#john is trying to cleanse him in holy water

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/11

What am I feeling today?

A bit overwhelmed and tired, I just feel that I have a lot on my plate at the moment. Also frustrated at myself, I have feelings for someone in my church and I don’t want to like him. Not because there’s anything wrong with it, but I can get so obsessive and it’s distracting for me and that’s not what I need right now. I don’t want to be thinking about him and caring so much what he thinks of me or whether he likes me back or not so I’m just frustrated with myself.

First Principles: The Art of Moving the Heart

2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

if you master elementary teachings, you won't be ashamed!

know that it’s possible to handle the Bible (word) incorrectly (false doctrine)

James 3:1

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

those that teach will be judged more harshly!

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.”

"taught all over again" - Bible conviction to teach! train yourself self - go on to maturity!

Repentance is the foundation!

2 Timothy 1:13

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Sound Teaching!

Philippians 3:17

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Follow the example as a model to do what we do

Romans 6:17

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.”

form of teaching everyone followed + entrusted!

SOLIDIFY

Ephesians 4:14

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

UNIFY

John 17:23

“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

MULTIPLY

Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Habakkuk 2:14

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Proverbs 20:5

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

the heart is deep but it’s also clogged (sin)

Matthew 12:33-37

““Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.””

let people sit in the questions you ask them during studies, give them time to think and observe and come to an answer on their own

Matthew 13:1-9, 13

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

they may hear you but don't understan

you have to be able to break up a calloused heart

the goal of it all is to heal the heart!

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

↳ am I becoming more like Jesus and less like myself?

Luke 3:7-14

“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.””

We baptize disciples ONLY!

→ different people have a different process

[valeria-garza-enjoyer]

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman.

And I, unfortunately, am a lot like the type o-negative song, simply titled “Christian woman”. I will never be like the nuns at my church or the dedicated mother doting on her children, either.

I give into temptation. I lust and give into the sins of the flesh. I beg to serve and be served sexually. I want to be on my back or knees.

But, Christ, oh Corpus Christi. The purest lamb, son of god and carpenter.

I bow my head in shame when I see someone pray. I wonder what it’s like not to struggle with your religion. I sob violently when I pray, ashamed of who I’ve become. I know the child I used to be is wondering where I went wrong, why I no longer try to believe. I cry for her when I pray.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. And I’ve failed to meet so many expectations put upon me.

I curse like a sailor. I steal alcohol occasionally. I’ve gotten high. I masturbate at least three times a week. I skip church. I refuse to kiss and venerate the cross or priest, not out of disrespect, but shame and loss of belief. I don’t venerate the icon and I refuse to go to confession. I can’t look at an icon without my eyes welling up with tears in shame. When I was forced to go to church I was told I had to take communion, even if i hadn’t prepared or fasted. I felt so ashamed that I took your body and blood, knowing I had in no way prepared for it.

I was once the lamb covered in mud because time and time again I ran away from the herd and got stuck in a bush of thorns. My once beautiful coat is muddied. My skin is bruised and cut. My soul is tainted.

I can only hope that my sins will be washed away at the pearly gates. My coat will sparkle a fresh white, my bruises and cuts gone, my soul pure.

Because as I am no lamb anymore. I am the goat. The devils creature. My eyes have turned into slits because I judge people. I have grown horns to defend myself. My coat is so matted it becomes thin and bristly. My tail is jagged and torn.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. And I, unfortunately, pray for forgiveness every Sunday night. The same night I usually find my fingers knuckle deep in my virgin sex.

I beg to be saved, to be cleansed by the holiest of holy water. I grip my prayer rope tightly and beg for this round of Our Father’s to be the one I stick to. I weep every time I go to confession, so ashamed of the sins I’ve committed.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. But Jesus would still wash my feet, right?

I still have a favorite set of Bible verses I say to myself when I’m scared. The small child in me repeats them when the sky lights up with thunder and lightning in the dead of night. Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 2:8-10 repeat every time I have to do something I’m scared to do.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. I feel weak when I can’t continue my fasts because I get light headed and nauseous on my period.

I feel so unclean and ashamed of my period, even though it is a miracle and a blessing to be so healthy. I cry when my cramps hit, not only because of pain, but shame, knowing our savior went through so much more to save us. I writhe in pain for hours, hoping my suffering will make up for my sins.

My suffering will never make up for my sins. It will never make up for the people I’ve hurt and driven away. It will never make up for all the times I pushed Lord Christ away.

My back aches. My head pounds. My throat is dry and my eyes strain. My feet are sore. I know that if I were to come back to the light, be the lamb once again, my pain and suffering would subside. I could once again bask in the healing light of the Lord. But I feel as if I’m too far gone. My body has contorted into that of a goat, devilish and angry. I must defend myself as I have no God to guide me anymore. I strayed too far from his light.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. And I can barely look Father John in the eyes.

