#and paul follows a lot of ppl so its hard to tell

[httpiastri]

both paul and iris follow the same people so i’m guessing they’re either from the same school or same area(?). iris also follows ralf and liked most of his posts so i don’t think they’re dating. i think they’re just friends but not in the same group of friends if u get what i mean hahaha but yeah she follows most of paul estonian group of friends

oooo they definitely could be from the same are etc! tallinn also isnt super big so 🤷‍♀️

[fearlesslyenchantedinwonderland]

Reputation Tour - Minneapolis Night 2 - The Show

I am so extra when it comes to these types of posts so I am going to start with the concert itself (nothing before or after)

Well ok, we can start with the pre-show setlist because it was lit. 

I knew that she played Tequila and Bad Reputation but I didn’t know the rest 

*** disclaimer: I’ve low key been following the concerts, but I’ve mostly been following the B-stage song (and fans reactions and experiences ofc). I’ve looked at the full setlist before but I only knew the first and last song. I had a phase where I would follow along to a lot of an artist on tour and see how each show went but I actually prefer this because it’s more of a surprise, I’ll likely follow more now that I’ve had my show. 

Babe, Selena, Roman Holiday, Curious. I loved when My My My came on and in my head, I was like I’d love to hear strawberries and cigarettes, and what does she do? Play it right after.

This past spring, during my last semester I had both songs on a short playlist that I would play on repeat when I was studying for tests, it got me through. The only thing about listening to them in the stadium is I realized as a college student I listened to a lot of music but I don’t necessarily know all the lyrics to songs I listened to at the time bc I was multitasking. Rip.

I loved that she played Obsessed, I thought that was hilarious, I was into that song during junior high. 

Anyways now on to the concert.

I don’t even know how much I’ll have to say because I was just DANCING AND SCREAMING LYRICS most of the time, like there were certain points where I had to bring myself back to reality because I was so lost in the music that I forgot to focus on Taylor  - Like that tells you that it was a D*** good show. 

ok lets go song by song. 

…Ready for it? 

I wasn’t sure where she was going to come out but WOW WHAT AN ENTRANCE. I loved the fog and ahhhhh

I Did Something Bad

THIS SONG IS POWERFUL

I felt bad bc one of my friends really wanted to come to the show but it didn’t work out and this was the song she wanted to see the most.

Like this song DESERVES to be heard live. Like honestly this entire album the live versions bring it up another level. 

THE FIRE THE FIREWORK 

I can’t

you could literally FEEL the heat from the flames. I wow. 

During the bridge when all of the dancers were lying on the floor as burning witches - it reminded me of the thing Taylor does best, the theatrics. SHE PUTS ON A SHOW. Like idc what people say about Taylor's music, you don’t have to like it, but you can’t say that she can’t put on a show.

This song is such a BA and makes me feel powerful. It doesn’t take any sh**

Gorgeous

We love transitions. SOme of them are cheesy but I am such a sucker for them. I love that the screens show pictures of the Olivia and Meredith. 

Ok so this song took a while for me to get into when it first came out. Now i love it ofc. but like this son also deserves to be heard in concert because it’s fun to be over the top with it. 

Style / Love Story / You Belong With Me

Have I mentioned that I love this woman with my entire heart? One thing that I love about concerts, is how the artist changes the arrangement, and this mashup exhibits that well. 

Like as a fan who has been here for 10 years I appreciate her singing old songs so much. Also Style is wow one of my fav songs off of 1989. 

Ugh IM GETTING SO EMO WRITING THIS SHE MEANS SO MUCH TO ME HER MUSIC MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND EVERYTHING JUST BRINGS BACK SUCH AMAZING MEMORIES.

She acknowledges the band during this mashup, and bjwailvuke,hrgoiuelakrj,nfwleiaksjbvn IM SO EMO ACTUALLY GOING TO CCRY that was one of my favorite parts of the show when Taylor was leaning against Paul and Amos while they were playing. They’ve been there with her through it all. They’ve stuck around. They could get any job in the world and they stay (my eyes are watering up so much I can’t see). I clapped so hard for them. I appreciate them so much and they deserve all the love in the world. I can’t imagine how emo they get over long live because I get emo over long live referring to them more than anyone else wow. 

AND WOW you belong with me. That gave me Speak Now flashbacks in how the screens looked (she played that song going back to the stage from the b-stage during that tour).

Look What You Made Me Do

I feel like seeing rep in concert just made me appreciate the album 10000 more than before it is so POWERFUL & SEXY. The sound of this song live mixed with the power of the music video wow. This woman OWNS THE WORLD

I didn’t realize that they actually did the phone call during the show but I LOVED being able to scream she’s dead. 

