#and it was always during Passover so I could never eat any of the food

[atlafan]

kind of annoyed at how everything is closed today. Like the supermarkets are closed…I was able to go to cvs but like…I wanted to go grocery shopping. Not everyone fucking celebrates Easter. Couldn’t they have done like 10-6 or something? god forbid I need to buy food on a day that makes absolutely no fucking sense ON MY DAY OFF like????? And I shouldn’t have to plan ahead. If I went yesterday, it would have been a madhouse of people buying shit for their ham dinners or whatever the fuck like oh my goooooooood

[babbushka]

Something Funny

(biggest special thanks to @aweirdlookingtree​ for inspiring me with a prompt for a Passover oneshot! And sending my love to everyone celebrating tonight!)

Flip Zimmerman x Reader 

1.8k ; Pure fluff

                                                          --------------

It’s time, he thinks. Time, finally.

You try your best to not appear too ready, not appear too eager. Flip can tell though, he can tell you’re poised to bolt, poised to run and search the house the moment the hunt is called. Sitting across from one another at the long table, you each catch the other’s eyes and look away in a blush, embarrassed for the fact of being caught.

“You’re going down.” You mouth, a wordless promise of defeat.

You’d been doing this all evening, stealing these glances, these looks, all while Flip’s dad stood at the head of the table, all while everyone followed suit for the ritual. You’d played footsie under the table, had smirked at one another, smiled, held back laughs when inappropriate. Your first Seder together, barely having dated for long, but oh, oh how Flip is in love with you. That’s what makes this even more important than normal, for Flip. How he loves you – he has to win, has to beat you.

“In your dreams.” Flip mouths back, and you break into a big grin, accepting and ready for the challenge.

Because now, now it’s time.

It’s all that he can think about when he eats his Ma’s delicious festival dinner, it’s all that’s on his mind as you grin at him so smug, so sure of yourself that you’re going to win behind your glass of grape juice. He had to beat you, had to find it – Flip had to find the afikomen before you.

It’d been something that you’ve both been talking a big game about, for the whole week leading up to Pesach. Every time Flip would drive his dad’s Oldsmobile to pick you up, you’d greet one another with a new idea for what the winner would get, should they find the matzah first when Seder was nearly over.

Each time, you made the stakes higher and higher, the both of you going back and forth with “well when I win I want…” “oh yeah okay well when I win, you have to…”

Such outrageous ideas had included you making Flip wear a shirt with polka dots all over it instead of his normal plaid and Flip making you eat his cooking for an entire day. Outrageous, indeed.

In the end, you wound up not actually telling the other what you really wanted, electing to keep it a surprise, a secret for the big night.

But if Flip found it first, if if if.

If he were so lucky to find the matzah first, as the winner his prize would be a kiss.

Not just any kiss either, a kiss that he gets to pick the time and place of, and he had already asked for permission to spend the weekend at the family cabin out in the mountains. He’d ask for his kiss there, if he won.

He’s nervous, he’s sweating, palms wiping against the fabric of his nice dress pants. He wonders if his yarmulke is crooked, wonders if you can see it. He momentarily gets hung up on how beautiful you look, how stunning, gorgeous in the low light of the dining room. It’s so dark outside, and yet somehow you are glowing, always. He is sure that even Elijah must be enraptured with you, with your beauty.

He shakes his head, clears his thoughts of the never-ending inner monologue of how much he loves you. You smile at him, bite the inside of your cheek. He has to keep his head in the game, he thinks, you’re cunning, you’re clever, surely you had worn your finest dress and done your hair so prettily on purpose, a means to distract him. But he can’t be distracted any longer, the dinner is over, you and he both know it, you can tell, all the food having been enjoyed and all the chatter coming to a pleasant stop.

You look at one another from across the table, before looking at Flip’s Ma, who is clearly trying to hide the smile that peeks through her cloth napkin as she wipes her face.

“On my mark,” She says, because she knows – of course she knows, Flip tells her everything, she knows and she knows how much this means to both you and him, “………………….go!”

You and Flip are out of your seats in an instant.

While you had both been so good trying to keep yourselves calm during the Seder, now you can’t stop laughing, can’t stop grinning. Flip has a plan – search the kitchen then living room then the den. He had paid attention to his Ma’s footsteps, used his budding detective skills to listen where she went, and she hadn’t gone upstairs. She hadn’t gone into the garage our outside either, so it had to be there, had to be there somewhere.

He was also lucky to have a better vantage point, as he was on the side of the table closest to the kitchen. It would seem that you had a similar plan, and Flip rushed to get ahead of you, laughing all the way.

“Hey, ladies first!” You complained, trying to literally elbow your way around him as you both began rummaging through cabinets, looking in the fridge, checking above it and behind it even.

“Age before beauty ketsl.” Flip winked, picking you up and physically moving you out of the way so he could lift up the couch cushions, look underneath the coffee table.

“I swear if she told you or hinted at where she was hiding it – ” You warn with no malice, whirling to point a finger at him for a moment, wag it in his direction.

Flip pinches your nose, gives your face a playful shake before bumping his hip against yours in the race to the den.

“She didn’t, I promise I promise – hey!” He laughs, as you somehow remembered the layout of his house and knew a shortcut he didn’t think of, somehow appearing in the den before you.

You both go through the whole room, the last room on the first floor in the immediate area that weren’t bathrooms. Flip didn’t think his ma would have hid food in the bathroom, but he checks just in case, coming up short.

You both look at each other, panting, out of breath from the excitement, and Flip scratches the back of his neck.

“Outside?” You prompt, figuring might as well look, it could be on the porch or in the mailbox, your family has done that before.

“No I didn’t hear the front door open.” Flip shakes his head, making you laugh brightly.

“You’re not supposed to help me honey.” You reply warmly, putting your hands on your hips. This was a competition, after all. There was going to be a winner and a loser, and it had to be a fair fight.

“Oh you’re right, never mind ketsl, definitely go check outside.” Flip rolled his eyes playfully, stuck his thumb in the direction of the front door.

You only laughed, sighed a little and looked up at him like he was the most dreamy thing in the whole world. He wished desperately that he could have a cigarette, that he could have you.

You leave then, sprinting down the hall, checking the coat closet, checking the pantry, anywhere you might have overlooked. Flip chases after you, and he can hear catches of conversation in the dining room as the two of you run past, laughing and play-fighting with one another.

Eventually, you meet back in the den, after having split up to look for the matzah that was really damn well hidden.

“You still didn’t find it?” Flip asks with a frown, and you shake your head, sit down on the ledge near the mantle of the fireplace, which is softly crackling and warming the early April night.

“No, you?” You reply, patting the space next to you.

Flip sits down eagerly, happily, always happy to be next to you. You lean your head on his shoulder, wrap your arms around his big bicep and sigh.

“No.” Flip answers you, trying to think what his Ma did with the damn cracker. “Huh.”

“Well we can’t go back without it.” You pillow your cheek against him.

Boldly, he presses a kiss to the top of your head, wraps his arm around your shoulders. You were both stumped, and both unsure. There were no plans in place for an outcome like this, who won if no one found the matzah?

“What do you propose we do?” Flip asks, always deferring to you, always wanting in the end, nothing more than for you to be happy.

You shrug, look up at him, look at him with your big eyes, eyes that are so full of love. Flip’s heart beats a little quicker, he swallows around a lump in his throat.

“You want to know something funny?” Flip asks softly when you don’t offer any suggestions, when the weight of his adoration for you squeezes his chest too tightly.

“Tell me.” You nuzzle your cheek against his shoulder, your eyes sparkling in the light of the fireplace, a smile on your lips, always ready to hear anything Flip ever had to say.

“I was going to ask you to kiss me.” He confesses, and really, why was it such a confession? You were dating, he was your boyfriend, had been your boyfriend for a little while. Long enough that you had certainly already kissed before.

But your kisses…they were magic, Flip thought. They were a privilege, something to be earned. He had to earn them, had to prove he was worth them. It didn’t matter that you’ve never once denied him, it didn’t matter that you’d asked for a kiss every day, ever time you see one another.

You grin to yourself, grow bashful then.

“You want to know something funnier?” You ask back, and Flip nods, too lost in your eyes to even really speak, especially when you bite the inside of your cheek and admit, “So was I.”

And you know, if his Ma had orchestrated the entire thing where the matzah was simply hidden behind her back the whole time, you didn’t mind. If his family asked where you were and sent her out to look for you, you didn’t mind that either. Because on the night of Pesach, the first Seder you spent together, you spend it with love.

And as his Ma hides in the doorway, watching her one and only son bestow the most gentle of kisses upon the girl she was sure would one day be his wife, well.

Barech could wait.

                                                     ---------------

Chag kasher v’samei-ach to everyone celebrating tonight! 

Tagging some Flip loving friends:

@kyloxfem @heldcaptivebychaos  @solotriplets @formerly-anonhamster @lookinsidemyhead @candycanes19 @adamsnacc-kler @taylovren-types @whiskey-bumblebee @magikevalynn @tinyplanet-explorers @chelsjnov @romancedeldiablo @helloimindelaware @elfieboxcat @laurenshit @autumnlovesadam @peterisparker  @goodboybensolo @intrestellarsarah @the-marvelatic @miasera @emily-strange @proxyfoxy @disaster-rose @hazydespair @yosoymuyloca @1-800-choke-that-snoke @ktellmeastory @anongirl007 @zimmerxman @okk–maaan @flapjacques @aweirdlookingtree @callmemania-pls

[paladin-lynx]

Prompt: “What’s so funny?” with your Human SQUIP AU

I’m sorry this took me for-freaking-ever to get to. Life has gotten in the way lately and my motivation has been low, but I’ve been thinking a lot about BMC lately so here’s the piece! I decided to go with this prompt instead of “Can you forgive me?” since I used that one for another piece. Hope you enjoy! I feel like I’m a bit out of practice at the moment with writing, heh.

Send me a character/ship/fandom and a prompt and I’ll write something!

Fandom: Be More Chill (musical)

Ships: None

Setting: Post-musical AU where the SQUIP somehow returned as a human and was redeemed/rehabilitated by Jeremy (with the help of the rest of the squad), and lives with him having had nowhere else to go. He looks pretty similar to how he looked in Jeremy’s head, and physically he looks to be around college age.

  There were a lot of characteristics that Squip still had that carried over from his supercomputer self, but the most noticeable one was his constant need for order.

Jeremy had a feeling it was because of how perfectionist the SQUIP had been, wanting to convert everyone’s emotions into neat little lines of code. That, and now that Squip had his own emotions to deal with, he desperately needed to feel in control of something as he adjusted to being a plain old human. Now that he was actually out in the real world instead of tucked away in Jeremy’s head just seeing everything through the boy’s eyes, it was no doubt everything seemed so much louder and more intimidating. And it was obvious that Squip didn’t like the fact that he could no longer just glance into the future and see the most plausible outcomes, even if he was starting to accept it as his new reality.

After all these months, Jeremy had learned that Squip would be doing one of a handful of things when he got back to the house after school: 1) sleeping, 2) hiding away in his room on his computer, or 3) cleaning. The Heere household hadn’t been this clean since Jeremy’s mother had left, and even then she had never been this much of a neat freak. Jeremy was half-convinced that one day Squip would run out of things to clean and he’d end up on a ladder just scrubbing the ceiling or something ridiculous like that. Jeremy had on many occasions wanted to joke to Squip about how absurd such an action would be, but he was worried Squip would do that thing where he would chuckle and then suddenly stop, get a thoughtful look in his eyes, rub his chin, and then wonder aloud if that was perhaps a good idea. Jeremy’s father had a habit of doing it, and Jeremy knew that he’d inherited it from him, and unfortunately it seemed Squip had fallen victim to the trend, as well.

Squip often got into a ‘zone’ when he was cleaning. Jeremy knew that it had a calming effect for him, and in a way he understood. It was something that allowed Squip to not have to acknowledge anything else happening around him and even the physical aspect of forcing the dirt off of something could act as stress relief. Jeremy likened it to how he and Michael used video games to escape reality for a little while, and when something was on their minds, maybe sometimes they pressed the buttons on their controllers a bit harder than usual or jerked this way and that more sporadically as they moved their characters across the screen. Actually, as of late, Jeremy also had that experience of going into the ‘zone’ when he coded. It was definitely a weird aftereffect of having had a supercomputer wedged into his brain, since he had never in his life even touched any coding language – except for maybe when he and Michael played around with the HTML on their Tumblr blog themes, but even then it had just been messing around and they’d joked that they had absolutely no idea what they were doing. But on a whim a little while after the SQUIPcident, Jeremy had installed an IDE and just messed around and somehow just knew what to do. He wasn’t an expert by any means, but he definitely knew more than anyone who’d never touched a programming textbook or even a simple tutorial online had any right to know.

Much like how Jeremy sometimes had to nudge Squip’s shoulder and tell him that hours had passed since he’d started cleaning, Squip often had to poke his head into Jeremy’s room and tell him that he’d been hunched over his computer – “even if I’m not shocking you anymore, I’d still recommend fixing your posture” – for God only knew how long.

When one was in the ‘zone’, though, it was easy to not really be aware of what people were saying to you. Jeremy and Michael found it hilarious that for someone who had once had the entire Internet at his figurative fingertips, Squip could be adorably oblivious sometimes. He fell for jokes, got confused at metaphors that he took literally, and oftentimes references flew right over his head until he took a moment. But when he was in the ‘zone’, it took even longer for him to realize he hadn’t caught on to something.

Michael, of course, was oft the one to take advantage of this and would nearly piss himself laughing as a result.

It was spring break, so Michael was over at Jeremy’s house more than normal. It was also the week of Passover, so the Heeres were doing their best to keep kosher for the holiday. Michael every year always incredulously asked how anyone could go a full seven days without bread, and every year Jeremy always just snickered at him. Squip had also been doing his best to uphold the restrictions for the holiday, but considering he was picky enough as it was when it came to food, Jeremy and his father were giving him a pass if he decided to ‘cheat’ – which Jeremy usually ended up doing a couple of times during the week each year anyway. But Jeremy wouldn’t forget how excited Squip had been to participate in the seders.

But because of the holiday and the rules about food, Mr. Heere had rearranged where they had everything in the kitchen, including Squip’s precious cleaning supplies. In hindsight, he and Jeremy probably should’ve realized that this would cause Squip to throw something of a fit, but they were so used to their routine every year that they hadn’t really thought of it.

In the midst of one of their hours-long video gaming sessions, Jeremy and Michael finally emerged from Jeremy’s room to pad downstairs and grab a snack. As much as Michael liked to tease Jeremy about not being able to eat a decent amount of his go-tos during Passover, Jeremy knew that Michael was a complete sucker for his father’s homemade desserts, just like on all the other holidays.

“Rich told me we should try a Nuzlocke one day,” Jeremy was saying as they made their way towards the kitchen.

Michael winced at the suggestion. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be able to handle the stress of it. And I damn-well know I’d cry if we lost any of our Pokémon.”

Jeremy smiled. “Then we’d just have to work extra carefully to make sure that doesn’t happen. And then we can rub it in Rich’s face.”

“You act as if he wouldn’t cry if one of his team died. Or you, for that matter!”

They snickered to themselves before halting as they got into the kitchen and saw Squip already in there, rummaging through the cabinets and muttering rapidly under his breath, switching between English and Japanese. Jeremy could only understand bits and pieces between how quickly Squip was speaking and also because he only knew so much anyway – another really weird side effect of having the SQUIP in his mind, and Jeremy had been told on multiple occasions that he himself sometimes randomly switched to Japanese when he was upset – but he definitely picked up on a few swears.

“Uh, hey, S,” Jeremy greeted carefully. He blinked when Squip didn’t even acknowledge him, closing the cabinet he was riffling through to open and scrounge through another.

Michael rolled his eyes, leaning on the kitchen island. “Yo, Squip-ster. What are you doing?”

Still no response. Michael thought for a moment. “What’s 24 times 83?”

“1,992,” Squip replied without missing a beat. That seemed to drag him back to reality and he paused, blinking, before he raised an eyebrow over his shoulder at the two boys. “Do you need something?”

“We were getting something to eat, but now we’re wondering what you’re up to,” Jeremy told him, tilting his head. “Are you okay? Are you…looking for something?”

“I can’t find my cleaners and sponges.” Squip turned away from them to continue looking through the cabinet. Jeremy had to smile a little as Squip referred to the supplies as his, considering Jeremy and Mr. Heere weren’t exactly known for keeping the house squeaky-clean. Jeremy’s room had never been cleaner than when he’d had his SQUIP, since it made him clean up the mess pretty much on day one. “I know your father moved some things around to hide all your chametz”—Jeremy couldn’t believe how natural Hebrew sounded coming from Squip when Jeremy had been learning it for years and still only sounded half-decent, but then again he supposed SQUIPs were programmed to be able to speak any language—“but I didn’t think he’d rearranged them to the point I wouldn’t be able to find anything…”

Jeremy would’ve loved to help, but truth be told, he only knew where the Passover foods were. In previous years, he’d just open a random cabinet if he needed to sneak a cookie or the like and hope he found something good. His father had some sort of system for hiding all the unkosher stuff and presumably for moving everything else to make room, but Jeremy had no idea what it was. He hardly knew where the cleaning supplies other than the dish soap were, and the dish soap was out in the open next to the sink.

Jeremy opened his mouth to apologize or maybe offer to help, but Michael suddenly tapped his arm and looked at him with a grin, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Jeremy immediately knew this wasn’t going to end well – you learned a thing or two when you knew someone for over twelve years – but he also knew just as well he was powerless to stop it from happening.

“Did you check under there?” Michael asked, biting back snickers. Jeremy rolled his eyes as he leaned on the island beside his friend and watched Squip rummage. As easy to trick as he could be, there was absolutely no way Squip would fall for that, especially not after Rich and Jake had gotten him with ‘updog’ just a few weeks earlier.

Squip peeked over at them again, brow furrowed when he didn’t see Michael gesturing to anything, and he quickly turned back to his task. “Under where?”

Jeremy’s jaw nearly dropped and his gaze snapped to Michael, who had pressed his hands over his own mouth to try and muffle his cackling. It was just a stupid and admittedly childish joke, but somehow the fact that Squip – witty, clever, intelligent Squip – hadn’t caught himself made it so much better. Jeremy quickly ducked his head to try and stifle his own giggling.

Squip, however, somehow still not realizing what had happened, just looked over at them again. Even if they weren’t laughing out loud, it was painfully obvious they were nearly choking in their attempts to keep quiet. “What’s so funny?”

They both just looked at him, grinning, Michael nearly with tears in his eyes, before realization seemed to dawn on Squip and he rolled his eyes, huffing. “Oh. Are you proud of yourselves?”

That seemed to break both boys and they burst out laughing, having to brace themselves on the island to keep themselves from falling over. Jeremy peeked over to find Squip leaning against the counter across from them, arms crossed loosely against his chest in that ‘chill’ way of his, a little smile on his face despite Jeremy and Michael laughing at his expense. Squip had always been good-humored about these kinds of things. Maybe a little embarrassed, but never upset. Just teasing in return with a promise he wouldn’t fall for it again. Seeing the people he cared about so happy seemed to be worth the slight humiliation.

It took a few minutes, but the two boys finally collected themselves, gasping for breath. Michael even had to pull off his glasses to rub his eyes and flashed Squip a smirk as he pushed them back on. “Sorry, dude,” he said, not sounding even a tiny bit sorry. “It was just too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Squip shook his head, chuckling softly. “I should’ve known better with you.” He let out a sigh, peeling himself away from the counter and putting one hand on his hip. “Well, if you’re feeling so sorry, you two can help me search.”