He’s been my priest since I was a kid, I love him dearly. But I can’t even fathom telling him these thoughts. Having a person I’ve known since I was a kid know my struggles. I’m scared he’d bash me for falling so far from the light.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. I fear the day that lent starts. It’s marked on my calendar with a question mark. March 18, 2024: lent starts?

It’s not a question because I don’t know when it starts, I’ve been aware since the beginning of the year. It’s a question because Am I Gonna Participate This Year? Will I go to vespers, will I go to confession, will I read the gospels, will I attend the matins services, will I fast, will I? Will I?

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. And I know all my actions and words cast shame upon my family.

My dad’s side of the family is from Greece. My grandma, God rest her soul, was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian. I know the farther I fall from my faith the more shame I put upon her and all her family before her.

My mom converted to marry my dad in the Orthodox Church. I wonder if she struggled with her faith as much as I do.

I am, unfortunately, a Christian woman. And my church is unfortunately my second home.

And I am estranged from my second home.

It brings me so much guilt and pain to step into my church, but the second I smell the incense and the chanting hits my ears I know I am home. The incense is infused with rose, the chanting in soft Greek and Arabic. I used to be able to chant with them fluently as a kid. I used to ask my dad what certain geek words meant. He’d spend hours explaining it if he had the time back then.

Oh, and the theotokos, the bearer of god, mother of the savior. I was so infatuated with you. I’d draw your icon in my sketchbook. I’d talk to you like you were my own mom as I waited to confess alone. I can’t imagine the pain you went through when you saw your son get nailed to the cross.

I weep in front of your icon now. I look at you and oh holy Jesus the Christ and weep. I have fallen so far you look like tiny dots of light from where I lay in the darkness.

I used to walk around the church in circles, looking at each and every icon. The portraits of saints, the depictions of the holy gospels, the last supper, Christ raising from the dead, Lazarus raising from the dead. I used to ask Father John who a certain saint was if their icon was really unique and look them up later.

I miss Lazarus Saturday and eating Lazarakia with my brother. I miss eating dolmas and plain rice as potluck instead of the usual feast because it was lent. I miss breaking the fast at three in the morning because that’s when the service finally ended when it started at 10:30 PM. I miss playing tsougrisma with my family. I miss screaming “Alithos anesti!” With the congregation. I miss trying to respond “indeed he has risen!” in as many languages as possible on Easter Sunday.

Because I am no longer a fortunate Christian woman. I am an unfortunate Christian woman.

And I long to go to church and not question the teachings.

And I long to make palm crosses with my mom and her friends.

And I long to read at the matins services and chant in the choir.

And I long to breathe in the incense and leave smelling like it.

And I long to be held in the warm and loving embrace of our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ.

And I long to say, “forgive me a sinner”, to be met with a soft hug and the loving response, “God forgives and I forgive” at forgiveness Sunday.

Forgive me a sinner, for I am an unfortunate Christian woman. I have sinned against thee.

[pastorelpa]

John 3:4-7

Spiritual Rebirth

Dear Lord, my heart is full of gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. Thank You for revealing the mysteries of Your Kingdom and to offer me the gift of eternal life. Help me find Your wisdom and guidance. I long to be born of the Spirit, renewed and made whole by Your grace. I ask that You pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me, cleansing me, renewing me, and making me new creations in Christ. Guide me as I strive to live as a born-again believer. Fill me with Your love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Let my life be a testimony of Your power and grace, shining as lights in this dark world. Thank You, Father, for the promise of new life. I trust in Your Word and rely on Your Spirit to guide me each day.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:4-7)

This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals the essence of Christian faith and the necessity of spiritual rebirth. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, who approached Jesus by night, seeking to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus' question reflects a common human struggle, understanding the spiritual through the lens of the physical. He was trying to grasp the concept of being "born again" by thinking in earthly terms. His confusion is evident when he asks if one can enter a second time into the mother’s womb. This literal interpretation misses the deeper, spiritual meaning that Jesus was imparting.

Jesus responded with a truth that has echoed through the ages: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.". Jesus distinguished between physical birth and spiritual rebirth. The birth of water signifies our natural birth, the entrance into the physical world. But to enter the Kingdom of God, a second birth is necessary, a birth of the Spirit. Our physical birth brings us into the world as creatures of flesh, bound by mortal desires and mortality. This birth alone is not sufficient for salvation and entry into God's eternal kingdom. We must experience a spiritual rebirth, a transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual rebirth renews us from within, breaking the chains of sin and opening the doors to a new life in Christ.

Sin is defined as any thought, word, or action that goes against the will of God. God's will are His desires and intentions for human behavior, which include living in righteousness, loving others, and seeking justice. Sin is seen as lawlessness and failing to do what is right, it is a separation from God’s will and holiness. The consequences of sin are leading to spiritual death, a feeling of suffering, unrest, uneasiness, despair or guilt, but the hope of redemption comes through having faith. Jesus emphasises the necessity of this spiritual rebirth. It is not an optional extra, but is fundamental for all who seek to follow Him. The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit, regenerating our hearts, making us new creations in the image of Christ.

