed (like for real on the mouth) in three years. :(

31. Book you’re currently reading? Succulent Wild Love.

32. Who do you miss right now? My family.

33. What’s on your mouse pad? You mean the pattern? M&Ms.

34. What’s the last TV programme you watched? The Good Place. (The hype is real!)

35. What’s the best sound? People laughing. For some reason I also like the sound of the announcements on the tram.

36. The Rolling Stones or the Beatles? The Beatles but of course the Stones have a ton of jams.

37. What’s the furthest you’ve ever travelled? Sweden, which is where I live now.

38. Do you have a special talent? Writing.

39. Where were you born? Germany.

#meme #long post #like SUPER long post #freloux

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studying-frenzy · 7 years ago

Text

92 Statements Tag

@studeeblurr, thanks for tagging me! (And sorry this took so long to do ahh)

Rules: Answer / complete the statements and tag 20 people.

LAST:

1. Drink - Water 2. Phone call - My mom 3. Text message - My friend 4. Song you listened to - Best of Chopin 5. Time you cried - 2 days ago

HAVE YOU:

6. Dated someone twice - No 7. Kissed someone and regretted it - No 8. Been cheated on - No 9. Lost someone special - Yes 10. Been depressed - No 11. Gotten drunk and thrown up - No

3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12-14: Purple, green, blue, but also every color cuz they’re all so pretty

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made new friends - Yes 16. Fallen out of love - No 17. Laughed until you cried - Yes 18. Found out someone was talking about you - Not really 19. Met someone who changed you - Maybe? 20. Found out who your friends are - A little bit 21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list - No... I don’t have Facebook...

GENERAL:

22. How many Facebook friends do you know in real life? (no fb) 23. Do you have any pets? 5 fish and a dog. 24. Do you want to change your name? Not at the moment. 25. What did you do your last birthday? Found out the orange cheeto was going to be president as soon as I woke up (thanks to my sister). 26. What time did you wake up? 7:30 AM (An hour later than planned) 27. What were you doing at midnight last night? Lying in bed trying to sleep (which is probably why I woke up so late). 28. Name something you can’t wait for - The Doctor Who Christmas special! And for Class to get a second season (never going to happen)! 29. When was the last time you saw your mom? This morning. 30. What’s one thing you wish you could change in your life? My life is fine, I’d rather change others’ lives. 31. What are you listening to right now? My fish tank burbling. 32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? No, but there was a Thomas in elementary school. 33. Something that is getting on your nerves - Having to bold and un-bold all this text... 34. Most visited websites - Tumblr, Gmail, Discord.

RANDOM:

35. Mole(s) - None 36. Mark(s) - as in birthmarks??? None. 37. Childhood dream - Pediatrician. Now I hate kids. 38. Hair color - Dark dark dark brown, basically black. One strand of auburn. 39. Long or short hair - Medium ish, longer than I like for summer, but I’m getting it cut soon. 40. Do you have a crush on someone? Nah. 41. What do you like about yourself? I’m hard working. 42. Piercings - Used to have ear piercings, now they’re mostly closed. 43. Blood type - I’m not sure. 44. Nickname - Ash. 45. Relationship status - Single. 46. Zodiac sign - Scorpio. 47. Pronouns - She/her 48. Favorite TV Show - Doctor Who. 49. Tattoos - Nope. 50. Right or left hand - Right. 51. Surgery - Does getting teeth pulled count? 52. Hair dyed in different color - No. 53. Sport - I used to swim & ice skate, but I don’t have time for either now. 54. Was missing from the previous person’s post. 55. Vacation - I’d really like to see Baiae, Italy. 56. Pair of trainers - ??? What are trainers? Underwear?? But what about it??? I don’t understand.

MORE GENERAL:

57. Eating - I’m vegetarian. 58. Drinking - Water, mainly. 59. I’m about to - Queue a bunch of posts and make some of my own, then do violin and clean my room. 60. Was missing from the previous person’s post. 61. Waiting for - Sleep. 62. Want - Better penmanship, art skills, and more time. 63. Get married - Never. 64. Career - Neuroscientist, maybe neuropsychologist.

WHICH IS BETTER:

65. Hugs or kisses - Hugs. 66. Lips or eyes - Eyes. 67. Shorter or taller - Taller!!! 68. Older or younger - It depends. 69. Was missing from the previous person’s post. 70. Nice arms or nice stomach - Arms. 71. Sensitive or loud - Sensitive. 72. Hookup or relationship - Relationship. 73. Troublemaker or hesitant - Hesitant.

HAVE YOU EVER:

74. Kissed a stranger - No, and I don’t plan to. 75. Drank hard liquor - No. 76. Lost glasses / contact lenses - Don’t have them, so no :) 77. Turned someone down - Haha like anyone’s asked (no). 78. Sex on the first date - See answer to 74 and JESUS CHRIST I’M 14 OF COURSE NOT 79. Broken someone’s heart - Nope. 80. Had your heart broken - Nah. 81. Been arrested - Nay. 82. Cried when someone died - Yep. 83. Fallen for a friend - Yeahhh, unfortunately.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

84. Yourself - Sometimes. 85. Miracles - Not really. 86. Love at first sight - No. 87. Santa Claus - Not anymore. 88. Kiss on the first date - Nope.

OTHER:

89. Was missing from previous person’s post. 90. Current best friend’s name - N/A. 91. Eye color - Dark brown. 92. Favorite movie - Inception probably?

@haphazardstudy @classicalstudies @em-studies-teaching @littlepostitnotes @allonstudying @typicalstudyblr @blissnotes @snowystudy @sephz-studies @unefilledepapier @lyss-the-reader @watermelon-studyblr @wisteria-and-honeysuckle @noteworthys @lizstudieslit @freshmanstudying @little-study-bee @journals-sharpies @staples-and-shit @workingonmyfuture, you’re next! (Comment if you’ve already done it, and sorry for tagging you if you already have).

