#assembly of faithful

[justana0kguy]

2024 MAY 06 Monday

"Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

Let them praise His name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to Him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory."

~ Psalms 149:1-4

[juanabaloo]

Faith has 6 episodes on ATS. but she only has 1 scene with Lorne, in S4, where she is lying in bed. so he's literally talking to her but she is unconscious. we were robbed of a Faith - Lorne scene! or him reading her aura while she sings!! (we were also robbed of this for Willow btw)

HC: Willow and Faith leave for Sunnydale at the end of 4x15. unfortunately (bad luck? magic? Jasmine evil? Connor weirdness?) Willow's car won't start so they have to spend the night in LA while Angel's car repair guy works on it overnight / normal car repair will start working on it first thing in the morning.

so we would get one more scene with the ATS gang and Faith (and Willow). i like the idea of Willow and Fred dipping out early, to talk about magic. (your choice if it gets gay or not, i say not based on Willow's "I'm seeing somebody" line earlier.) Cordelia and Connor also only stay out briefly.

Willow can sing for Lorne before she leaves. your choice what it's about. Faith will sing too. the setup will be that it will be something badass, very rock and roll, just broke outta jail vibes. or maybe classic rock, like Bohemian Rhapsody.

instead Faith's song will be achingly painfully obvious it's about her pining away for Buffy. Angel will nod knowingly and their sibling-AA-sponsor-mind-walk-bro-buddies vibe will deepen.

but also i just want more Lorne - Faith interaction. we got almost nothing. also i want more Gunn - Faith. i'm sure the Wes - Faith interactions would be interesting too.

[hawkpartys]

i want to preface this by saying i am generally against the idea of driving anything to extinction especially if its just because its "weird" or "scary" but i HAVE been wondering about something for a while: what are the ethics of eradicating parasites of humans? Like, specifically the ones adapted to human hosts such as a few of the tapeworm species out there. fuck it while im here i also know screwworm flies arent definitive parasites of humans in particular but do you have any opinions of the efforts to eradicate those either?

These are the kind of questions that teams of PhDs spend years of their lives and thousands of dollars of grant money answering. I don't have any formal education in this specific niche nor do I have the time or inclination to spend a week reading research papers. It would be irresponsible for me to answer this like an authority.

I would suggest either finding research papers or asking a blogger who knows more about parasites. @bogleech often has solid resources.

[theexodvs]

“Cult” (n.) and “cultic” (adj.)

There is great confusion when describing certain groups and movements as "cultic." Since the most famous examples of cultic groups and movements in living memory include the Manson Family, People’s Temple, the Branch Davidians and Heaven’s Gate, the popular conception of a cult has become a centralized group with one leader with a type-A personality. This is not how most cultic groups take shape.

"Cultic" and "centralized" are not synonyms. They are entirely different concepts, and whether one group or movement is one has no bearing whatsoever on whether it is the other.

The United Pentecostal Church International and Pentecostal Assemblies of the World are both cults. They are part of the Oneness Pentecostal movement*. Note, the UPCI and PAW are not in fellowship with each other and have no official relations. This is because this movement is decentralized, encompassing various different groups that are united in few if any ways besides (some) similar teachings. Whatever leadership and governance model they have, shared or contrasting, is secondary, because Oneness Pentecostalism as a set of doctrines is itself cultic, meaning any group that espouses it is a cult by definition.

Christian Identity is a more pronounced example of a cultic movement that is decentralized. It is a white supremacist group that teaches that white people are the descendants of the ancient Israelites, and that "gentiles" (people who aren't white) can never be saved. Its footprint is almost entirely made of websites, prison gangs, and local congregations, which are not in fellowship with each other or with any larger group. I would hope any decent person would be opposed to this movement and its teachings, but an attempt to treat "cultic" and "centralized" as synonyms might keep one from recognizing CI as something that should be avoided.

Other decentralized movements that are cultic include the Word of Faith movement, the Men's Right Movement, dispensationalism, neurodiversity, the Sovereign Citizens movement, BDSM, the New IFB, kinism, and the Black Hebrew Israelites. Every group that is part of these is a cult, thought they may not be in fellowship with other groups within the same movement.

*The Oneness Pentecostal movement is not representative of Pentecostalism as a whole. Most of the world's Pentecostals belong to the Assemblies of God which has taught the Trinity for its entire existence. Pentecostalism is not necessarily cultic. Oneness Pentecostalism is.

[lulu2992]

All my life I've dealt with people like you. People who underestimate sweet, innocent Faith. You see what you want to see: A playful butterfly... A delicate flower... A child with childish thoughts... It's easy to disregard a child. Tracey made the same mistake as you. And while you all ignored me, I walked right through every one of you.