Jeremy sighed in turn, glancing at Michael. “I guess we owe him that, at least.”

Michael whined, lolling his head back. “Do we?”

“You do,” Squip insisted, waving them over. “Come on, enough with the drama. I’m not asking you to solve world hunger.”

Michael groaned once more but ultimately gave in as Squip cooed at them again in that ever-persuasive way of his. Even as a human, Squip had retained his ability to be rather convincing. It didn’t take more than a few minutes between the three of them to locate the cabinet that Mr. Heere had stuffed the cleaning supplies into, hiding behind a few boxes of forbidden candies that Jeremy had to keep himself from digging into.

“There, done and done!” Michael declared, wiping his hands clean of nonexistent dirt. “Come on, Jere, let’s grab something to eat and get back to our gaming sesh.”

Jeremy nodded, but before he could go anywhere, Squip draped his arms around the boys’ shoulders, pulling them over. He smirked at them. “Not so fast, sluggers,” he nearly purred. “I think you still owe me, so now you can help me clean.”

“What?!” Michael protested. “S, come on!”

“There’s probably nothing left to clean anyway,” Jeremy added. “If you clean the house any more than you already have, you’re gonna end up scrubbing away the paint or whatever.”

“Then there won’t be much you have to do before I let you run back to your games.” Squip gave them a little squeeze before releasing them. He handed Michael a sponge and Jeremy a bottle of spray. “Come on, then. Consider it a life lesson, courtesy of me.”

Jeremy scoffed. “How generous.”

Squip smiled, grabbing a rag for himself. “It’ll do you good. And it’ll be nice to spend time with me instead of in front of a TV screen, won’t it?”

(Author’s Note: I got the idea for the stupid “under where” joke from this comic)

[heterowomanist]

Longing for Lamb My Holy Week Reflection in the midst of a Pandemic Gospel of Truth 17:8-16 (A New New Testament Translation) By Rev. Stephanie A. Duzant 4/10/2020

For as long as I can remember, I have always had at least one meal made with lamb during Holy Week. Growing up, my grandmother would make lamb for Easter and serve it with a little mint jelly on the side.  I remember my mother making lamb chops with potatoes a few times.  But the Lamb meal that I most fondly remember is the lamb that was served at St. Matthew’s Community A.M.E. Church of Hollis, Queens NY, during the Maundy Thursday Service.

For more than 15 years the Stewardess board would facilitate the meal and service. It was not a reenactment of the last supper, but a remembrance of it.  Lamb, pita bread, lettuce greens, horse radish and an apple and nut mixture were the menu for the evening, to commemorate the food that was served during the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples.  We would fellowship over the meal and then there was a reflection on what the last supper of Jesus meant to us as modern-day believers.  The sacredness of this event within my faith community was never lost on me.  

I moved to Nevada 6 months ago.  I have worked hard to adjust to this west coast way of living.  I have found new ways of keeping up my faith traditions. I fellowship with a wonderful A.M.E. Church here in the valley, and was ready to participate in all the Lent and Holy Week activities and then, Covid-19 hit. The Stay-At-Home order from the governor brought all of my grand plans to a screeching halt.  In order to slow down the spread of this monster of a virus folks would have to stay in. No school, no work, no social gatherings, no church.  

I was dealing with it fine until I got to Palm Sunday. I am grateful to be shut in with my immediate family, but I was missing my church family in NY and my church family in Nevada. I needed some familiarity, so I turned to what was handed down to me from generations of mothers before me.  I would cook.  I started looking at where I could buy a piece of lamb to carry on the ritual. Just then my family reminded me that eating meat was no longer good for my digestive system.  I wanted to dispute them but I couldn’t because they were right.  We have vowed as a family to do all we can to keep ourselves healthy and our immune systems as strong as possible so that if we did contract the virus, we would be able to have a fighting chance to beat it.  My search for lamb abruptly ended.

I began to lament for my Holy Week lamb.  Yet, it was really not the lamb that I was lamenting, but the loss of a faith tradition, and a way of life that was sweetly familiar to my soul. I was lamenting that I was far away from loved ones, and a place that I could no longer call home. A place where people I love dearly are battling a virus that is running rampant in their streets. I was lamenting the days of socializing and fellowshipping without restrictions, boundaries and cyber windows. I was lamenting a way of life I once found so tangibly familiar, that was now in its 4th week of my past.

At times I can only call familiar to these (because I have never been through anything like this before) I turn to sacred text for wisdom filled guidance and assurance. And of late, it has been text found in the Nag Hammadi that has taken my Blessed Assurance to new depths of understanding.  