Lol I was so focused on the screen or in my head at some point that I DIDN”T NOTICE THE SNAKE COMING OUT OF THE STAGE. My friend was FREAKING OUT as was half of the audience. I knew about the snake pre show but it was still like wow hi hello. 

End Game 

I guess if there is anything that I was ??????? mildly disappointed with was that this song was so short, I mean like I didn’t know what to expect either because I didn’t expect her to do the rap or ed’s part. This is just one of my favorite songs so I would’ve loved to hear the song for longer. 

King of My Heart

I guess out of the entire show this one stood out the least, but like that means very little because I was still screaming the lyrics and dancing the entire time.

I love the harmonies in this song and it was*sounds of heaven above* to hear it live 

A good transition to the slower songs. 

Delicate

For her speech - I was surprised by how many people hadn’t seen her before but I was just smiling because I was so happy for them.

Also, I don’t remember if this was during this same part or when it was but when she was asking who was from MN and who was from elsewhere - can I just say that I met someone who was from KOREA attending the show. And she had seen it the night before and if that doesn’t tell you the power of music there’s nothing else. 

Ok actual disappointment of the concert. NO ONE BY ME SCREAM 1, 2, 3, LETS GO BITCH I was so sad. And I forgot to tell the friend I was going with about it. The other friend I was hoping to go to the other night did know tho and wanted to do that. But I was like I’m not going to scream profanities is no one by me is so I kinda mumbled off at the end of the phrase. (more like it made me self conscious that I was saying it at the wrong time, but I wasn’t) It sounded like other sections were louder like it was loud enough to be recognized in the venue. But idk if ppl who aren’t part of stan twitter would understand what was being said unless they were by a fan who said it. 

Lol I’ve probably watched more videos of people saying this that of the rep songs pre my show. 

Ok I didn’t realize that this was the song that she goes over to the b-stage with and awwww. I knew it was pretty but it was gorgeous. My friend (who is more of a casual fan but was still hype and singing during the show to everything besides the expected (long live, TTWAS, and should’ve said no) was so appreciative of that part, she was like it felt like she was looking at me. I was just so happy during that moment she makes me so happy. I was one of the few people not waving because I was just taking it all in, the beauty of it all. 

Shake it off

lol the one song I completely forgot was on the setlist I was so surprised. I didn’t realize that the openers were on the stage until they had been on the stage for like 45 seconds. Before my show, I didn’t see many people post videos of this song. And the visuals were so fun and colorful and the confetti.

Also like after the song confetti was flying through the air during the acoustic show and PRETTTY.

After this song was over my heart was beating so fast because I couldn’t wait to hear what the secret song was.

So it goes… 

Ok so this is the part of the show were I got very confused.

So, the one downside of looking at the setlist was that I KNEW that this song wasn’t on the setlist. So I thought this song was the secret song, so ngl I got low key sad even though  ITS MY FAV song off the album (not including singles) (ranking to be posted sooon, idk my order yet, still).

I was still happy to hear it, but I wasn’t able to appreciate as much as I would’ve. I did later tho. 

THE SECRET SONG

The morning of the show, or the night before, someone who had met her night 1 had posted that she had talked to taylor and knew the two options taylor was thinking of for tonight. And I was like ugh I wish she could givea vague hint, that no one would be able to guess, but would make so much sense after the fact. I didn’t want to be spoiled but iwkjbsvk still the part that I was most excited about. (fun fact it didn’t end up being either song that the girl had discussed with taylor)

Taylor talked about people saying she’s been listening to people from all platforms asking her to play old songs. At one point she even said 13 years, and in my head I was like is she actually going to play I’d Lie (DO IT). But once she started describing the song I knew it right away. Lol I recorded the speech beforehand and you can just hear me muttering tied together with a smile over and over again.

I was correct

Tied Together With A Smile

This song has always been beautiful. From 2007 I have always liked it because sonically it’s soothing (I know I’ve been through other stuff with this song but not enough to be remembered). But honestly, doing my album rank the other week made me REALLY REALLY appreciate this song, in a way that 6th grade me wouldn’t have been able to comprehend. I know I’ve cried to this song before, but not in memory of the way I realized it.

This song is me during the end of high school. I always did well in school but suddenly I was struggling and I fell apart. I put so much pressure on myself and I felt like such a failure. It would lead to bad anxiety, breaking down, and later being depressed. And then during my first year of college, I was in a depressed mood state still and I just felt so numb I couldn’t feel anything. 

I SCREAMED THIS SONG. I probably shouldn’t have during the verses. BUT IT DESERVES THAT. This song is one of those songs that you sob to, and honestly, at one point I looked like a wreck during this song because I almost cried. 