#doctor who #bbc class #classdw #studyblr #studyspo #studyspiration #elkstudies #heyishani #heysareena #heymel #thegrangersapprentice #studenting #lookstudyblr #copperscholar #co-2021 #Ambedostudies #feministstudy

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leesbianminho · 7 years ago

Text

92 statements tag

Rules: you must answer these 92 statements and tag 20 people

tagged by: @lesbianjimin (she loves me)

The Last:

1. Drink - sprite

2. Phone call - my oldest nephew

3. Text message - @sesuyeol

4. Song you listened to - back to you by louis tomlinson ft bebe rexha

5. Time you cried - yesterday when i actually bruised my butt cheek bc of a nasty ass bump and again yesterday and my baby nephew’s birthday party when my dad and little sisters brought out a cake for me :’’)

Have You Ever:

6. Dated someone twice - nope

7. Kissed someone and regretted it - hell fucking yeah so many guys while drunk desperately trying to prove to myself i’m straight rip, not in the last 4 years tho at least

8. Been cheated on - nope

9. Lost someone special - nope

10. Been depressed - lmao........

11. Gotten drunk and thrown up - so many fucking times i’ve lost count

List 3 Favorite Colors:

12-14. pink, silver, lavender

In The Last Year Have You:

15. Made new friends - yes!!!

16. Fallen out of love - hmmm no

17. Laughed until you cried - many times

18. Found out someone was talking about you - yep

19. Met someone who changed you - mhm

20. Found out who your friends are - yeah i guess

21. Kissed someone on your facebook list - yes

General:

22. How many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them except like seven or smth

23. Do you have any pets: 3 dogs and two turtles plus two kitties that are my actual babies simba and bear!!

24. Do you want to change your name: YES i hate my first name

25. What did you do for your last birthday: last monday! went out got drunk and wild at a gay club on saturday, cocktails on sunday, birthday dinner at an italian restaurant on monday and I got a cake as a surprise yesterday while at a birthday bbq with the whole family :’)

26. What time did you wake up: uh 2pm i think?

27. What were you doing at midnight last night: drinking wine out at a bbq

28. Name something you can’t wait for: bts’ next album (keeping jess’ answer because...yeah)

29. When was the last time you saw your mom: about 6 hours ago

30. What is one thing you wish you could change in your life: stop being so fucking scared of everything and enjoy my life once in a while

31. What are you listening to right now: still at back to you! supporting my son!!

32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: nope

33. Something that is getting on your nerves: one of my earphones is at its last clutches of life and it’s constantly fucking buzzing in my ear

34. Most visited website: tumblr and youtube

38. Hair color: supposedly dyed copper but brown roots are at like halfway down my hair length right now

39. Long or short hair: long bc my sister won’t let me cut it for her wedding

40. Do you have a crush on someone: eh somewhat yeah it’s just a fleeting thing

41. What do you like about yourself: yeah............i’m gay

42. Piercings: normal ear piercings

43. Blood type: no idea

44. Nickname: pri, bee, bits, @lesbianjimin calls me prudence because she’s a bitch

45. Relationship status: painfully single

46. Zodiac: cancer

47. Pronouns: she/her

48. Favorite tv show: i’ve just started black sails and i love it

49. Tattoos: still none but many many ideas just no funds

50. Right or left handed: right

51. Surgery: eyelids? idk if that counts

52. Piercings: normal ears

53. Sport: used to be into athletics

55. Vacation: london and sicily

56. Pairs of trainers: one

More General:

57. Eating - is this like my favourite dish? pasta bc i’m gay

58. Drinking - sprite

59. I’m about to - someday get my ass up to take a shower because i’m dying in 30 degree wheater at 1am in the morning

61. Waiting for - a wife

62. Want - a wife

63. Get married - fuck yeah

64. Career - child psychologist

65. Hugs or kisses - both is good

66. Lips or eyes - eyes

67. Shorter or taller - can’t be much shorter than me lmao but yeah taller!!

68. Older or younger - older

70. Nice arms or nice stomach - same i’m fucking obsessed with soft tummies

71. Sensitive or loud - very sensitive but also very loud

72. Troublemaker or hesitant - both depending on the situation

Have you ever:

74. Kissed a stranger: yeah

75. Drank hard liquor: oh yeah

76. Lost glasses/contact lenses: too many times but i always find them

77. Turned someone down: christ yeah

78. Sex on the first date: fuck no i’m all about the romancing there needs to be a previous connection like we were friends before or smth for that to happen

79. Broken someone’s heart: i don’t think so no

80. Had your heart broken: -ish

81. Been arrested: no

82. Cried when someone died: mhm

83. Fallen for a friend: lmao..............

Do You Believe In:

84. Yourself: yeah no

85. Miracles: eh not really

86. Love at first sight: yeah

87. Santa claus: i wish

88. Kiss on the first date: YEAH

89. Angels: sure

Other:

90. Current best friend’s name: jeremy and charmaine but the ones i have on here @lesbianjimin and @sesuyeol know me so much better i love they :((((

91. Eye color: boring brown

92. Favorite movie: captain america the winter soldier, mulan, anastasia, the handmaiden

i’m gonna tag @trendylesbian @sesuyeol @sunshlneboys @vminith @agustphd

#mine

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kazliin · 8 years ago

Note

That coffeshop AU and the actors AU are GOLDEN. I NEED that in my life now ;(

I can’t really write much for the coffee shop AU because I don’t have any inspiration for it but here are some extracts and concept writing for what the Actors Au would look like

Disclaimer - this is a fake au fic from the Rivals series. In universe it would be written by a Viktuuri fan and so is based on how that fans see umfb!viktor and Yuuri not as they actually are. It was also written as a joke on my phone in half an hour so please don’t take this as serious writing!

Original concept - no.5 of the ‘15 most popular fics in the Rivals universe alternate AO3’ - Original post here

Title: Before theCamera, Behind the Screen

Rating: Explicit

Archive Warning: NoArchive Warnings Apply

Category: M/M

Fandom: Figure SkatingRPF

Relationships: KatsukiYuuri/Viktor Nikiforov

Characters: KatsukiYuuri, Viktor Nikiforov, Phichit Chulanont, Christophe Giacometti, CelestinoCialdini, Yakov Feltsman

Additional tags:Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe – Actors, Enemies to Friends to Lovers,Eventual Smut, they’re actors playing figure skaters for a big Hollywood movie,and they hate each other, at first at least, why do they not use body doublesfor their sex scenes?, plot reasons that’s why

Summary:

Sweat-slicked skingleamed under the lights, two bodies moving as one as gasps of pleasure filledthe quiet room. Katsuki had his head thrown back, eyes glazed as he rode outthe sensation, thighs clamped tight around the warm body beneath him and handsfisted into silver hair…

“Cut.” Came the harshvoice of the director as the studio lights snapped back on, flooding the scenewith a glaring brightness. “Take five everyone.”

“And you two.” heturned to the two actors who were both blinking in the sudden light and wipingthe fake sweat from where it was lying stickily across their skin. “You need toget it together soon or this whole movie is going to be a disaster. You’resupposed to be in love for Christ’s sake! Katsuki, you look like you’recounting down the minutes until you can finish this scene and go and get lunchand Nikiforov, you’re just looking bored. You’re supposed to be actors! I don’tcare how much you hate each other, you better act like you don’t or you’re bothgetting fired.”

Katsuki glared down atNikiforov who was still lying beneath him, looking annoyed.

“You better step upyour game.” Nikiforov drawled, looking disparagingly up at the man stillstraddling him. “I have a reputation to uphold and I’m not going to lose it toa bad movie because of one amateur, one-hit-wonder actor who can’t do his jobproperly.”