“For what is the sabbath?  A day on which it is inappropriate for salvation to be idle.  Speak of the day from above which has no night and of the perfect light that does not set.  Say then from the heart that you have the perfect day and within you dwells the light that never ends.  Speak of the truth with those who have sinned through their transgressions.  Strengthen the feet of those who stumble and stretch your hands to those who are weak.  Feed those who are hungry and give rest to the weary.  Raise those who wish to arise and awaken those who sleep - for you all are understanding drawn forth.  If strength does these things, strength becomes stronger.”  

~~~ The Gospel of Truth 17:8-16, ANNT Translation

 And just like that God speaks to my anxiety, anger and grief through this powerful portion of Early Christian text.  Written at a time when Christianity as a religion, and the church as an institution were still new and in development. The writer is believed to be Valentinus by some scholars, who was deemed a heretic after leaving the Catholic church to start his own group in the 2nd Century.  

The writer reminds folks that the sabbath is not just a mere day that centuries of Jewish law has told us it was.  The sabbath is every day, because there is no day that is appropriate for salvation to be idle.  The text reminds us that the light that never ends is within us, and that we should use that light to encourage ourselves and those around us, for that is how the strength within remains and gets stronger.  

Yes, things are changing and there is trouble and uncertainty everywhere, but in this Sankofa moment within my 2020 Holy Week, I am to strengthen my faith by never forgetting that although there will be no lamb to eat this weekend, the Lamb of God is always with me.  Even when traditions have to be let go of, and new ways of being have to be embraced. In times like these, I am to share the Lamb in any and all ways now possible.  That gives me hope, and hope gives me strength to adjust in any way I need to, to keep me and my faith alive.  

So, I will welcome the Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday Sunrise Service live streams. I will welcome all the Zoom conferences and meetings, the teleconference prayer line calls; and all the Facetime, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger video calls and group chats that I can get.  For where two or three are gathered, God is surely in the midst. And those are the midst that matter the most to our everyday living.  

Imagine, a text once deemed heresy and unorthodox, now being the saving grace of my Christian Spirituality.  Times are definitely a-changing…and thank God, I am here for it!

[mezzomercury]

Passover Seder with Rami HCs

A/N: Hello all! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a while. I will post my other writings starting tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy some Passover HCs from your resident Jewish Rami stan. I realize some of you have probably never been to a seder before, so I’ve tried to explain it as much as I could. Chag Sameach!

****************** -Passover was just around the corner, and you decided to take your new boyfriend Rami to your family’s annual seder.

-Rami had never celebrated this holiday before, and felt a little guilty about going because he’s Egyptian, but nonetheless wanted to come and meet your extended family.

-So, on the first night of Passover, the two of you arrived to your parents’ house, prepared to eat a lot of food and have a fun time.

-Rami had met your parents before, but he was now being introduced to many grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends, all of whom took a liking to him almost immediately.

-He even agreed to wear the traditional yarmulke at the dinner table. You keep telling him how adorable he looked in it.

-After greetings are exchanged, you and your family all sit at the table and begin the seder. Rami sits between you and your mother.

-Your father recites the opening blessings, while you quietly tell Rami all the steps before. Your mother pours everyone a cup of wine, and you encourage Rami to drink it at the same time as everyone else.

-As the seder progresses, it gets to the part of the Maggid, where the story of Passover is retold. You notice that Rami starts to fidget in his seat when your family discusses the enslavement of your ancestors in Egypt.

-Your mother notices too, and she interrupts your uncle’s lengthy description of Exodus to ask, “Rami, what’s wrong? You don’t look too good.”

-He feels so caught on the spot now that everyone is looking at him in dead silence awaiting his answer. “I’m sorry, it’s just, I’m Egyptian, and I’m normally very proud of that fact, but right now I feel really guilty about what my ancestors did to yours.”

-There’s a brief moment of silence before some of your family members start laughing, making Rami even more nervous. You squeeze his hand to comfort him until your father replies, “Son, if we can forgive the Germans, we can definitely forgive the Egyptians. Please don’t feel bad about it.”

-Your mother, who is somehow already drunk from only one glass of Manischewitz, pinches his cheek and tells him, “Oh, bubbele (Yiddish for “dear”), you’re too sweet. You are always welcome into our home, whether you’re Jewish or Egyptian or whatever.”

-The seder continues as you conclude the story of Passover. Rami is a little more relieved now, and eagerly drinks the second cup of wine when prompted.

-Your family even invites him to read “The Four Questions,” even though it is customary for the youngest member of the family to do so. He agrees to with your help, as you hold them out for him to read. (Your grandmother later tells him that it was the best reading she’s heard)

-The rest of the night continues, and your family helps Rami with the certain foods his needs to eat on the seder plate. He complies, eagerly listening to everyone and wanting to learn more.

-He gladly volunteers to hide the matzah for the kids of the party to find, as per tradition. When one of your cousins successfully finds it, he gives them a dollar.

-The seder eventually draws to a close, with your whole family singing traditional Passover songs. You help Rami again with the Hebrew words, and notice his face is flushed from all the wine you’ve had throughout the night. He can’t help but squeeze your thigh playfully under the table, seeing how much you try to hide your pleasure from his touch.

-During the next few days of Passover, Rami decides to join you in eating purely Kosher in solidarity. It’s brutal for both of you, since you can’t eat any unleavened foods like bread, rice, or legumes, but he jokes, “It’s the least I could do as a guilty Egyptian boy.”

-You laugh and kiss his cheek, “I love you so much, Rami Malek-stein.”

************

Tag List: @r-ahh-mi, @yousaycoke-isaycaine, @siriuslovesmarlene, @ramibaby, @fahrenheit39, @onexlittlespark, @rami-malek-trash

[zealousnightsublime]

How to Control Your Cravings

How do I overcome urges to eat? To resolve this concern, we initially need to comprehend why we consume into the place that is first. It is most likely safe to state, you likely know the responses to that particular concern. We readily eat for power. We eat to remain alive. We readily eat to nourish our anatomies. And, we eat to preserve our health and wellness. There are personal factors too—such as a business meal or a dinner party with buddies. You will find cultural reasons—such as the Fourth of July BBQ and Thanksgiving dinner. And, needless to say, we could never forget to consume a piece (or two) of this conventional birthday celebration cake during a celebration. Eating is also concentrated around religious Easter that is observations—like dinner Passover, or a Bar-mitzvah. And, for a few of us, consuming leads to our enchanting tasks as well—the infamous night that is late time or breakfast during sex. But how come we occasionally have the daunting magnetic attraction to drop by your local fast-food joint and grab a double-cheeseburger and fries? The reason why do we want to super size our meals once we're despondent or have had a day that is bad? Where does the want to gulp down every final bite of a restaurant meal—whose portions tend to be grossly oversized—come from? The reason why do we feel the unexpected desire to raid the fridge late at night—looking for anything fattening or sweet? And exactly why do we wish to mindlessly nibble on "snack-foods" through the nearby vending device during the middle of a workday… when we're not even truly hungry? If you have ever before experienced some of these common scenarios, you're not alone. Thousands of people each day, including me, fight with these sudden "urges" for eating. The simple truth is, in most cases, these desires are driven mostly by our thoughts and, in a few circumstances, physiologically, by our mind chemical compounds. Either way, the 2 are connected more closely than some people and scientists believe. Typically, "urges" for eating are very first driven by our emotions. Emotions so strong, they could easily override our good sense or need to perform some "right thing"—that is, for eating healthier, healthy, moderately low-fat meals. So, why, once we are working so difficult to boost ourselves and trying to create a far better human anatomy do we enable ourselves to end up in these "mindless" eating traps? Consuming like we're… really… out of control. We're supposed to be diverse from that, are not we? We are allowed to be perfect, right? We are supposed to be healthier and always eating just what exactly is on our recommended a number of "approved" foods, is not that proper? Really, i have got some news for you… "after we can take on the right path to a slim, powerful, healthy human anatomy."We that people are not perfect and determine how exactly to overcome those psychological "urges" when they do occur… we can keep ourselves are not perfect. We are not necessarily planning to eat the foods that are right! We are going to make errors. You realize it, and it is known by me. The good news is, even as we've become aware of that reality, we are able to start to accept that we are not perfect and determine how to conquer those psychological "urges" when they do occur… and hold ourselves from the right path to a lean, strong, healthy human anatomy. Eating Success Methods Now, i'd like to share I think is considered the most powerful strategy you need to use to simply help over come any challenges that typically occur or are connected with "emotional eating. to you exactly what" From here on away, we will make reference to these as "Eating for Success strategies." Here are the strategies to help you overcome your psychological urges to eat: THE PSYCHOLOGY FACTOR—RECOGNIZE THE S that is EMOTION DRIVES YOU TO consume We consume for a range of different explanations, besides wanting to build muscle tissue and slash body fat. Needless to say, we know the significance of eating smart. Why do we occasionally crave "bad" meals? Overeat? Or consume once we're not even hungry? The solution to those relevant concerns just isn't so easy. However, as the science that is latest has shown, until you're among the little portion of people who have a genetic inclination to produce higher-than-normal quantities of the "hunger" hormone, ghrelin (or even the newest appetite-stimulating gene, recently found in France, called GAD2), there's a formidable number of proof to guide the truth that your own personal psychology plays a prominent role in determining whenever, and exactly how much, you "feel" the necessity to consume. See, our capacity to get a handle on our eating has actually a lot to do with our emotions—our psychology that is personal. Or, the things I call "emotional causes." It can be exceptionally helpful to come to be extremely alert to the factors that are psychological can be negatively influencing your eating habits. Understanding could be the very first and most crucial step. Possibly we consume in reaction to emotions that are different. We get annoyed or angry at our partner or have a dispute with a co-worker. We have depressed when a family member passes or a cherished commitment finishes. We're bored at evening or through the weekends or lonely and living alone (and it's really just you and the refrigerator!). It is as if meals is meant to unexpectedly "fix" these thoughts or solve your problems. Perhaps not a FAT chance! ever body knows, if you have experienced any one of these brilliant psychological causes, eating food in reaction in their mind DOES NOT make us feel any better afterward. In fact, oftentimes you feel downright bad you displayed by eating so mindlessly because you know you're more "in control" than what. And more often than perhaps not, you're annoyed at your self too, since you likely ate a complete pint of Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk frozen dessert, topped it well with a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats, and establish back in your program to the new human body. AWARENESS IS THE KEY To reduce triggers that are emotional cause you to crave processed foods, I suggest you keep a food journal, writing out anything you consume every day for approximately 1 week. You were feeling when the urge to eat hit when you eat uncontrollably, or mindlessly, simply write down how. "To minimize emotional causes that cause you to definitely crave unhealthy food, it is best to hold a food consumption journal…"Once you become conscious of an emotional problem that over repeatedly makes you go into a tailspin of consuming mindlessly, it is possible to change that understanding into action to control the issue. See, every insight that is personal can collect then becomes the opportunity for a careful option as time goes by. And a mindful, careful option is key to gaining control over your cravings for eating, and so, in the place of eating "comfort foods," you may make suitable decisions—smarter decisions—when it comes down to keeping balanced, balanced diet choices. By knowing that understanding of when and how your particular responses that are emotional triggered, you will rapidly uncover the good reasons for lots of your alternatives in the past. And perhaps more importantly, you are going to gain an appreciation for just how your past alternatives could have led to existing, sometimes careless eating routine. Put another way, you'll learn whenever poor eating habits derailed your progress in attaining your physique development goals and just how they could have been better dealt with, much more carefully and more consciously. HOW TO OVERCOME PSYCHOLOGICAL EATING So, now we've visited the $64,000 question: exactly how should you respond to those abrupt, uncontrollable urges to consume? Well, why don't we begin with some helpful precautionary measures… methods i have employed for some fifteen years now to help keep me in the correct road to a better human body. Consume wise. Not less. Make an effort to digest five to six necessary protein- and carbohydrate-balanced meals each day. It amazes me what amount of times i have given out these suggestions, yet in the exact same time, We discover it is continually over looked. Besides the clinical proven fact that through eating smaller sized meals through the day, you are able to hold mind chemical substances (i.e., hunger hormones) and insulin (along with blood glucose) levels even, in performing this, you'll definitely control those uncontrollable mental appetite cravings. Additionally, cutting calories, or eliminating food teams entirely, such all carbs or all fats (guidelines often present in standard diet programs), is the absolute WORST thing you can certainly do. Restricting calories and/or meals informs your mind you are depriving yourself… and soon thereafter, the human body shall crave those forbidden foods. In essence, you are prone to mentally "want" for eating all of them and, consequently, more likely to binge in it. That is besides the undeniable fact that when you reintroduce them to your diet, you are going to easily put any pounds back you lost. "…cutting calories, or food that is eliminating entirely, such as for example all carbohydrates or all fats (suggestions often present in old-fashioned diet plans), could be the absolute WORST thing you certainly can do. "Research implies that through eating five to six necessary protein- and carbohydrate-balanced dishes each day—eating every 2 to 3 hours while you're awake—is the optimal solution to keep the body in a fat-burning mode, provide your muscle tissue with an abundance of the nutritional elements it requires to rebuild it self, and defer any hunger cravings that could otherwise arise. One smart way to accomplish that is to apply dinner replacement. These powders are convenient and supply yourself with all of the important nourishment of a whole-food meal without all the hassle of shopping, planning, cooking, consuming, and clearing up after a typical dinner. Think about meal-replacement protein shakes as fast food when it comes to century that is 21st. They're acutely convenient and work extremely well to meet your daily health needs. My favorite dinner replacement/protein health supplement is known as Eat-Smart®. I aided to create Eat-Smart, and it's really as delicious as it's nutritionally beneficial. Eat-Smart includes healthy, whole-food ingredients and absolutely no stuff that is bad fructose, hydrogenated natural oils, or aspartame. The part that is best might well be that one can choose from "dessert-like" flavors. Make better bad choices (if considering that!) Listed here is an illustration: if you have caught on a three-hour jet trip, and also you just weren't prepared (making your protein/nutrition club or RTD at home)—hey! I am just as guilty—and your only option may be the flight's mystery meat sandwich… as crazy since it appears, consume exactly what the aircraft serves you. Today, before you believe i am crazy, this is what i am talking about by making a "better bad choice"… Into the scenario that is above you are faced with virtually NOTHING in your tummy for three or even four hours. Then, there is the strong likelihood that when you land and retrieve your luggage, you will make a B-line for the nearest fast-food joint and gobble down ANYTHING in sight. That's obviously maybe not what you need! Therefore, to help keep this from occurring, just consume just what the airlines provides you with; but, here is what I'd recommend making it certainly a "better" bad option: beverage liquid or a diet soda, take half the loaves of bread off the sandwich, do not distribute from the mayonnaise, and do not even have a look at that small piece of cheesecake or cookie served from the part. Now, the truth is, for the reason that example, by at least eating ANYTHING (halfway healthful), you have only made a significantly better choice. This applies to having a night out (age.g., supper and products along with your buddies). Instead of gulping straight down two or three beers, have actually a glass a wine. As opposed to chomping straight down in the full bowl of deep-fried tortilla chips in front of you, ask the server for many simple corn tortillas, and drop all of them when you look at the salsa. In the place of enabling the restaurant cooks to douse your veggies in butter, inform the host you would like them steamed (with no butter!). And last, go with the low-fat or nonfat dressings if you can when you order your salad. Making "better bad choices" like these can be as simple as that. And, as soon as you begin to place this strategy into training, you are going to quickly observe simple it is to follow through, regardless of what your circumstances. Plus, you'll feel more in charge. Arrange and prepare your dishes in advance. If you fail to prepare, you may as really intend to fail. Seriously. Us are too busy to prepare healthy, low-fat, nutrient-rich foods every day—six times a day (I'm included here!)—don't while I recognize that most of make the mistake therefore numerous others make, that is to plan their workouts but consume "accidentally." If you fail to follow a proven nourishment strategy, your chances of creating an improved body are just about thin to nothing. One possible answer we've utilized over the years with great success is for my family and I to prepare our meals for the week on Sunday night then shop them and freeze the rest. Preparing in larger quantities takes the stress off of you needing to store, cook, prepare, and clean-up after a few meals for the few days. Plus, as an additional benefit, by shopping like this, you will likely save more money on food too. In addition, when you're much more prepared throughout the week, you won't have to "think" by what you will eat or how you're going to get the food… you simply need certainly to give consideration to when you should consume it. It is a simple means to fix a complex issue that numerous, lots of people undergo each and every day. It is a shame to see many people devote such hard work at the gym then follow a haphazard eating design. Being prepared with healthier, healthy meals will make sure you're perhaps not the man the thing is that each day standing by the break-room machine that is vending slamming in 50 cents getting their everyday lunchtime candy bar. After this strategy, you won't feel like him either. PLACING THEM INTO PRACTISE Now you have for you to get to operate. Which means, it's the perfect time into your daily practice for you to take these THREE success strategies I've described and put them. Keep in mind, all successes and problems in life depend on routine. Those people who are unsuccessful have actually the same biological make-up as those who find themselves successful. The difference that is only, successful folks follow successful practices, and unsuccessful individuals follow unsuccessful practices. It is as easy as that. My hope is it exercise has enabled one to identify a number of helpful, actionable, and encouraging strategies for creating your personal success… you might have had and stay on the right path to building your absolute best body so you can now overcome any emotional eating habits! Read the full article

[dailybiblelessons]

August 2 to 8 (Ordinary 18)

What's ahead in the Bible readings for this week

The Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Catholic Proper 18, RCL Proper 13 August 2 to 8, 2018 The Eleventh Week After Pentecost

This week's image is Vincent Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Sheaves. Since so many of our readings have to do with bread (literal or figurative) I thought of Van Gogh's images. And it happens in my morning devotions from All Saints for July 29 was about Van Gogh. Here is a brief quote:

In the eyes of the world, and in his own eyes, Vincent Van Gogh was an utter failure. Though today he is one of the most popular and beloved of all modern painters, to his contemporaries he evoked nothing but contempt. He sold nothing in his lifetime. He spent his life in squalid poverty, preferring to spend what money he could obtain on paint rather than on food. But his failure never deterred him from dedicating every ounce of his strength to the expression of his person vision. For the sake of that vision, as much as any desert father, he was prepared to sacrifice every natural happiness. His subjects were not formally religious. They included sunflowers, wheat fields, and starry night skies. But ultimately his subject was the holiness of existence. It was that vision and not the quality of his sacrifice that defined the religious dimension of his art.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

The central Scripture for this week is Sunday's Gospel lesson from John. In it, Jesus tells the crowd that has followed him by boat to Capernaum, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Then this exchanges happens:

“What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness; as it is written ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in my will never be thirsty.”

The second Gospel reading for this week are from Matthew, in which Jesus tells his disciples to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. As so often happens, they misunderstand their teacher, who is asking them to beware of the the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The third reading is a telling of the feeding of four thousand with seven loaves.

In a society where many go hungry, it is important to provide both physical bread and spiritual bread. Two of our Epistle lessons for this week are concerned with spiritual gifts. In Paul's letter to Ephesus he tells us that the gifts Christ gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. In the first letter to Corinth there is a similar list: apostles, prophets, teachers, deeds of power, gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, and various kinds of tongues. The variety of gifts that we have to give to the church and to the world is something to celebrate.

In the other Epistle readings this week, Paul scolds the church at Corinth for their divisions. He accuses the wealthy members of the church of showing contempt for the church of God and humiliating those who have nothing by leaving out those who have no food to eat. He urges them to examine themselves before eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord. This is a call to be aware of and confess the ways we have fallen short. Of course we must get up after our examination, receive the cup and the bread, and do better.

Complementary Series

The Hebrew Scripture for Sunday tells of the manna and quail provided by God to feed the hungry, wandering Israelites. The story of the quail is retold on Monday from Numbers. And on Tuesday we read part of a long speech from Moses to all Israel with this reminder: “He humbled you by letting you hunger, then feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by the word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Semi-continuous Series

This week completes the story of Bathsheba and David, at least in one sense. In another sense, the consequence of David's sin continues throughout his life. I find the death of Bathsheba's and David's son troublesome; Nathan declares, after David repents, that David will live but the child will die. This innocent child had nothing to do with the sin that was committed.

