#i am receiving the messages they are penetrating my skull

[novadreii]

Dua Lipa releasing an album perfectly themed for my life right now has me like

[kurayami-no-menba]

Five Bullets

Trigger warnings: murder, (psychological) torture, violence, blood, gore, kidnapping, mention of self harm, guns. Feel free to message me if I should add more.

...And so he turned on the lights. Within a second, 5 twitching and scared, crying bodies, who have had most of their faces covered with bandaids, came back to existence. Bodies, who were trapped inside of his basement, bound to brown wooden chairs, with red comfortable pillows. Bodies, who have been revealed to the boy, whose only desire is to let out his thoughts of vengeance.

"Welcome everyone! I am pleased to say that the five of you have been chosen to face the end of your pathetic actions!"

One person, one round, fuve bullets, five victims, five stories, five ends. "Let's go, shall we? Why don't I just introduce everyone, hmm? It won't even matter, because you will be facing "nothing" soon~! How about we start with...You! You there!"

And this is how his revenge began...

"A little girl with black hair and an annoying voice with her oh so great friends. You were the first one I would ever grow a high sense for disrespect on. And everytime we talked because of anything it always ended up secretly making fun of me. Now that I look back on it, it was quite obvious, but we were like seven or eight, now you would say that it is my fault for believing and trusting you, but now I ask...Is it normal to treat me like an idiot, huh?! Is it normal to call me out for being chilidish you wanna be adult, huh?! Is it normal to fool me because you want to laugh at someone, huh?! You may be beautiful to some, bug your beauty is just as worthless as your personality. And I don't even care what people have told me about an theater and you...You have failed on every level of social intelligence and friendliness..." And he pulled the trigger, and a loud explosion filled the room. The girl and her chair fell over..." 4 bullets left, goodbye you respectless piece of girly trash."

Let's move on to the next one! Hahaha..Your time is running, and we're going clockwise!

Red hair, pale skin and your talent to always be the most unsocial piece of crap. I never really liked you, yet you were at least a mutual, someone who has given me some kind of friendship. But you wouldn't be here if you never messed up with me, you little gangster. I remember the time when we were on the playground and how you made me think I was part of your friendgroup, but this place was just the beginning for the hate that grows and grows in the broken piece of heart I have left. You convinced me that I have comitted a crime and made me cry, but I can see past that now...But I never forgave you for that! Neither do I forgive what you did at that workshop! You grabbed me by my neck and pushed me against the wall, threatening me. The back of my head hitting the wall of bricks. Fear had taken over at that moment. The only thing I remember was that I agreed. Not more, but this doesn't matter...The reason why you are here is just as simple as it is meaningless, well "meaningless", at least it is meaningless for you. Tell me, when I was on the way to my grandparents, what the hell did you think when you suddenly hit me and slapped me ij the face, huh?! Tell me! TELL ME WHY YOU DID THAT! TELL ME RIGHT NOWN YOU PATHETIC WASTE OF POTENTIAL!!!...No wait, I know why! How could I be so blind!...It was because you thought it wouldn't have a consequence, right? Because you thought that I won't hit you back, right? TOO BAD-" The next shot was fired. And it pierced directly through his right half of his ribcage, penetrating the lung, leaving a bleeding and coughing boy, hoping for mercy he shall never receive. In pain and agony, the last bits of consciousness and the last grasp to life have faded away.

"And now the next target of my funny shooting range, and how fitting! You are just in time for my next trick! Heh..I don't really know what has brought you here, so should I let you go? What do you think?", the murderer pointed his tool of moral law execution on the forehead of his next possible victim, slightly touching the skull with the warm metal, "-Should I keep you alive, or should I send you straightaway to hell? I mean..You haven't done anything, right? Except for proving that you don't have an opinion, switch positions for your own good, like a cursed grasshopper, turned from a friend to an unfriendly and unsocial mutual and even became friends with the most inhuman human in my school, who has caused more trouble than anything else. But don't worry, he will also get his punishment. And since his death is more than safe, I am sure-", another shot was fired, and this time, his victim has met his end faster than both the killer and his victim have expected, "-that you will have great company...But I am glad that you all seem to accept your fate! No whining anymore! No asking and hoping for forgiveness or mercy!...Because nobody will receive any of them anymore."

He looked to his right and saw his next victim, walked up to him and pulled the trigger, without even aiming on a specific spot. After the shot echoed through the basement of suffering, the only words for the fourth corpse were "Fuck you, Matthew."