I am so happy she sang this song. Like she reminded us to be kind to ourselves. ANd can I cry again? I love her so much. Like honestly this is something we all need to remind ourselves at times. 

ugh what beauty.

----

When the show was over I thought we had heard every song from rep, but after research, I realized that she switched dancing with my hands tied with so it goes… Like wow am I happy that I got lucky enough to get to hear one of my fav songs and I got a DEBUT ALBUM song what even. Like rip for 1989 the secret song was mean. for red both songs were really good, but the night that I wasn’t there was just a little bit better. I still love begin again it is gorgeous. But like tied together is a song that SO many fans haven’t heard live before 

(I’m listening to each song while writing this post and Carrie Underwood came on shuffle after this song and I got so distracted, I never realized that I know almost all of her music except her most recent album and few singles)

(now I remembered that I need to listen to troye new album, but back on track. Troye’s album can wait, memories on the other hand only last so long)

Blank Space 

This happened a few times during the show where I just started singing the lyrics but I didn’t know what I was singing. That’s what happens when you know the entire discovery of someone who has more than 2 albums out. 

This was another song that I completely forgot that she was performing. It was fun. The arrangement felt different which I appreciated because it freshens up the song, and for people who went to 1989 it’s not an exact repeat. 

Dress

I

this song has the best visuals and dancing with it.

Everyone was looking at the back screen to get to unedited close up of her but I was staring at the main stage. 

It was enchanting and that’s all I have to say. Beautiful. A Masterpiece. 

Bad Blood/Should've Said No

Lol the snake bring her back to the stage went so fast. Low key felt bad for the people on the other side because I feel like they didn’t get as much time as she went past. 

Based on how hard I went during the concert this was my favorite song. I WENT SO HARD during should’ve said no. 

Boy go home.

This song was such a tease tho bc the music of shoul’ve said no kept playing in the background while she was still singing bad blood. I liked the visuals of this version of bad blood better than the 1989 tour. But I will say that it is one of the songs that stood out during the 1989 tour. During 1989 tour I got that out of this world chance to sit front row middle catwalk during that tour and the next night I won ticket in the lower level. And during the second night the visuals stood out (same goes to ootw).

Wow I want to hear should’ve said no live again.

I heard it during speak now, but wow it went so HARD>

Also I kept thinking of the CMT performance. 

Don’t Blame Me

This song was all about the hand gestures. I love the gospel choir feel of this song. 

Long Live/New Years Day

Lol this is probs the only part of the show I was relatively chill. Because I was just so happy so many memories, so proud of taylor, so happy for her crew band and dancer, and everything was right. Still screamed some of the lyrics of long live when I probs should’ve been quieter (or at least been trying to sing like a normal person)

Why She Disappeared

Ok I was excited for this. This is one of the things I purposefully didn’t watch bc I wanted to save it for the concert. But I must’ve blacked out or something because I remember trying to film it. Then my space filled up. But I barely processed half of it. So I am going to have to go back to that. But I do like the transition - and the story she tells. 

Getaway Car

after so it goes… this is my next fav song off the album. The visuals were very entrancing during this song as well.

She was so cute during this song. She did a little slide. And wow now that I’m watching a video from last night I didn’t realize that this is the only song shes alone on the main stage?? 

Also, I love this outfit. 

wow I love her so much

(now I’m just thinkng of how powerful it is for her to be on stage ALONE in a room over 66 thousand people.)

Call It What You Want

This is the point where I don’t have much to say

this song is also a fav and the confetti she’s so pretty the song’s pretty, she’s in love and I’m so happy for her. The fountain was out and suddenly it was bittersweet. I didn’t want the night to end. 

She laughed during the song. ugh I love those small moments when she smiles or reacts to something. 

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together / This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

GOES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE

This moment is so beautiful. While it’s talking about people that we don’t want to be friends with and we need to let go (doesn’t mean we don’t get upset about it) but we were in a room fill of people all there to have a good time and all there for the same reason

To have the times of their life and to share their love for Taylor and her music

---

One thing that really stood out about this concert was how nice everyone was, the warmth felt through out the stadium there was so much love. And wow.

It was such a great night.

I’ve been to speak now, red, 2 nights of 1989, and now one of reputation and this was by far her best tour ever.

Thank you for coming to Minneapolis. I hope you had an amazing night I sure did. 

[ber-bonfamille-lyons]

BDRP Resolutions

in which this is long 

Write your RPer Resolutions for 2018!

-Plot with more members, definitely! I try to expand of course and rp threads with everyone but I think I could do better and could def do bigger plots with more people.

-Complete more tasks tbh. This one is gonna be hard for me to do but idk if I could do at least one task every other month that would be an improvement over last year haha.