A representation of Faith’s multifacetedness, a quality that, as she explains it herself, can be a powerful weapon if you know how to wield it.

[iiusia]

Is ir okay to not feel it as a christian if youre still doing it? If i read the word and do what it says, but i never feel. the feelings. Is it normal? I feel so lost. Ive prayed so much.

hi!! i'm going to assume this question is coming from this post of mine. if its not sorry but i hope my answer still stands!

my point in that post is that it's not all about feeling the feelings. honestly, i would say that usually, Feeling Strong Emotion/being overtaken by emotion over it is something that is not necessarily common. of course, it depends on the person. some people are just Strong Feelers but that's not everyone! (i am not one of these people, for example).

if you don't Always Feel The Supernatural Presence Of God and you don't feel emotional every time you think about the Lord, or whatever standard you want to set, that's not an indicator of your faith. (or if you're truly saved.)

what's important is knowing. and believing. do you truly Know And Believe that the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins? do you Know and Believe that the God of the Bible is real? that He created the world and everything in it? that He sent His only begotten Son to die out of love for us?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

that's what's important!!!! not if you cry during worship or if a sermon touches you. not Feeling A Supernatural Presence. if you know God is with you always, then you don't need to feel it for proof. you know it. you have faith.

modern-day christian culture has turned christianity into solely something you Feel. big displays of emotions during worship, people talking about visions and speaking in tongues and being filled by the Holy Spirit, etc. (this attitude has also led to the culture of "if i don't feel that the Lord is telling me that this is wrong, or if i feel that the Lord is telling me that this is okay, then it is.) but you can't rely on your feelings.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

you want to hear God speak? you open your Bible. it's Literally God's word. everything you need to Know about God and how you should live your life is in there.

basically: anon, lack of Strong Emotion over living the faith does not mean that you're doing something wrong. however! i want to cover all my bases, just to be sure. you mention "reading the word and doing what it says". you might already know this, but being a christian isn't just about acts or works. the entire point of the gospel is that we cannot be saved through what we do, only through faith. it goes back to what i was saying about faith earlier on. if you find yourself treating this life like a checklist, like a "i'll do this, and this, and this, and then God will help me/love me", then that might be something to meditate about.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

[ineffablymischievousscamp]

Michael Sheen - Master Storyteller

In today's digital world, celebrity interviews are in abundance - especially when you consider newer mediums like podcasts that have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. You can find panels from conventions, access talk shows from other countries, read magazine articles from across the pond. There are so many one-dimensional, disconnected, or just plain boring celebrity guests in this oversaturated market. Michael Sheen is NEVER one of those guests.

Storytelling is an underappreciated skill. In this realm, it becomes obvious that Michael has harnessed this skill exceptionally well. As a master storyteller and world-builder, he captivates with the effortless ease of a raconteur, transforming an ordinary interview question into immersive journeys that leave you utterly enraptured.

You can't help but be drawn in by his passion. It's not just in the words he chooses or the exact experience he is relaying, but the ebb and flow of his narrative voice - a voice that exudes warmth and conviction, vulnerability and authenticity, humor and hope.

Like an artist crafting an epic, he makes it so that you feel like an active participant in the tale - present in the narrative being woven - instead of just a listener. Each story feels like a memory being created in the moment with you, rather than just a mere recounting of events.

I absolutely love when he takes a seemingly simplistic interview question that one would assume would result in a stale, depthless answer, and somehow delivers a story so engaging that you are now on an unexpected adventure alongside him. It doesn't matter the topic - he is just that magical and skilled. Michael must be a dream for interviewers. In a lot of ways, the man practically interviews himself. His tangents are so entertaining, refreshing, and enriching - delivering delicious opportunities to dive deeper into his narratives should the interviewer find themselves brave enough.

Outside of his masterful storytelling, Michael truly just seems like a wonderful human to have a conversation with. He is insanely charming, marvelously chaotic, unabashedly honest, perpetually curious, intensely thought-provoking, and deeply caring.

Do yourself a favor and listen to some Michael Sheen content this week. You might laugh until you hurt. You might sob uncontrollably. You might find yourself impassioned over a new topic. You might leave with a fresh perspective. You might find your faith in humanity restored. You will not regret it.

In closing, we all know that age-old ice breaker question - If you could have a dinner party with any 5 famous people (dead or alive), who would they be and why? Well if it isn't obvious yet, one of my answers would unequivocally be Michael Sheen. He'd be riveting in his own right, but can you imagine the stories he'd draw out of the other guests too?