“Maybe it would beeasier to do my job if you weren’t such an arrogant ass who can’t admit to hisown mistakes.” Katsuki shot back, glare intensifying. “And stop acting likeyou’re such a big deal. You might be famous but you’re not that impressive.”

“I don’t know, I’vebeen reliably informed by a lot of people that I’m very impressive.”

Nikiforov flicked hiseyes to where their bodies were joined, only the smallest pieces of fabricseparating them, eyebrow raised suggestively. Katsuki snorted in disgust, thenrolled his hips in an unexpected movement that made a certain part of Nikiforovperk up in unintentional interest.

“I’ve seen better.”

Random snippet 1 - Characterprofiles

Name - Viktor Nikiforov

Age - 26

Occupation - Actor

One of the most famous actors in Hollywood and in constanthigh demand. He moved to America from Russia after being scouted aged 10 by hisagent Yakov Feltsman. His first big breakthrough role was at age 15 and he isnow one of the highest paid and most well-known actors worldwide.

After nearly ten years of filmmaking Viktor began to growbored - constantly being typecast as the dashing hero and playboy in big budgetaction or sci-fi films. After seeing the quality of Viktor’s acting fall due tohis disinterest in his work, his agent Yakov signed him up to a role in anindependent film directed by his friend Celestino about figure skating, hopingthe change in scenery and character would help Viktor find his inspirationagain.

Name: Yuuri Katsuki

Age: 22

Occupation: Actor

A relatively new and unknown actor. Moved to America at 15with his parents and sister when their onsen in Japan went bankrupt. Performedin a variety of small films and stage productions for money before having abreakthrough role a few months previously that put him on the radar of a lot ofbig film companies. The breakthrough role was in a previous film ofCelestino’s, who scouted him when he was performing a minor role in a TV dramato pay the bills, and he signed on for Celestino’s next film out of gratitude.He’s generally considered to be a rising star and has the potential to be theNext Big Thing

Name: Phichit Chulanont

Age: 19

Occupation: Trainee Makeup Artist

Yuuri’s best friend and a trainee makeup artist. Had hisfirst big job hired as a makeup artist for Celestino’s next film starring Yuuriand Viktor.

Name: Christophe Giacometti

Age: 24

Occupation: Model

Viktor’s best friend who is doing a modelling shoot near thefilm set and spends more time hanging about there than in his own studio

The film:

Love On Ice, a romantic drama about a workaholic ice skater(played by Viktor) who has no life outside of his job despite being the best inthe world. He is injured in a freak skating accident and forced to retire andbecome a coach to a younger skater (played by Yuuri) with a lot of potentialwho is yet to win gold. Despite a rocky start the two end up falling in loveand the main character finds the meaning of love and life both on and off theice.

The plot of the film in the actors AU fanfic is taken fromone of the other very popular Viktuuri fanfics in the Rivals universe versionof AO3 by the same name. The in-universe authors who write the fics are datingand make constant references to each other’s fics in their own writing aseaster eggs.

Random snippet 2 –extract from chapter 1 of 12

Viktor swept into the meeting room for the read-through,ignoring the glare his agent Yakov shot him for his lateness. He was one ofHollywood’s top actors, he could afford to be five, ok maybe twenty-five,minutes late for a rehearsal. The filmwasn’t even that important anyway, some low budget production he was only participatingin because Yakov insisted he needed a change of scenery, filled with secondrate actors and a mediocre script he had barely glanced at.

Swiping the coffee off the cute looking intern standingstaring at him from the door he took a sip before promptly spitting it back outagain, levelling a glare at the man who was still gazing at him, lookingaffronted.

“I called ahead and asked for a caramel macchiato notwhatever kind of crap this is. Can’t you do your job properly, is that too muchto ask?” he snapped at the intern who’s affronted look turn swiftly into a fullout glare.

“Viktor. Maybe it tastes wrong because that isn’t yourcoffee.” Chris told him with a smirk, laughter dancing in his eyes as he triedto hold back his mirth. “Not everything in the world revolves around you mon cher.”

Glancing down at the cup in his hand Viktor realised thatChris was right. The name ‘Yuuri’ was written across the cup in loopinghandwriting and as he looked a blushing woman scuttled over and handed himanother coffee cup, this one filled with his order.

Turning back to the man whose coffee he had just taken,Viktor frowned, trying to remember where he had heard that name before. ‘Yuuri’. It sounded familiar but Viktorhad reputation for being scatter-brained and the context that he had heard it inbefore escaped him.

Yakov had walked to stand beside the dark-haired man, whowas still glaring at Viktor like he hoped he dropped dead on the spot.Presumably he was Yuuri and now that Viktor looked at him closer he didn’t seemmuch like the intern that Viktor had initially mistaken him for. Hopefully hewould be some minor part of the crew or an extra since Viktor didn’t reallywant to have to deal with working with a man he had accidentally insulted.

“Viktor, meet Yuuri Katsuki.” Yakov told him, lookingunimpressed. “He’s your new co-star for the duration of this film.”

Well.

Shit.

Random snippet 3 –extract from chapter 4 of 12

“The bulk of the ice skating we’ll leave up to theprofessional skaters.” Celestino called across to them where they were bothbalanced on the ice, trying to look cool and composed while avoiding fallingflat on their faces in the unfamiliar skates. “But we need a few shots of yourfaces during the routines so you’ll have to learn at least a few basic moves ifwe want this to work. Nikiforov, you’ll be doing the lifts because you’retaller.”

Katsuki shot Celestino an incredulous look and then turnedback to Viktor, looking disgusted.

“Try not to drop me. Since you’re already carrying theweight of your own ego I’m not sure if you’re strong enough to carry anythingelse on top of that.”

“I’ve been carrying this whole movie so far, I think I’ll befine.”

Random snippet 4 –extract from chapter 6 of 12

Katsuki continued to sob, even after the cameras had finallystopped rolling. The take had been fantastic, the other actor perfectlymimicking a high achiever with impossible standards finally cracking, believingthat he would never be good enough.

But even after the take had finished Katsuki continued tocry, great heaving sobs that wracked his whole frame. Viktor wasn’t sure whatto do. He had met method actors before, people who got so into their role itwas hard to tell where the character ended and they began. But Katsuki hadnever acted like that before and it was very strange to see him still so caughtup in the character, unable to stop crying even when there were no more camerastrained on him. And there was something honest about the emotions, more honestthat Viktor had ever seen from him before.

He opened his mouth to speak but Katsuki beat him to it,glancing up and noticing the way that Viktor was staring. Angrily he wiped athis eyes, brushing away the tears that were still trickling down his face andtaking a few deep breaths.