-Continue to work on scenery and detail etc. My weaknesses. I hope that rping more detail-oriented characters, like Charlie or even Mowgli, or exploring the lake with Andrina or the forest with Prince/Merida will help with this. Though also just being more aware of it in the day to day

-Dream Journal for Charlie/More music stuff for radio

Write at least one resolution, or “goal,” that you have as an RPer for your character(s)

Mel: This was on last year’s so that tells u something but I think it’s gonna happen-- explore her feelings for Howl! Also would love for her to do some more seedy things and i see want an apprentice!!

Ber: Explore Berlioz’s mental health more. Whether I do this through tasks/one-shots or something, Ber is kinda in this weird place where he’s blurring the line between reality/fantasy and I think that’s interesting. A lot of it has to do with things he isn’t dealing with (trauma from Taka and going down into hell). Also very specifically I want him to rp with Marie more bc Berrie is kinda underdeveloped both on my part as an rper and his part as like a mediocre brother lmao. I also like him as a supporting role in other people’s plots and I hope I can keep pushing him in those directions. And of course I’m very interested to see him and Simba repair and grow their relationship hopefully stronger than ever. <3 OH and g row a backbone tbh stand up for himself more do it ber

Kiara: Figure out her school life!! I still want to have her shadow someone sooo I think I could see her shadowing Minnie or even Jiminy since she’s sort of into health and social work. Also explore her envy of her friends with magic bc she had powers in Star wars and lowkey she still wants powers (opportunity for Feys Gold Antics here-- also feel liek there could be something interesting in Kiara v. Jake if Jake really does start getting more elitist)

Hades: BOARD STUFF. Im really excited to play Hades as a politician and like-- authority figure in town. Though he’s gotta save his own soul first lol. Also supporting Belle in hopefully going back to school. Alsoooo there are loose threads in hell that I have and would like 2 look into…

Milo: Talk with Jane about what comes next after pride u because his grant is almost up! Plot with BIANCA/BERNARD hopefully about the rescue aid society.

Nala: ONE NIGHT STAND SERIOUSLY. Let loose. Date someone bc if she fell in love work wouldnt be her focus and she’d grow a lot. Uh repair relationship with Simba?

Kiki: bring back jiji lmfao i suck. Finish her apprenticeship and unlock the trU nature of her powers and stuff mhm. Also kiss someone lol

Anita: Bring her fam in town and explore like, this clash between her old life and the new life now that she has grown so much.

Prince: ACCEPT UR FEELINGS FOR ELLA. Embrace them! Continue to train Bambi/find the fucker who shot u/be a Dad and do Dad things like idk a parent teacher conference??? Thats hilarious. Somehow I want him to become like a guest lecturer at Pride U but I’m not sure how yet. I also feel like idk Akela could draw him into becoming slightly darker after this shooting and that might be interesting so who knows, maybe he should join Akela’s morally gray magic club,

Paul: GO TO PRIDE U PLZ. Deal with the paulina plot lol. Contend with his inferiority issues that stem from the financial inequality between him and Perdy. Just rly go into their relationship and figure it out post-break up post-make up u know

Andrina: Explore the lake. Get into seedy stuff with Ursula maybe??? Continue to sleep with people thats very fun for me. FIND OUT WHO RAVEN IS. Get a cat.

Merida: I need her to make more friends bc I want her to fuck up and then ruin all those friendships ahaha. Want to have a showdown with some powerful magicks, gimme Akela and Max, all the shapeshifters!!!

Mowgli: Meet the Bonfamilles (lmao). Uhhh would lvoe to rp more with Akela i need to brainstorm how. I’d also like him to become more extreme tbh? Maybe start having night terrors or something bc of all his suppressed guilt wow just got a good idea ahha. Alsoooo maybe get a mentoooor…

Charlie: HAVE A PROPHECY ABOUT SOMEONE PPL HIT ME UP. I wanna start him on the research train when I get that in place and also maybe abuse hospital equipment (aka scan his own brain ehhe)  but also maybe save someone’s life would be cool, ok, yeah. Also hopefully grow his relationships with all hospital personnel and patients, and maybe get a  mentorship with Tibbs and/or Sweet. In fact it’d be really cooool if he could eventually help Sweet with his research like as an intern or assistant or something. And also i want to get him to an event but i need him to get a friend for that so!!! A texting buddy friend, that is a specific goal.

Write at least one resolution IN CHARACTER for your characters. What do THEY want to accomplish or change in the New Year? 

Mel: “Do something impossible.”

Ber: “Be a better brother and friend and boyfriend… be less crazy lol ahah”

Kiara: “figure out my LIFE lmao”

Hades: “Make real change in Swynlake.”

Milo: “Apply for a grant to study Atlantis...again.”

Nala: “Be my oWN love of my life. I’m a single independent woman and that’s amazing, I’m AMAZING.”