We also have the story of Tamar's rape by her half-brother Amnon. Once he has had his way with her, he will have nothing more to do with her. Absalom, her brother, kills Amnon in revenge for her rape. Violence begets violence. I don't think we should take this story as an example of how to deal with these situations. And it is hard not to have sympathy for Tamar and Absalom, seeking the only justice that could be found. (All of the people in this story are David's children, which may account for why Amnon was never punished.)

Links for the week ahead

Thursday to Sunday Psalms Complementary Psalm 78:23-29 God rains down manna, the bread of angels, for humans to eat. Semi-continuous Psalm 51:1-12 Create in me a clean heart.

Thursday: Preparation for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Exodus 12:33-42 The Exodus from Egypt, leaving with unleavened bread. Semi-continuous Exodus 39:19-26a Moses' anger over the golden calf Both 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Paul admonishes the Corinthians for not keeping the Lord's Supper properly.

Saturday: Preparation for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Exodus 13:3-10 The Festival of Unleavened Bread Semi-continuous Judges 6:1-10 A prophet calls out Israel for its disobedience. Both Matthew 16:5-12 Jesus uses the figure of leaven to warn the apostles to beware of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Friday: Preparation for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Exodus 12:43-13:2 Institution of the Passover, and consecrating the firstborn. Semi-continuous Joshua 23:1-16 Joshua encourages Israel's leaders and reminds them of God's deeds on their behalf. Both 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 Examine yourself before partaking in the Lord's Supper.

The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 God provides manna. Semi-continuous 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a David is rebuked by Nathan for his adultery with Bathsheba and killing of Uriah. Both Ephesians 4:1-16 Live with humility and gentleness, with patience bearing one another in love. Both John 6:24-35 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Monday to Wednesday Psalms Complementary Psalm 107:1-3, 33-43 God pours contempt on princes, yet raises up the poor from affliction. Semi-continuous Psalm 50:16-23 I will reprove you who have spoken and done evil.

Monday: Reflection on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Numbers 11:16-23, 31-32 God provides quail. Semi-continuous 2 Samuel 12:15-25 The son born to David and Bathsheba dies. Both Ephesians 4:17-24 Put away your old self, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

Tuesday: Reflection on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Deuteronomy 8:1-20 When your life is good, do not forget the Lord your God. Semi-continuous 2 Samuel 13:1-19 Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. David is their father. Both 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 You are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

Wednesday: Reflection on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Complementary Isaiah 55:1-9 The thirsty and hungry are invited to eat without cost. Semi-continuous 2 Samuel 13:20-36 Absalom murders Amnon in revenge for raping his sister Tamar. Both Mark 8:1-10 Jesus blesses seven loaves, and they are enough to feed four thousand people, with seven baskets left over.

*Denominations have different ways of designating the weeks during the year, so your church may refer to this week by a different name. Regardless of the name, the readings are the same. Here is an explanation: Calendar Explanation

Do you have a friend who might get value from these readings?

If you know someone who could deepen his or her commitment to being a Christian through these readings, why not forward this newletter to that person? Here is a link that leads to the signup form: Sign up link

These links don't work until the lessons are on the web site. I have moved the time they are sent to 3:05 a.m. Eastern Time, which is just after midnight in Pacific Time. Folks in Alaska and Hawaii will find the readings in the previous day's mailings. Thanks for being part of this community spread throughout the country. Just knowing that we are reading the same lessons warms my heart, and I hope it does yours. Mike Gilbertson

Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from The New Revised Standard Version, (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Image credit: Wheat Field with Sheaves by Vincent van Gogh, via Wikimedia Commons. This is a public domain image.

[dailychapel]

Lord, we know that your word reminds us over and over that we do not have to fear. We know that you are with us and your protection and Presence and powerful. We ask for that you would cover us and remind us that you have stationed your angels around us to guard us in all our ways. Thank you that you never sleep or slumber, you are constantly watching over us, constantly aware, so we can get some sleep. We choose faith over fear right now and ask that you would surround us with your peace. ~ Debbie McDaniel

[Pro 30:15-33 NKJV] 15 The leech has two daughters--Give [and] Give! There are three [things that] are never satisfied, Four never say, "Enough!": 16 The grave, The barren womb, The earth [that] is not satisfied with water--And the fire never says, "Enough!" 17 The eye [that] mocks [his] father, And scorns obedience to [his] mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it. 18 There are three [things which] are too wonderful for me, Yes, four [which] I do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin. 20 This [is] the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wickedness." 21 For three [things] the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22 For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23 A hateful [woman] when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress. 24 There are four [things which] are little on the earth, But they [are] exceedingly wise: 25 The ants [are] a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; 27 The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; 28 The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings' palaces. 29 There are three [things which] are majestic in pace, Yes, four [which] are stately in walk: 30 A lion, [which is] mighty among beasts And does not turn away from any; 31 A greyhound, A male goat also, And a king [whose] troops [are] with him. 32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, [put your] hand on [your] mouth. 33 For [as] the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

[2Sa 1:1-16 NKJV] 1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, 2 on the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3 And David said to him, "Where have you come from?" So he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel." 4 Then David said to him, "How did the matter go? Please tell me." And he answered, "The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen and dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also." 5 So David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" 6 Then the young man who told him said, "As I happened by chance [to be] on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 "Now when he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I answered, 'Here I am.' 8 "And he said to me, 'Who [are] you?' So I answered him, 'I [am] an Amalekite.' 9 "He said to me again, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still [remains] in me.' 10 "So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that [was] on his head and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord." 11 Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and [so did] all the men who [were] with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 Then David said to the young man who told him, "Where [are] you from?" And he answered, "I [am] the son of an alien, an Amalekite." 14 So David said to him, "How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go near, [and] execute him!" And he struck him so that he died. 16 So David said to him, "Your blood [is] on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.' "

[Mar 14:1-9 NKJV] 1 After two days it was the Passover and [the Feast] of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put [Him] to death. 2 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people." 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured [it] on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 "For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 "For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 "She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

[dfroza]

A most sacred act

of laying down a life as a friend. the wine and the bread. the holy grail. the Ark of the Covenant. the Word of God. the True illumination of the Son through whom and for whom all things were made. the heavens and the universal garden of earth.

this is where the reading in the book of Matthew is leading into with Today’s chapter #26

And so this is what happened, finally. Jesus finished all His teaching, and He said to His disciples,

Jesus: The feast of Passover begins in two days. That is when the Son of Man is handed over to be crucified.

And almost as He spoke, the chief priests were getting together with the elders at the home of the high priest, Caiaphas. They schemed and mused about how they could trick Jesus, sneak around and capture Him, and then kill Him.

Chief Priests: We shouldn’t try to catch Him at the great public festival. The people would riot if they knew what we were doing.

Meanwhile Jesus was at Bethany staying at the home of Simon the leper. While He was at Simon’s house, a woman came to see Him. She had an alabaster flask of very valuable ointment with her, and as Jesus reclined at the table, she poured the ointment on His head. The disciples, seeing this scene, were furious.

Disciples: This is an absolute waste! The woman could have sold that ointment for lots of money, and then she could have given it to the poor.

Jesus knew what the disciples were saying among themselves, so He took them to task.

Jesus: Why don’t you leave this woman alone? She has done a good thing. It is good that you are concerned about the poor, but the poor will always be with you—I will not be. In pouring this ointment on My body, she has prepared Me for My burial. I tell you this: the good news of the kingdom of God will be spread all over the world, and wherever the good news travels, people will tell the story of this woman and her good discipleship. And people will remember her.

At that, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests.

Judas Iscariot: What will you give me to turn Him over to you?

They offered him 30 pieces of silver. And from that moment, he began to watch for a chance to betray Jesus.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples said to Jesus,

Disciples: Where would You like us to prepare the Passover meal for You?

Jesus: Go into the city, find a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, ‘My time is near, and I am going to celebrate Passover at your house with My disciples.’”

So the disciples went off, followed Jesus’ instructions, and got the Passover meal ready. When evening came, Jesus sat down with the twelve. And they ate their dinner.

Jesus: I tell you this: one of you here will betray Me.

The disciples, of course, were horrified.

A Disciple: Not me!

Another Disciple: It’s not me, Master, is it?

Jesus: It’s the one who shared this dish of food with Me. That is the one who will betray Me. Just as our sacred Scripture has taught, the Son of Man is on His way. But there will be nothing but misery for he who hands Him over. That man will wish he had never been born.

At that, Judas, who was indeed planning to betray Him, said,

Judas Iscariot: It’s not me, Master, is it?

Jesus: I believe you’ve just answered your own question.

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread. He offered a blessing over the bread, and then He broke it and gave it to His disciples.

Jesus: Take this and eat; it is My body.

And then He took the cup of wine, He made a blessing over it, and He passed it around the table.

Jesus: Take this and drink, all of you: this is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you: I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until I am with you once more, drinking in the kingdom of My Father.

The meal concluded. Together, all the men sang a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, and then they took a late evening walk to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus: Scripture says,

I shall strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will scatter.

Just so, each of you will stumble tonight, stumble and fall, on account of Me.

Afterward I will be raised up. And I will go before you to Galilee.

Peter: Lord, maybe everyone else will trip and fall tonight, but I will not. I’ll be beside You. I won’t falter.

Jesus: If only that were true. In fact, this very night, before the cock crows in the morning, you will deny Me three times.

Peter: No! I won’t deny You. Even if that means I have to die with You!

And each of the disciples echoed Peter.

At that, Jesus led His disciples to the place called Gethsemane.

Jesus: I am going over there to pray. You sit here while I’m at prayer.

Then He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and He grew sorrowful and deeply distressed.

Jesus: My soul is overwhelmed with grief, to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.

He walked a little farther and finally fell prostrate and prayed.

Jesus: Father, this is the last thing I want. If there is any way, please take this bitter cup from Me. Not My will, but Yours be done.

When He came back to the disciples, He saw that they were asleep. Peter awoke a little less confident and slightly chagrined.

Jesus (to Peter): So you couldn’t keep watch with Me for just one short hour? Now maybe you’re learning: the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Watch and pray and take care that you are not pulled down during a time of testing.

With that, Jesus returned to His secluded spot to pray again.

Jesus: Father, if there is no other way for this cup to pass without My drinking it—then not My will, but Yours be done.

Again Jesus returned to His disciples and found them asleep. Their eyes were heavy-lidded. So Jesus left them again and returned to prayer, praying the same sentiments with the same words. Again He returned to His disciples.

Jesus: Well, you are still sleeping; are you getting a good long rest? Now the time has come; the Son of Man is just about to be given over to the betrayers and the sinners. Get up; we have to be going. Look, here comes the one who’s going to betray Me.

There he was, Judas, one of the twelve leading a crowd of people from the chief priests and elders with swords and clubs; the chief priests and the elders were right there, ready to arrest Jesus. And Judas, the one who intended to betray Him, had said to the elders and the chief priests that he would give them a sign.

Judas Iscariot: I’ll greet Him with a kiss. And you will know that the one I kiss is the one you should arrest.

So at once, he went up to Jesus.

Judas Iscariot: Greetings, Teacher (he kisses Him).

Jesus: My friend, do what you have come to do.

And at that, the company came and seized Him. One of the men with Jesus grabbed his sword and swung toward the high priest’s slave, slicing off his ear.

Jesus: Put your sword back. People who live by the sword die by the sword. Surely you realize that if I called on My Father, He would send 12 legions of messengers to rescue Me. But if I were to do that, I would be thwarting the scriptural story, wouldn’t I? And we must allow the story of God’s kingdom to unfold. (to the crowds) Why did you bring these weapons, these clubs and bats? Did you think I would fight you? That I would try to dodge and escape like a common criminal? You could have arrested Me any day when I was teaching in the temple, but you didn’t.

This scene has come together just so, so that the prophecies in the sacred Scripture could be fulfilled.

And at that, all the disciples ran away and abandoned Him. The crowd that had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and elders had gathered at Caiaphas’s house and were waiting for Jesus to be delivered. Peter followed Jesus (though at some distance so as not to be seen). He slipped into Caiaphas’s house and attached himself to a group of servants. And he sat watching, waiting to see how things would unfold.

The high priest and his council of advisors first produced false evidence against Jesus—false evidence meant to justify some charge and Jesus’ execution. But even though many men were willing to lie, the council couldn’t come up with the evidence it wanted. Finally, two men stood up.

Two Men: Look, He said, “I can destroy God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.” What more evidence do you need?

Then Caiaphas the high priest stood up and addressed Jesus.

Caiaphas: Aren’t You going to respond to these charges? What exactly are these two men accusing You of?

Jesus remained silent.

Caiaphas (to Jesus): Under a sacred oath before the living God, tell us plainly: are You the Anointed One, the Son of God?

Jesus: So you seem to be saying. I will say this: beginning now, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God’s power and glory and coming on heavenly clouds.

The high priest tore his robes and screeched.

Caiaphas: Blasphemy! We don’t need any more witnesses—we’ve all just witnessed this most grievous blasphemy, right here and now. So, gentlemen, what’s your verdict?

Gentlemen: He deserves to die.

Then they spat in His face and hit Him. Some of them smacked Him, slapped Him across the cheeks, and jeered.

Some of the Men: Well, Anointed One, prophesy for us, if You can—who hit You? And who is about to hit You next?

As all this was going on in Caiaphas’s chamber, Peter was sitting in the courtyard with some servants. One of the servant girls came up to him.

Servant Girl: You were with Jesus the Galilean, weren’t you?

And just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied it before everyone.

Peter: Not me! I don’t know what you’re talking about.

He went out to stand by the gate. And as he walked past, another servant girl recognized him.

Another Servant Girl (speaking to those standing around): That man over there—he was here with Jesus the Nazarene!

Again, just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied it, swearing an oath.

Peter: I don’t know Him!

Peter then went to chat with a few of the servants. A little while later, some other servants approached him:

Other Servants: Look, we know that you must be one of Jesus’ followers. You speak like you are from the same area as His followers. You’ve got that tell-tale Galilean accent.

Cursing and swearing, Peter denied Him again.

Peter: I do not know Him!

As the exclamation left his mouth, a cock crowed. And Peter remembered. He remembered that Jesus had looked at him with something like pity and said, “This very night, before the cock crows in the morning, you will deny Me three times.” And Peter went outside, sat down on the ground, and wept.

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 26 (The Voice)

and to accompany Today’s chapter of Matthew here’s a set of posts by John Parsons of [Hebrew for Christians] as well as yesterday’s message by the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas that illuminates spiritual truth:

A verse from this week’s Torah (i.e., parashat Pinchas) reveals another great Name of God: Elohei ha’ruchot le’khol basar (אלהי הרוחת לכל־בשׂר), which can be translated "the God of the breath of all flesh" (Num. 27:16). This Name reveals that the LORD is the Source of your breath, the One who exhales to you nishmat ha’chayim (נשימת החיים), the "breath of life" that enables you to live (Job 12:10). The sages use the analogy of a glassblower who creates a glass vessel. Just as the glassblower blows into a tube to form a vessel from molten glass, so the "breath" (i.e., neshamah: נְשָׁמָה) that comes from the LORD functions as spirit (i.e., ruach: רוּחַ) that forms and fills the human soul (i.e., nefesh: נֶפֶשׁ). Note especially that the Name YHVH (יהוה), the LORD, first appears in this connection (Gen. 2:7), a designation that also means "God is Present" (Exod. 3:14) and "God is Mercy" (Exod. 34:6-7). Note also that each letter of the Name YHVH represents a vowel sound (i.e., breath), suggesting that God's Spirit is as close as your very next breath. Like the wind that cannot be seen, so is the spirit the essential part of your identity. Truly in God we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Shabbat Shalom, chaverim! [Hebrew for Christians]

7.10.20 • Facebook

The moral law of God is a perfect mirror, revealing the truth about our inward condition. The reality of our sin leads to brokenness and the confession of our need for God’s power to change our hearts. But we can only get to that place by means of the cross: We first die to all hope in ourselves and our religious aspirations, and then God does the miracle. The cross demonstrates that any attempt of the flesh to please God (i.e., "religion") is useless and needs to be laid to rest. True obedience, then, means surrendering to the LORD who heals your heart (forgives your sin) and sets you free to know Him. This is the "end of the law," after all - to walk as God's free child who pleases Him out of a relationship of love, trust, and blessing. We can obey God, in other words, only if we first surrender our hearts to his love. [Hebrew for Christians]

7.10.20 • Facebook

The Scriptures declare: "Blessed is the man who ... delights in the Torah of the LORD (בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה); all that he does shall prosper" (Psalm 1:1-3). And while it is true that we are no longer 'under' the terms of the covenant given at Sinai (Rom. 3:23), we still delight 'in' the Torah and meditate on its precepts day and night (Psalm 1:2; 19:8; 119:15, 47, 97; Neh. 8:12, etc.). After all, Torah “written upon the heart” is a mark of the New Covenant believer (Jer. 31:31-33). As it is written in Proverbs: "If you seek it [i.e., the wisdom revealed in the Torah] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:4-5).

Where it is written, “all Scripture is breathed out by God (θεόπνευστος) and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17), it is evident that the Scriptures referred to here are the Jewish Scriptures (i.e., the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings), since they are the foundation, the context, and the overarching matrix for the later New Covenant revelation. These were the Scriptures Yeshua used to contextualize and explain his ministry to his followers: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27; John 1:45). In other words, the Torah has both a logical, a linguistic, and a theological priority regarding our understanding of the New Testament, and the failure to read in context invariably leads to faulty interpretations and doctrinal errors of various kinds. “To the Jew first, and [then] to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16) is a principle not only of how the gospel message would transcend ethnic Israel to be offered to all the nations, but also about how we should approach the subject of Biblical “hermeneutics.” God “breathed out” his revelation in order, and the message itself must be understood in light of that order (John 4:22). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.10.20 • Facebook

July 10, 2020

Exceeding Greatness

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:19)

There are a number of scriptural superlatives that convey something of the tremendous magnitude of our great salvation. These are marked by the adjective “exceeding,” which in the Greek implies essentially boundless, surpassing dimensions of the attributes it describes.

First of all, as our text implies, His power available to us is one of exceeding greatness. Its magnitude is measured by the power required to bring Christ back from death and Hades.

Consider also the measure of His grace, “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). His grace has saved us when we were dead in sins, but this is only a small token. In the ages to come, we will experience His grace as one of exceeding riches.

Then there is the wonderful peace of God. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). In this verse, the word “passeth” is the same word. Paul is saying that God’s peace is one exceeding understanding.

Finally, consider His glory. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The future eternal glory is one of exceeding weight, or abundance.

Thus, the infinite blessings and resources of our salvation in Christ are described as providing the power of surpassing greatness, the grace of surpassing richness, the peace which surpasses all understanding, and the eternal glory of surpassing abundance! All of this is freely available “to us-ward who believe.” HMM

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is chapter 13 in the book of Deuteronomy that directs the people in the old covenant given through Moses to hold people to the death penalty for worshiping other gods other than God our Creator. and the truth is that all sin is deserving of the death penalty according to the law, which brings out the True beauty of the new covenant when grace was revealed when the Son took upon the death penalty in our place to ransom us from our sins.

[Deuteronomy 13]

Moses: Suppose someone who claims to be a prophet, or to have inspired dreams, stands up and tells all of you that some unusual, significant sign or wonder is going to happen, and also says, “I’m here to let you know about some other gods you should be worshiping.” What if the thing that person has predicted actually happens? Don’t listen to what that prophet or dreamer says! The Eternal your God is testing you to see whether you really do love Him completely, with your whole heart and soul. Remain loyal to Him! Fear Him and obey His commands. Listen to His voice. Worship Him alone. Be fervently devoted to Him. 5 But as for that prophet or dreamer, put him to death! He’s tried to turn you away from the Eternal your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and liberated you from slavery. He’s tried to entice you off the path God commanded you to follow. Expel the evil from your community.

