#destroy me according to thy word for I love thee

[mayasaura]

There's a stanza from Annabel Lee that's been tickling my brainstem for a while, and it feels even more relevant now that we know how John and Alecto are bound together, and that their love was and still is mutual:

But our love it was stronger by far than the love    Of those who were older than we—    Of many far wiser than we— And neither the angels in Heaven above    Nor the demons down under the sea Can ever dissever my soul from the soul    Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

That's the heart of it, isn't it? The source of all of John's power, the reason he's God, it's because his soul is connected to his Annabel Lee's. To end all of this, they'll need to be dissevered.

I'd say that the angels have already tried and failed, and the demons look like they're winding up to take a shot. Odds are that'll go about as well for them as it did for Augustine and Mercy. But there's someone the poem doesn't ask. It doesn't account for Annabel.

I think that may be why it matters so much that that Alecto still loves John, and where the true horror of love comes in. If Alecto's soul is going to be seperated from John's, Alecto has to want it. No one else can do it for her. Annabel Lee has to become the subject, and not the object.

[floweroflaurelin]

Huevember day 4: The Penitent

—

O corse of the Locked Tomb, I have loved thee all my life, with mine whole soul, and with mine whole strength. I would to God that I find grace in thy eyes. Destroy me according to thy word, for I love thee. ✨⚔️💀⚔️✨

[sinshiney]

it was a face once dreamed in Alecto’s dream

[Image ID: A digital drawing in dark blues and yellow highlights of Harrow standing before Alecto in The Tomb. Alecto glares down at her, holding a ridged longsword with a decorative dragon handle in one hand. Alecto glows with an ethereal light and her other hand is fisted in Harrow's hair above the nape of her neck. Harrow has her back to the viewer and stares up at Alecto, once hand raised so that she might be touching her thigh. There is framed text that reads "destroy me according to thy word, for I love thee."]

[katakaluptastrophy]

Thinking some more about Harrow's horror at Jod's touch.

Harrow arriving on the Mithraeum, led 'like sacrifices to the bier', unable to refuse god because the 'meat of [her] meat' belongs to him:

He stood and, horror upon horrors, came down the aisle to you; he looked you both over, as though he were glad to see you... some nameless softening in his face and in those white-ringed, primordial eyes. He reached out for your hands. You could not refuse him, and in any case had no choice of doing so; your body reacted long before your mind did, and the meat of your meat and the flesh of your flesh belonged to God.

Alecto to Pyrrah, as her memories surface:

“Did you think this was fun, Pyrrha Dve? Did you think this was lovely? Family. Blood. Together. Kiss, kiss. A child’s game. You say nice words and everyone pretends they are the words you say. Here is a house. We live in it. Worms slithering over each other … Did you like playing pretend? Did you like being mother and father? You should have given into your desires and eaten us. Chew and swallow. More natural. Would have respected you for it…”

And Alecto, on her 'altar', reaching out to Harrow:

The child rose and said, O corse of the Locked Tomb, I have loved thee all my life, with mine whole soul, and with mine whole strength. I would to God that I find grace in thy eyes. Destroy me according to thy word, for I love thee. Alecto was angry, and raised her up, and kissed her. The child did not cry out, though blood fell from her lips and tongue, and she was wounded sore. For Alecto knew not how to kiss, except such as it involved the mouth and teeth. And Alecto said to her, Why are you not appeased? That is how meat loves meat.

Thinking about John playing father. Both as a paternal god and in his much more human desire to see himself in Harrow.

About John killing the earth and putting her soul in the body of his favourite childhood toy, telling her he did it for her, and her telling him that she loves him.

About how Harrow and Alecto both perceive John's paternal love as possession, as a natural violence.

[traumacatholic]

Hi, I'm a university student, woman, carmelite, consecrated to Our Lady according to the method of Saint Luis Maria of Montfort. Please, could you pray for me fiding a relationship that is totally align with the chastity principles for lay members, if it is God's will?

I had to lie to someone saying I was taken when I'm not, in order to keep the chastity principle and to avoid this person keeping any hope and keep insisting, but I don't like lying, and I'm a bit afraid of the consequences of this lie. Please, could you pray for me?

(Also, saying the religious reasons could have hurt the person, so it was better to simply say "I already have someone").