“What are you looking at?” he snapped angrily and Viktortook a few steps back at the fury in his tone and the crack in his voice.Katsuki pushed past him, knocking his shoulder into Viktor’s as he went andleaving Viktor staring after him, curiosity flaring in his heart.

Much as it pained him to admit after so much time insultingit, the other man’s acting was actually very good, raw and open and honest. Butsomehow, Viktor wasn’t sure if he had been acting in that last scene at all.

Random snippet 5 –extract from chapter 8 of 12

Katsuki moved above him, hips rocking and hands braced onViktor’s shoulder, fingers gripping almost painfully tight. It was verydifferent from the last time they had tried to film the same scene so manymonths ago. This time Katsuki’s eyes were dark and entirely focused on Viktor,gaze intense. The movements were making certain parts of Viktor respond on avery base level and he was very glad of the equipment all the actors wererequired to wear for all their more intimate scenes that prevented the manabove him from noticing it.

After their first couple of disastrous attempts at filmingthe same scene Celestino had pushed it far back on the schedule but thedeadlines were slowly creeping up and they had had no choice but to finally tryit again.

“I don’t care what youthink about when you act it Viktor.” Yakov had told him, sounding exasperated.“Pretend he’s one of the random models you love so much if you have to. But ifyou can’t act like you’re actually in love with him this film will end indisaster and trust me when I say you need it to succeed.”

But when Celestino finally called a cut, praising them bothfor a scene well filmed at last, Viktor realised he had thought of nothing elseduring the entire process but Yuuri.

Random snippet 6 –extract from chapter 9 of 12

Katsuki looked at him from across the table, laughtersparking in his eyes and Viktor marvelled at how well the new expression suitedhim. Maybe Celestino’s idea for them to share a dinner together to try and getthem in the headspace of a real couple for the more emotional scenes of filmingthat were due the next day wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“You really want me to list all your faults?” he asked,eyebrows raised playfully.

“Well since we’re both always pointing them out in front ofthe cast and crew it might be a better idea to just let it all out now beforeYakov fires us both.” Viktor pointed out. “You say one of mine and then I’llsay one of yours and we’ll keep going until we’re done.”

“That might take a while.” Katsuki smirked but he compliedanyway.

“You’re arrogant.”

“You’re touchy.”

“You’re insensitive.”

“You’re too sensitive.”

“You have the emotional range of a five year old.”

“You have no idea how to have fun.”

“You’re immature and unprofessional.”

“You’re too serious and you were terrible at giving fakehead during that last scene.”

Katsuki turned bright red and spluttered in indignation fora few seconds, his cheeks flaming before he finally shot back a reply.

“Yeah, well you’re a terrible kisser.”

“I am not!” This time is was Viktor turn to splutter inindignation and he felt almost personally insulted at the jab. He was not aterrible kisser!

“You are.” Katsuki sat back, looking triumphant. “Honestlyfilming kisses with you have been some of the worst kisses of my life.”

For some reason the insult stung much more than any of theprevious had and Viktor could feel his face contorting into a petulant look ofmock hurt to cover up the very real emotions beneath.

“Why is my kissing so bad then, since you seem to consideryourself the expert?”

“You kiss for the camera.” Yuuri replied. “I’ve seen yourmovies before and they’re all big, dramatic, rushed kisses with explosions inthe background. You still kiss like that even though that isn’t what this movieis about. We’re supposed to be in love, it’s supposed to be tender. Intimate.Real. Not any of that overdramatic crap.”

“I hate to break it to you Katsuki but we’re supposed tokiss for the camera. It’s kind of in our job descriptions.” Viktor shot back.“And we’re actors. It’s not supposed to be real.”

“No.” Katsuki agreed. “But we’re supposed to make peoplebelieve it is.”

Viktor found he had no response to that but he was stillhurt by the other man’s previous comment. He wasn’t a terrible kisser, he hadkissed hundreds of people both on camera and off and he had never had anycomplaints. Katsuki was still smirking at him and it grated at him, made moreannoying by the fact that he cared at all.

“I’m not a terrible kisser.” He finally settled on, tryingnot to let any of the hurt show on his face and knowing he sounded a littlepetulant. “And I am perfectly capable of kissing like it’s real.”

“Oh really?” Katsuki raised his eyebrow and there was achallenge in his expression. “Why don’t you kiss me then, and prove it?”

#rivals series #Kaz's writing tag

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orthodoxydaily · 4 years ago

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Saints&Reading: Thu., Nov. 5, 2020

Commemorated on October 23_Julian calendar

The Apostle James, Brother of the Lord (+ 63)

The Apostle James, Brother of the Lord – was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Comm. 26 December). From his early years James was a Nazorite, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazorites gave a vow to preserve virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazorites symbolised a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. When the Saviour began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. For his God-leasing life he was chosen first bishop in the Church at Jerusalem. Saint James presided over the Council of the Apostles at Jerusalem, and his word was decisive (Acts 15). In his thirty years as bishop the Apostle James converted many of the Jews to Christianity. Annoyed by this, the Pharisees and the Scribes plotted together to kill Saint James. Having led the saint up on the roof of the Jerusalem Temple, they demanded that he renounce the Saviour of the world. But the holy Apostle James instead began to bear witness, that Christ is the True Messiah. Then the Jewish teachers shoved him off downwards. The saint did not die immediately, but gathering his final strength, he prayed to the Lord for his enemies, who at this while were stoning him. The martyr's death of Saint James occurred in about the year 63.

The holy Apostle James composed a Divine Liturgy, which has formed the basis of the liturgies, composed by Saints Bail the Great and John Chrysostomos. The Church has preserved an Epistle of the Apostle James, which under his name is included among the books of the New Testament of Holy Scripture. In the year 1853 the Alexandria Patriarch Hierotheos sent to Moscow a portion of the relics of the holy Apostle James. The Church makes a distinction between the holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, from James the son of Zebedee (Comm. 30 April) and James Alphaeus (Comm. 9 October).

Saint Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople (847-857; 867-877)

Saint Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople (847-857; 867-877), in the world Nikita, was of imperial lineage. When his father, the emperor Michael I (811-813), was deposed from the imperial throne by Leo the Armenian (813-820), the 15 year old youth Ignatios was imprisoned in a monastery. Life in the monastery strengthened Saint Ignatios in faith and in piety. Soon he was made hegumen of the monastery, and later on he was chosen Patriarch of Constantinople. The emperor Michael III (855-867) was still a minor in age, and the country was actually governed by his uncle, Bardas – a man impious and unchaste. The holy patriarch urged Bardas to forsake his sinful life, and he boldly denounced him in his iniquity. When Bardas attempted to force Saint Ignatios to impose monastic tonsure upon the holy Empress Theodora, – mother of the emperor, so as to remove her from governance of the realm, holy Patriarch Ignatios did not only not consent to this, but also publicly excommunicated Bardas from Communion. They tortured the holy patriarch for fifteen days to force him to resign, and then they sent him off into exile. When the new emperor came to power, Saint Ignatios was recalled from prison, and was Patriarch for another 10 years. He died in the year 877 in a monastery.