What if someone close to you whispers secretly, “Let’s go worship other gods”? It doesn’t matter if it’s your brother or half-brother, your own son or daughter, your beloved wife or closest friend. Whether they’re gods of the people who live around you or gods of people who live far away—the gods of anyone on the face of the earth! You’ve never worshiped any of these gods before, and neither did your ancestors, because you’re in a covenant relationship with the Eternal. So don’t listen to this person. Don’t agree to go worship other gods with him or her. Anyone who entices you like this must be executed! Don’t feel sorry for him, or have mercy on him, or try to hide what he’s done. Stone him to death because he tried to entice you away from the Eternal, your True God who brought you out of the land of Egypt and rescued you from slavery. As the witness to what he said, and as the person he tried to corrupt, you must throw the first deadly stone, and then everyone else will join in. All the rest of the Israelites will hear about this and be afraid, and none of them will dare to do such an evil thing again in your land.

Moses: You may hear a report in one of the cities the Eternal your God is giving you to live in: “Some wicked people have abandoned our faith, and they’ve convinced everyone else in their own city to worship other gods we’ve never had anything to do with!” If you ever hear a report like this, conduct a careful, thorough investigation. If you establish conclusively that the report is true, that such a horrible thing has been done within your nation, then bring your swords and execute everyone who lives in that city! Destroy it completely with everything in it—even the livestock. Pile all the city’s goods in the middle of the public square, and then burn down the whole city and everything in it. This will be a burnt offering showing your complete loyalty to the Eternal your God. That city must never be rebuilt; let it remain a ruin forever. Don’t take any of the goods for yourself because they have been banned; destroy everything. Then the Eternal will stop being so furiously angry. He’ll show you mercy and compassion; and you’ll have many descendants, just as He promised your ancestors, if you’ll listen to the voice of the Eternal, your True God, obey all the commands I’m giving you today, and do what He decides is right.

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 13 (The Voice)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Saturday, july 11 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

[pastordorry-blog]

Gratitude

“Gratitude”—Passover

Exodus 12:1-14

Exodus Week 6

October 15, 2017

  Last Sunday night, 16 youth and adults gathered in Wesley Hall to learn about the life of Moses.  Our seminary intern, Lexi, taught us how to write Moses' name in Hebrew, we made burning bushes, and we made depictions of his life--all of which are now displayed on a bulletin board in the Gallery.  If you haven't seen it yet, I hope you'll take a few minutes to check it out before heading over to the Parsonage Open House.  I think our young people did a really great job.

But Moses' life was so full, we did not have time to cover every aspect of him as a leader and man of God.  We have the same issue this fall as we study the book of Exodus. There is no way we can cover all the important events.  I hope you don't mind, but I decided to skip over nine of the ten plagues.  If you recall last week, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh and demanded he let the Hebrew people go.  Pharaoh asked for a sign so he could know whether to take them seriously or not.  Aaron threw down his staff, and it became a snake, a trick quickly matched by Pharaoh's magicians and sorcerers.  But in a show of things to come, Aaron's snake devoured all the other snakes.  We know how the story is going to end:  God is going to devour Pharaoh and his evil. We can fast forward through the first nine plagues of blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts and darkness, and get right to the climax:  the killing of all the Egyptian firstborn males.

While all of the plagues sound gross, scary or both, the last one seems especially barbaric to us.  Why would God kill innocent Egyptian children?  This only makes even a little sense if we remember that Pharaoh thought he was god.  He though he had the power over life and death.  Nine plagues did not convince him otherwise.  So God brought about a night of terror, one climactic night to reverse hundreds of years of increasing terror the Egyptians brought upon the Hebrews. Even after the night of terror, Pharaoh was still not convinced he was the loser.  As we will see next week, Pharaoh changed his mind about freeing the Hebrews, and his army was swallowed up in the Red Sea.  Without God's powerful intervention, Pharaoh would have never let the Egyptians go.

That is why, if you talk to your Jewish friends about Passover, they will tell you that one of the key features of the celebration is gratitude.  Passover lasts eight days, eight days of every year set aside to give thanks to God for deliverance.  Passover is celebrated with special dinners every night called seders.  On the cover of your bulletin is a picture of a seder plate, and one of our neighbors here in town loaned me this seder plate to show you. Isn't it beautiful?  It's beauty is quite a contrast to the symbolism behind the food it holds.  Before the Passover, life was very hard for the Hebrew slaves, so they dip bitter herbs in salt water as a reminder of the bitter conditions and the salty tears they cried.  They had to work making bricks, so the seder meal includes charoset, which actually tastes very good, it's a mixture of apples and cinnamon.  But it is thick like mortar, a reminder of the hard work required of the Hebrews, building buildings to please a ruler who exploited them.

Another name of Passover is "the feast of unleavened bread".  Moses commanded the Hebrews to prepare the Passover meal and eat it in haste.  There was no time for making bread with yeast and allowing it to rise.  So they baked a quick bread without yeast, which it turns out, is basically a cracker. Jewish families even today rid their homes of all leavened products for the eight days of Passover.  Matzoh like this is the basic food, the bread and butter if you will, for the duration of the feast. When Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion, it was unleavened bread that he held and broke before his disciples.  

The seder meal follows a liturgy, a Haggadah, which means telling.  Before each course in the meal, a portion of the exodus story is told.  How they were slaves in Egypt.  How God intervened.  How they were led through the Red Sea with the gold and wealth of the Egyptians.  How God sustained them in the wilderness with manna and quail.  And how eventually God led them into the Promised Land.  Four different cups of wine are drunk to mark important parts of the story.  We get our sacrament of communion directly from the seder meal. As Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples, it was during the seder meal that Jesus lifted up the last cup of wine and said, "This is my blood."  

The elements of our communion service come directly from the Passover seder, and the meaning is also connected.  The first Passover meal was a signal, that God is about to do a new and decisive thing.  It was going to be so important, that before that first Passover was celebrated, the command to do this every year was given.  God told them to remember this night before there was anything special about the night to remember!  That same thing is true with communion.  Jesus told his disciples to remember, before they had any idea what it was they would be remembering and celebrating.  

Key to the remembering, for Jews during Passover, and for Christians at communion, is gratitude.  We begin every communion service with a Great Thanksgiving. Usually we follow the one in our hymnal, although occasionally we use other words, but the point is always the same: to remember what God has done for us, and give thanks.  We tell parts of our redemption story.  We give thanks for the salvation God has given us, even before we fully receive the salvation.  We are people of hope, we anticipate someday living in peace and freedom even greater than what we enjoy today.  We take communion as a way of participating in that future goodness.  That is why we take communion, not just with a little thanksgiving, but with a Great Thanksgiving.

This sense of gratitude has its roots in the Passover seder.  Most seders include singing, not just chanting the Hebrew prayers, but singing songs for fun.  One of the mot significant songs is called "Dayenu", which means, "Enough".  The song has something like fifteen verses. It would have been enough if God had gotten them out of Egypt.  But God also gave them plunder, gold and wealth from the Egyptians.  It would have been enough if God parted the Red Sea, but God also defeated their foes.  It would have been enough if God gave them manna in the wilderness.  But God also gave them Torah, a Hebrew word for Scripture. Dayenu.  It would have been enough.  God could have just given us one or two blessings.  Instead, God gave us blessing after blessing.

You don't have to be an expert in Jewish history to appreciate how much faith it must take for Jewish families and friends to gather for over three thousand years to celebrate Passover, and to praise God with songs and prayers of "dayenu".  There is no group of people who have suffered persecution more than the Jews throughout human history.  And yet, an essential part of the Passover celebration is giving thanks. Thanking God for liberating the Hebrew people in the past, trusting that what God does is enough, passing on to the next generation and the next, this faith that God's liberating nature has not changed.  It seems like an art form to me, to be able to give thanks for what one has, while acknowledging hopes and dreams that someday things will be better.  Somehow the combination of gratitude for the past and the hope for the future turns into joy for the now.

I'd like to play you a video of a contemporary Jewish a capella group, Six Thirteen, a song they wrote about Passover. While you watch the video, look for the important elements to the seder we have talked about:  matzoh and wine, the Haggadah, the seder plate, gratitude, and dayenu.

 Play three minutes of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhR13I6UE1c

 Did you notice the phrase, ma nishtana?  It means the four questions.  The seder begins with the question, "Why is tonight different from all nights?"  It's different, because on the nights of Passover, Jews remember the exodus, the mighty act of salvation God performed for them.  But in some ways, the nights of passover are not ay different from other nights. We are always called to remember what God has done, even while we are still waiting for God to act.  That is why the song, "Dayenu", enough, is sung. The world is not perfect, and we are waiting on God to do a new thing.  We are waiting to become the new and complete creations God intended us and everyone else to be.  But we can wait with contentment, because what we have received from God is enough.  God has not forgotten us.  We know God is still at work for good, even when our circumstances might be anything but.

When we celebrate communion, we give thanks for the bread the cup, "these your mighty acts of Jesus Christ."  They are not only symbols of our liberation from slavery to sin and death, they become agents of salvation in this holy mystery we call the sacrament of communion.  Our efforts, our obedience, our willingness to do a new thing is important.  But it is God's actions that seal our fate.  God has acted on our behalf.  God continues to act on our behalf.  Dayenu. Come to the table, and receive the "enough" God has for you today.  Amen.  

[jeharvill]

Things Oliver Says.

Oliver turned six this month. Here is a collection of quotes and small anecdotes about him. 

“So I was NAKED when I was born? Oh yeah, cause I couldn’t have clothing inside you, unless we made clothes out of blood.”

(Returning from the school bathroom) “Mama, I think I discovered I have a new super power. Know what ? I can turn invisible. Not like, just turn invisible, but, you know, if someone blinks, then I’m not there.” In the car Oliver said to Alex “I hope I never become homeless because then I would turn into a bad person.” Alex “Why do you say that, Oliver?” Oliver replies “Because if no one was giving love to me, then I wouldn’t have any love to put out into the world.”

We all cleaned the whole house and Oliver said “I know how we can keep it clean! Each time we play with something or use something we put it back when we’re done”. Alex sarcastically says “It’ll never work. No ones ever tried that before”. Oliver sincerely says “Then we don’t know if it’ll work because no one ever tried!”

“I like to play four square so my arms can get stronger and quicker, since in PE it’s just my legs.”

“You can’t undo what you’ve already done .... unless it’s a knot.” “Do you know how to open the door to pretend life? You push the buttons and if someone has a lock the door opens.”

One night at bedtime when I told him “I love you” he replied “Except for when you’re dead, then you won’t be able to love me.” 

“Is chemotherapy a sweet tasting medicine?”

Here are some mini-anecdotes about Oliver. 

When he woke up this morning he wanted to play legos. He dressed himself, brushed his teeth, and used the bathroom by himself so that he would have fifteen minutes of lego time before breakfast.

Some nights at bedtime he says “no thank you” to a lullaby. Other nights he will sing along with me.

Whenever I give Oliver and Hazel a snack or a treat Oliver eats his snack and then asks Hazel if she will share hers with him.

He absolutely loves to wrestle and rough house. He wants to jump on my back or be thrown in the air all of time. He loves to be spun around and he absolutely loves to burrow under the covers of a queen bed, something he has loved since birth.

He says he feels that other people will be let down in him if he cuts his hair. 

He loves to play soccer in the back yard. We set up some chairs as goals and he will kick the ball with me for hours. Occasionally he asks me to let him win, and I always tell him no, he doesn’t need that. One day he was so upset that he lay down and asked me to go easy on him, which I did. Within about two minutes he said “This is boring, let’s go back to the other way.”

He still enjoys playing “family” with Hazel. They pretend to be a family going to the grocery store, or going on a train trip, packing their luggage, caring for the baby, cooking dinner. 

He still loves chess, uno, and all other board games. Here he is playing chess with me at work. That’s my office door behind him. 

A few weeks ago when he was sick and I stayed home with him he didn’t want to watch videos or be read to, he asked me if he could sit in my lap and have me hold him quietly. It was a very sweet time, just chatting and looking out the window.

He thinks that certain things are “babyish”. He won’t wear pants with elastic waist, even though he can’t do the button on his jeans. He won’t sit in the stroller even if he’s very sick and wants to be outside.

Oliver can often be heard criticizing Hazel. If she says something about “Octimus-prime” Oliver will sneer “Do you even know who Octimus-Prime IS?”

He loves dance parties. 

His favorite foods are hot dogs and raisin bread. He does not like pasta in any form, he refuses PB&J, he doesn’t care for pizza. He likes black bean quesadillas, chicken or turkey sandwiches, carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and every fruit.

Some days when Hazel is napping Oliver helps me clean up the house. We put the toys away, fold the laundry, and wash the dishes. Sometimes, but not always, he really enjoys this work. 

Every day he wears jeans with a long sleeved shirt. He would like to wear jeans to soccer practice.

He is eager to adopt lifestyles he learns about at school. For example, he was interested in “keeping passover” by not eating any bread during Passover. He asks us if our produce is organic and he asks how many ingredients are in his frozen sausage patties. 

[atlafan]

My Everything - Part Four

A Take it Slow Sequel

What happens with Harry and Y/N after he proposes? How will the two navigate the engaged life while also continuing to juggle their jobs, friends, and families? Let’s find out.

Warnings: Fluff and Smut. Small dash of angst. 

a/n: not proofread fam, I didn’t have the strength.

Masterpost

“You wanna go to Homecoming?” Sarah asks you. You and Harry went over to her and Niall’s place for lunch on Sunday.

“It seems really important to my intern that I’m there…it could be fun to check out the tailgate, we used to have fun at that.”

“Yeah, when we were plastered from starting to drink the second we woke up.” She sighs. “What about Rach?”

“I was gonna text her. I think it’ll be fun if we all go.”

“Niall?”

“Yeah?” Him and Harry were playing video games while you and Sarah were in the kitchen.

“Wanna go to Homecoming next weekend with us?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No.”

“Alright, Homecoming it is.”

“Okay, I guess we’re in.” She smiles at you.

“What was that?” You whisper at her with a grin.

“He’s been really…not into arguing with me lately. I think he’s cracked the code that I’m more apt to fuck him if he doesn’t give me any attitude.” She whispers back.

“See, I feel like Harry wants to fuck me more when I give him attitude.”

“Y/N, Harry would fuck you in any given situation.” You both start laughing.

“Oi, not nice to whisper.” Harry says without looking at either of you.

“Can you two pause that please? Lunch is ready…” Sarah says.

“Only because yeh asked so nicely.” Niall says, saving the game. Him and Harry stand up and go into the kitchen. Niall kisses Sarah on the cheek. “Thanks for makin’ the grub girls.”

You all dig into the food.

“So, do you two have like every little thing planned yet or what?” Niall asks, jokingly.

“We actually just started to go over some stuff yesterday. Next Sunday we’re going to look at two venues down at the Cape. We were thinking a beachy, hotel vibe.”

“Ohh, I like that.” Sarah says. “That’ll be a bust weekend. Homecoming on Saturday, then taking that drive Sunday.”

“The busy season for the Cape is over, shouldn’t be any traffic. I bet we’ll get there in under an hour.”

“And we decided we’re gonna do like a small cake for us and then do cupcakes. Y/N already has an idea for a bakery.”

“Your mum should just make big batches of the dump cake.”

“Niall, I swear to god, do you just want the recipe?” You laugh.

“No, I only like it when she makes it.”

“It’s true. I asked her for it during Rosh Hashanah and I made for him, but apparently I didn’t do it right.” Sarah rolls her eyes.

“That’s so fucking rude, your girlfriend baked for you and you told her you didn’t like it?” You ask.

“Never said I didn’t like it. I said it was really good, it just wasn’t Lynn’s.” He shrugs. “You’re a very good baker, sweetie.” He smiles at her and she rolls his eyes again.

“You teach her to do that, or is that just another thing you have in common?” Harry says to you with a smirk.

“Harry, I’ve not rolled my eyes at you for a very long time. And Niall deserved it, so there.” You stick your tongue out at him.

“What is it with you and the rolling of the eyes, anyways?” Sarah asks. “Like there are worse things out there.”

“I just find it to be really disrespectful.” He shrugs.

“But I’ve seen you do it. Are you the only one allowed?” Sarah asks, crossing her arms.

“That’s right.” He smirks at her.

“Well, that’s stupid and so are you.” She smirks right back.

“Did one of your third graders teach you that comeback?” Sarah’s mouth falls open, and you can’t help but giggle. You always found it amusing when her and Harry would get under each other’s skin a little, like brother and sister.

“No, actually, it was your mother.”

Both you and Niall choke on your food. Harry’s mouth was agape, but he bursts out laughing.

“That was a good one, I have to admit, you got me, love.”

“Love playing tennis with you as always.”

You all finish up eating and go over to the couch to watch a movie. It was a rainy day so none of you minded lounging around. Buster starts to whimper when the rain falls a little harder.

“God, he must be scared of rain now.” You say. “Niall, do you mind if he sits on the couch with us? He wants to be on our laps.”

“Not at all.”

Harry whistles to Buster and pulls him up so his body is on Harry, and his head is in your lap. You both pet him to try and soothe him.

“Poor thing, how’s his leg?” Sarah asks.

“Much better. His checkup is this week.” Harry says.

“I’m hoping that same nurse isn’t working.”

“What nurse?” Niall asks.

“The nurse that was giving us all the information made me feel really embarrassed because I scolded Buster in front of her, and she goes miss…he’s a dog, but luckily Harry was there, he backed me up.”

“I would’ve been like and what about it?” Sarah says. “That’s your baby.”

“That’s exactly what I said.” Harry explains. “I’m the one takin’ him, his appointment is while you’re at work, remember?”

“Still…I don’t want her being rude to you too.”

“I don’t think she’d dare after I set her straight before.”

//

During his lunch break Monday, Harry took Buster for his checkup at the vet. The doctor was happy with his progress, and told Harry he should be just fine, and to keep taking it easy with him. Luckily, that same nurse wasn’t there.

“You did so good in there, Buster. Daddy’s gonna give yeh a treat when we get back to the studio.” Buster yips at Harry from the backseat.

Harry gets him inside the studio and grabs a treat from Isaac’s desk.

“How’d it go?” Isaac asks.

“Oh, he’ll be just fine. Sit Buster.” He complies and Harry gives him the treat. “That’s my good boy.” He pets the top of his head.

“So…apparently we’re going to Homecoming this weekend.” Mariah says to Harry.

“You don’t wanna go?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t go there…I feel like I’ll be bored.” She sighs.

“Seth and I are going too, maybe we can meet up.”

“You guys are goin’ too?”

“Yeah, I guess Seth goes every year. He was in a frat or something, so he goes to support his brothers or whatever.” He shrugs. “All I know is that I’m gonna look cute as hell in my new cardigan.” They all laugh. “I’m surprised all the girls didn’t go last year.”

“It’s not really Y/N’s thing.” Harry says. “Her intern really wants her to go so she can meet the director of alumni relations. He really wants to see her featured in their magazine, and so would I to be honest.” Harry’s phone starts to go off, it’s you. “Hey babe, what’s up?”

“How was Buster’s appointment?”

“It was really good, we just need to keep doin’ what we’re doin’ with him.”

“Okay, great. Thank you for taking him.”

“No problem.”

“Did you remember to eat?” Harry pauses. “I’ll take that as a no. Please remember to eat your lunch.”

“I will, I’ll go eat it now.”

“Okay, I gotta go. Love you!”

“Love you too.” He hangs up and sees Isaac and Mariah giggling. “Shut up.”

“Did she just have to remind you to eat?” Mariah asks.

“Can you blame her? I wouldn’t wanna come home to a hangry Harry.”

“You both are really annoying.” Harry huffs, and walks to the kitchen to grab his sandwich out of the fridge.

//

“There’s my boy!” Buster trots over to you once him and Harry are through the door. “Daddy said you did so good at the vet, I’m so proud of you.” His tail was wagging like crazy. “That’s right, you’re a very good boy.” You cup his hand in your hands and make kissy noises.

“What am I, chopped liver?”

“Blegh, I hope not, I hate chopped liver.” You giggle and go over to give him a kiss.

“Why do you know what that tastes like?” He asks, wrapping his arms around you.

“We eat it during Passover, well, I don’t. God, it’s disgusting.”

“We didn’t really do anything for Passover this year, did we?”

“No, I was in Aruba for most of it, remember?”

“Oh yeah.” He kisses your forehead and lets you go. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Hmm, how about I roast some veggies in the oven?”

“Sounds good to me.”

You and Harry prep the veggies and put whatever seasonings you like on them, along with some olive oil, and pop it in the oven.

“Wanna have rice with it?” He asks.

“Sure.” You shrug. “We can just make that one minute stuff when everything’s done in the oven.” You both sit down at the island.

“Isaac told him and Seth are going to Homecoming too…”

“Oh? That’s nice.”

“Seth didn’t tell you?” Harrys asks out of shock.

“No.” You shrug. “We don’t talk every day you know?”

“Thought you did.”

“Maybe when we first started talking again. We’re both very busy people. He’s probably going to hang with his old frat brothers.” You make a disgusted noise. “That was the most annoying thing about him, when he joined that frat. Although, that is how he got the best room in the apartment he was in senior year. He had his own bathroom and everything.”

“M’sure that was convenient for the two of you.” He says facetiously and you nudge his shoulder. “Teasing.” He says softly.

“Mhm.” You roll your eyes. “Anyways, seems like the whole gang’ll be there. I’ll have to pull out one of my old sweatshirts to show some school spirit.”

“The three of you walking in are gonna look like a gang.” Harry laughs. “M’surprised you weren’t in a sorority.”

“We might as well been our own little sorority. Do you wanna see a funny video from Homecoming our senior year? I was going through some of my old instas the other day and it made me laugh.”

“Sure.”

He leans in as you scroll to find the video. You were all outside day drinking, having a good time. Someone yells to you to dance a little, and you look around and pop your ass a couple times and then go back to doing what you were doing. You burst out laughing when it ends.

“You look absolutely faded.” Harry chuckles.

“We had started drinking so early, and we just kept going to keep a steady buzz. Anytime it was remotely nice out, Seth would have a party at his apartment and we’d all just gather outside on the lawn. It was so much fun.”

“We did similar stuff. There was really nothing better than sitting outside on a nice day and just getting hammered.”

“Mhm.”

“You were, uh, really thin back then.” He rubs the back of his neck.

“Oh, I know…I did not look as good as I thought. I think I only ate like one meal a day back then, it was so bad.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know exactly, maybe I wasn’t hungry, or maybe that’s just the life of a college student. I was going to the gym a lot too to run, so between that and barely eating…it wasn’t healthy at all. Clearly I wised up.”