Kiki: “Restore Jiji D:”

Anita: “Direct a play again! That would be very fun. Oh, and paint more, I really do need to paint.”

Prince: “Be a good father to Bambi… make the forest a safe place again.”

Paul: “Be a good father, a good partner-- find better ways to support my kids.”

Andrina: “lol i dont DO goals bye.”

Merida: “Shoot Mor’du. Become a Prince.”

Mowgli: “... don’t make any trouble.”

Charlie: Bitch has a list.

Get phlebotomist license!!

Renew certs: CPR/AED/First Aid/Wilderness First Aid/BLS

Give up gluten! Again!

Exercise.

Go to a Swynlake Event! It will be fine no one will die!!! (!!!)

Plotting Exercise! Pick one of the resolutions/goals in #2 and plan a rough guideline to how you could accomplish it.

Mowgli explores his powers/grief

PARA 1: Has a  nightmare and accidentally sets something on fire (Akela)

PARA 2: Frightened, Mowgli confides in someone about his powers (Peach/Will)

PARA 3: Seeks help from either Howl or Ursula--depending on which one, it could litERally change the direction of the entire plot.

List of Characters I want to RP with:

I went through character by character but I would love to do more than this I am sure ahah.

Mel: Mateo, Ursula, Sophie (bc duh Howl), Akela

Ber: Irma, Sophie because they should be better friends, more Peg, JENNy bc they play piano ok!!, ANNETTE bc they totally know each other!!, tbh daisy and ber could do something with anxiety, Rita for sure, more Simon somehow i swear it

Hades: Sally, more stuff with Miguel, Jack, Shock/Samara, Al, Cruella, Simba, Oogie, maybe Dipper

Kiara: more stuff with Jake, Jiminy, Minnie/Rama maybe, Isa, Wilbur, Penny, Ollie, Jenny. Also lowkey Ursula.

Milo: more stuff with Kida, Bianca, Elena, also Goliath and Thomas (teachers!!)

Nala: MAUI. sorry look i just want maui its been a year. Also maybe some board members and stuff since she’ll be politically active? So Al, Cruella, Soleil for that (and Simba, but I rp with simba allll the time). Also Arthur, Adam.

Kiki: Mateo as well!! More young-ish people: Dipper, Maui (she’s a #bigfan), Callie.   

Anita: more stuff with Perdita. Also other artists: Pascal, Jane, Namine, Violet, maybe Art if he does art??, Peach, Peri, Duchess etc!! Hit me up please.

Prince: all the forest politics okay: Alasdair, Akela, Goliath, Shere, why are these men. Also just big Magicks in general: Ursula, Namine maybe. More fairies so Peri and Terence. Also very specifically: Theo and Thomas O’Malley. Maybe Jake tbh if he starts like patrolling the forest?

Paul: Goliath bc he’s a lit professor! Thomas bc they are bros now!!!! Maybe some other mersisters-- Aqua, Alana, Arista. Peach bc writing? Lmao. Also some lowkey shady people like Roscoe or Lock would be really great. Possibly Oogie bc he owns a casino and gambling~

Andrina: URSULA ok sorry i just want the sea witch. TBH Hiro or Tombo could be cool bc she’s into STEM stuff. Ken because I want to rp with Ken and I don’t think anyone else would get along? Ahah. Arista, Aqua and Alana. Herculessss.

Merida: Bambi bc scottish and also lowkey was involved in mother’s death!!! Maximus bc she should shoot him!! More Shere! Follow-up with Goliath tbh in class lmao would be funny. CORNY bc thye r destined to be friends. Callie!!! Oo, also more Eric.

Mowgli: Howl, Ursula, Mateo, more Peach, Jenny, Wilbur, Theo, Bambi Penny (yay orphans). Maybe a professor: Thomas, Goliath, Shere?

Charlie: so many ok. Ellie, Sweet, Shock, Jack, SALLY thats in caps bc I need it, Dipper, Boo, tbh could do some drug stuff with Roscoe, Lock and Theo. Rita bc she can be his mom, Oogie, anyone with trauma who wants charlie to relive it with them: eric, thomas, shere, lou the list can go on-- annnnd belle and callie also

[janiedean]

Do you believe in the statement "Islam is a religion of peace"? I think it's a ridiculous statement and I'm sick of people repeating it over and over. Saying it doesn't make it true. I have NOTHING against Muslims as people but the Koran is no better than the Bible when it comes to violence and pretending otherwise is just ridiculous to me. I came across a gifset the other day of a Muslim woman insisting that Islam is "the most feminist religion of all" and it just doesn't make sense to me.