Bonus Content:

For all of those that made it to the end of my TedTalk... enjoy this instant serotonin boost brought to you by Sheenie's Smile!

And yes, at my dinner party I'd 100% tell him "You've had such a profound effect on my life!"

[mariocki]

All Passion Spent: Episode 2 (1.2, BBC, 1986)

"You really must not speak as though my life has been a tragedy. I had everything that most women would envy; I had position, comfort, children, and a husband I loved. Truly loved, Mr. Fitzgeorge. I had nothing to complain of."

"Except that you were defrauded of the one thing that mattered, face it, Lady Slane: your children, your husband, your splendour... were nothing but obstacles that kept you from yourself. Perhaps you were too young to know any better, but when you chose that life, you know, you sinned against the light."

"You're right, of course."

"Course I'm right, old Fitz may be a comic figure, but he retains some sense of values."

"Don't scold me any more, Mr. Fitzgeorge. I assure you that if I did wrong, I paid for it. But you must not blame my husband."

"Oh, I don't. According to his lights, he gave you everything you could desire. He merely killed you, that's all. Men do kill women, and most women enjoy being killed - so I am told."

[faithsactivism]

HEY YALL!!!!!!

I’m causing some ✨chaos✨ behind the scenes rn with @queeryouthassemble so I’ll keep you posted on when you can get involved :)) should be within the next few days

Follow @youthdissent for more updates too!!!

[hauntedfalcon]

delicious. finally some good fucking fantasy theology talk from characters who have reasons to feel ways about stuff

[justana0kguy]

2023 MAY 15 Monday

"Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory."

~ Psalms 149:1-2,6a

[juanabaloo]

S3 fic idea: a time loop to "fix" how quickly faith goes bad. what if faith was stuck in a time loop and no one else (not even Buffy) was aware of it. what if she keeps looping through S3, and eventually she decides it doesn't matter what she does, she always ends up feeling betrayed and alone, and she always ends up helping the Mayor. (maybe even sometimes inadvertently, i don't know)

so she decides to plunge in head first, bc the more bad she is the further things change and it seems like the loop is both more manageable and shorter.

i know this messes with her going evil in a way that sands off her sharp edges, but i still like the idea.

what if somehow her being evil is the only way to start sharing dreams with Buffy and that is so tantalizing she can't give it up?

throwing this out there, maybe someone else can work on this idea. i might still write it but it's pretty low on the list rn.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

A Sacred Assembly

On the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any servile work therein,

"Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, 'When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the premier sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

And you shall count to you beginning with the next day after the Sabbath, beginning with the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete. — Leviticus 23:7, 10-11 and 15 | A Faithful Version (AFV) Holy Bible, A Faithful Version © 2020 A Faithful Version. All Rights Reserved. Cross References: Exodus 12:16; Exodus 23:16; Exodus 23:19; Exodus 28:38; Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 23:8; Leviticus 23:12; Leviticus 23:21; Numbers 28:26; Deuteronomy 16:9; Ruth 1:22; Acts 2:1

[donnadarling]

I wrote a poem about this a few years ago! His story was so beautiful and baffling, I could not resist.

The Janitor Prophet (by Donna Darling)

The gods appeared to him and suddenly he could see eternity in a coke bottle, the fabric of time and space in a cereal box. The Holy Spirit overshadowed him and he spun gold from drinking straws. The angels watched over him, guided his hands as he shaped crowns no head would ever wear, wrote words no one would ever read. Decades poured into unseen beauty, his invisible Patron providing the sacred materiel: Band aids and foil and reckless devotion, a cathedral in a rented garage.

Was it love or madness? Is there a difference? There was God in the garbage, Mary in the smog filled skies, he saw them with his own eyes. And so he continued his lonely vigil, alone yet not alone.

“Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly”

Built by janitor James Hampton over a period of 14 years.

It is constructed out of “various old materials like aluminum and gold foil, old furniture, various pieces of cardboard, old light bulbs, shards of mirror and old desk blotters. He had pinned it together with tacks, glue, pins and tape.”

[craigtowens]

Links & Quotes

Some links and quotes that caught my eye this week.

Is it okay to pray a prayer written by someone else? Sure! But let’s use those prayers merely as guides to help us form our own personalized prayers to our loving Heavenly Father. I shared a whole series on prayer that you may want to check out. I have lots of new content every week, which you can check out on my YouTube channel. T.M. Moore wrote, “The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in believers…

[rock-me-amadeus-epic-remix]

I do think the Alien from Isolation would've been even creepier if they made it plantigrade but there may have been a lack of confidence in how serious it would be taken when charging towards the player