"Nobody can escape from my anger and will for revenge, and especially not you Joshua.."

Joshua was already injured. On his left arm were scars, cut by a very sharp knife, sharp enough to cut through fruits and vegetables with ease. The scars spelled the three letters "OVC". The murderer let out a psychotic laughter and kneeled down to Joshua, forcefully grabbing his chin with his thumb, index- and middle finger. "Somehow you survived my first attack on you, lucky little loser. Ever wondered what those three letters actually mean, my..", he stopped, took a sharp breath through his teeth and finished his sentence with "my friend?", his voiced biased with disgust. "Those three letters..OVC..They stand for "Offender, Victim and Compensation...", he locked the trigger and punched Joshua straight in the face with the iron grip of the gun- "Offender-!", and again, "Victim-!", and he unlocked his firearm again, held it with both hands, concentration and strength, and pointed directly on Joshua's forehead, screaming: "COMPENSATION-!!", and pulled the trigger for one more time. One more time...

The last survivor of this horrible bloodbath was the murderer. After he calmed down for a second, he dropped his weapon and fell on his knees, weeping and crying, his face covered in his hands.

"Haven't you seen this? I never wanted this, but it's too late!!...I was so goddamn nice to you all, but you treated me like a corroded coin, like a damaged dollar! I didn't want this to end this way, but every time you made go further on this path of vengeance..But it is incredible how I almost fit to you all, I had an average or maybe even a good school career, had a few friends online and was about to have some more friends in this outside world! I even stopped thinking about selfharm and tried to leave the past behind but everyday everything just gets more stressful and I can't take any more of this. No matter how much I try to be happy and confident, it feels like the world is putting a knife on my chest and pushes a bit deeper every single day..."

[dfroza]

“It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.”

A line from Today’s reading of the Scriptures that points to the True nature of the Spirit and the Word

[Hebrews 4]

Now God has offered to us the same promise of entering into his realm of resting in confident faith. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it. For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted. For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest! For he has said,

“I was grieved with them and made a solemn oath,

‘They will never enter into the calming rest of my Spirit.’ ”

God’s works have all been completed from the foundation of the world, for it says in the Scriptures,

And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.

And again, as stated before,

They will never enter into my calming place of rest.

Those who first heard the good news of deliverance failed to enter into that realm of faith’s-rest because of their unbelieving hearts. Yet the fact remains that we still have the opportunity to enter into the faith-rest life and experience the fulfillment of the promise! For God still has ordained a day for us to enter into called “Today.” For it was long afterwards that God repeated it in David’s words,

“If only today you would listen to his voice

and do not harden your hearts!”

Now if this promise of “rest” was fulfilled when Joshua brought the people into the land, God wouldn’t have spoken later of another “rest” yet to come. So we conclude that there is still a full and complete “rest” waiting for believers to experience. As we enter into God’s faith-rest life we cease from our own works, just as God celebrates his finished works and rests in them. So then we must give our all and be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts. There is not one person who can hide their thoughts from God, for nothing that we do remains a secret, and nothing created is concealed, but everything is exposed and defenseless before his eyes, to whom we must render an account.

So then, we must cling in faith to all we know to be true. For we have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.

The Book of Hebrews, Chapter 4 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 10th chapter of First Chronicles that reflects upon the death of Saul:

The Philistines went to war against Israel; the Israelites ran for their lives from the Philistines but fell, slaughtered on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines zeroed in on Saul and his sons and killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua. The battle went hard against Saul—the archers found him and wounded him. Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and finish me off before these pagan pigs get to me and make a sport of my body.” But his armor bearer, restrained by both reverence and fear, wouldn’t do it. So Saul took his own sword and killed himself. The armor bearer, panicked because Saul was dead, then killed himself.

So Saul and his three sons—all four the same day—died. When all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and ran off; the Philistines came and moved in.

The next day the Philistines came to plunder the dead bodies and found Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa. They stripped Saul, removed his head and his armor, and put them on exhibit throughout Philistia, reporting the victory news to their idols and the people. Then they put Saul’s armor on display in the temple of their gods and placed his skull as a trophy in the temple of their god Dagon.

The people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. All of their fighting men went into action—retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh, gave them a dignified burial under the oak at Jabesh, and mourned their deaths for seven days.