May God Bless you ✝❤

I have to admit, that I don't fully know bout the chastity principles for lay members. But I will be praying for you. And I have included some prayers under the read more that you may find useful. Feel free to modify them where you see fit.

A prayer to find a spouse

All-good and merciful Lord, I know that any enduring happiness in my life dependeth upon my wholehearted love for Thee and upon keeping Thy commandments and obeying Thy Holy Will in all things. Wherefore, direct my steps, O God, and fill my heart with Thy Grace. I seek to please Thee alone, for Thou art my Creator and my God. Preserve me from pride and self-love. Let reason, modesty, and chastity adorn me. Deliver me from idleness which is hateful unto Thee and breedeth vice; grant me to be diligent and fruitful in labor, and bless thou my work. Thy law commandeth that husband and wife live in chaste matrimonial union. Wherefore lead me, Holy Father, to this blessed calling not for the satisfaction of the passions but unto the fulfilment of Thy commandment; for Thou hast said that it is not good that man should be alone and, having created woman as his companion, Thou didst bless them to be fruitful and multiply that they may fill the earth. Hear my humble prayer which ascendeth unto thee from the depths of my heart: Grant unto me an honest and pious spouse that, through our love and harmony, we nay together serve and praise Thee, our compassionate God, and do Thy will and bless Thine all-holy name, of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

A prayer of single persons

O Lord, who hast set forth for us an example of perfect purity, strengthen me, I beseech Thee, when temptation doth beset me, and when strong passions seek to overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and innocent in thought, word, and deed, doing only such things that are well pleasing to Thee. Grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve Thee in holiness all the days of my life, through the intercessions of Thine all-immaculate Mother and of all Thy Saints, especially my Patron Saint [name]. Amen.

A prayer for purity

O Master, Lord my God, in whose hands are my lots, help me according to Thy mercy and do not allow me to be destroyed by mine iniquities, nor permit me by my will to follow the desires of my flesh against my spirit. I was fashioned by Thee, do not forsake the works of Thy Hands. Turn not Thy Face away from me, have pity and do not despise me, neither forsake me, O Lord, for I am weak and it is to Thee, my protecting God, that I have fled to for refuge. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for the sake of Thy Mercy, for upon Thee have I cast myself from my very youth. May those who war against me be put to shame, and may those who seek to separate me from Thee through immodest acts, unseemly thoughts and unprofitable recollections be turned back. Chase far from me every impurity, that foul effluence of evil. For Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art mighty, Thou alone art immortal, having unfathomable power against all things, and it is through Thee that every power is given against the devil and his might. For unto Thee are due all glory, honour, and worship, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

[rionas-path]

Chapter 5

The Imperfect Retelling

XXXVIII. The goddess let the air stay still, with only the faint, warm wind Of early spring brush along the undergrowth. Her story; she knew, Could give away details abundant. Her goals, thus: to skew This tale yet believable remain. Dilute – chiefly, skimmed Shall this story be. Choosing wisely her beginning’s spring, The events known to every man, be it poor or mighty king. All this to either bore or irritate and most, to rescind The questioning doubt which took root in Ríona’s mind whirlwind.

XXXIX. “Of spring rains and summer storms, one could dream eternally… A tale of time and of passage, bereft of peace, of mind. Two silhouettes did merge as their shadows had intertwined-” Annoyed and defeated, Ríona let out a breath cheerlessly: “Perfect, thou art of no help as usual…” and began to take Her leave, standing up from the cobbled bench. No wish to partake In Aurianne’s game of mockery. In response, she quickly Hit back with a remark both grating and nonetheless motherly:

XL. “Patience, my dear! Though thou seem’st to think thee know’st all, Thou know’st not where this tale of mine leads.” Her aura seemed to pass Across onto the other shoulder, continuing to amass Her narrative: “Two silhouettes came from that blessed hall Of the Innerworld’s Void on that faithful day. Now ancient, long Forgotten history – save for this old, astute mind’s song! We had always been meant for greatness, but they did us stall In those times of Amber’s Domain, when we were but a thrall!”

XLI. Content with the spirit’s meanderings Ríona was not And swiftly jumped in again: “Get on with it, please! For the love Of all that is holy!” The continuous interjections of The youth were partially the goal which the goddess sought. To safely skip and omit what she pleased, but withal annoyed She’d act: “Ah! Again, with thy interruptions! Thou destroyed A poor and frail spirit’s tale! Have it thy way!” Thus, the plot She did not want to proceed, abjured and inwards she did trot.