man you’re talking to an atheist so obviously my answer is biased, and I read the bible but not the koran (I read bits not all of it) so my opinion is what it is, but:

given that I think that the bush jr policy of demonizing islam post sept 11th was the dumbest shit he could have done and I’m happily blaming that for 90% of the mess we’re in today and that I don’t think islam is inherently more violent than christianity given that as you said violence in holy books is about that same level

and given that a lot of the koran has been (purposefully or not) misquoted to justify terrorism/fight against terrorism

and given that 90% of the parts of the sharia law we find more abhorrent (ie the ones condemning lgbt+ people, allowing child brides and so on) aren’t actually in the koran but are holy because some interpreters who were also holy men declared them so so a lot of it is - as with christianity - stuff added by the organized part of the religion (like, there isn’t ONE line in the bible openly condemning abortion unless you don’t interpret the sermon of the mount in a specific way but honestly, but according to the catholic church and christianity in its worst incarnations abortion is A SIIIINNNN)

I also think that everyone automatically tries to delete the worst parts of the religion they believe in and the likes and at the same time it’s really hard to question things you were taught since the day you were born. and going like yES BUT THIS LINE IN THE BOOK SAYS THIS doesn’t mean anything because another says the contrary ten pages after and a lot of religious ppl in general haven’t even read either the koran (see: a lot of isis recruits) or the bible (see: most people who tell me that if I read it I’ll convert, then I tell them I did and if they remember the dismembered concubine from the book of kings and they fall from the clouds. aha) and they tend to stick to the parts that are *safer*. ie for christianity everyone moderate says it’s all about the best parts of the gospel (and no one ever remembers my two favorite bits ie when jesus told people who *went around talking in his stead* that he didn’t know them from adam and when he said to one of the two thieves crucified next to him that he had a place in heaven with him hahahahhahahahaha) and never about the worst parts of them or of the old testament (for one, did you know that with the plagues of egypt the pharaoh refused to let moses go because god directly influenced him because he wanted to show how much more powerful he was in comparison to the pharaoh’s false gods, because the poor guy actually would have let moses leave after the sixth plague? YEAH I DIDN’T UNTIL I READ IT EITHER) same as a lot of moderate muslims focus on the best parts of the koran like the peace message and so on and ignore the worst.

now, personally I think that religious books are written in such a way that you can find anything and its contrary inside them. the bible is BOTH old and new testament but even if you decide that the old doesn’t matter because you only follow jesus’s teachings, okay, paul in some of his letters says exactly the contrary of what jesus meant but paul’s letters are in the NT and no one’s taking them out yet. st. augustine is one of the church’s Fathers with the capital F but he came up with predestination (which is a thing that is absolutely not in the NT) and the catholic church ignores it because it eventually rejected that vision. and so on. it’s not surprising that moderate muslims see their religion as a religion of peace and the jihadists use it to fuel terrorism because both interpretations have their valid points. if you’re moderate and want to say muslim religion is peaceful you have your quotes, if you’re not you have others. and so on. so like, I personally think that since to me it’s all about stuff that doesn’t exist it’s all very ridiculous and I honestly can’t conceive killing themselves in the name of someone whose existence you cannot prove never mind that it’s basically the same God just with a different name and a different theological interpretation so like, wtf guys. I don’t think any religion is inherently peaceful or warmongering, I think people make of it what they want and that you need it separated from the state in any case because if that doesn’t happen it’s always going to coincide with someone’s political interests and fanatics will breed more easily.

re the feminism, I have issues in that sense and maybe a clearer opinion tho that might be that there’s things I cannot chalk to cultural relativism to justify, but like: it’s true that in theory islam is not... well, anti-women at its core because let’s all remember that in the middle ages muslim women on paper were better off than europeans unless my high school books lied about that, but it’s true that a lot of the **sharia** law mentioned above is NOT fucking feminist - whatever you mean with it - and I’m honestly... I mean, I get cultural relativism, but like let’s just take the veil. in theory if it’s an imposition it’s not even valid because you have to choose to wear it and it’s all good, but do people choose to wear it in countries like idk taliban afghanistan? do people have a choice about it when it’s not just the veil but covering your whole damned body and you can’t touch someone else’s hand without your husband’s permission? and saying that it’s also valid for men makes me lol because I haven’t seen men under a burqa yet. like everyone has the rights to choose what they wear or not, but when it’s de-humanizing like that (bc burqas are de-humanizing to me sorry) and it’s people who have been taught since they were born that they have to wear it... is that a choice? and like, yeaaah in saudi arabia eight year old girls can marry people thrice their age and if I have a vagina I can’t drive a car, but that’s feminist? like where I teach, one morning each week it’s just women and only women can teach because some don’t/won’t come if men are attending as well and won’t be taught by male teachers. and like... I understand they do it because otherwise they don’t come, but I feel really iffy about accommodating a thing that to me is out of this freaking universe, especially because you get veiled women coming to regular class without a problem. shit like that imo is just backwards and the fact that it happened here fifty years ago as well means that while I won’t judge muslim countries too harshly on that sense... well, we moved past it and we have equality on paper, shouldn’t they have it too? (admittedly I don’t think attaching ideologies to any religion is a good idea because what the hell does FEMINIST RELIGION even mean, catholics are crazy when it comes to worshipping mary so they’re also feminists?? and religion are used to prop up other ideologies every other day so like.... I’m iffy on that period) so on that topic I honestly can’t agree but because I don’t agree that religions are inherently any -ism.