Saul died in disobedience, disobedient to God. He didn’t obey God’s words. Instead of praying, he went to a witch to seek guidance. Because he didn’t go to God for help, God took his life and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

The Book of 1st Chronicles, Chapter 10 (The Message)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Saturday, january 9 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible, along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A lengthy post by John Parsons that explains the various “names” of the One True God our Creator who made the heavens and garden earth:

This week’s Torah portion (the first of the Book of Exodus) is called Shemot (שְׁמוֹת, “names”) because it begins with a list of the “names” of the descendants of Jacob who came to dwell in the land of Goshen: וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים מִצְרָיְמָה / “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt” (Exod. 1:1). Now while it’s true that the Torah here lists the various names of the sons of Jacob, this portion of Torah more importantly refers the Names (plural) of the LORD God of Israel Himself.

To see this, let’s consider the central story of this portion of Torah, namely, the commissioning of Moses at the Burning Bush (see Exod. 3:1-20). Note that the Torah states that it was the Angel of the LORD (i.e., Malakh Adonai: מַלְאַךְ יהוה) who appeared to Moses בְּלַבַּת־אֵשׁ מִתּוֹךְ הַסְּנֶה / “in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush" (Exod. 3:1-2). But then the Torah goes on to say that the LORD (יהוה) saw Moses drawing near to the bush while God (i.e., Elohim: אֱלהִים) called out to him. God (i.e., Elohim) then commanded Moses to remove his sandals and identified Himself as the “God of Abraham (i.e., Elohei Avraham: אֱלהֵי אַבְרָהָם), the God of Isaac (i.e., Elohei Yitzchak: אֱלהֵי יִצְחָק), and the God of Jacob (i.e., Elohei Ya’akov: אֱלהֵי יעֲקב).” In this short and dramatic account we have several Names of God presented - the Angel of the LORD, the LORD, God (Elohim), and the “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” - all of which refer to the One true God!

When God commissioned Moses to be His shaliach (שָלִיחַ‎) - His emissary - to go before Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel back to the Promised Land, he objected that he was unfit for the task. He protested that he was kevad peh - "heavy of mouth" and kevad lashon, "heavy of tongue," and therefore unable to speak on behalf of the LORD (Exod. 4:10). God reminded him that He was the Creator of the mouth: "Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" (Exod. 4:11).

Perhaps it was because Moses was “heavy of mouth” that he continued to object to God’s decision to send him to to Egypt. After all, what would Moses say if he were asked what God’s Name was? Perhaps Moses couldn’t speak well enough to properly enunciate the Name? It is revealing to understand the LORD’s reply: אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה / “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (‘I will be what I will be’); and He said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM (אֶהְיֶה) has sent me to you.'" Then God (i.e., אֱלהִים) went on to “spell it out” for Moses: "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD (יהוה), [namely] the God of your fathers, [namely] the God of Abraham (אֱלהֵי אַבְרָהָם), [namely] the God of Isaac (אֱלהֵי יִצְחָק), and [namely] the God of Jacob (אֱלהֵי יעֲקב), has sent me to you.' This is my name forever (זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעלָם), and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations” (Exod. 3:14-15).

Now I included the Hebrew text here to make it explicit that the distinct Names of God in this passage (i.e., יהוה, אֱלהִים, מַלְאַךְ יהוה, and so on) all refer to the One true LORD God of Israel, Maker of Heaven and earth. Indeed, the Torah makes it clear that the Name of the LORD YHVH (יהוה) is associated with the phrase ehyeh asher ehyeh (rendered as "I AM THAT I AM" in the KJV), which derives from the Qal imperfect first person form of this verb hayah (הָיָה): "I will be." In other words, there is a direct connection between the Name YHVH and Being and Reality itself. YHVH is the Source of all being and has being inherent in Himself (i.e., He is necessary Being). Everything else is contingent being that derives existence from Him. The name YHVH also bespeaks the utter transcendence of God. In Himself, God is beyond all "predications" or attributes of language: He is the Source and Foundation of all possibility of utterance and thus is beyond all definite descriptions.

In Jewish thought, the numerous names of God revealed in Scripture (Elohim, Shaddai, Adonai, the King of Israel, etc.) are thought to reveal different aspects or attributes of God’s character and will to us. They function as “short hand” for particular aspects or descriptions of His essence - revelations of the hidden mystery and glory of the LORD. Since taking the name of the LORD “in vain” is one of the Ten Commandments, certain conventions are used to restrict the use of any of the Names of God. These conventions derive from Jewish law (halachah) that requires that secondary rules (גְּזֵרוֹת - “fences”) be placed around a primary law to reduce the chance that the main law will be violated. For example, it is common practice to refer to God as “Hashem” (the Name) or to deliberately alter the sound or spelling of a divine name. The name Havayah (היוה) is also sometimes used to refer to YHVH, which is formed by transposing the letters of the Tetragrammaton.