XLII. “Wait, no! Please linger still for I’m sorry! I shan’t be a child No longer and shall listen to thy tale but please don’t go!” Cried Ríona and thus, the goddess relished the moment so And promptly gave her rules of engagement to leave her tale undefiled: “Thou shalt not interrupt henceforth! I shall tell my tale to thee, And upon any hitch or halt my tale shall stop. Agree?” The youth merely shook her head in accord without a wild And errant spoken word. With swiftness she perched on the bench beguiled.

XLIII. “Let’s not remain unhurried and carry on. My fabled rise Assured was not!” the goddess rendered her words in succour. “In early years of my existence, my life painted in demure Light of a wondering wisp, gliding on meadows below clear skies Of the Inner and Outer worlds. A fledgling spirit, full of ardour; Much like thyself; but lo! For one shall find their world grow harder Once all the rules are revealed, far removed from the fables’ cries That erstwhile were pledged! At times life’s change is slow, then ere thy eyes!”

XLIV. “I revelled in those hidden, closed off corners of the land, Those nooks and crannies which laid unfound for vast stretches of time. Thus, I quickly became the patron of hidden groves. Not prime But a lesser sylph, which gave boons and gifts to a daring brand Of folk – Those bold enough to seek my blessings’ benefit! Oh! The meanderings of life are fickle; no elegist Am I; alas, to sing a psalm for my sanctuaries grand! Vast were atrocities; both by flow or by someone’s hand”

XLV. “A cave in here, an earth’s shake there; floods which ravaged my spaces, So carelessly hid them and then dismantled. No more did they bring My flock the comfort they deserved! No more did they to me sing, And no more did they decorate them with their murals and graces!” The goddess’ passion grew as she reminisced of those times Which were now but a mere echo in a pond of long forgotten rhymes. Taking a few moments of peace, attempting to find the traces Of where her chain of thoughts was traversing and turn them into phrases.

XLVI. “Thus, with but a few remnants of my essence; at dawn of people-folk, I learned of deeply hidden secrets without an origin In natural virtues. They hid deep beneath and deep within The hearts of men, women, child or elder. ‘Twas there I could stoke The growing fire, spread my wings, and weave my web of lies. But think not my path was clear! The fire’s touch was under a guise Of false accord and tyranny gave chase; and to invoke His prideful rule, Krouth challenged all… and all he did provoke!”

XLVII. “‘Twas he who made lives of us patron goddesses misery. He made us concubines of his celestial court and clan And under his command, we toiled and travailed for the mortal man, Never permitted to do as we pleased with our powers of witchery. This drudgery; thereupon, tainted our hearts and souls with hate And mind mist! His reign interminable, his lust one could not sate! So ravenous for power was he, he strode t’wards me blindly As a fool, when I laid there waiting to indulge in my trickery!”

XLVIII. “That night a tyrant fell to his knees and begged for mercy, Alas, such goodwill was never on the cards! His burned bridges Finally caught up to his fiery fate! Oh, his cries were like riches Taken from the highborn and given to the peasants!” Her spree Of sharpened words as a deluge, atypical of Aurianne. In a split second, she quickly found control and recalled her plan. But I digress, his fall became my rise and the rest? History. Curious, dost this lore sate any of thy mind’s inquiry?”

XLIX. This tale left Ríona of words bereft, awestruck and bemused. Lost in her thoughts, bedazzled at such lost lore none would find Even in deepest of dreams. Not a single question was left on her mind Leaving the pair in a meditative silence. Unmoved, They stayed on that garden bench where many an afternoon had been spent And whilst the young lass couldn’t hide her glee, the goddess sent Herself into a mood of complacency, as she refused To believe her slight slip up could ever be against her used.

[childofchrist1983]

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. - Proverbs 3:27-32 KJV

Serving God means living for Him and sharing His Gospel Truth daily. It also means being kind to and helping our neighbor and those in need. This Bible passage in Book of Proverbs illustrates some of the ways we show that love of neighbor.