Matthew 13:54-58

54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?57So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Galatians 1:11-19

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #ancientfaith #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #sacredtexts #wisdom

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marshmallow-the-vampire-slayer · 8 years ago

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MTVS Epic Rewatch #161

BTVS 6x11 Gone

Stray thoughts

1) “Gone” is the trademark “Sarah takes a week off and she’s only in a few scenes” episode. Some of these may be memorable, albeit not necessarily good, mostly because they’re other-characters-centric (like Triangle, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered or The Zeppo) Others are unquestionably bad, like season 4′s Where the Wild Things Are. And yet others fall somewhere in the middle on the quality scale, like The Killer in Me or Gone. As is the case with any Buffy episode, there are some memorable scenes and lines in this episode, and it does advance the plot, especially regarding Buffy’s and Willow’s season arcs. But as a whole, the episode kind of falls flat.

2) Hm, what could the writers be possibly implying by this? Do they mean that magic... is like... I don’t know... a drug, or something? The underlying message is so difficult to read! Why won’t they spell it out for us?

DAWN: But they're just candles! BUFFY: Well, yeah, you know, to you and me they're just candles, but to... witches they're... like bongs.

3) I’m usually a hardcore Dawn defender, but she was acting really childish in the opening scene, throwing a tantrum because Buffy was getting rid of all the magic-related stuff in the house. She was 15 years old, and therefore old enough to understand the gravity of the situation. For Christ’s sake, she had almost died two nights ago because of Willow’s addiction, how could she not get it? I blame the writers for this, though. It was an OOC choice for Dawn, in my opinion. Moreover, they wrote her quite inconsistently in this episode: she’s complaining to Buffy in this first scene, but she’s talking to her normally as sisters do. It doesn’t look like she’s angry at Buffy, you know? And then the next morning she’s all silence-treatment and sullen and sassy?

4) So... the trio actually built an invisibility ray, and we’re supposed to believe they would stay in Sunnydale to become supervillains instead of making millions off their inventions?

5) #buffyswiggivesmethewiggins

6) Buffy was definitely partly responsible for the events that led to Dawn’s getting hurt. She shouldn’t bear the brunt of the blame, though. Yet she does, because that’s who she is. She talks about being too wrapped in her own “dumb life” to notice Willow was going off the rails or to pay Dawn enough attention, but the thing is, there’s nothing dumb about what she was going through. There’s nothing dumb about suffering from depression and PTSD and needing to focus on yourself. How could she take care of anyone when she couldn’t/didn’t want to take care of herself?

7) So, this is what Xander walked into...

If you think Buffy was being harassed, you’re not reading the room right, dude

Also, I need to comment on something and I hope I get my message across right. And I ask you to bear with me. At least twice so far (the “footsie under the rubble” scene, and this one) Buffy had told Spike “no” or to “stop” while her body language suggested otherwise. That’s going to be their dynamics going forward. Buffy says no, but then Spike pushes her a little bit, and she gives in. Time and again, we’ll see different variations of this dynamic. It’s definitely an unhealthy dynamic, one I wouldn’t foster in any relationship. And the right thing to do each time Buffy had said “No” - even if she eventually didn’t really mean it - would have been to back off. But Spike was no gentleman. He might make us forget it sometimes, he might forget it himself quite frequently, but he was a vampire, evil by definition and lacking a moral compass. What happens in Seeing Red is in no way justified by this or their established dynamic, of course. It can’t be justified by anything. But what I’m trying to get to is how Spike’s psyche works and what led him to believe that if he just pushed a little bit more, she would eventually give in as she had done so many times before. The difference between the scene in Seeing Red and all the previous instances before it, a difference that Spike failed to notice because he’s not wired that way and which makes ALL the difference in the world, is that both Buffy’s words and her body language were screaming “No.” There weren’t any half-assed attempts at pushing him away, there weren’t any come-hither “stops” or “nos”. She meant it that time, and that’s all that matters.

8) Spike is ticked when Buffy won’t introduce him even as a friend, but the moment Buffy tells him the lady was from Social Services, he immediately tries to put in a good word for her, and it’s kinda sweet. Although he ends up mucking it up, but at least he tried.

BUFFY: Spike... this nice woman is from Social Services? SPIKE: Oh, right! Uh... hey! Buffy's a great mom. She takes good care of her little sis. Like, when Dawn was hanging out too much in my crypt, Buffy put a right stop to it. MS. KROGER: I'm sorry, did you say- BUFFY: Crib! He said crib. You know kids today and their buggin' street slang.

And he calls her “mom”, which I love.

9) ICONIC I

MS. KROGER: Oh, so you live with another woman. BUFFY: Oh! Oh, it's not a, a gay thing, you know, I mean, well... she's gay, but, but we don't... gay.

10) ICONIC II

Although, isn’t all weed magic weed by definition?

11) Basically, the social service lady’s visit is an everything-than-can-wrong-will-go-wrong nightmare come true.

12) See 7) above...

BUFFY: Why won't you go? SPIKE: I just thought you'd want... BUFFY: Get out of here!

And not only has she kept his lighter, but she’s carrying it around on her...

13) And then Buffy goes all Felicity on her hair (damn I really want to rewatch Felicity! Felicity and Ben forever!)

14) I do love the season 1 reference!

XANDER: Buffy, how did this hap... wait a sec, have you been feeling... ignored lately? INVISIBLE BUFFY: Yeah, ignored. I wish. No, this isn't a Marcie deal.

15) Oh, after talking about this, this scene really feels like the writers were writing the on-set drama into the story! Like Anya wanting to get a haircut just like Buffy’s mirrors Emma wanting to get a haircut just like Sarah’s...

ANYA: You cut your hair? INVISIBLE BUFFY: Oh, yeah! ANYA: Really? How short? INVISIBLE BUFFY: Um, about up to here... well, if you could see my hand, it's kind of above my shoulders. ANYA: Ahh, that sounds so adorable! I was thinking about getting my hair cut before the wed...

16) Buffy basically uses her invisibility to do the silliest, pettiest things, for real. On the one hand, one would think that’s very un-Buffy-like. On the other hand, that’s what any human being would do in her shoes, at least in the moments right after gaining this superpower. Plus, she needed some mindless fun. And it’s pretty much what she did in Earshot, so it’s definitely in-character.

So, here’s a recount of what she did as Invisible Buffy...