tldr: I think everyone picks and chooses when it comes to religions so saying that it’s THIS OR THAT is ridiculous (christianity from the westboro baptists is not catholicism to say one and they have the same holy book) and that you need to separate them from politics before doing any kind of this discourse. I also don’t agree with this policy of ‘since bush jr policy was BASHING ON ISLAM FOR EVERYTHING’ now we have to do the contrary and ‘EXCUSE ISLAM FOR EVERYTHING’ because it doesn’t help - you have to condemn the bad apples of the bunch and not alienate the good ones, and that means also criticizing where it’s due.

I mean, ffs, it was on the news here the other day but some girl in bologna who came from a muslim family who didn’t want to wear the veil was forcefully shaved by her mother (like shaved all her hair) and she told her teachers saying she didn’t want to live with them anymore because they were pushing the veil and the religion on her and she didn’t want that, and now she’s with the social services. she’s fourteen. that’s feminist? I don’t... really think so. and the fact that I’m atheist and I don’t get it from the pov of a religious person doesn’t mean that I can’t say it’s fucked up when it’s fucked up.

[cenaynaylovesjesus]

Access June 18th Outline Notes

Share: Pastor Joe from the Singapore site asked us this question. What is something that you are proud of in your life? Why?

Personal Reflection -junior Duchess -valedvictorian. -got to dream college (UT AUSTIN), graduated and got scholarships to fund education. Why am I proud of those goals? I set a goal and stuck with it for the most part.

Greater than what i hold onto. Consider: where do u find your safety, security and success? What do you hold onto?

The One Thing: Give up what you hold onto in vain; Jesus is your real gain.

Luke: 18: 18-23 ESV I. Jesus knows your "one thing" Profile: young rich man is… -young -successful. -entitled position of authority and influence. -educated. -do-gooder. "Good teacher, what must I do ro inherit eternal life?" Vs. 18

What is your actual belief about God?   In Singapore- people have the right answer for everything. 1+1=2. Right thing to say. There is this Asian culture to try to save face You have a different.... Face with family. Face In public Face with friends. Face at work. Americans value freedom of expression.. as long as I express myself that’s what matters. Not as much freedom to express what you honestly feel in Singapore and Asia in general.

It’s hard to know what people’s actual belief’s about God is because there is this culture of saving face. What is your actual belief about God? Jesus starts to reveal what he actually believes. Jesus asks.. why do u call me good? No one is good except God alone. God defines what is good alone. Do u really know and believe I am God?

The young rich guy: tells Jesus “I have kept the ten commandments since i was young.” Modern day rendition: “I I I think that I am good, and i am going to jesus for him to affirm me as a good guy…” “Don’t you see those 17 gold stars i saw in kindergarten. The rich guy was insecure..  genuinely curious. The way he responds is a little defensive explaining himself insisting on his own goodness.

Pastor Joe: For many years i felt like i was a good kid. I did all the right things.. knew all the right answers. Jesus revealed the mans actual belief. This is your one thing in life. He was sad, because he had a great number of treasures.

***The rulers actual beliefs: Good things, come to good people by their own good efforts.

**This mans actual one thing (God) My own accomplishments and gains.

Sometimes it takes faith to recieve Gods gift.

Pastor Joe: “Some of you use church as a cover for your unfaithfulness. Send me Lord... why? I was running away. I was such a perfectionist that i hesitated to turn in papers on time. Man... i don’t care about what ppl think but I care what ppl think.

Have you ever been uncomfortable trying to follow God? I don’t want to do this... Im so dry.. God just disagreed with you. Have you ever walked away from God but ever walked away feeling sad? You are here present but you heart is not.

What is that one thing? That thing u have to give up.

What is your one thing? God has revealed to you that you have put your trust in? Your true idol for safety, security? Success?

When Jesus isn't your one thing, Jesus just becomes an add-on in your life to make you feel more affirmed?

I placed my church inv. At my significance. Person came in late to access and judges them for being late. I refused to address outside of Jesus. I tried desperately to find my significance in anything and everything even in good things like the church.