We live in a world where having good neighbors helps keep us and our households safe. If a fire breaks out or a thief tries to break in, it is our neighbors that we depend on as they depend on us for help. When I was a child, it was common for a neighbor to borrow a cup of milk or a couple of eggs. I am fortunate to still have a neighbor I can go to when I need something and he or she can do the same to me. However, I am well aware that there are areas where people don't know their neighbors and sometimes feel threatened by them or was racist towards them. Living in diversity can help us realize how much we are all alike. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will live in peace and harmony with one another. If we strive against one another, we will have chaos.

God wants us to follow serve and trust in Him daily, but He also wants us to live in peace and He shows us the way. May we pay attention so as to live humbly and faithfully and in the peace of Jesus Christ through His Holy Word and Spirit. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives according to His Holy Word and will. We must make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Under The Blood a prayer by Charles Spurgeon

JEHOVAH our God, we thank Thee for leaving on record the story of Thine ancient people. It is full of instruction to ourselves. Help us to take its warning to avoid the faults into which they fell! Thou art a covenant God and Thou keepest Thy promises and Thy Word never faileth. We have proved this so hitherto—

“Thus far we find that promise good, Which Jesus ratified with blood.”

But as for ourselves, we are like Israel of old, a fickle people and we confess it with great shame, there are days when we take the timbrel and we sing with Miriam, “Unto the Lord who triumphed gloriously,” and yet we grieve to say it, not many hours after, we are thirsty and we cry for water and we murmur in our tents. The brackish Marah turns our heart and we are grieved with our God. Sometimes we bow before Thee with reverence and awe when we behold Thy Sinai altogether on a smoke, but there have been times when we have set up the golden calf and we have said of some earthly things, “These be Thy gods, O Israel.” We believe with intensity of faith and then doubt with a horribleness of doubt.

Lord, Thou hast been very patient with us. Many have been our provocations, many have been Thy chastisements, but—

“Thy strokes are fewer than our crimes, And lighter than our guilt.”

“Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Blessed be Thy name!

And now fulfil that part of the covenant wherein Thou hast said, “A new heart also will I give thee and a right spirit will I put within thee. I will put My fear in their hearts and they shall not depart from Me.” Hold us fast and then we shall hold fast to Thee. Turn us and we shall be turned. Keep us and we shall keep Thy statutes.

We cry to Thee that we may no more provoke Thee. We beg Thee rather to send the serpents among us than to let sin come among us. Oh! that we might have our eye always on the brazen serpent that healeth all the bites of evil, but may we not look to sin nor love it. Let not the devices of Balaam and of Balak prevail against us, to lead Thy people away from their purity. Let us not be defiled with false doctrine or with unholy living, but may we walk as the separated people of God and keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Lord, we would not grieve Thy Spirit. Oh! may we never vex Thee so as to lead Thee in Thy wrath to say, “They shall not enter into my rest.” Bear with us still for His dear sake whose blood is upon us. Bear with us still and send not the destroying angel as Thou didst to Egypt, but again fulfil that promise of Thine, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.”

Just now may we be consciously passed over by the Spirit of condemnation. May we know in our hearts that, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” May we feel the peace giving power of the divine absolution. May we come into Thy holy presence with our feet washed in the brazen laver, hearing our great High Priest say to us, “Ye are clean every whit.” Thus made clean, may we draw near to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Further, our heavenly Father, we come before Thee now washed in the blood, wearing the snow white robe of Christ’s righteousness, and we ask Thee to remember Thy people. Some are sore burdened—lighten the burden or strengthen the shoulder. Some are bowed down with fear, peradventure they mistrust—forgive the mistrust and give a great increase of faith that they may trust Thee where they cannot trace Thee. The Lord remember any who bear the burden of others. Some cry to Thee day and night about the sins of the times, about the wanderings of Thy Church. Lord, hear our prayers! We would bear this yoke for Thee, but help us to bear it without fearing so as to distrust Thee. May we know that Thou wilt take care of Thine own case and preserve Thine own truth and may we therefore be restful about it all.

Some are crying to Thee for the conversion of relatives and friends. This burden they have taken up to follow after Jesus in the cross bearing. Grant them to see the desire of their heart fulfilled. God, save our children and children’s children, and if we have unconverted relatives of any kind, the Lord have mercy upon them for Christ’s sake. Give us joy in them—as much joy in them as Christians, as we have had sorrow about them as unbelievers.