“Yeah, I was sorta thin when I was in college too. I feel like I didn’t put any muscle on until after I graduated. I don’t think I was gettin’ enough protein.”

“That was probably part of my problem too.”

“Well, I’d love you know matter what you look like, I hope you know that.”

“Thank you.” You kiss him and hop down from your stool. “I’m gonna go put some sweats on.”

“Alright.” He watches you walk out.

He meant what he said, he really would love you no matter what. He loved the little dimples in your back, and the way he could grip onto your love handles when you were making love. He liked when you would grip onto his too.

You both enjoy your meal of veggies and rice, and after dinner Harry takes Buster for a walk so you can get some homework done. Harry reads from his book when he gets back to not distract you from your studies. When you finish you sigh and close your laptop, setting it down on the coffee table.

“What is it, baby?”

“Nothing, this professor is just giving us busy work. It’s pretty un-motivating.”

“Well, it’s done now right?”

“The first half of things yeah. I have to respond to a couple of people in a few days. My advisor seems to think I should finish over the summer, like August, so I’ll be able to walk in commencement in May if I want, but I probably won’t.”

“And why not?”

“Because I wouldn’t actually be done during it, it would be like a false congratulations.”

“I don’t think so at all. I think you should be celebrated for the work you’d already gotten done, so what if you’d still have a couple of classes to finish up afterwards?”

“Harry it would just be another weekend used up for something when we could be doing something else.”

“Well, I would very much like to celebrate you, so would you at least think about it?”

“Okay. I don’t have to decide until February anyways, that’s when the form is due.”

//

You were able to find one of your old college sweat shirts, so you throw that on with some cuffed jeans and a pair of tennis shoes. You throw some curls into your hair and brush them out so your hair looks wavy.

“Do you think we can bring Buster?” Harry asks, as he puts a sweatshirt of his own on.

“Yeah, there’s bound to be other dogs there too. Rach should be here soon to meet us. I’m a little annoyed that Mariah backed out on her.”

“She didn’t wanna go, no big deal.” He shrugs.

“Yeah, but you’re going, Niall’s going, and Isaac is even doing frat shit with Seth. What else does Mariah have to do today?”

“She doesn’t really like big crowds, Y/N. Rachel will have just as much fun with us.”

You all pile into Sarah’s SUV, including Buster, and head to your old campus. There a ton of people everywhere, but somehow Sarah finds a parking spot. The three of you had the same sweatshirt on, but you each still maintained your own styles. You check in at the registration tent, and head down the path towards the football field where most of the events would be happening. There were people of all ages around, and you look at Harry.

“Keep a tight grip on him, he’s never been around so many people.” He nods to you.

“I’m glad Mariah didn’t come, she’d be hyperventilating.” Rachel says. “I don’t remember there ever being so many people.”

“That’s because we were always too drunk by the time we got here, and we’d go right for the food tents.” Sarah says. “So where’s the alumni table that your intern so desperately wants you to stop by?”

“I have no idea.” You say squinting. “Oh! That tent over there maybe?” You point out. “I think that’s Zach sitting down.”

You all make your way over. You and Niall smile and wave at Zach, and he stands up to greet you both.

“I’m so glad you could make it! Hi Mr. Horan, I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

“Mr. Horan.” Sarah giggles and Niall nudges her.

“Yeah.” You laugh. “Niall is actually one of my best friends.”

“Feel free to just call me Niall, Zach.”

“Right, sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck.

“This is Rachel and Sarah, they’re 2017 grads as well. Rachel came to film club sometimes too.”

“Awesome! Can you hang tight here for a second? I’m gonna go grab Russell, he’s the director.”

“Sure thing.”

“Help yourself to some water and doughnuts while you wait!” He walks away in search of Russell.

“I love free stuff, look at these stickers, I could use a new one for my car.” Sarah says.

Zach returns shortly with Russell.

“Russell, this is Y/N, the woman I was telling you about.”

“Hi! Russell Cohen, Director of Alumni Relations, nice to meet you.” He shakes your hand. “I’ve been meaning to email you, it’s just been so busy with all the planning of this.”

“Oh, it’s no worries. It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Zach tells me you gave quite the chat to the film club last week.”

“Got some pictures of it too, mate.” Harry chimes in.

“Pardon me, this is my fiancé Harry.”

“Nice to meet you.” They shake hands. “So, you’re over at Mark It, right?”

“Yes, I’m the Associate Director of Visual Media. I’ve been there just over three years now.”

“Do you happen to have a business card with you? We’re always looking for different stories in our alumni magazine. I feel like we feature the same stories all the time.”

“I do actually!” You reach into your back pocket and hand him one. “An alum from here actually helped me out in preparing for my initial interview there years ago.”

“Told you it was a cool story to tell, Russ.” Zach chimes in.

“Well, I’ll tell you what Zach, why don’t you work on conducting the interview. You could even do a digital piece for the online magazine, make a little video.”

“I’d love to!”

“Wait, so this is happening? You genuinely want me to be featured in the magazine?”

“Definitely. You’re a young, successful woman who has used her skills from our university to make a career for herself. Seems like you’re doing well in your personal life too. I’d like to showcase that. Zach sees you a few days a week anyways, so it’ll be easy enough to get some content together.”

“My friends here are both alums too.” You wave over to Rachel and Sarah. “They both graduated in 2017 with me, and are both teaching.”

“Oh great! What do you both teach?”

“I’m a high school art teacher in Brighton.”

“And I teach third grade in Dorchester.”

“Wow, that can’t be easy.”

“Some days are easier than others. I feel like I’m making a difference.” Sarah explains.

“Same here, they wanted to cut a lot of funding for my art program, but I wrote a letter requesting a grant, and we got it.” Rachel says.

“Seems like we have three strong women here, Zach.” Russell’s wheels are turning. “And the three of you were all friends in school, and stayed close.”

“Mhm.” You say. “We feel really lucky to have found each other.”

“My wheels are turning here, but I need to jump over to the cornhole tournament and make sure that’s all set up, and then I need to check on tailgate. I’d like to circle back with all three of you. I’ll contact you Y/N, and then maybe you could get me their information?”

“Sounds good.”

“Perfect, well, have fun today. Good work, Zach.”

Zach beams as Russell walks away.

“Thank you so much for coming to talk to him. I think I just got major brownie points. I really like the work I do for the office, and I’m hoping they’ll hire me on after I graduate.”

“Oh, well, if that’s the case I will for sure talk you up to him.” You say. “You guys ready to walk around a bit?”

“Yeah, I’m ready to hit up that beer garden.” Niall points it out.

“Now that is a great idea.” Sarah says.

“See you later Zach.” You wave to him as you all walk towards the beer garden.

You all show your ID’s and get in. You hang back with Buster while everyone else gets a beer.

“Is Y/N drinkin’?” Niall asks Harry when he sees that Harry only gets a drink for himself.

“Uh, yeah. She’s on a medication that can’t be mixed with alcohol.”

“Still?” Sarah asks.

“Yeah, it’s somethin’ she needs to take every day.”

“Is she okay?” Rachel asks.

“Yeah, perfectly fine.”

“Is it like an anti-depressant or something?” Sarah asks, taking a sip of her beer.

“Sarah.” Niall sighs. “If she wanted you to know, she would tell you, alright?”  

Niall didn’t know you were on meds, but he sure as shit had a clue what it was for, and he also knew it was something you’d want to keep to yourself. Everyone walks back over to you.

“Do you guys wanna check out the tailgate? Seth said he was grilling with his frat brothers.” You say.

“More free shit? Yeah, I’m down.” Sarah says.

You all make your way over, and you’re able to find Seth. Isaac waves to you and Harry. You smile as you hug him, and then you and Seth hug.

“Fair warning, I think you fucked half the guys here.” He whispers to you and he lets you go.

“What?” You whisper back. You look at the other alums there and your eyes grow wide. “Oh no.”

“Sorry, I should’ve texted you…I didn’t realize-“

“It’s okay, maybe they don’t remember me? I mean it would’ve been really long ago.”

“True.” He clears his throat. “Hey, Harry. How’s being engaged to the nicest girl in the world going?” He shakes his hand.

“Really good, thanks.” He smirks.

“You guys hungry, we have veggie burgers too.”

“That’d be great, Sethy, thanks.” You search for a cup to add some water to, and you bend over to give Buster a drink.

“Oh shit, that is Y/N!” Someone says and you stand right up and turn around. “Took me a second, but now I totally recognize you.” He laughs, clearly intoxicated.

“Alright, Billy, that’s enough.” Seth says.

Harry and Niall were extremely confused, while Sarah and Rachel stand beside you, cross armed.

“Chill, princess, she knows I’m just making a joke.”

“What did you just call him?!” You take a step forward. “Billy Meyers, I would strongly suggest you apologize.”

“What are you gonna do, break my nose like you did Ben’s?” He smirks.

“Notice how he’s not even here. He’s not allowed on campus anymore. Apologize to Seth, now.” He looks over at Harry, looks him up and down.

“You really do like the fruity ones, don’t you? Wish I had known-“ You take a deep breath and project as loudly as you can.

“BILLY MEYERS HAS A TWO INCH CHODE, BILLY MEYERS HAS A TWO IN CHODE!” The girls help you out and yell just as loud.

“Quit it! Shut up! Seth, tell them to stop!”

“Sorry, think I’m too fruity to do anything about it.” You tug Billy down by the collar of his shirt so he’s eye level with you.

“You were an immature fuck then, and you still are now. You should walk away now. Not only have you disrespected me, but my friend, and my fiancé, and I will not hesitate to shove my foot so far up your ass that you’ll be able to taste it.” He blinks at you and you let him go. “Walk away, Billy. Go to some other car.”

“Yeah, you’re not welcome here anymore.” Seth puts an arm around Isaac’s shoulder. “This frat is supposed to accept all people, but I think it’s time we made an exception for you. What do you guys think?” The other guys around all nod.

“Whatever, forget all of you.” Billy stumbles drunkenly away.

“Isaac, I’m so sorry you had to hear him say that.” Seth says to him.

“It’s okay, he’s been annoying all day, I’m just glad he’s gone.”

“Seth, are you alright?” You ask him.

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks.” You turn to Harry.

“I’m so sorry. Sometimes I forget people like that still exist.”

“I’m not even dressed…I don’t…I’m in a sweatshirt and jeans…” He looks down at his hands. His nails were pastel pink, and he had all of his rings on. “And my, my pearls are tucked in, I don’t…” He looks at Niall.

“Harry, he’s just an idiot.” You cup his face so he’ll look at you. “He’s gone now, let’s try to enjoy the tailgate, yeah?” You smile reassuringly at him.

“You fucked that guy?”

“No…I almost gave him a blowjob once, but I quite honestly didn’t know what to do with his micro-penis.” Everyone bursts out laughing.

“Yeah, that dude has a lot of internal issues, Harry…don’t take what he said to heart.” Seth says. “Alright, let me get back to the grill. There’s plenty of drinks too, you all can help yourselves.”

Rachel talks to a few of the guys she remembers being friends with, while Niall and Sarah chat with Isaac. Harry stays close to you, and has been really quiet. He only ate about half of his veggie burger.

“Hey, uh, let’s take him for a little walk.” You say to Harry and he nods. “We’ll be back in a little bit, just gonna let Buster stretch his legs.” You say to all of them. Once you’re away from the crowd and the loudness, you speak up. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” Harry bites his inner cheek.

“Billy’s an idiot, Harry-“

“It’s not just him…it’s like I’ve been dealin’ with this my whole life.” He sighs. You both find an open picnic table to down at in the shade.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve gotten bullied my entire life for comin’ off as…I don’t know, gay? I don’t even know why it fucking matters to me so much, I know who I am, and I know what I like. Why is it a big deal that I like to wear jewelry or paint my nails? Why is it a big deal if somedays I feel like dressin’ a little more masculine and or other days a little less? When I was in school it used to baffle the macho guys as to why so many girls wanted to hook up with me. My hair was long, and I supposed to them I looked girly, but it’s not my fault I just came off as non-threatening and I knew what I was doin’. I also actually took care of my body, like, some dudes I went to school with were nasty fucks.”

“A lot of guys have long hair, it’s come back in style.”

“You know what I mean though.” You nod. “I just thought I had grown out of caring what other people thought. There were even rumors that I was by or somethin’…I don’t know why people need a label for every little thing!” You blink away a few tears, you were trying to keep it together for his sake. “And look at me gettin’ all worked up, and Seth was cool as a cucumber.”

“Trust me, he’s just putting up a front for Isaac.” You rub his back. “Harry…none of that matters. If you know who you are then don’t let what one stupid idiot-“

“But it’s not just one person, Y/N! I mean if he took one look at me and deduced that it just makes me think like, what do other people think when they see us out, or like when we go to the spa together, what do those people think? They probably thing I’m like your gay best friend or something. And then I feel like a piece of shit for feelin’ that way because there’s nothin’ wrong with bein’ gay.”

“Harry, no one thinks that, and if they do so what?” He looks at you. “So you’re a little different, it’s what I love about you. You’re the least boring person there is, and I’m proud to call you my boyf, fiancé. Hell, I can’t wait to call you my husband. If someone has a problem with you, they can take it up with me.”

“I should’ve jumped in to defend you, but that guy paralyzed me.”

“It’s probably best you didn’t jump in because you probably would’ve actually hit him.”

“I would’ve walloped him.” He scoffs. “You really don’t care what other people think about us?”

“Not at all. Like I said, I’m proud to have you as the guy on my arm. I really am sorry that all happened. I hate seeing you so upset, baby.” You lean in a little closer to him so your lips are near his ear. “Every time we fuck, you always show how much of a man you are.” He looks at you and grins. You both kiss. “I hope when we get home you’ll show me again.” You say against his lips.

“I think that could be arranged.” He kisses you quick again and stands up. “Come on, I’m sure that’s where our friends think we are now.”

“Home?”

“No, off somewhere fuckin’.”

“Oh! You’re probably right.” You giggle.

You get back to your friends, and Seth hands Harry a beer.

“Thanks, mate.” Harry cracks it open and takes a sip.

“Y/N, there’s some seltzer water in the cooler too.”

“Thanks, Seth.”

The rest of the tailgate was really chill, and there was good music playing. It felt like old times a little. You and the girls were having a good time, dancing slightly where you stood when a good throwback would come on.

Seth wraps his around Isaac’s chest and rests his chin on his head.

“So, Harry, have you guys started planning anything yet?” Seth asks him.

“Yeah, we’re actually touring a couple of venues tomorrow. I think once we set a date we’ll work backwards, you know?”

“Makes a ton of sense.”

“Hey, Seth, some of the current pledges are coming by to say hi.” Someone says to him.

“Alright.” He kisses Isaac’s cheek and lets go of him.

“Cute.” Harry says.

“Harry…I think I’m in love. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but I think I love him.” Isaac says blushing. “I’ve never been with a guy like him before, he’s so comfortable and open.”

“That’s great. You should tell him how you feel.”

“Yeah.” Niall says. “Harry and Y/N said they loved each other only a couple months in.”

“Oh right, you two had a fight over the phone.”

“Harry!” You say, catching word of what they were saying. “You told him.” You pout.

“Really no other way to tell the story, love.”

“He didn’t tell me what the fight was over if that makes you feel better.”

“Why is this even being brought up?”

“Isaac’s in love with Seth.” Harry tells you. The girls squeal.

“Shh, what if he hears you?!”

“You have to tell him, Isaac.” Rachel says. “Mariah cried when I told her I loved her. I painted a picture of us together and it said I love us on it.” She swoons. “It’s hanging up right in front hall now.”

“What if he doesn’t say it back…I mean, I feel like he feels the same way, but I just don’t know.”

“You’ll never know unless you speak up.” Sarah says.

“Rip the band aid, mate.” Niall says.

“I’ve never felt this way before about anyone…” Isaac says shyly.

“Tell you what, we’ll all walk towards the game and give you two some privacy.” Harry says.

“You want me to tell him now?!”

“Tell me what?” Seth says coming back over to you all.

“We’re gonna go catch the end of the game, it was great seeing you!” You hug Seth, and everyone else also says goodbye. When you get a safe distance away you all stop to watch.

“That was awfully abrupt.” Seth says. “Is everything okay, babe?” He takes Isaac’s hand in his.

“Yeah, everything’s fine…I…just…” He sighs. “I love you, Seth.” Seth smiles and cups Isaac’s face in his hands and kisses him.

“I love you too, Isaac.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He kisses him again. “You’re silly, you didn’t need to be so nervous to tell me. It wasn’t obvious that I felt the same?”

“No!” He laughs. “Obviously not.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll just have to be more affectionate, won’t I?” He winks at him.

“Oh my fucking god, that was the cutest shit I’ve ever seen.” Rachel says as you all start to walk away.

“Right?! I’m so happy for them.” You say.

“Same here.” Harry gives you a pat on the back.

“Do we really need to watch the rest of the game? I’m about ready to leave.” Sarah says.

“Nah, we can go.” You say. “I wanna get Buster home.”

You all pile back into Sarah’s car, and head home. You thank her for driving before going into your building. Buster goes over to his water bowl immediately, and you refill it when he’s done.

“I can’t wait to go to the Ca-“

You’re cut off by Harry’s mouth on yours. He tasted like the beer he was drinking earlier, and you can’t help but suck on his bottom lip. His hands slide down to the backs of your thighs to lift you up. You wrap your legs around him while he carries you to your bedroom. He sets you down and climbs on top of you. His lips stay on yours while he unzips your jeans. His slips his hand inside your underwear and runs his fingers up and down your slit. You gasp when you feel his middle finger slip inside and the cool of his ring brushes up against you. He uses his other hand to tug your sweatshirt up over your breasts. He sucks his teeth when he sees your bra.

“If I wasn’t wearing one you’d be pissed.” You prop yourself up on your elbows to look at him.

“Take it off.”

You grin and do as he says, taking your sweatshirt and bra off, tossing them to the floor. He sucks on one of your breasts while he kneads the other, slipping a second finger inside you. Your head rolls back and you let out a groan. You grind yourself against his fingers and he looks down to watch you, the strain in his pants growing tighter. You were gasping and crying out from how good his fingers felt.

“Fuck, oh god!” You moan as you come on his fingers. “Please, fuck me Harry, need you.”

“Need you.” He stands up to take all of his clothes off. “To sit on my face first.”

You blush and sit up. Harry gets on the bed and lays down so you can place yourself on him. His scruff felt heavenly against you as you rode his tongue. You also loved the way he would moan as he lapped you up. You grip at your head board and cry out as you release again. You scoot down his body and plant kisses on his chest.

“Would you turn around and ride me? I love watchin’ your ass bounce up and down on me.”

You kiss him quick and nod. You turn around and line his hard, throbbing dick up with your center, and slowly sink down on him.

“Ah, babe, that’s it.” He moans, and grips your hips in his large hands.

You start to move up and down on him, and find a good pace. He thrusts up as you sink down on him and it hits you incredibly deep. You both could feel the bed moving underneath with how fast you were fucking each other.

“Fuck, Harry.” You moan.

“Keep goin’, baby, ridin’ me like a good girl.”  Your eyes widen, not that he could see. You look over your shoulder, and make eye contact with him. “I’m gonna come if you keep lookin’ at me like that.” He groans.

“Like what?”

“Like, oh fuck, Y/N!”

You gasp when you feel his come shoot up inside you. You wait a second to get off of him, and then you pad into the bathroom to clean yourself up. He reaches his arms out for you and you happily get back on the bed.

“How was I looking at you?” You ask softly. He rubs his thumbs lightly over your cheekbones.

“I don’t know, your eyes were all glossy and innocent.”

“You just surprised me when you called me that.”

“It slipped out, m’sorry if it made you feel weird.”

“It didn’t, I was just surprised.” You kiss him. “Everything you did felt so good, thank you.” You squish your nose to his.

“Please, I should be thanking you for the show you just put on. You have no idea how sexy your body is, darlin’.” His hands slide down your ass as you lay on top of him. “Do you think, uh, you’d ever let me?”

“Let you do what, honey?”

“You know…have a go at it.”

“Have a go at what?” You look up at him and he gets a better grip on your ass cheeks. “Oh!” Your face flushes. “To be honest…the thought of having your massive dick in my ass kind of scares me.” Harry can’t help but laugh.

“We could just ease into it. Like next time I finger you I could give you the shocker.”

“The shocker?”

“You’ve never heard of that? You know, two in the pleasure, one in the treasure?” You giggle against him. “I’d have two fingers in your cunt, and my pinky in your ass.”

“I think I could be open to that…”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I mean, what’s a pinky?” You hold on of his hands up and compare your pinky to his and sigh. “Even your fingers are massive.”

“They’re just swollen from my rings…I actually think they’re pretty skinny.”

“They’re not.” You kiss his hand. “But I’m not complaining.”

[rosefyrefyre]

Hey Rose, aside from Chanukah, what are some other ways to show that Darcy is Jewish? Thank you!

So this depends on a few things, including how religious you think Darcy is.  Everything I’m saying applies to any character, btw, but I’m tailoring my responses to a young unmarried Jewish woman living in NYC with primarily non-Jewish friends, which - hey - I’ve got plenty of experience with!

Options include:

Holidays

Hanukkah (Chanukah is fine, transliteration from Hebrew is weird) is obviously a big one, but it’s not the only one.  

Darcy is very likely to know when certain holidays are.  The big ones are Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover.  If she’s one step more observant, she’ll at least remember (if not observe) Sukkot, Sh’mini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Purim, Shavuot, and Tisha B’Av.  She may or may not remember yahrzheits, Tu B’Shvat, Yom HaAtzmaut, and Yom HaShoah.  Unless you’re making her super religious, she is highly unlikely to pay attention to Rosh Chodesh (the start of the month), the ten days of repentance, Tzom Gedalia, the tenth of Tevet, the fast of Esther, and the 17th of Tamuz.

Technically, in Judaism, the major holidays are Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and the shalosh regalim (three holidays) of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot, with everything else being a minor holiday, but that’s not really how it shakes out for modern American Jews of Darcy’s age - Hanukkah and Purim especially get elevated while Sukkot and Shavuot especially get lowered.

She will also observe American holidays.  Her family almost certainly has Thanksgiving traditions and she may have established traditions for Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s, and July 4th as well.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, and July 4th are celebrated like any other American family with the possible addition of keeping kosher - I’ll discuss those rules in the food section.  Christmas is often celebrated by going to a movie and eating Chinese food.  New Year’s is identical to other Americans.

So let’s talk the five big holidays in detail.  For dates and some more information, I strongly suggest this website, and if you have questions about what the options do, always feel free to ask.

You can debate all you want about whether Shabbat counts as a holiday, but it certainly counts as a holy day, so we’re including it.  Shabbat is the sabbath, and is traditionally celebrated by doing no work from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.  (All Jewish days start at sundown and end at sundown.)  You light candles, say blessings over wine, handwashing, and bread, and have family meals, especially on Friday night, and services at synagogue are bigger than they are during the week.  Darcy may or may not have found a synagogue she likes in NYC, and she may or may not have attended one at home.  But she will think of Friday/Saturday as the sabbath, not Sunday.