According to Maimonides, one of the greatest Jewish theologians of the Middle Ages, all the various names and titles of God – with the possible exception of YHVH (יהוה) – are appellations that denote the Divine attributes. There is only one God revealed within Scripture and the multiplicity of names refers to different aspects of revelation rather than supposing that there is a multiplicity of deities. This idea also finds expression in the designation of God as Ein Sof (אֵין סוֹף), a theological term used to express that the essence of God is “without end” or “infinite.” The revealed names of God therefore all represent some aspect of the divine nature to us in language that we can apprehend.

Some people seem to be preoccupied with finding out how to pronounce or utter the Sacred Name of the LORD (i.e., יהוה), though Jewish tradition maintains that the Divine Name is entirely ineffable and therefore intrinsically mysterious. Indeed, attaching a name to something “labels” it and claims authority over it (e.g., when David put his name over a conquered city). Since the LORD is utterly unique, without rival, the Creator and LORD who is answerable to no one, He cannot be named. The Jewish mystics say (surely as a form of hyperbole) that the proper Name of the LORD is all the letters of the Torah sounded at once -- without interruption. This is called the “304,805 letter Name of God.” That is, string together all 304,805 letters of the Torah - from the first letter of Bereshit (Bet) through the last letter of Devarim (Lamed) - and "read" this as a single "Word." Of course the point here is that no one can do this. Indeed, the Angel of the LORD (מַלְאַךְ יהוה) asks, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is incomprehensibly wonderful?" (Judges 13:18).

There are quite literally hundreds of different names, titles, metaphors, similes, allegories, and allusions given in the Hebrew Scriptures that refer to the one true God. Though YHVH is God's special Name, it is clearly a play on the verb "to be" (hayah). We do not "invoke" the Name like a magician might utter a "divine spell." God is near to us -- He's in the wind, in the heavens and earth, as close to you as your own heart (Deut. 30:14; Rom. 10:8). The really hard part is to love and obey the LORD -- not to learn how to say His incomprehensible Name. Indeed, what good would it be to know how to properly pronounce the Sacred Name of the LORD if you do not love and obey Him? If you want to call upon the Name of the LORD, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Learn to know Him as your Abba...

The Hebrew word for “name” (שֵׁם) refers to more than sound made with the lips, but rather refers to truly understanding someone’s reputation, character, and so on. The Name of the LORD (��ֵׁם יהוה) represents the LORD God of Israel’s glory, reputation, character, and mighty deeds of salvation for His people. Knowing His Name means understanding His glory as the Savior of the world (מוֹשִׁיעַ הָעוֹלָם). Indeed, personally knowing the Name of the LORD means inwardly accepting that He has valliantly acted on your behalf by saving you from the cruel bondage of your shame and sins through Yeshua, the revealed Angel of the LORD. In short, knowing who Yeshua is and what He has done for you is to know the Name of the LORD (Rom. 10:13; Phil. 2:10-11). You simply cannot know the “Name of the LORD” without knowing the Name of His Son (John 5:23; Prov. 30:4).

It is important, of course, to know the Name of the LORD, though it is also important to understand that the Name represents God’s saving acts and revelation given to Moses and the Jewish people (Psalm 103:7; Deut. 4:8; Psalm 147:19; Rom. 3:1-2; 9:4), and it is particularly important to realize that this Name is most dramatically expressed in the name Yeshua who is the embodiment of the LORD God Himself (Isa. 45:22-23; Phil. 2:10). Those who do not honor the Son do not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23). [Hebrew for Christians]

https://hebrew4christians.com/

1.8.21 • Facebook

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research

January 9, 2021

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

The last six words of this text have been the theme of many sermons, and surely they are worth our study, for the concept is used throughout Scripture. They also are included in the final verse of “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners.”

Jesus! I do now receive Him,

More than all in Him I find;

Christ in me, the Hope of glory,

I am His, and He is mine.