Further, be pleased to visit Thy Church with the Holy Spirit. Renew the day of Pentecost in our midst, and in the midst of all gatherings of Thy people may there come the downfall of the holy fire, the uprising of the heavenly wind. May matters that are now slow and dead become quick and full of life and may the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted in the midst of His Church which is His fulness, “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” May multitudes be converted. May they come flocking to Christ with holy eagerness to find in Him a refuge as the doves fly to their dovecotes.

Oh! for salvation work throughout these islands and across the sea and in every part of the world, specially in heathen lands. Bring many to Christ’s feet, we pray Thee, everywhere where men are ready to lay down their lives that they may impart the heavenly life of Christ. Work, Lord, work mightily! Thy Church cries to Thee. Oh, leave us not! We can do nothing without Thee! Our strength is wholly Thine! Come to us with great power and let Thy Word have free course and be glorified.

Remember every one that calls Thee Father. May a Father’s love look on all the children. May the special need of each one be supplied, the special sorrow of each one be assuaged. May we be growing Christians, may we be working Christians, may we be perfected Christians, may we come to the fulness of the stature of men in Christ Jesus. Lord Jesus, Thou art a great pillar. In Thee doth all fulness dwell. Thou didst begin Thy life with filling the water pots to the full. Thou didst fill Simon Peter’s boat until it began to sink. Thou didst fill the house where Thy people were met together with the presence of the Holy Ghost. Thou dost fill heaven. Thou wilt surely fill all things. Fill us, oh! fill us today with all the fulness of God and make Thy people thus joyful and strong, and gracious and heavenly!

But we cannot leave off our prayer when we have prayed for Thy people, though we have asked large things. We want Thee to look among the thousands and millions round about us who know Thee not. Lord, look on the masses who go nowhere to worship. Have pity upon them. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Give a desire to hear Thy Word. Send upon the people some desire after their God. O Lord, take sinners in hand thyself. Oh! Come and reach obstinate, obdurate minds. Let the careless and the frivolous begin to think upon eternal things. May there be an uneasiness of heart, a sticking of the arrows of God in their loins, and may they seek to the great physician and find healing this very day. Ah! Lord, thou sayest, “Today, if ye will hear His voice,” and we take up the echo. Save men today, even today. Bring them Thy Spirit in power that they may be willing to rest in Christ. Lord, hear, forgive, accept, and bless, for Jesu’s sake. Amen.

[theprayerfulword]

November 26

John 11:26 Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?

2 Samuel 7:28 O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true.

Matthew 9:22 And Jesus…said, 'Be of good courage, … thy faith hath saved thee,'

Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me…

May you always confirm the majesty and glory of God and confess Him as the abundant Source and gracious Giver of all good gifts when you minister to those around you in obedience to His Word and in the power of His Spirit through the authority of His Name. Daniel 2

May you always remember that God is not a respecter of persons. His will is done the way He sees fit through those He chooses, not because of “worth” or “devotion” but for His own glory and the accomplishment of His purpose. Daniel 2

May you understand that you do not need to defend yourself before men in the matters of God, but only obey the Lord, for God is able to defend, protect and save you from the hand of men and the will of devils. Even if He does not, God's truth, which you follow and bear witness and testimony to, will still endure and stand strong, as Jesus showed when crucified. Daniel 3, 1 Peter 4

May you be assured that the face of man's fury and heat of man's anger can affect the circumstances you endure, but God is the Creator of all things and declares the boundaries that will not be crossed when a tongue or hand is raised against His own. For though the fire may burn the bonds that tied you, it will not touch the righteousness of Christ that clothes you, and that which was meant to destroy you will result in greater blessing for you. Daniel 3

May you be clear-minded and self-controlled, earnest and disciplined, calm and thoughtful, alert and aware, that you may wake up to the meaning and method of prayer, since the end of all things is near. 1 Peter 4

May you, above all, love each other sincerely, fervently, and deeply, even as the Lord loves you, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4

May you offer hospitality to one another without grumbling, and use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms, whether speaking, speak as though with the very words of God, or serving, serve with the strength and joy God provides, that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory and power for ever. 1 Peter 4

May you not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the undeserved sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4, Daniel 3

May you know that if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed by the Spirit of glory and of God that rests on you, allowing you to return blessing for cursing, even as you have been instructed. 1 Peter 4, Luke 6