The young ruler found his safety and security in things other than Jesus. When we surrender to God we are so focused on the losing part we dont realize what we are gaining. I wonder if he was insecure and didnt know the steadfast love of God was greater than anything else in this world.

What the young man should have responded.. is i have no good apart from God. Psalm 16: 1-2.

“The deepest, tenderest place in the heart of God is reserved for sinners who can offer him nothing but their need.” Ray Ortlund.

II. Jesus is worth surrendering to Read Luke 18: 24-27 The disciples told Jesus “you just turned away your prime candidate.” This guys has been to OCR b4 ocring, and been to every OCR, participated in Freshman missions, did Csmp and now going on asian missions. This rich guy “Hes done it all. Hes the ultimate bachelor. If not him.. who is good enough?”

***Our idolatry makes it impossible to follow Jesus and gain eternal life. Marriage is an exclusive committed relationship. Even if you are the most hard working person in life.. if its not Jesus your pursuit..  then at some point you may turn away.

Jesus is the only good one.. its on his goodness that we stand upon.

Ask yourself: Is there anything you feel like you deserve more of? Have you been obsessed with your competence, reputation, or ranking amongst others? Have you been experiencing a loss that u need to grieve over? Is there something youve gained that you feel you need to hold onto? Is there something you dont want to pray about?

A lot of seniors.. What r u doing after graduation.. idk.. stop asking me. Its embarrassing just to say IDK. Like an essay you are dragging out that you don't know. Second, Third, 4th friend all get jobs.. First friend.. you are happy.. But you think what about me God?

Come to LG you have job.. Praise God it was a gift to me.. yes lord it was a gift praise God..i can be a missionary in my field. 4 months in and your like i hate work.. it stinks.

We always challenge graduates to give your first paycheck to step out in faith.

Students esp... im telling you its harder and harder to give up your all. As a bachelor.. all i have is time.. married.. i hesitate.. Becuase of my Baby boy.. As you get more sucessful you gain more.. the more you gain the harder it is to give and hold up.

***Is Jesus really worth it? Jesus makes eternal life worth it.  .. not by yourself but by the work of God. Vs. 27   He makes it possible to say and do good works.. overflow of good works. Ephesians 2:8-10

Read Luke 18:28 Surrender to Jesus is complete. Surrender to Jesus is continual. In order for it to be complete but continual.

J.D. Greer Surrender starts with the realization that... I would gladly give it all. Surrender means coming to God with open hands and open heart. Am I fully surrendered?

Following Jesus doesn't have anything with your current profession.. its something deeper than that. Regardless of what your doing.. what and where.

Jesus is worth it all. Paul.. whatever I had i counted as a loss for the sake of Christ.

I was so dedicated to the middle East in the military I even came up with the... Four Ms Missions in Military for Muslims in Middle East - genuine prayer at first. Camp Greenly. Rifle in my hand and training.. shooting at target. God spoke to me to pray... Vivid image of when i gave my life a few years prior.. ive been pining my hopes in marine corps. I took pride in it.. over the years.. i put my safety security and significance in military. I took out loans.. forgive all loans if you sign up for more years.   I had stopped turning to the Lord as my providor. My lord i give up marine corp.. Hehe.  I see what u are doing..   Go to county called dajbootie. Narrowed down list.. Ok lord send me. My name wasnt called. Lord.. what is it that you want me to do? Those good things had become my one thing. Whole season pray through.. hopinh whatever you want to do.. show me and ill follow.

God opened door.. miracle provision for transformation center. Month later.. Months later pastor Andrew.. asked me to get inv. With church.. Month after that sent pastor ben. Month after that first int. Church plant.. 6 months. God showed me this is what I'm doing. Person challenged me.. what y Fast and pray about it.. I think, I think God was calling me to be a Pastor..

Went with Jakarta for a year.   That was a hard year. Christ was probing my heart what my one thing really was... Are we even listening to what the Lord has to say.

Psalm 27:4 Intimacy from God was Davids one thing.

Helen H. Lemmel

One thing: Give up what you hold onto in vain; Jesus is your real gain. Life Application: I release............. My reward is Christ alone.

Reflection: I think for me, I doubt that God wants me to give up on being an AuD. I just don’t think that’s what God want’s for me, but I think He is wanting me to surrender my timeline, by not getting into grad school this year, it kind of screws up my 10 year plan, but maybe one more year in Austin is just what I need to help transform me into a missionary not only as a worker in the workplace, but also as a student, in all areas of my life. 10+1 year timeline here we go. Also if you get a chance, please watch Pastor Joe’s from Singapore’s preaching. He’s such as hilarious pastor, he’s so sassy, in speaking truth to people’s lives, he calls them out on their bluff.