Christ does indeed live in each believer and fills and controls as allowed by the individual. But for those filled with His abundance, He provides the certain “hope” of glory. We have assurance of salvation, adoption, grace, Spirit-filled life, and eternal glory as we are in Christ. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Scripture specifically teaches that God loves sinners as they are and moves as a gracious “Friend” to pay the penalty for their sin. “If thou shalt...believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

The words “believe” and “receive,” while not the same, can often be used interchangeably in Scripture. Once we truly believe, we can receive Him, for when we believe we simultaneously receive God’s forgiveness and salvation. And we can affirm, “I am His, and He is mine.” His sweet “friendship” will last for all time. JDM

[miscellaneousmorgan]

Holy crap guys. Go get you a reading from @static-chaos. I ordered an At Your Core reading and it was extremely accurate to where I am now: Working my butt off and quickly approaching burnout because I haven't figured out how to balance work with self-care yet. Or balance work with anything. All I have is hustle and no rest. This reading echoed a lot of messages I've been getting in readings I do for myself, which is what happens when I don't listen to the initial message. It just gets repeated over and over again in different forms until it penetrates my thick skull lol. Also? Omg did I get this reading fast. I ordered it this morning and received it within like 4 hours. This definitely holds the title for quickest I have ever gotten a paid reading that wasn't in person. Wow. So yes. Go get one. Static is amazing and I highly recommend their services.

[adrift-in-writing]

Conflict of Interest

A dabble in which I write whatever I want. It’s stupid, has no relevance to anything, takes my writing formatting and throws it out the window, but also it’s supposed to be me having fun, which I did. It’s probably horrible writing, but it’s still writing.

I put very little thought into this other than “keep it going no matter how dumb it sounds.” Expect nothing except stupidity and nonsense.

A small crossover between Saints Row the Third and Grand Theft Auto: Online. Characters are based off of my own, of course.

Maybe this’ll be a short-lived series, we’ll see.

The city is yours. Of course it would be after all, you’re the leader of the most notorious gang who made it big. Everywhere you look, your people are plastered around in billboards and flashing signs. The gang’s now a fuckin’ household brand, what do you know? The big boss, that’s your name. Except it isn’t. It’s Bailey, and Bailey is a girl’s name.

Black, slicked back hair, a nice purple suit and tie with a black work shirt to go with it was what Bailey wore. Not the average stuff she wears, sure, but just for today she wanted to dress for the occasion. It was a nice day out for a suit, after all.

 Still though, The Boss is still a pretty sweet name. After five years from being a nobody to a somebody whom even the police force asks ‘How’re the Saints?’ To which of course, you deign answer before punching them in the nuts. Preferably twice before they stand back up.

You’ve moved businesses down from Steelport to a fancy new place they call Los Santos, San Andreas. Everybody around here recognizes you, right? Big shot, big money, all that shit? Not really. Los Santos was more obsessed with itself and the police genuinely are corrupt, even your money couldn’t buy ‘em.

 The phone rang. It’s Shaundi, and she was a little concerned about what was happening. “Boss, we’ve got a bit of a problem. Check your phone.” she says.

“Why am I not surprised?” Bailey had replied. The conversation didn’t last long.

The phone lights up, and there’s details telling Bailey to go somewhere. Maze Bank West’s office, it seemed. Somebody up there had a shipment of priceless antiques stolen from the cargo plane the Saints were supposed to have. 

Why antiques? Because Oleg advised the gang to move past drugs and guns. Opt for more legal stuff. Everybody except you agreed around the meeting table. Sure, shooting up a whole building and slamming a dude’s skull to the floor is fun, but in this place that isn’t gonna fly all that well. Johnny wouldn’t have liked it, he’d have rather settled it with a 9mm pistol.

Bailey arrived to the office, now aware that she really needed to get that shipment back. The doors swung open and, according to the lobby, the 25th floor was the company’s office. As soon as those elevator doors swing open, whoever’s in there’s gonna get what’s coming.

She reached for her 45 Shepard, old, yet reliable. Then the elevator doors opened up, and a secretary was sat just behind her desk behind the glass doors. She screamed and ducked as gunfire from Bailey’s pistol began erupting. Bullets whizzed by and cracked bits of the reinforced windows.

Despite the assistant’s pleas for help, the CEO of the building was calmly typing away at her computer. She had just finished placing orders to get all 42 crates of her cargo shipped onto a plane, asap, and then reclined back. Next thing Bailey did was ignore the assistant and go straight for the person in charge.

The CEO wore a black overcoat and a pink and white shirt. Her neck was covered in a classy-looking grey scarf, and she had fingerless gloves. Black quilted jeans and some calf-high black boots adorned her lower body, but what was most noticeable through her amethyst figure-eight glasses were her yellow eyes.