May you be aware that if you suffer, not as a criminal, or even a meddler, but as a Christian, you do not need to be ashamed, but praise God that you bear His name. 1 Peter 4

May you realize that it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God. Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good, understanding that if it begins with those who have been accepted into the family of God, what will become of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, go forth and seek to persuade all men to turn to the Father. 1 Peter 4, 2 Corinthians 5

May you who are elders serve as overseers of God's flock because the love of God impels you to willingly give yourself to their care, not because you must, nor because of money. Eagerly serve, not to exercise authority but to be examples, being the first to demonstrate what God's love looks like. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the overcomer's wreath of celebration that will never fade away, unlike a flowered wreath bestowed by man on conquerors. 1 Peter 5

May you clothe yourself with humility toward one another, humbling yourself under God's mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time, knowing you can cast your cares on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5

May you be self-controlled and alert, for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5

May you be aware that after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, to Whom be the power for ever and ever, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5

My child, I am ready to give you ears to hear the truth of the Word as the Spirit hovers, ready to lead you in the way, step by step. This is how your testimony of Me develops, My dear one. As you are a witness to My faithfulness, My abundance, My trustworthiness then, by speaking what you know and sharing My Word, faith rises up in those who have their spiritual ears. For as I open ears to hear, I am giving faith to receive from Me all that you and those who hear you have need of, My precious one. Seek Me that the muffling veil of the flesh will be removed from your heart, My little one, and your mind will be aligned, tuned, clear of the static of the world to receive My spirit of revelation. This will open the lines of communication between us, so that you can walk in fellowship with Me as I have longed for you to do.

May you put your hope in His word when your soul languishes and grows faints with longing for His salvation and your eyes fail for watching for the fulfillment of His promise, asking when He will comfort you. Psalm 119

May you never forget His decrees or statutes, even though you feel like a toughened and hardened wineskin, hanging forgotten in the back of the smokehouse, asking the Lord how many days you must endure before He punishes the arrogant and godless who persecute you by digging pitfalls, yet you remain trusting in His grace and waiting in faith for the return of His favor. Psalm 119

May you seek the help you need from the Lord when the godless pursue and persecute you without cause, for all His commandments are trustworthy, faithful and sure. Psalm 119

May you not forsake His precepts, even when you are almost consumed and wiped from the earth. Psalm 119

May you obey the testimony of His mouth, hearing, receiving, loving and keeping it, for then the Lord will preserve your life according to His steadfast love. Psalm 119

May you confess that the Word of the Lord is eternal, for it stands firm in the heavens, and His faithfulness continues through all generations, since He established the earth so that it endures and the entire universe serves Him, which is why it continues to this day, obeying His laws. Psalm 119

May you realize and confess that if His law had not been His delight, you would have perished in your affliction. Psalm 119

May you never forget His precepts, as though you could, for it is by them He has quickened you, granting and preserving your life. Psalm 119

May you submit yourself to Him, for you are His; you have sought out and inquired of His precepts, requiring them as your urgent need, therefore He will save you as His own. Psalm 119

May you thoughtfully ponder and consider His testimonies and statutes, meditating on them, even though the wicked wait for you in order to destroy you. Psalm 119

May you contemplate how everything human has its limits and end, no matter how extensive, noble and excellent it is, but God's commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits into eternity. Psalm 119, Romans 3

[mjilightworker]

Developing A Truth

Developing A Truth (Updated; The Wiles Of Satan 1996)

There is a progression in knowledge-wisdom-truth-understanding in a souls growth from Biblical Scriptures. God works with every soul on an individual basis because no two consciouses are the same. God works one on one within their understanding of the Word, and their “condition” of the heart. The baseline of truth is the Word that is instilled in the spirit-soul. Distinguishing and understanding negative experiences, wisdom is gained by the application of goodness-love in everything.

Understanding Satan from scriptures from the literal perspective, the notion is that Satan is responsible for all sin-evils. Misunderstandings are in the relationship of the flesh and the eternal salvation of the soul. Taking scriptures from the literal reading, and shaping the mind-feelings to a comfort zone because the flesh-mind believes it can not overcome the wiles of Satan, or the flesh-mind chooses not too.

Satan is a representation of sin-evils, covering all aspects of negativities as each of his names being a representation of those evils that can be expressed by thought and/or actions by the flesh.