Now, no work includes no electronics.  Darcy…does not strike me as the type to give those up for a day every week.  And honestly, unless she grew up either Orthodox or on the very far observant end of Conservative, she probably wouldn’t have growing up - I didn’t, for example, but my friend the rabbi’s daughter did, so when we played on Shabbat, we didn’t use electronics or money or any number of other things.  She still may have traditions she likes to follow.  I know that I don’t do the full Shabbat experience when I’m alone in my apartment, but if I’m home, I light candles on Friday night.  That’s one of my observances.  When I was a kid I went to synagogue every Saturday morning with my family; when I was in college I went to the college group every Friday night.  So even if Darcy doesn’t really observe it, she’ll still think of it as Shabbat.

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur fall between September 4th and October 12th.  They’re the most likely days for Jews to go to synagogue.  You know how you get Christians who attend church only on Christmas and Easter?  Jews do that on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.  

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish new year, and is celebrated with round challahs, apples and honey (round foods symbolize the continuation of the year and the world - birth of the world - while honey is in honor of a sweet new year), synagogue, and family meals.  Darcy’s family likely has specific traditions - I see my mom’s brother and his kids every year for dinner during Rosh Hashana, as an example, and brisket and matzah ball soup always get served.  Darcy may or may not do much for Rosh Hashana, but as an example of a small thing, she might always eat an apple dipped in honey that day.

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement, and it is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.  There are two major fast days (Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av) and five minor fast days (Tzom Gedalia, the tenth of Tevet, Ta’anit Esther, the fast of the first born, and the 17th of Tamuz) in the Jewish calendar, but if a Jew does only one of them, it’s this one.  And by the way, the definition of a Jewish fast is no food AND no water - in a major fast, from sundown to sundown, while a minor fast lasts from sunup to sundown.  I personally only observe the one, while my stepfather, who’s a step more religious than I am, observes the two major.  You have to be either very observant or Orthodox to do the minors, in my experience.

Yom Kippur will likely also have food traditions - in my family, we eat a very simple meal (chicken, plain noodles, and broccoli) before the holiday, and bagels and lox to break the fast.  When the fast ends depends on your observance level - technically it’s sundown, but less observant Jews will push it earlier.  If you are under the age of 13 or have a medical condition (including pregnancy or nursing) you are not expected to do a full fast, though you may be expected to give something up - no sweets, for example.  Kids generally slowly get used to it over a period of years, and fully fast for the first time when they’re in their teens.

Hanukkah you already know some about, but I can reiterate a bit here.  It falls between November 27th and January 2nd, though usually it’s mostly in December.  The tradition is foods fried in oil - which especially means latkes (potato pancakes).  Darcy will have opinions on if latkes are better with applesauce or sour cream (applesauce is better, imo).  Sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and gelt (chocolate coins) are also common.  Darcy may or may not have her own menorah (I can’t remember if I brought one to college, but I have one in my apartment for sure) and may or may not light it every night.  There’s also the dreidel game, which is kind of boring if you’re not a kid or playing with kids, so unless Darcy is trying to share traditions with the Avengers, she likely won’t play it and probably won’t even own a dreidel.

Passover, which can fall between March 25th and May 1st (usually April), is the big family home holiday.  To celebrate, you do a seder (a ceremonial meal with a whole bunch of steps and telling the story and stuff) on both the first and second nights (unless you’re in Israel but let’s not get into that complication).  There will be a lot of blessings, telling the story of Passover (in English or Hebrew), discussion of the same points that people argue over every single freaking year (I’m looking at you, four children), a very large meal with a lot of specific foods, and singing.  Lots of singing.  Probably offkey singing.

If Darcy’s going to go back to her parents for one holiday, this is the likely one, unless she’s got a specific reason to go home for the others.  

The other thing about Passover is it lasts eight days, and it has extra food rules.  On top of the usual rules of keeping kosher (I’ll discuss those in a bit), you don’t eat bread or anything made with leavening (cookies, cakes, etc.).  A lot of Jews also don’t eat kitniyot - corn, legumes (including soy, beans, peas, and peanuts), or rice, but that’s shifting - not eating them is becoming less common.  Darcy may or may not keep kosher for Passover at all, and she may or may not keep it the whole holiday.  But if she hosts a seder or attends a seder, it WILL be kosher for Passover even if it’s not regular kosher (I have a friend whose family has been known to serve shrimp at their seders but they’d never even consider serving bread).

Traditional Passover foods include: wine (lots and lots and lots of wine), green vegetables (often parsley/celery) dipped in salt water, matzah, maror (horseradish), charoset (a yummy dish made of apples, walnuts, and wine or grape juice mixed together - a lot of people include cinnamon and some go for more exotic varieties), and hard boiled eggs.  Lamb used to be common but it’s less common now, and what meat her family eats could be any number of things - but they likely have one thing they do every year, if not more than one.  My family always does turkey for one meal, my brother-in-law’s family always does brisket.  Matzah ball soup is likely.

Darcy may or may not attend a seder while in NYC, but if she doesn’t, she’ll probably feel the lack.  In some ways, this is the central ritual of Judaism.

I’m not going to go hardcore into the minor holidays, but we do need to discuss yahrzheits.  Those are basically death anniversaries.  If a close family member (defined as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child) dies, a Jew is required to say a specific prayer (kadish) for them for a period of time (30 days for spouse/sibling/child, 11 months for a parent - yes I mean 11, not 12, and it’s Hebrew months, not English), and on five days of every year for the rest of their lives.  Those five days are the yahrzheit (Hebrew anniversary of the death), Yom Kippur, Sh’mini Atzeret, the eighth day of Passover, and the second day of Shavuot.  Darcy will almost certainly not do this for most family members, including grandparents.  But if she had a sibling or parent die (spouse and child are unlikely in most fics), she may for them.  I do for my dad - I at least say kaddish for my dad on these days, even if I don’t make it to synagogue, though I try to get to synagogue.  Technically you’re only supposed to say kaddish in a minyan (group of ten Jewish adults, men only if you’re Orthodox but screw that, I count women too and so do Reform and Conservative Judaism), but I’d rather say it improperly than not say it at all.  

Food

On to food!

Darcy may or may not keep kosher, and honestly, unless she’s really observant, it’s highly unlikely for her to keep fully kosher.  

Main rules of keeping kosher:

No mixing meat and milk (some people extend this to waiting after meat before eating milk, because they mix in your stomach) (birds and mammals count as meat, fish counts as parve aka neither meat nor milk, yes I know it’s contradictory and confusing)

Only fish with fins and scales (no shellfish, no eel, no shark, you can debate swordfish because it has scales in some stages but not others)

Only mammals that chew their cud AND have cloven hooves (generally this means beef, lamb, venison are all fine, but pork definitely isn’t and neither are less commonly eaten mammals)

Even if it’s a kosher animal, it must have been killed kosherly and be certified

All food must be certified kosher

Darcy is not likely to keep all of these rules (that last one…no).  Darcy may not keep any of these rules, but she also may keep some.  There are layers within this.  I, for example, don’t eat unkosher animals (no pork or shrimp) but am not super careful about checking at restaurants (I’m sure I’ve had a hot dog with pork in it before).  I also eat kosher animals (chicken, beef) that have been killed in unkosher ways, but not on my dishes, which are kosher.  I don’t mix meat and milk directly (no cheese on my burgers) but am not super careful when eating out (I don’t check that a bun has no milk before eating it with my burger) and definitely don’t wait between meat and milk.  

Darcy may have grown up not keeping kosher at all and chosen to stay that way, or may have chosen to go more kosher (my mom did).  She also may have grown up keeping completely kosher and chosen to stay that way, or may have tossed it entirely (my sister grew up completely kosher at home and now eats anything).  She also may have started in the middle and moved in any direction.

A note for this: kosher meat is expensive.  Seriously.  Kosher restaurants are even more so.  Kosher for Passover restaurants are practically highway robbery.

Either way, Darcy’s family food traditions may lean American or Jewish, and a lot of that will depend on where you put her growing up.  But food is an integral part of Jewish life (there’s a joke that every Jewish holiday boils down to “they tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat”, which is an exaggeration, though not much of one), so this is an easy place to put stuff.  Give her a love for bagels and lox.  Have her make brisket on holidays.  Say it’s not a real Shabbat without a challah.  Give her a taste for gefilte fish.  Have her insist on matzah ball soup at certain times of the year.  Make matzah brei a comfort food.

Not quite food but related: the main blessing before meals is the motzi, which is what you say over bread.  Darcy probably doesn’t say this at any point other than a Shabbat dinner.  There’s also benching, which is grace after meals.  Darcy may or may not do this at family meals and big meals, but she’s unlikely to do it after every meal, especially when she’s on her own.

Other Jewish Life

Darcy is almost certainly not Orthodox, based purely on her appearance in the films.  Basically?  She’s wearing pants.  Orthodox women do not wear pants, and generally wear skirts that cover their knees and shirts that cover their elbows.  Some Orthodox women cover their hair after marriage, ranging from headscarfs to wigs (their husband can see their hair and other women and children can, but not other adult men).  This is unlikely to be the case for Darcy.

When in college, Darcy probably at least knew about, even if she didn’t belong to, Culver’s Hillel - its Jewish student organization.  They would’ve done at least the major holidays and some of the minor ones (Purim’s a popular one, considering it’s pretty much dressing up in costumes, eating hamantashen [triangle cookies filled with various yummy things but mainly fruit jelly stuff], drinking [you are literally supposed to get drunk], and listening to people read the megillah [which takes about an hour] and booing whenever Haman’s name is mentioned - it’s like if you smushed Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day into one holiday).  They may have had a latke-hamantashen debate, which is always fun.  They probably did at least some Shabbat dinners, if not every week.

It’s a lot harder to find a Jewish community as an unmarried twenty-something with no kids, but synagogues in NYC are focusing on that age group more than they used to, so Darcy may or may not have attended some events.  She probably doesn’t actually belong to a synagogue unless she actually goes every week, but she also may have one or two she’s likely to go to when she does go.

When she goes, she may or may not wear a kippah (yarmulke) or a tallit (prayer shawl).  As a woman, neither is required, but I know a lot of modern women who prefer to when they pray.  She will likely dress a little more conservatively for synagogue than she would otherwise (be more likely to wear a skirt, for example).

Darcy probably at least went to synagogue occasionally as a kid, and may have had some level of Jewish education.  This can range from once a week (if she’s Reform) to three times a week (common in Conservative) to going to a day school (also common in Conservative but even more so in Orthodox, takes the place of regular school, teaches both regular subjects and Jewish ones).  The last is more common in certain areas of the country, and may not be at all accessible in others.  If she went to day school, she’ll read and speak at least some Hebrew (fluency is unlikely unless she went all the way through high school), but if she didn’t and just went to Hebrew school, she’ll have less - but she’ll still know some words and be able to at least read the letters.

She also may or may not have attended a Jewish sleepaway camp, where you go for either one or two months.  Those are more likely to be kosher, and even the less observant ones usually do at least Friday night or Saturday morning services for the whole camp every week.

Darcy may or may not have a mezuzah on her apartment door.  It’s a small scroll you hang on the doorframe - you’re supposed to do it in every room, but a lot of people only do one for the house/apartment.  They come in all sorts of fun shapes/colors.

She may have attended Jewish weddings and may want certain customs in her own wedding (assuming you want to write one).  There are a ton of these and if you want more details, you can ask, but the traditions range from breaking a glass to a specific unveiling to being lifted on chairs to benching after the meal.  And there are tons more.  It all depends on what the couple does.

If she’s attended a family funeral, it’s likely been Jewish, and included customs from shiva (sitting and mourning for seven days) to specific prayers to ways of burial.  If it’s a close relative, she may occasionally visit the grave (I go to Dad’s once a year, Mom goes two or three times a year, but I only visit my grandparents’ graves when I happen to be in Cleveland).  Ask me for more details if you want to include a Jewish funeral or grave visit.

Names!  Darcy is not a traditionally Jewish name, but she may be named after someone.  In Judaism, you only name after people who are already dead, but multiple people may be named after the same dead person - my father’s cousins include Phillip, Phyllis, Francine, Francine, and Frances, who are all named after their grandmother Feiga.  But the two Francines are not named after each other.  Darcy could be named after a David, for example.  She may also have a middle name that’s more directly after someone, or have a meaning associated with it.  Her Hebrew name may sound like her English name, but it may also be totally unrelated (i.e. it could be Dara or Dina or it could be Tzipporah or Ayelet) and that might be after someone even if the English isn’t.  If she’s named after someone (which is likely even in a tangential sense), she will know who she is named after (my five year old niece and nephew can tell you that his middle name is Abraham after mommy’s daddy and her middle name is Evandra after grandpa’s daddy Eugene).

As you may have noticed, I’ve used a bunch of Hebrew/Yiddish words in this post.  This is also likely how Darcy will refer to certain things - she’ll go to a seder, not a Passover meal, though she might explain it to a non-Jew after she automatically says the Hebrew word.  

In conclusion, there are a lot of options, depending on how observant you want to make both her and her family, and they range quite a bit!  So feel free to use any of these or ask if something else would be plausible!

[oakpodcast]

Transmission 3 Transcript

New episode is live on Patreon. It is scheduled to release publicly at noon EST.

HOLLY:

If you're a new listener, make sure to start from the beginning.

MUSIC: "Solitude" by Muciojad

SOUND: SOS SOS SOS SOS

HOLLY:

This is Holly, broadcasting on all frequencies using protocol: MINISTER DELTA. This transmission is for Oak. All others, please disregard.

SOUND:  ...-- .-- .. .. .--- .-.

Some Things

SOUND: Nature sounds, at a park

HOLLY:

Some things you might not know. Or maybe you do, because you always seem to know everything.

Other than time, there's no way to get waterproof mascara off that doesn't cost money. At least, not that I've figured out yet. That was a long first week.

In Alabama, spring is yellow. I finally understand what "allergies" are. (sniffs)

The library will let you camp out all day with a book, library card or not.

People get a little weird when they see you running MS-DOS on a library computer, so don't expect to get away with anything illegal that way.

When the library's closed, Walmart and McDonald's employees have  a lot bigger things to worry about than you using their washroom.

People are more likely to give you money when you're holding a stray.

No one will usually stop you from showering at a public pool.

The best way to steal a towel is to walk right into a hotel around lunchtime and just take one off a cart.

Sleeping unprotected and vulnerable outside is a terrible idea. But at least you'll have good company from the other traumatized military types.

And finally, pizza is... amazing. 

Rambling

SOUND:  ... -. / .- .. -.. .- -.- --. -- .. .-.-.-

Holly:

Yes, that's right. I'm eating pizza during passover. It's not even thin crust. Not that that would make a difference, I don't think, but... you know.

HOLLY:

I don't know why I care? It's been almost fifteen years since you or I celebrated any sort of holiday like that.

HOLLY:

Besides, I feel like this past month is the closest I've ever been to wandering around a desert, so... I think that counts for something.

HOLLY:

So yes. Pizza during passover.

HOLLY:

Admittedly, pizza won't help my current digestive issues at ALL, but I suppose fewer washroom trips are ideal when you don't have a place to call home. It's worth it.

HOLLY:

We should have eaten pizza more often. We should have eaten anything good together more often.

HOLLY:

When I see you again, I'm going to eat every single meal with you.

HOLLY:

It's going to be real food, too. No more chocolate milk and smoothies for breakfast because we can't be bothered to cook. No more inhaling sandwiches at 3 p.m. because we forgot to eat lunch. And no more alcohol for dinner because we have stressful jobs. We can't use that as an excuse forever.

HOLLY:

Mostly, I think I got pizza because I wanted it to feel like hockey night—like my body hurts like this because we went on a long run together, not because I've been sleeping on benches and in chairs for the past month.

HOLLY:

And it's not like anything else sounded good. Well, a raw, bloody steak always sounds good lately, but that's not healthy. Or cheap. Unfortunately. Anyway...

HOLLY:

(Alarmed) I'm probably just being paranoid, but an SUV parked at my three o'clock right after I got here, and no one's gotten out yet. It's probably nothing, but I'm going to move anyway.

SOUND: All noise stops for a moment, then resumes.

SOUND:  -- .. .. .-

Sitrep

HOLLY:

Sitrep. I'm at a local park today. I've been trying to find an abandoned house to stay in, but it's not as easy as it sounds. It doesn't help that I get so nervous about breaking the law. 

HOLLY:

It's April 15—a nice Saturday afternoon during the playoffs. The Sens will hopefully beat the Bruins in a few hours, but either way, it should be a nice distraction.

HOLLY:

I don't think Ottawa will take the cup or even the Eastern conference, but I think they have a shot at winning the Atlantic division.

HOLLY:

You said you'd be back in time to watch the playoffs with me. That was worst-case scenario, remember?

HOLLY AS OAK: 

Don't worry, relax! I'm gonna try to be back before the 19th so I don't miss out on any wild birthday festivities. I mean, Valentine's day is more likely, but I'll try to be back before then.

HOLLY AS OAK:

If they try to make me miss being with you for the tribunal, or even worse, the playoffs, I'll just quit.

HOLLY:

Now that I think about it, that was a terrible joke. Oh well.

HOLLY:

I'm really not very good at imitating you. Did you at least get a good laugh out of my secure transmission last week? I bet you did.

SOUND:  ..... ----- ----- --..--

Podcasts

HOLLY:

I've listened to so many great podcasts recently. Rover Red is an interesting choose-your-own-adventure story. It's in the dystopian young adult vein, and it's pretty creepy.

HOLLY:

Lake Clarity is also about teenagers, but it's a modern horror story. Who doesn't love creepy camp stories? Just... maybe don't listen to it when you're going to spending a lot of time in nature. Oops.

HOLLY:

I'm good. I only barely peed myself over that fox last night (laughing).

SOUND:  ... --.- -.. -- .-. --- -. --.- ... .-.-.-

Thank You

HOLLY:

A huge thank you to Kim and Jody for pledging $10 per broadcast. 

HOLLY:

You know, my girlfriend in uni was named Jody. I say that like I've had a bunch of girlfriends. (laughs)

HOLLY:

Anyway, Jody was incredibly hot and incredibly nice. We only parted ways because I was headed to far-off places for adventure and military training and other B.S. like that.

HOLLY:

So, if you're the same Jody who used to be into... extremely 'creative erotica,' uh... hi? (Laughs) But you're probably a different Jody, in which case, disregard my awkwardness. I appreciate your support either way.

SOUND:  --- -.- .. -.. .-. ..

Inventory

HOLLY:

Inventory since last transmission: One pack of baby wipes, some makeup, a pair of tweezers because suddenly I'm really furry, one Holiday Inn towel, one Chromebook in... we'll be generous and call it "fair" condition, and roughly $12 in cash, USD.

HOLLY:

Hm, does the cat count as inventory?

HOLLY:

I can't really claim ownership of her; we don't have that kind of relationship, but I named her anyway. (Cat purring) Say hello to General Leia Janeway.

HOLLY:

This cat and I have a pretty good arrangement worked out. I feed her plain cheeseburgers or the cheese from my pizza, as well as a warm, cozy lap to sleep on, and she looks extra cute so people give me more money. Then she wanders off to do her thing with whomever, and I sleep at the shelter if I'm lucky, and we meet back up again later.

SOUND:  -.. .- ...- --. .-. ..

Makeup

HOLLY:

Anyway. Cheap makeup. It's funny how often camouflage involves smearing something on your face. Mud, camo paint, foundation... it's kind of all the same to me.

HOLLY:

You're probably cringing so hard right now, picturing me doing my own makeup. This cheap sponge thing is nowhere near as good as yours, and a flickering fluorescent light doesn't compare to your vanity back home. Ugh, just putting makeup on myself is a nightmare.

HOLLY:

I can't believe the list of things I took for granted now includes you dabbing makeup on me before parties and annual evaluations. I used to complain so much. And now I'd give anything for you to come do my eyebrows again.

HOLLY:

I spent a dollar more to get the foundation that clears breakouts. Was that frivolous of me? Ugh, probably. My face has just been so aggravated since you left. I thought it was stress, but... (sighs)

Holly:

I decided there was no point in messing with eye makeup. It's a bitch to put on, it's a bitch to get off, and no one really looks that closely, I don't think. Especially not if you're wearing glasses.

HOLLY:

A scarf would help, too. Between that and the Chromebook, I could get away with wearing pretty much anything and just look like an especially worn-out doctoral student. But the scarf is pretty low on my list of financial priorities right now. If I can't steal one from you like usual, I'm not going to bother.

HOLLY:

So much of my life has been spent undercover as a normal person. Ever since we joined the military, both of us have had to... look, you make a really good Marine, surprisingly, but I'm not cut out for it. I never was.

HOLLY:

I hate running laps. I hate doing pushups. I hate doing pull-ups. And pretending to be normal just really, really wears me down.

HOLLY:

Being able to work part time... that was ideal. I could have not worked at all, but I liked working with you. Besides, I wouldn't have felt right mooching off you for my entire life, and the only alternative to that is mooching off Mom and Dad, and that comes with too many strings. Like having to talk to them, for starters.

SOUND:  --.- .. ---...

Coffee

HOLLY:

I've never understood how you do it. Act normal, I mean. I've watched you stir speed into an iced coffee bigger than our coffee maker and then go to work, like it's business as usual. You flew right under everyone's radar. Maybe you spoke a little too fast sometimes, but I was always the one with "issues." Not you. 

HOLLY:

Ugh, I distracted myself thinking about coffee. Iced coffee. 

HOLLY:

I know I shouldn't be drinking coffee at all right now, just in case. I'm just so exhausted all the time. It's hard to keep an eye out when they keep closing without my permission.

SOUND:  -. --- .. --.- -.. ... --. -. --

Attraction

HOLLY:

So, as previously mentioned, I got the funds for a Chromebook off Craigslist. 

HOLLY:

You probably would have pick-pocketed someone your first day here or... just talked them into giving you their wallet, but I've never been good at those things.

HOLLY:

Somehow, I don't think the girl voted "Most likely to die in a hilarious freak accident" and "Most likely to become a serial killer" is the best person for stealth or charisma.

HOLLY:

That SUV is back. It's probably just people playing Pokemon Go, but I'm going to relocate again.

SOUND: All noise stops then resumes

HOLLY:

Apparently, a relatively attractive woman holding a sign that says, "Hungry veteran, please help" will attract all kinds of interesting job prospects.

HOLLY:

I've never really thought about the word "attractive" before. It's always used as a compliment. But it's so obvious now that I'm looking at it in my head...

HOLLY:

Attract...ive. Attractive.

HOLLY:

An adjective to describe someone who magnetically attracts all kinds of strange and unwanted bullshit.

HOLLY:

I've honestly never considered myself attractive. I'm not fishing for compliments there. I mean I literally get surprised by my reflection sometimes, as in, I get surprised by having a reflection. 