Bailey pointed the gun right at her. “Where’s the fucking crate?” she asked. The CEO was not phased, nor was she even remotely scared. She said nothing, rather doing some gestures and beckoned Bailey to check the computer with a message of saying the crates were ready to go.

Angrily, Bailey rushed the CEO up from her seat and planted the barrel of her Shepard behind her back. “Drive me there. Now.” With some thought, the CEO shrugged and moved back to her assistant’s desk. Cowering behind it, she peeked out only to meet the two bosses staring intently at her.

“Y-Yes boss?” The assistant asked.

Pursing her lips, the CEO flipped a clipboard and pointed at her car, then nodded. The assistant sighed and repositioned her chair so that it wouldn’t be on the floor. “It’ll be in the driveway shortly. See you then...” Another sigh. The bosses had gone to the elevator and descended down. “What am I gonna do about these bullet holes?” The assistant asked herself.

The CEO and the Boss exited the building and were immediately met with gunfire and rockets fired over in the distance. A military Hydra jet was hovering about messing about with an F-69 VTOL in the air while several Saints members were being attacked by the Ballas. It was unusual the Ballas made it this far uptown, but whatever.

In the driveway was a black and purple Truffade Nero, engine ready and roaring. With the press of a button, the doors swung open and the silent CEO went in. Bailey had dived herself into the shotgun seat, smashing the window while getting comfortable in her seat. “Nice whip. Sorry, not sorry ‘bout the window. Now drive!”

No need to say more. The CEO put her foot down and immediately drove as the on-board phone rang. “Hey, boss. Did you get the coordinates? It should be on your map right now.” Her assistant called again and informed them that the airplane would be made ready in Los Santos International Airport.

As they were driving, the mayhem had subsided and 80′s Synthwave music came on-board. They came to a stop at a redlight when Bailey glanced over at the person in the driver’s seat. “You don’t talk much, do you?” She ignored the question and went on her own business. When they arrived at the airport, the plane was loaded without any sight of bodyguards to be seen. Without a word, the CEO parked her Nero nearby and stepped out. The back of the plane opened up as she approached, only to find no crates in the bay. Bailey came in and raised her hands up.

“What’re you playing at?” Bailey asked, and the CEO shrugged. The Boss’ 45 Shepard was raised once more at the CEO and before Bailey could fire, she received a notification from Shaundi stating they’ve got company.

Several armored Schafters came in and men in suits poured out of the car, all with their Assault SMGs loaded and pointed at the two.

With a chuckle and an eye roll, Bailey pulled out her SA-3 Airstrike gun before the CEO lowered it with her hand. In her other one, a heavy revolver with a golden etched finish was spotted. She raised it up and then, instead of aiming directly at any of the suited men, she aimed at one of the Schafter’s front grille.

The bullet penetrated the front of the car, yet nothing set itself off. Several of the men began laughing until one of their cars exploded, followed by simultaneous other Schafters exploding all at once. In a couple of moments, all of them were dead and had bled out. All the CEO did was put another bullet in the chamber, re-cock the hammer, and smirk.

Much to Bailey’s amusement, her eyes darted to the gun as she swiped it away from the silent woman. She examined it and gawked at its sheer magnificence. “Those guys didn’t even have a chance with this, god damn! Might need to stop by Friendly Fire or...um...what was it? Ammu-Nation! Right, Ammu-Nation, for one of these.”

Another notification popped up, this time by the CEO’s assistant once more. She informed her boss that they’d need to track down the crates in a van somewhere in the city, yet it was not quite known where it was going. Multiple trackers were set off from different points.

Bailey flipped out her phone and began making a call to her fellow FBI hacker, just to see if they couldn’t speed this process up. “Hey, Kinzie. See if you can’t track down our missing crate of antiques.”

“Um...okay, boss. I’ll see if I can’t triangulate --”

“Yeah whatever, no time for your science talk. Bye.” She hung up and then slid the revolver over to the person next to her.

With her revolver returned, the silent woman beckoned Bailey to get back in the car. They needed to find those crates, else they’d lose millions of dollars. The Nero’s engine roared, and within seconds, they were off.

[dfroza]

Today’s reading from the ancient book of Proverbs and book of Psalms

for may 26 of 2021 with Proverbs 26 and Psalm 26, accompanied by Psalm 68 for the 68th day of Spring and Psalm 146 for day 146 of the year

[Proverbs 26]

Like snow in the summer and rain in the time of harvest,

so honor is never fitting for a fool.

Like a bird that flits and flutters or a swallow in mid-flight,

so a curse that lacks cause will never come to light.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey,

and a rod is for the fool’s back.