Satans Biblical Names;

Dragon, Old Serpent, Devil, Wormwood, Destroyer, Accuser, Tempter, Prince of Power of the Air, Murderer, Power of Darkness, Lying Spirit, Enemy, Belial, Beelzebub, Appolloyn, Abaddon, Adversary.

See;

(Rev 20:2, Rev 8:11, Jer 23:15, 1Cor 10:10, Psalms 17:4, Job 15:21, Judges 16:24, Exo 12:23, Rev 12:10, Gen 3:1-5, 1Th 3:5, John 19:33-37, Eph 2:2, Col 1:13, John 8:44, 1King 22:22, Mat 13:39, 2Cor 6:15, Mat 12:24, Rev 9:11, 1Peter 5:8)

Summarizing the Greek-Hebrew definitions for the names of Satan;

Satan is the first in order of time, political rank and power, being a fabulous kind of serpent, a poisonous snake. He is an accuser, opponent, sly, cunning, artful, malicious. The arch enemy of good, ready to attack, while his eyes wide open causing calamity. A worthless dung-god, a destroying angel distressed of mind, gratifying completely an intense dislike, disgust, hatred, and abhorrence.

On the other hand, angels and demons work within the spirit-soul to keep the soul balanced, so the progression is towards goodness and the ultimate goal. Then the balance between heaven and hell fall upon the soul, and in the souls eternity towards truth-goodness-love, which is life.

Psalms 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Luke 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Psalms 139:8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 

(See Also; Mat 4:6, Psalms 91:11-12, Psalms 34:7, Luke 4:9-12, Heb 1:14)

Every soul is responsible for the condition of their own soul, not Satan. Since the devil didn’t make me do it, or the thinking that souls stand before Christ thinking they do not have total responsibility for their own evil tendencies. Where lying to ones self brings nothing more then judgement upon self.

Goodness is natural per the Creation of the perfect soul. The flesh entertains evils because of the love for it. To blame Satan is having the mindset in thinking that the soul is overpowered by Satan, and has not the control to overcome. Therefore, the mindset of forgiveness of those evils are justified through Jesus over and over. Albiet true, it is the condition of the heart in repetition of evils, is in the repetition of hanging Christ on the cross over and over.

1Cor 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

When the understanding of scriptures advances to a deeper understanding from a spiritual perspective, understanding the purpose of sin-evil is seen in a higher light.

According to original Biblical text definitions, sin is an offence. To miss the mark (and so not to share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin. A division.

Evil is seen as hurtful, anguish, starving, calamitous, (passively) ill, diseased.

This is not downgrading or downplaying sin-evil as much as it is a deeper understanding to the purposes of sin-evil and its effects upon the soul. Seeing how the opposite of goodness is necessary in this world for a soul to live in freedom as well as a tool to learn and grow from those opposites.

If the god in you feels that there is need to judge, take into consideration that there is only one God. God’s job is done and the god’s of the flesh believe He either has no control. Actually, all gods have none understanding.

Jer 4:22  For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. 

How much of a souls beliefs are truth in another persons eyes? Doesn't matter. The heart-soul knows the standing with God and knows their place with Him, unseen by others. Assuming others know where they stand, this eliminates judgement and has the respect in their ETERNAL walk with the Lord.

Judgement is infringing upon another even if the thought is only from the conscious. Judgement begins in the conscience, possibly advancing into the physical or verbalizing such judgement.

It’s not about accusing another persons beliefs. Wouldn’t that then be taking away their freedom?

If God doesn't take away freedom, why would any soul?

If God has the “appearance” of judging a soul in the present now, would that not be over-riding God? Since God knew you and all of your eternity prior to living your lives, then one can assume judgement happened at Creation, and a soul can then follow the scripture saying that His work is finished as mentioned in Gen 3:5, and God is simply living through the goodness's of His Creation.