1. Channel Lilly Kane as a fashion ghost...

2. Stealing a police cart while crying “ So long, copper!”, therefore channeling Spike, Ripper or both.

3. Fucking with the social services lady in the most annoying ways.

17) I appreciate the reversal of roles the writers did with Buffy/Willow. During the last episode, we’d seen Willow crash and burn and Buffy trying to be the mature one (emphasis on “trying”.) Now, Buffy’s out of control and Willow’s the one trying to rise above the situation by going back to basics. I’ve given Willow a lot of flack for her behavior up until now, but I really love her in this episode. She’s honestly trying, she gets shit done the old-fashioned way, and she overcomes the temptation to use magic. That’s the Willow I love.

18) And then, there’s this scene...

...let’s call it for what it is: dubious consent. Okay?

19) Oh, this statement is going to become a lie so soon...

WARREN: The Slayer got slammed with a big-ass dose of radiation when the gun overloaded. Her cells are mutating at an accelerated rate. Eventually her molecular makeup will start losing its integrity and then ... pfft. ANDREW: But, wouldn't that kill her? WARREN: Well, lemme think. Yeah! JONATHAN: Wait a minute! We're not killing anybody. Especially not Buffy! WARREN: You guys are so immature! We're villains! When are you gonna get that through your thick skulls? JONATHAN: We're not killers, we're crime lords!

20) ICONIC III

So... Xander has just told Spike Buffy’s invisible, and he’s caught Spike having invisible sex, and yet he can’t put two and two together? Plus, she was gasping and moaning and the freaking ear was moving all on its own!! How thick can you be?!

21) I mean, magic withdrawal aside, we can all relate to this moment...

22) It’s only after Buffy meets Dawn and she freaks out about her sister being invisible that Buffy understands this shouldn’t be a laughing matter...

DAWN: Buffy? Where are you? INVISIBLE BUFFY: I'm invisible. Check this out. Wooo, wooo! Unidentified flying pizza, comin' in for a landing.

DAWN: W-what are you talking- INVISIBLE BUFFY: Okay, not the most clever ad lib, but come on! Points for spontaneity. DAWN: Stop it! Just... stop. INVISIBLE BUFFY: Sorry Dawn. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out. DAWN: Well, what did you think would happen? You're freaking invisible, Buffy. INVISIBLE BUFFY: I know. Xander and Anya are working on it. Muldering out what happened. DAWN: Well, what about you? Shouldn't you be working on it? INVISIBLE BUFFY: Of course I- DAWN: Do you even care about, about who did this to you, or, or if you're gonna be stuck this way? You're making jokes and flying pizzas. INVISIBLE BUFFY: I don't think that's- DAWN: I can't talk to you like this. I can't see you! How can I talk to you if I can't see you?

23) And Willow solves the case with some good old-fashioned sleuthing and I love her for it!

Of course, she gets kidnapped in the process, but what can you do? You win some, you lose some.

24) And yet again, she figures out they’re trying to kill Buffy with some good old-fashioned science knowledge!

25) Tucker’s brother :)

BUFFY: Who are you?

ANDREW: Andrew. I summoned the flying monkeys that attacked the high school? During the school play, you know?

WARREN: It's Tucker's brother. JONATHAN: Yeah, it's Tucker's brother.

26) This might be my favorite moment in the episode.

BUFFY: Pretty neat, you finding the van. So... how did you manage to... do it exactly? I mean, to locate it? WILLOW: The hard way. The spell-free way. The oh-my-god-my-head's-gonna-fall-off, my-feet-are-killing-me way. I don't know how I got through this day.

BUFFY: Well, the important thing is that you did. It's a... good first step. WILLOW: How are you doing, post-invisibleness? BUFFY: Okay. I still have to do some damage control from my giddy-fest. Dawn was pretty freaked out. The whole taking-a-vacation-from-me thing didn't work out so well. WILLOW: Tell me about it. BUFFY: Except... when I got Xander's message... you know, that I was... fading away... I actually got scared. WILLOW: Well, yeah. Who wouldn't? BUFFY: Me. I wouldn't. Not too long ago I probably would have welcomed it. But I realized... I'm not saying that I'm doing back-flips about my life, but... I didn't... I don't... wanna die. That's something, right? WILLOW: It's something.

I love the fact that they’re there for each other and that they’re the ones pulling each other through their shit. And they’re quite honest about where they’re at - even if they still have secrets. Both of the made it through the day, and sometimes that’s the biggest accomplishment of them all.

#Buffy the Vampire Slayer #BTVS #Buffy Summers #Willow Rosenberg #Spike #Spuffy #MTVSepicrewatch #BTVSrewatch2015 #Gone #mine #recap #btvsrecap

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dailyofficereadings · 3 years ago

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Daily Office Readings September 16, 2021

Psalm 70-71

Psalm 70

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. Of David, for the memorial offering.

1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me! 2 Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. 3 Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” 5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

Psalm 71

Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Help

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress,[a] to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

7 I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent. 10 For my enemies speak concerning me, and those who watch for my life consult together. 11 They say, “Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken, for there is no one to deliver.”

12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! 13 Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed; let those who seek to hurt me be covered with scorn and disgrace. 14 But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more. 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all day long, though their number is past my knowledge. 16 I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God, I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.[b] Your power 19 and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens.

You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued. 24 All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help, for those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame, and disgraced.

Footnotes:

Psalm 71:3 Gk Compare 31.3: Heb to come continually you have commanded

Psalm 71:18 Gk Compare Syr: Heb to a generation, to all that come

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 74

Plea for Help in Time of National Humiliation

A Maskil of Asaph.

1 O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? 2 Remember your congregation, which you acquired long ago, which you redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage. Remember Mount Zion, where you came to dwell. 3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.

4 Your foes have roared within your holy place; they set up their emblems there. 5 At the upper entrance they hacked the wooden trellis with axes.[a] 6 And then, with hatchets and hammers, they smashed all its carved work. 7 They set your sanctuary on fire; they desecrated the dwelling place of your name, bringing it to the ground. 8 They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

9 We do not see our emblems; there is no longer any prophet, and there is no one among us who knows how long. 10 How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever? 11 Why do you hold back your hand; why do you keep your hand in[b] your bosom?

12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the earth. 13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters. 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food[c] for the creatures of the wilderness. 15 You cut openings for springs and torrents; you dried up ever-flowing streams. 16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you established the luminaries[d] and the sun. 17 You have fixed all the bounds of the earth; you made summer and winter.

18 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name. 19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever.

20 Have regard for your[e] covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence. 21 Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long. 23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of your adversaries that goes up continually.

Footnotes:

Psalm 74:5 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain

Psalm 74:11 Cn: Heb do you consume your right hand from

Psalm 74:14 Heb food for the people

Psalm 74:16 Or moon; Heb light

Psalm 74:20 Gk Syr: Heb the

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

1 Kings 22:29-45

Defeat and Death of Ahab

29 So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31 Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him; and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 But a certain man drew his bow and unknowingly struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate; so he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around, and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 35 The battle grew hot that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans, until at evening he died; the blood from the wound had flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 Then about sunset a shout went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”

37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; they buried the king in Samaria. 38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it,[a] according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his ancestors; and his son Ahaziah succeeded him.