Never answer a fool on his own foolish terms,

or you will become like him;

Rather, answer a fool on his own foolish terms,

or he will become wise in his own eyes.

Like someone who cuts off his feet or drinks to his ruin,

so is the one who uses a fool to pass on his message.

As lame legs are useless, dangling on the crippled,

so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Like one who ties a stone in his slingshot,

so is one who honors a fool.

Like a thorn in the hand of a drunkard,

so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Like an archer who shoots at random and injures everyone,

so is a person who hires a fool or someone off the street.

Like a dog who goes back to his own vomit,

so is a fool who always returns to his foolishness.

Have you seen a person who is wise in his own sight?

Know that there is more hope for a fool than for him.

A lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road!

A lion in the streets!

Another good reason to stay in today.”

As a door swings on its hinges and goes nowhere,

so a slacker turns over in his bed.

Some people are so lazy that they reach for food on the plate

but lack the will to bring it up to their mouths.

The slacker sees himself as wiser by far

than seven men who can converse intelligently.

Like a man who seizes a wild dog by the ears,

so is anyone who walks by and meddles in someone else’s argument.

Like a madman who hurls flaming spears and shoots deadly arrows,

So is anyone who deceives a neighbor

and then says, “But I was only joking with you.”

When there is no wood, the fire goes out;

when there is no one to spread gossip, arguing stops.

Like charcoal to smoldering embers and dry wood to a fire,

so a hot-tempered man kindles strife.

Whispered gossip is like a delicious first course:

it is devoured with pleasure and then penetrates deep within you.

Like a shiny glaze coating a rough clay pot,

so are burning lips that conceal an evil heart.

One who hates may camouflage it beneath pleasant words,

but deep inside him, treachery still rages;

Don’t believe him when he speaks kindly

because his heart is completely ruled by evil.

And though he covers his hatred with cleverness,

his wicked ways will be publicly exposed.

The one who digs a trap for another will fall into it,

and the one who starts rolling a stone will have it roll back over him.

Liars take no pity on those they crush with their lies,

and flattery spoils everyone it touches.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 26 (The Voice)

[Psalm 26]

A song of David.

Declare my innocence, O Eternal One!

I have walked blamelessly down this path.

I placed my trust in the Eternal and have yet to stumble.

Put me on trial and examine me, O Eternal One!

Search me through and through—from my deepest longings to every thought that crosses my mind.

Your unfailing love is always before me;

I have journeyed down Your path of truth.

My life is not wasted among liars;

my days are not spent among cheaters.

I despise every crowd intent on evil;

I do not commune with the wicked.

I wash my hands in the fountain of innocence

so that I might join the gathering that surrounds Your altar, O Eternal One.

From my soul, I will join the songs of thanksgiving;

I will sing and proclaim Your wonder and mystery.

Your house, home to Your glory, O Eternal One, radiates its light.

I am fixed on this place and long to be nowhere else.

When Your wrath pursues those who oppose You,

those swift to sin and thirsty for blood,

spare my soul and grant me life.

These men hold deceit in their left hands,

and in their right hands, bribery and lies.

But God, I have walked blamelessly down this path,

and this is my plea for redemption.

This is my cry for Your mercy.

Here I stand secure and confident

before all the people; I will praise the Eternal.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 26 (The Voice)

[Psalm 68]

For the worship leader. A song of David.

May the True God rise up and show Himself;

may those who are united against Him be dispersed,

while the people who hate Him run away at the sight of Him.

As smoke disappears when it is blown by the wind,

may You blow away Your enemies forever.

As wax melts in the presence of fire,

may the wicked heart melt away in God’s presence.

But may those who are righteous rejoice

in the presence of the True God—so may they be glad and rejoice.

Yes, let them celebrate with joy!

Sing songs of praise to the name that belongs to the True God!

Let your voices ring out in songs of praise to Him, the One who rides through the deserted places.

His name is the Eternal;

celebrate in His glorious presence.

The True God who inhabits sacred space

is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.

He makes a home for those who are alone.

He frees the prisoners and leads them to prosper.

Yet those who rebel against Him live in the barren land without His blessings and prosperity.

O True God, when You led Your enslaved people from Egypt,

when You journeyed with us through the wilderness,

[pause]

The whole world trembled! The sky poured down rain

at the power of Your presence; even Mount Sinai trembled in Your presence,

the presence of the True God, the God of Israel.

You sent a heavy downpour to soak the ground, O True God.