1John 3:11  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 

MJI (LightWorker)

[noeticprayer]

Myron the Martyr of Cyzicus

Reading from the Synaxarion:

Saint Myron was a priest during the reign of Decius, when Antipater was ruler of Achaia. On the day of our Lord's Nativity, Antipater entered the church to seize the Christians and punish them. Saint Myron, kindled with holy zeal, roundly insulted Antipater, for which he was hung up and scraped, then cast into a raging furnace, but was preserved unharmed. When Myron refused to worship the idols, Antipater commanded that strips be cut in the Saint's flesh from his shoulders to his feet; the Saint took one of the strips of his flesh and flung it in the tyrant's face. He was beaten, and scraped again upon his beaten flesh; then he was thrown to wild beasts, but when Antipater saw them leaving off their fierce nature and protecting the Saint from harm, he was overcome with unbearable shame and slew himself. The Saint was then sent to Cyzicus, where the proconsul had him beheaded, about the year 250.

Apolytikion of Martyr Myron in the Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion of Martyr Myron in the Second Tone

Since thou didst love Christ from childhood, O all-lauded one, and strictly didst keep His precepts and divine commands, thou didst run whole-heartedly unto Him, O Myron, and foundest rest and with Angels glorifiest Him, while asking divine forgiveness for us all.

Afterfeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Apolytikion of Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Tone

In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:1-10

Brethren, let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your own good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reasons you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending this very thing. Pay all of their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Owe no one anything, exc ept to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Gospel Reading

The Reading is from the Gospel According to Matthew 12:30-37

The Lord said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

[fordecree7]

BOOK OF PSALM

Psalm 18

18 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.

19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;

26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

28 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.

42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.

46 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Psalm 18

Diane Beauford

[craftylovegentlemen]

Deuteronomy

Chapter 10

1 At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. 2 And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark. 3 And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. 4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. 5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me. 6 And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead. 7 From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters. 8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. 9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. 10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.

11 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them. 12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. 15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: 18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. 22 Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Deuteronomy 10

Diane Beauford

[nercynorning]

I’ve been kicking this around in my head for the last couple of days, especially the progression from “destroy me according to thy word, for I love thee” -> anger -> kiss

This baby, this infant child, thinks she knows what love is, thinks she knows what it is to be destroyed. Alecto was eaten alive by her children, was killed and devoured and imprisoned (in two different ways) by the one she loves. So she shows Harrow what love and destruction are, shows her how meat loves meat. And why wouldn’t she be appeased? It’s what she said she wanted.

At this point, to Alecto, love and rage and hunger and destruction and devouring are all tangled together. Therefore, “she knew not how to kiss, except that it involved the mouth and teeth,” because that’s all you really need to love. Why learn the difference between a kiss and a bite when there no difference between loving and devouring?

I’ve seen a couple people saying that Alecto’s “kiss” was her attempting to show affection to Harrow but my interpretation was a little different.

Here’s the passage:

Alecto is angry. Alecto is angry at John, who killed and ate her, and at his disciples, who killed and ate each other. My interpretation of what she’s saying is this: “You love me? Well this is how your kind love each other.”

However, I’m not exactly sure how to parse “for Alecto knew not how…”, since it seems to imply that she would have kissed Harrow properly had she known how. To me it stands in contrast with how the kiss is presented as a direct continuation of Alecto’s anger: “Alecto was angry, and raised her up, and kissed her.”

Alecto also doesn’t seem to have much affection for Harrow at that point. She “stays the sword” for Harrow because she recognizes her from her dreams, but her anger awakens again when Harrow says she loves her. She only truly softens to her once she realizes she’s Anastasia’s descendant.

I will say that I think it would be cool conceptually if Alecto's love had some bite to it. Her children have been devouring each other for billions of years, after all. I’m just not sure that’s what’s happening here.

Would love to hear people’s thoughts!

[cocomonetxos]

”I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. The Lord liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will

[childofchrist1983]

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. - Psalm 25:4-5 KJV

We do not need to do all the work alone. God is there to show us the way. All we have to do is ask. So many times we can be tempted to go our own way without checking with God if this is the right way to go. When we do, we can be surprised by the answers we get. Sometimes, it's hard to wait for the LORD Jesus Christ, but the rewards are great. Where do you need the LORD to direct your ways? Where will we find Truth? Are we open to His teaching? All are questions we need to ask ourselves as we prepare for Christmas as well as Christ's return. As mortal humans, we have always needed God and His guidance, no matter how much we may deny it. Abraham followed Him, Moses listened to Him, King David and King Solomon knew the need for Him and His wisdom. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ also help us to be humble and to ask for His help as we wait for His answer and directions.

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!