Jehoshaphat Reigns over Judah

41 Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of King Ahab of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 43 He walked in all the way of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord; yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and offered incense on the high places. 44 Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his power that he showed, and how he waged war, are they not written in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?

Footnotes:

1 Kings 22:38 Heb lacks in it

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15

14 Those who are unspiritual[a] do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.

16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

On Divisions in the Corinthian Church

3 And so, brothers and sisters,[b] I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? 4 For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human?

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 2:14 Or natural

1 Corinthians 3:1 Gk brothers

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Matthew 5:1-10

The Beatitudes

5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Footnotes:

Matthew 5:1 Gk he

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

#September 16 #2021

0 notes

the-record-columns · 5 years ago

Text

Nov. 6, 2019: Columns

A compliment from Coit Dyer

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

Over last weekend I saw a blurb somewhere about a young man in St. Paul, Minn., who was driving to Iowa to buy enough Krispy Kreme doughnuts to completely fill up his car every weekend.

He then drove back to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and re-sold the doughnuts to willing customers. For reasons not stated, there hasn't been a Krispy Kreme in that area for over a decade and this young man had been doing his "route" for several months.

That is, until the Krispy Kreme folks in Nebraska got wind of it and ordered him to stop for some unspecified liability issues.

The young man took it as a "Oh well, it was good while it lasted" attitude, which I cannot help but think is better than the Nebraska folks have.

Now, stay with me a minute, and let’s go back to the early 1960’s. I had been lucky enough to get a newspaper route delivering the Greensboro paper to about 78 customers in North Wilkesboro. It cost each customer 45-cents a week which I collected on Friday afternoons and Saturday to have money on Monday to pay my newspaper bill for the previous week’s papers. I have said often in this space that having a seven-day newspaper route was the nearest thing to running a small business an 11-year-old kid from Hinshaw Street could get.

Well, a pleasant young lady named Mickey Ross came by The Record last week and placed an ad for the restaurant area in Holland Clothing on Tenth Street in North Wilkesboro, proclaiming, among other things, that the "1920’s Era 'Smithey Burgers' Are Back!"

Immediately upon talking to Mickey, my mind went right back to my paper route and the old Smithey's Goodwill Department Store where the Holland's are now. In those days, every corner had a gasoline station of one kind or another and they all were covered up every Saturday washing cars. Those Smithey Burgers at that time were 10-cents each, and, since I had some money in my pocket each Saturday from my collections, I ordered ahead, and would pick up 50 of those burgers at 11 a.m., each Saturday morning — for $5 — plus 15-cents tax for Gov. Terry Sanford.

I put them in the basket of my bicycle and began my circuit through town to all those gas stations, selling the guys washing cars Smithey Burgers for 15-cents each — and they were glad to get them. If all went well, I would make for sure $2 and sometimes $3 every Saturday. Cokes were a dime, as was a ticket to the Liberty Theater, so this was good money.

Now, I hadn't thought about this in years, but the Minnesota story reminded me of something. In the early 1970’s I began working for Paul Cashion at WWWC radio selling advertising. One of my customers was the Goodwill Store on Tenth Street and I often ate my lunch there — I had remembered that taste like no other, and, while they cost more than 10-cents by then, they were still quite a bargain.

One day, while I was having lunch at the Goodwill, one of the managers walked up to me. It was a gentlemen named Coit Dyer — and I specifically use the word gentleman — because he truly was. A kindly, soft-spoken man, he sat down with me and we visited for a few minutes. Then he told me the reason he stopped by was to tell me he remembered me from years ago when I would buy all those Smithey Burgers on Saturday mornings. One of the ladies at the lunch counter told him about the gas station circuit and Mr. Dyer patted me on the shoulder and said he just wanted me to know he was proud of me.

That meant a great deal to me coming from Mr. Coit Dyer, for he was a man not known for wasting words.

When I heard about the Krispy Kreme story from Minnesota, I couldn't help but be reminded of that conversation and thought that the Krispy Kreme folks should have been more like Mr. Dyer from the Goodwill.

Spammed by God

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

October 18, 7:59 a.m.

I had not even had a sip of my morning coffee when I received a text message from a local looking number, albeit not one saved in my phone. When I opened it, it was a familiar bible verse. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” I blinked and reread it. Was I awake? I was. Well, then…. Thinking it was a joke, or worse, that a self alienated family member still infused in the cult of my youth had ratted me out to the church leaders, I debated on how to respond.

After wondering WWJD if he were being harassed by the Pharisees, and imagining a retort of “Take that rafter out of your eye first, before you start judging people, and PS by the way, didn’t I tell you to stop doing that?” I did what any level headed and objective person does in this technological era- I posted it to social media and asked my friends, a fantastic mesh across the spectrum from Christian to Atheist, what they would do. Being both wise and hilarious, they did not disappoint.

* Block them. Nobody needs that judging drama.

* "Seek ye first your own business." Me. Chapter 11 verse 2.

* “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.” Aleister Crowley

* We could all spam the number back

*You could retort, but it's wasted on someone with such an odd belief system

*Well I’m pretty sure God is a woman , only a woman would make the hair fall out on my head then grow out of every where else as a chuckle

Turns out no one can hide, and of my tech savvy friends posted a link to the number that texted. Turns out it’s a real person, not just computer generated. I reached out to my sister who works for a local carrier and asked her if spamming by evangelists was actually a real thing. It is. After doing some research I found out this is because we tend to put in our phone number when downloading apps, even when it isn’t necessary, which opens you up to spam by real people who are also on the same app. There are evangelicals lurking on even the most sordid of sites, looking to save a lost sheep.

On the page attached to this number there is a comment section. One read “Text me again and I'll contact my lawyer.” I also found several Christian based forums telling people not to spam others, links to court judgments that have been passed on those doing this specific kind of spamming, and advice on if you are being spammed, how to report your fellow followers.

As for me, my retort to being told to seek first the kingdom of God before coffee was “Well, that doesn’t seem to be working for most of the Christians I know in this impoverished area. Then there are those with mega- churches-They DO have everything, but it’s not because they love God.

But I’m glad you brought up Matthew Chapter 6. One of my favorite scriptures is in this chapter. Allow me to direct you to verse 5. Take a look at it the next time you’re planning on standing out there with your signs and books.

And this is why I had a bumper sticker that said “Jesus, please save me from your followers.” Judgmental cows are lucky I didn’t go full throttle Christ and start flipping tables and chasing them with whips for being dangerous enough to engage me before coffee.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Hitler died in a bunker — Al-Baghdadi died in a tunnel

By AMBASSADOR EARL COX and KATHLEEN COX

Special to The Record

The Democrats just can’t stand the fact that President Donald Trump now has a very major victory in his portfolio and it’s thanks to absolutely nothing from the Democrats.