HOLLY:

The idea that strangers find me attractive confuses me. I'm an autistic 32-year-old who's never been independent in any sense of the word. And right now I'm homeless. Not exactly my definition of a catch.

SOUND:  .-. -.-- .-.. ..- --. -. .-. --. .-.

Objective

HOLLY:

Do you remember that time you saved the mission by seducing... I think she was a diplomat? (Laughs) Okay, I have to be more specific. The one in Dubai, remember?

HOLLY:

You and I have always had a relationship like me and this cat. You come and go as you please, and I wait around for you to come back.

HOLLY:

After that diplomat, you kept asking if I was secretly upset over what happened. If I was... jealous. You didn't believe me, but I really wasn't. Maybe I would have been a little upset about it if we'd failed our objective, but we didn't.

HOLLY:

Likewise, maybe I would be upset right now if I'd failed my own objective... but I didn't. I have pizza and a Chromebook, and I might get an iced coffee later, and I feel too relieved to feel anything else.

HOLLY:

​Things are good, all things considered. I'm totally fine.

SOUND:  -.. .-. -.. --- .-.-.-

Dissociation

HOLLY:

Okay, that's sort of a lie. I'm one giant ping-pong machine of emotions lately, and I hate it.

HOLLY:

I am relieved. But I'm also zoning out a lot. I'm ridiculously paranoid. And my nightmares are worse than ever now.

HOLLY:

I probably should have listened to Evergreen and gone to counseling when I had the chance. I should have taken care of a lot of medical things when I had the chance. But something something about hindsight, right?

SOUND:  .-.. -.. -.-- / -.. -... -... .. --- ... .-.-.-

Options

HOLLY:

Anyway. All that to say that I figured something important out last night.

HOLLY:

Either you're incapable of helping me, or you're an even better actor than I thought.

HOLLY:

Because I might not care what you do for a mission, but you care a lot.

HOLLY:

So. Option one, you're dead.

HOLLY:

Option two, you're in prison somewhere.

HOLLY:

Option three, you're some kind of sadistic, soul-less asshole capable of completely fooling me for years, if not decades.

HOLLY:

I think option three is the least likely. It's not that I can't see you running a long con like that on someone. Because I can. You'd be really good at it. I just can't imagine you running it on me.

HOLLY:

Option one... It seems like the most likely possibility. If I had to guess for someone else, I'd pick that one.

HOLLY:

But it just doesn't feel right. I've always known when something was wrong with you before. I have this nagging feeling that if you were actually dead, I'd know.

HOLLY:

And like I've said before, I can't think like that. Because if you are dead, you'd probably want me to join you. And don't get me wrong, normally I'd be completely on board.

HOLLY:

Which... is not the most healthy mindset, but I never said it was.

HOLLY:

But things are complicated now. There's potentially a lot more at stake than just my life. Things that might not come to fruition anyway. But definitely not if I die.

HOLLY:

I don't know how I feel about anything. I want completely contradictory things and I don't know what to do.

HOLLY:

And honestly, fuck you! You don't get to do something stupid and get yourself killed and then expect me to off myself too just so you can have company. It doesn't work like that! I mean, it used to, but not anymore. You should have planned better. Asshole.

SOUND: Holly's phone ringing

HOLLY:

Oh shit, how do I—

SOUND: Ringing stops

HOLLY:

Oh. Apparently not like that. 

HOLLY:

Anyway. For now, I'm going to assume you did something stupid and got yourself arrested—

Phonecall

SOUND: Phone ringing

HOLLY:

Hello?

GENERAL WILLARD:

Hello, Holly. 

HOLLY:

(Gasps softly)

GENERAL WILLARD:

We need to talk. Don't hang up—it's about Oak.

[the-christian-walk]

NO ONE IS A GOD

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Acts 12:19b-23

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Through more than 61 years of life, I have witnessed many, many people in positions of power. Most of them get drunk on it and believe they are more than they really are, almost as if they are gods unto themselves. Maybe you have seen a few yourselves.

What makes this so disturbing, disappointing, and foolish is that the God who made all things and orchestrates every matter in life, to include allowing people to elevate to positions of authority, has been, is, and will always be in complete control. Period.

And yet, the Lord is often an afterthought if He is even a thought at all. Many leaders behave as if they don’t need a higher power, even though they do.

Now this isn’t just a modern day problem. We can go to the Bible and see case after case after case of people God placed in power who abused the privilege God had given. In fact, you’ll probably have more trouble finding leaders who were faithful and obedient to God in the way they governed or led than those who weren’t, it’s a sad but true fact.

As we draw close to the end of Acts 12, we’re introduced to a Roman king, Herod Agrippa, who had a strong superiority complex. Ever seeking to gain more favor and support, we read where he launched a persecution campaign against Christians, going after two of Jesus’ very first disciples first. After beheading James, Herod turned his attention towards Peter, arresting him during the Festival of Unleavened Bread and imprisoning him with the intent of placing him on public trial after Passover. He may have succeeded if he wasn’t subordinate to God, even though he didn’t see himself that way.

We saw where the Lord came to Peter’s rescue and initiated a divine escape through an angel who led Peter from captivity to freedom. And after Peter went to Mary’s home for a divine reunion, testifying about all God had done, he departed and continued on his ministry journey.

As for Herod, he was none too pleased with Peter’s jailbreak and, not taking time to consider how it happened, he ordered execution for those guards who were assigned to watch him. Herod did this because he had the power to do so.

Well, as we see in our passage today, the last that will mention Herod Agrippa in the scriptures, the king had embarked on a road trip, traveling from Judea to Caesarea where he stayed over. We read where Herod had been quarreling with the people of the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon, located on the Mediterranean coast. Both cities were rich and powerful due to being important trade hubs but as we see in our passage, they were dependent on Herod for food.

In other words, Herod Agrippa was in a position of power over the people of Tyre and Sidon because they needed to eat to survive. The Phoenician cities had no leverage over Herod and so all they could do is plead for peace and to feed his need for flattery by proclaiming the following after Herod has addressed them publicly:

“This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

What happened next had to leave all the Phoenicians in shock. For we see where God brought judgment on Herod, not so much for what he did as for what he didn’t do.

For as soon as the people of Tyre and Sidon glorified and worshiped Herod as a god, he never refuted their claim. He didn’t rebuke them for placing him at the same level as the Lord. No, he remained silent which basically showed he was in agreement with them. It had to sound good to the king to now be seen as a god.

Well, gods (small “g”) were seen as immortal in New Testament days by the people who worshiped them so God erased any hope that Herod was indeed a god by striking him down right then and there. The once mighty king now lay dead, feasted on by the worms of the earth. In the end, Herod was utterly powerless to stop even the most base creatures of the ground and oh how the mighty had fallen.

Friends, anyone who has elevated to positions of power and authority had better pay heed to the story of Herod Agrippa. For we see first-hand how God will not allow any person to be made a god. He has no rival or equal. It was true in the Bible and it’s still true today.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com

[thegodshavehorns]

Capture the Wind (1/5)

Chapter 1: en prise

The basement of the zodiac church on 8th street is not exactly the fanciest room. Its gray-carpeted flooring bears the stains and scuffs of hundreds of shoes, its fluorescent bulbs make your head hurt when you stare directly at them, and its shrine is one of those cheap paper rotating ones with the gods’ symbols and sigils and not much else. Really, it’s kind of a pathetic place of worship. But this is where the church youth group meets, the preteens and teenagers of the congregation gathering every Zakhday after school for religious discussion and services.

Your name is John Egbert, and you turned fourteen about a week ago. You’ve been going to these church meetings for several months now, and you love it, tacky paper shrine and everything. You’ve never really had friends, before this. You were always a bit of a weirdo at school, not even the class clown (as you'd always aspired to be). You’ve endured your share of bullying by schoolmates, but mostly you’re just kind of ignored.

It's different, here.

Unlike the regular daily service, the god in focus at the youth group changes every week. Today’s prayer session is to the Seer of Mind, and they’ve cleared the chairs to make an open space for worship. You don’t think the Seer is your favorite, but you’ve decided you still like her service, since you get to move your body around while you pray. Worshipping the Seer involves a kind of directed, moving meditation, which is supposed to focus your vital energy and calm your thoughts.

You don’t have to worship the Seer, of course. There’s no rule about it, if you’d prefer to direct your prayers to another god that day. But because most of the others follow the schedule, you do too. It makes you feel like you belong.

Gabe, a junior from the local high school, is leading today’s service. He’s guiding the group as you move awkwardly from one pose to another, and occasionally he reads excerpts from the prayer book. You can tell some of the other kids have been doing this since they were really little, but you’ve only done it maybe once before, so you’re less than adept. But no one makes fun of you or points out that you’re lifting the wrong foot or your shoulders are too tight or whatever. At least not out loud.

“…and the community came together, and said, ‘we shall cast out the evil men and women from our midst, as we cast the evil thoughts from our head,’ and this was justice, and this was rightness…” Gabe droned on.

You probably shouldn’t be thinking so much during this service. The point is to calm your thoughts and let them simply flow away. You are… not so great at that.

Still, it is relaxing. Not all the services are. The Knight’s services can be pretty intense, and that’s to say nothing of the Bard’s! You still think that the Page’s are your favorite, even though they have to set up a fan to get any wind down here in the basement.

“…and with clear head and clear eyes, I turn to you, Seer of Mind, for your most worthy of judgments in all the heavens. Amen.”

Gabe closes the book, and rubs one of his eyes with his fist. “Okay everyone, that concludes the worship for today, let’s bring the chairs back, huh?”

You and the other members of the youth group sigh and stretch, and eventually you all manage to get the tables and chairs set back up. Gabe sits at the head of the table and brings out a piece of paper.

“Okay. Today’s discussion topic: why do we pray?” Gabe smiles slightly, and leans forward. “Anyone?”

The discussion, like most of the post-worship discussions, is not particularly conclusive. You don’t have much to add to it, though you do give it a few moments of thought. Why do you pray? You don’t have much to ask for. You’re pretty content. You have your friends here in church, and you have Colonel Sassacre back home, and you have your movie collection if you ever get bored. You guess you could thank the gods, or affirm them, or maybe pray on behalf of someone else. You rest your chin in your hand and pick at the varnish on the table, half-listening while a sophomore talks about praying for good grades.

The discussion lasts about a half hour, and then the meeting is officially over. You usually hang around after to chat with the other kids, but this time Gabe interrupts before anyone leaves.

“I have a very special announcement,” he says. “The Art Museum in Spokane is opening up a new wing on intergalactic artists in a few weeks, and none other than the Sylph of Space herself will be there to consecrate the opening. And I just so happen to have tickets to the event!”

Wait, you could get to see a goddess? A real goddess, not just the symbol on a piece of paper, and like, in person? Meet her? Shake her hand? You’re not sure how to feel about this.

Everyone begins talking at once, chattering to each other excitedly.

“Ok, ok!” calls Gabe, and claps his hands to get everyone’s attention. “I know you’re all excited, but guys, shoosh, listen up. Space is limited, so you need to get a parent’s or guardian’s signature on one of these waivers-”

Oh. Oh.

You won’t be seeing a real goddess. There is no freaking way that your dad will sign one of those. Ha ha.

You take one anyway, because everyone else does, then climb the stairs out of the basement. Once you’re outside, Anna, a girl in your grade with short, mousy-brown hair, approaches you. “This is so exciting!” she gushes. “I can’t believe it, Spokane is only a few hours away!”

You’ve spoken to Anna a few times before. You know that she goes to private school and likes to sing. “Yeah,” you say, and sigh dramatically. “I will actually be a few hours away from a goddess.”

She frowns. “Don’t be like that, John! I'm sure there'll be room for you!”

You shake your head. “There is no way my dad will let me go.”

“You sure? It’s not that far.”

“It’s not that.” You rub the back of your neck, and look away from Anna. “Dad is an atheist. He doesn’t even know I come here.”

Anna stares. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously. He never even let me go trick or treating. How lame is that? What kind of dad won’t let their kid go out for Hallowhonk?”

Anna blinks in surprise. “Oh wow, you’re serious. That’s awful!”

You smile. “It’s okay. I really like it here. It’s fun to learn about gods and stuff. Anyway,” you chuckle. “Dad thinks I go to bowling club after school.”

You both share a laugh about that, but Anna still looks like she’s feeling sorry for you. “Look,” she says. “Why don’t you just tell your dad that you’ve found meaning in worship?”

You shake your head. “No way. He wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh,” she says. “That’s too bad.” You both stand there for a moment. Anna looks at her shoes. Then, she smiles. “Well, if he ever changes his mind, you can, you know, come over to my house for Passover, maybe?”

“Dude, that would be awesome,” you say, “But I don’t think that is ever going to happen.”

Anna sighs. “Okay. Wish me luck in getting a seat?”

“Good luck, Anna,” you say, and she leaves.

On the way home on the bus, you read the waiver. It’s just the usual brouhaha. List your food allergies and emergency contacts, no liability in case you wander off and get lost, etc.

Your dad is so stupid. This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Not everyone gets to meet the gods. This could be life changing and he’s just…

Well, he’s a hypocrite, for one. Your home has no shrine and you never observe religious holidays or anything, but he collects clowns. Yeah, clowns. If your dad isn’t secretly longing for the Dark Carnival, you’ll eat your glasses.

But still, you’re not going to show him the waiver. Even if you do, and even if he somehow doesn't ground you for going to church behind his back, and even if he signs it, they'll probably run out of space before you get in. The whole thing is stupid.

You look out the window of the bus, at the buildings rolling past. Maybe if you pretend the waiver was for something else? Or maybe if you forge his signature? Can you do that?

Maybe you should have used today’s prayer session to ask for guidance. Except, of course, you didn’t know about the field trip at the beginning.

You crumple the waiver in your fist, and throw it away.

----------------------

You arrive at your house. There was no car in the driveway, which means Dad isn’t home from work yet, which is to be expected. You grab the house key from its hiding place under the light fixture, and walk in.

You freeze in place. There’s someone in the living room, sitting facing away from you, on the couch. It’s not your dad. You can see two horns, bright vibrant orange, sticking out like traffic cones from perfectly cut holes in the intruder’s green hood.

“Hello, John.”

The intruder, who sounds like a woman, does not turn to look at you. Everything you’ve learned about the gods seems to have flown out of your mind. You can’t think straight. This can’t be real. This has to be a prank.

“1T’S NOT 4 PR4NK, JOHN. TH1S 1S FOR R34L.”

Her… her voice. It raises goosebumps all along your arms, and makes you see teal on the backs of your eyelids. There is no way that wasn’t a divine voice.

You don’t know what to say. What can you say? What are you supposed to say when you meet a goddess? Your frazzled brain is trying to remember which goddess has the sacred color of teal.

“Um.” You swallow. “Hi.”

“Come here, John,” she says, with a normal, un-colorful voice. “Have a seat.”

You comply, and sit on the reclining chair across from the couch.

She’s just sitting there, wearing the green hood and the robe with her sigil in blue-green: a circle with three curved lines radiating from its edge. Her skin is gray, her hair black. Her hood covers her eyes and she’s not showing her wings, but you’ve figured out whom she is, now that you see the sigil.

The Seer of Mind smiles politely, and flips a coin with one hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, John.” She catches the coin.

“Um,” you say. “Does my dad know you are here?”

Shit, that was a really dumb thing to say.

She smiles, more broadly this time. “I’ve heard dumber.”

Oh gods oh gods. She can read your mind.

“And no,” she goes on. “He doesn’t know. Let’s keep it that way, for now.”

She flips the coin again. You try to remember how you're supposed to treat important guests.

“So, uh, what can I do for you, Seer of Mind? You want anything to drink? We have uh, coke, and milk, and coffee.”

You’re staring. Stop staring.

The Seer of Mind tilts her head up so you can see her sunglasses, and the red sightless eyes behind them. “Cherry Coke,” she says, and you jump to your feet to get her some.

You run, maybe too fast, to the kitchen. You can’t believe this. This is crazy and intense and way too weird. It’s like meeting Nick Cage, but way more so. They’ll never believe you in church.

You quickly grab a can of cherry coke and run back to the living room, realizing too late that you probably should have offered ice, too. Shoot.

You give the goddess her coke. Instead of opening it with the tab, she rips a hole straight through the metal with her teeth.

You freeze. You’re not going to lie, that was pretty badass. And terrifying.

She drinks for several seconds while you just stand there, then says; “Don't worry about stocking up on the Coke. I'll bring my own next time."

Did she just imply what you think she did? “Next time?” you ask.

She smiles, sharp teeth like a shark. “You sound like you're not looking forward to it. Don't you like me?"

Oh. Shit. “Uh, not to be ungrateful, Lady Justice. I guess I am just a little nervous. How can I help you?”

She flips her coin and catches it with one hand, still sipping on the coke with the other.

“Everyone starts getting weekly visits from their favorite deity when they turn fourteen, didn’t you know?”

Your mouth falls open. They didn’t tell you that, but-

“You are joking with me,” you say. “That definitely does not happen at all.”

The goddess frowns, and a chill goes up your spine. “Are you implying that a goddess would lie to you?” she says. “Have a little shame, John Egbert.”

You hold up your hands defensively. “No! No, no, that’s not what I meant! Joking is not the same as lying, because everyone knows when you are joking. Or, they find out really soon.”

“So, in that case, let us consider the evidence, John,” says the Seer, once again showing fangs. “If I am not here as a matter of course, why would I be here? In your house? Just for you?”

And before you answer, she goes on; “It’s not to dispense parental permission slips, I can assure you.”

Well, you weren’t going to ask for that. You wanted to meet a goddess and here she is, so maybe she’s here to answer your prayers that way? Or maybe…

“I didn’t pray or anything during worship today,” you confess. “Are you angry because of that?”

“Yes, John,” she replies. “I personally make it my business to punish those who are too lazy to pray. It is clearly the best use of my time.”

You chuckle nervously. You think maybe you’re starting to get a handle on the goddess’ sense of humor. “Okay, I guess I’m lost, then. I give up. Why are you here?”

The Seer flips the coin and catches it. “There are several ways I can answer that question. There is a god in your house because you are very special. I am in your house also because you are very special. But these are two different kinds of special. Put another way, some of us gods are interested in you, John, because you have a grand destiny before you. And, being interested, we want to make sure you don’t fuck it up. But me? I’m here because I think you’re fascinating.”

Your mouth falls open slightly. What? There has to be a mistake here.

The Seer continues, flipping the coin again. “John, there have been a few times, in the past fourteen years, when you have surprised me. These times are few and far between, but they exist. I know you don’t have any real appreciation of what that means, but let me say it again: I cannot predict your actions one hundred percent of the time. And, destiny aside, that makes you a very interesting person.”

You swallow. This is totally crazy, but also kind of awesome. “Well,” you say, after taking a few minutes to absorb the Seer’s words. “I was not expecting to be told that I had a grand destiny when I woke up this morning.”

She nods in acknowledgment.

“So…” You trail off. “What is it? Am I going to be the best comedian in the galaxy?”

“Just one galaxy?” she says, arching an eyebrow. “That’s as far as you’ll let your dreams take you?”

You rub the back of your neck. You can’t seem to say anything right in this conversation. “I have never been off world,” you venture as an excuse.

The Seer catches her coin. “Let me put it like this. If you do what you're supposed to, then an entire universe might regard you as the greatest comedic genius to ever live. In fact, and I'm not exaggerating, you may even go so far as to define comedy from that point on.”

“What?” That doesn’t make any sense to you. “Are you joking? You’re sure it’s me? Because I do not know if you have ever read Colonel Sassacre, but he is pretty definitive on comedy-” No, stop. You sound like an idiot.

The Seer’s voice is low and quiet. “Future generations will only know of Colonel Sassacre because you tell them about him.”

You blink. People will forget about Sassacre? You’re not sure how to feel about that.

“Are you beginning to grasp the weight of your destiny?” the Seer asks.

You steeple your fingers and look at them. “Maybe? I guess I am still kind of getting used to the fact that the Seer of Mind is in my living room, heh...”

“Well get used to it, John Egbert!” The goddess stands up abruptly, and whoa, she’s tall. She steps close, way too close, and then you’re looking directly into her face, the divine gray skin and the red eyes. When she speaks, you can feel the goddess’ breath on your skin. “You’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of me.”

Okay, this is an invasion of your personal space. You swallow. “Oh. Gosh. I’m honored.”

She’s still too close. “You haven’t asked about the catch, John. I didn’t expect you to, but you really should.”

Oh. “What’s the catch?”

She smiles again, her teeth mere inches from your nose. “You are not to pray to any of the other gods, under any circumstances. You will not write about them, nor will you speak their names and titles.”

Oh. Shit. You won’t be able to go to church, then. You won’t be able to see your friends. You’ll have to tell them somehow, but if you can’t TELL them…

“I do not require that you pray to me,” the Seer goes on. “I just need to know if, despite your unpredictability, you can follow instructions and keep secrets.”

“Wait,” you start, but the Seer interrupts.

“There is another option, of course.” She steps back, giving you back your personal space, and flips her coin. “I can leave, and we can pretend this never happened. We never met. We’ll never meet again.” She smiles, this time without showing teeth. “I know what you're going to say, of course. But that doesn’t mean it’s not your choice.”

You blink. She’s giving you a choice? I mean, she IS a goddess, and it would really not be a smart thing to say no.

“Well,” you say. “I think this is just about the most amazing thing that's ever happened, I just, wow, I feel like I'm about to be punk’d or something, or like I'm dreaming. I’m not dreaming though, there is no way I would dream up something like this.”

The Seer just waits for you, and you take a deep breath. “Okay, I will do it. If it’s my destiny or whatever.”

She smiles. “Then just remember. This was your choice, John.”

You swallow. That sounds really ominous.

The Seer turns, and opens the door to the outside. Then, without looking at you, she says, “Also, do think about how you're going to explain this to your father.”

“Huh?” You're very confused now. “I thought I wasn’t supposed to tell him about this?”

She shakes her head, still facing away. “No, but you're going to do a terrible job of keeping this a secret from him. He's smarter than you think he is.” She moves a hand up to adjust her hood. “You have four months, one week, and three days before he confronts you.”

And then, before you can reply, teal butterfly wings unfurl from her shoulders, much wider than the doorway. She steps outside, and is gone in the space of blinking.

You stare at the empty doorway for several long moments before you realize you forgot to ask her for an autograph.