You refreshed the land—the land Your people would inherit—when it was parched and dry.

Your covenant people made their homes in the land,

and because You are so good, You provided for those crushed by poverty, O True God.

The Lord gives the word;

there are very many women ready to tell the good news:

“Kings who lead the armies are on the run!

They are on the run!

And the woman who stays at home is ready, too,

ready to enjoy the treasures that they’ve left behind!”

When they lay down among the campfires and open the saddlebags, imagine what they’ll find—

a beautiful dove, its wings covered with silver,

its feathers a shimmering gold.

When the Almighty scattered the kings from that place,

it was snowing in Zalmon.

O Mount Bashan, you mighty mountain of the True God;

mountain of many peaks, O Mount Bashan.

Why are you so jealous, O mountain of many peaks,

when you look at the mountain the True God has chosen as His dwelling place?

The Eternal will surely abide on Mount Zion forever.

The chariots of God are innumerable;

there are thousands upon thousands of them.

The Lord is in their midst, just as He was at Mount Sinai.

He has come into the holy place.

When You ascended the sacred mountain,

with Your prisoners in tow, Your captives in chains,

You sat in triumph receiving gifts from men,

Even from those who rebel against You, so that You, the Eternal God, might take up residence there.

Blessed be the Lord

who carries our heavy loads every day,

the True God who is our salvation.

[pause]

We know our God is the God who delivers us,

and the Eternal, the Lord, is the One who saves us from the grip of death.

The True God will certainly shatter the skulls of those who oppose Him;

He’ll smash the hairy head of the man who continues on his sinful ways.

The Lord said,

“I will bring the enemy back from Bashan.

I will bring them back from the deepest parts of the sea,

So that you may plant your feet in their blood

and your dogs may lick up their portion of the foe.”

The solemn march in Your honor, O True God, has come into view;

the march that celebrates my God, my King, has come into the sanctuary.

The singers went first, and the musicians came last

between rows of girls who played tambourines.

Come, let us gather to bless the True God

and to praise the Eternal, He who is the fountain of Israel, the source of our life!

Look! There are the rulers of Benjamin, the youngest in the lead.

A great crowd follows

The princes of Judah,

the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

[Your God is the One who has given you strength];

show Your power, O True God, as You have done for us.

Because of Your magnificent temple in Jerusalem,

many kings will line up to bring You gifts.

Reprimand the beasts in the tall grass,

the herds of bulls that are with the people’s calves,

Trampling over the pieces of silver.

He has driven out the people who love to be at war.

Ambassadors will come from Egypt;

the people of Ethiopia will reach out their hands to the one True God.

Let all the kingdoms of the earth sing to the True God.

Sing songs of praise to the Lord.

[pause]

To Him who rides high up beyond the heavens, which have been since ancient times,

watch and listen. His voice speaks, and it is powerful and strong.

Attribute power to the one True God;

His royal splendor is evident over Israel,

and His power courses through the clouds.

O True God, You are awesome from the holy place where You dwell.

The True God of Israel Himself

grants strength and power to His people.

Blessed be our God!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 68 (The Voice)

along with these lines:

On that day that Shaddai scattered the kings,

snow fell on Black Mountain.

You huge mountains, Bashan mountains,

mighty mountains, dragon mountains.

All you mountains not chosen,

sulk now, and feel sorry for yourselves,

For this is the mountain God has chosen to live on;

he’ll rule from this mountain forever.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 68:14-16 (The Message)

[Psalm 146]

Our True Help

A poetic psalm by Haggai and Zechariah

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

My innermost being will praise you, Lord!

I will spend my life praising you and

singing high praises to you, my God, every day of my life!

We can never look to men for help;

no matter who they are, they can’t save us,

for even our great leaders fail and fall.

They too are just mortals who will one day die.

At death the spirits of all depart and their bodies return to dust.

In the day of their death all their projects and plans are over.

But those who hope in the Lord will be happy and pleased!

Our help comes from the God of Jacob!

You keep all your promises.

You are the Creator of heaven’s glory,

earth’s grandeur, and the ocean’s greatness.

The oppressed get justice with you.

The hungry are satisfied with you.

Prisoners find their freedom with you.

You open the eyes of the blind,

and you fully restore those bent over with shame.

You love those who love and honor you.

You watch over strangers and immigrants

and support the fatherless and widows.

But you subvert the plans of the ungodly.

Lord, you will reign forever!

Zion’s God will rule throughout time and eternity!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 146 (The Passion Translation)