In fact, the success of Trump’s well-planned attack on al-Baghdadi, the ISIS leader, which resulted in his elimination, was largely due to the fact that the Democrats were not informed or involved in any way otherwise the secrecy of the mission would likely have been compromised and therefore sabotaged.

In a surprise nighttime raid, al-Baghdadi’s compound was infiltrated and bombed. In an attempt to save his evil hide, al-Baghdadi ran into a cave, or tunnel, with two of his young children and, hitting a dead end, blew himself up. This ruthless terrorists’ leader, who was dubbed as the Islamic Caliph, was reportedly being chased by one or more highly trained U.S. military canines.

Like al-Baghdadi, the Democrats were caught completely off guard so they had to come up with a counter strategy to detract from Trump’s success. Due to the flawless execution and success of the mission, they could find little of which to be critical.

Grabbing on to a flimsy straw, they began a campaign of making it very popular to berate President Trump’s description of al-Baghdadi as “dying like a dog and whimpering.”

What the Democrats, the mainstream media, and the general population, in the U.S. have failed to understand, is that Trump’s description was not meant primarily for Western ears and sensibilities but rather was meant for the ears of Middle Eastern fanatics. Thankfully, someone on Trump’s team apparently understands that one of the worst insults for an Arab is to be called a dog and to be described as such and to ”die being chased by a dog,” strikes horror in the hearts of al Baghdadi’s followers.

Al-Baghdadi was a vile and ruthless terrorist, rapist and murderer.

By no stretch of the imagination was he an “austere religious leader” as reported by The Washington Post and others (many of whom have since repented). While his forces pillaged, plundered and inflicted grave suffering on innocent and helpless people, Al-Baghdadi himself lived “high on the hog.” These words, too, represent another very insulting phrase for Arabs as pigs are considered unclean.

While Trump’s victory speech was short on eloquence and political polish, the fact remains that he successfully eliminated a man who was a dangerous threat to the entire world. Trump succeeded in “cutting off the head of the snake.”

Even so, while Trump served as the important central player in this mission, the real thanks is owed to God and the brave men and women of the Special Forces, their exceptional canine division, and those foreign governments who knew what was about to happen but wisely and responsibly kept this knowledge a secret.

Sunday with Jan Karon

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

So, there we were on stage at the Hub Center in Hudson. It was a full house; the band was in tune and the cameras were rolling. New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon was in her element as we talked about all things Mitford.

It was Sunday and the continuation of Jan Karon Days. Saturday morning had featured the Jan Karon parade with local citizens as well as Mitford personalities. The remainder of Saturday included, among other things, a luncheon like what you might read about in one of Jan’s Mitford novels; It even had an Orange Marmalade Cake adventure in which I participated.

I was so moved by the cake experience; I included the story in my monologue during Sunday’s show.

From the moment Jan walked on the stage and we took our seats, she was gracious and engaging.

Jan was born in Lenoir at the Dula Hospital and raised for much of her childhood by her grandparents in Hudson. She attended the Hudson School which is now the Hub Station. It serves the community with a variety of business, educational and entertainment options and on this weekend, it served as the perfect setting for our broadcast production.

As we were talking about Jan’s early memories of growing up in Hudson, one of her stories was about her first book, written at the age of 10 and inspired by “Gone With the Wind”.

The story goes like this: Jan’s curious sister discovers Jan’s book, reads all 14 pages and runs to their grandmother exclaiming, ‘Jan has written a book and it’s got damn in it!’

Well sure enough it did. Jan felt that using that word from “Gone with the Wind” would in some way elevate her writing.

The problem was that her grandmother did not allow the use of such words. The worst part of this story was that Jan had to participate in her own punishment by fetching the switch.

To this day, Jan’s books have for the most part remained curse word free. I say ‘for the most part’ because there was one other time…but the publisher fixed it with black magic markers and yes there was a t-shirt made.

We went on to talk about all sorts of things and with the help of talented actors, a few of Mitford’s personalities came to life. The audience was thrilled and so was Jan.

Down the Hall was our house band and the music chosen was to celebrates our Scots-Irish heritage. The music provided a perfect segue to talk about Jan’s research trip to Ireland. With hundreds of personalities to create, research is important.

At the end of the show we had a good amount of questions from the audience. A common question was about when another Mitford book might hit the shelves. As of now that is not expected, Jan is considering other projects; however, now she is simply enjoying her own personal Mitford experience.

After the show, Jan visited with fans down the hall in the classroom she attended many years ago as a child.

It was a fine day with a lot of memories and literary celebration.

Whether you live in Mitford or a town not so far away, may we all have the comfort of friendships and someone who cares.

Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its eleventh year of syndication. For more on the show visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com and join the free weekly email list. It’s a great way to keep up with the show and things going on in the Carolinas. You can email Carl White at [email protected].

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dailyofficereadings · 5 years ago

Text

Daily Office Readings March 16, 2020

Psalm 80

Prayer for Israel’s Restoration

To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 You make us the scorn[a] of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; 11 it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River. 12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted.[b] 16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;[c] may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Footnotes:

Psalm 80:6 Syr: Heb strife

Psalm 80:15 Heb adds from verse 17 and upon the one whom you made strong for yourself

Psalm 80:16 Cn: Heb it is cut down

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 77

God’s Mighty Deeds Recalled

To the leader: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm.

1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints.Selah

4 You keep my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, and remember the years of long ago. 6 I commune[a] with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit:[b] 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love ceased forever? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”Selah 10 And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

11 I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. 15 With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.Selah

16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Footnotes:

Psalm 77:6 Gk Syr: Heb My music

Psalm 77:6 Syr Jerome: Heb my spirit searches

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 79

Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire? 6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.

8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake. 10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes.

11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power preserve those doomed to die. 12 Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbors the taunts with which they taunted you, O Lord! 13 Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Genesis 44:18-34

Judah Pleads for Benjamin’s Release

18 Then Judah stepped up to him and said, “O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ 20 And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ 24 When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. 25 And when our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ 26 we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to Sheol.’ 30 Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, 31 when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.”

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

The Unmarried and the Widows

25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that, in view of the impending[a] crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life,[b] and I would spare you that. 29 I mean, brothers and sisters,[c] the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 7:26 Or present

1 Corinthians 7:28 Gk in the flesh

1 Corinthians 7:29 Gk brothers

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Mark 5:21-43

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat[a] to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[b] what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Footnotes:

Mark 5:21 Other ancient authorities lack in the boat

Mark 5:36 Or ignoring; other ancient authorities read hearing

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

#March 16 #2020

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