What does it mean to be born again in our own lives? Spiritual rebirth is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of transformation. It begins with having faith in the Lord, repentance from sin, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This rebirth is evidenced by a changed life, one that bears the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The faith that one can start anew over and over again, even if one has made mistakes they believe are unfixable or unforgivable. The Lord will always be there to help you make right, God will always forgive you and love you. Being born again means living in the newness of life, no longer conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. It calls us to walk in the light of Christ, to be His witnesses in a dark and broken world. Our spiritual rebirth equips us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, as the Lord loves us forever and always.

Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions, seeking understanding. Let us also come before Jesus with open hearts. Let us receive the truth of His words. Let us embrace His love and be born again. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. So we will experience the fullness of life that was promised by Jesus Christ, both now and for eternity in the Kingdom of God. May God bless each of us as we seek to live out our new birth in Christ, and may His Spirit continually renew and guide us on our journey through life.

Amen

With Love, Pastor Elpa

[awideplace]

Q. Do Christians sin?

A. Before exploring whether or not Christians sin, let’s define a couple of terms. Regardless of how tattered the word Christian has become throughout history, the biblical definition of a “Christian” is one who is a Christ-follower, a disciple of Jesus (Acts 11:26). A Christian is NOT someone who has ascribed to a particular set of religious beliefs or practices, joined a church, prayed a prayer, or participated in certain sacraments or rituals. A Christian is a person who has responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44) by putting his or her whole faith in the finished work of Christ for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:15–18). Christians are those who have repented of their sin and have made Jesus Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9–10; Acts 2:38). They are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6–7).

“Sin” is any thought, word, or action that is contrary to the character or law of God. We all sin (Romans 3:23), and even what we consider good deeds are often tainted by selfish motives or pride (Isaiah 64:6). Left to ourselves, it is impossible to please God or to be completely free from sin (Romans 3:10; Ecclesiastes 7:10).

When we come to Christ by faith and trust Him to forgive and cleanse us of all our sin, we are in that moment born again (John 3:3). That new birth of the spirit results in a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). God gives the repentant sinner a new heart that is now turned toward obeying and pleasing Him rather than self (2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 8:5–6). Whereas we were formerly slaves to sin, we are now “slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:16). Sin’s control has been broken by the power of Jesus (Romans 6:6; Titus 2:14).

However, we still live in the flesh, and the flesh is prone to want what it wants. In Romans 7:21–23, Paul admits the battle between flesh and spirit in his own life: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” Each battle with temptation is won or lost based upon how fully we are surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17).

The book of 1 John was written to Christians. The apostle says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). It is clear from this passage that even those who have been born again and redeemed by the blood of Jesus will still sin. Through thought, attitude, or action, we will “grieve” (Ephesians 4:30) and “quench” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Holy Spirit at times. But this passage also reassures us that God offers continual, ongoing grace whenever we agree with Him about our sin and ask for His cleansing.

However, other passages clarify the boundaries of this ocean of grace. First John 3:6 says, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” Verse 9 says that those who have been “born of God” will not continue to live sinfully. The implication is that this is not a matter of trying harder. Rather, it is the equivalent of saying, “A fish cannot remain on land for long because its nature is to seek water.” A fish could flop onto the shore and survive for a short time. But it was not made for land and cannot continue there. When we are born again, our natures change, and we cannot continue in sin. Christ not only erases our past sin; He also transforms our hearts so that we no longer desire it (Colossians 2:13–14).

Paul asked, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1–2). Although Christians will still sin after being saved, the heart change that the Holy Spirit brings will result in a new attitude toward sin. Sin cannot continue being a lifestyle choice if we have surrendered our lives to Jesus. That’s what it means to say that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9; Colossians 2:6). We have a new boss. We cannot be followers of Christ and followers of sin at the same time. They are going in opposite directions (Luke 9:23; 14:33). Romans 12:2 instructs, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewal can take some time, but it is a process that produces a change of behavior.

When a true child of God goes astray, our Father administers discipline to bring him back into obedience. Hebrews 12:7–8 says, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” If a professing Christian can choose a lifestyle of sin without experiencing enough discipline to bring him to repentance, then according to this Scripture, it is highly unlikely that that person is a child of God.

Do Christians sin? Yes. Do they willfully continue in sin? No. Scripture indicates that, while we will always “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we have the hope that the power of God is at work in us to “make us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT). Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/do-Christians-sin.html

[madewithonerib]

Changed by the Word of GOD | Eric Gilmour [James 1:18]

LOL this is cracking me up [1:22] this is #not what you think, I am laughing about how quickly GOD is saying as a course correction.

the experience of an extravagant kind is a little bit above #CHRIST as revealed in Scripture, but that's not true; nor is it equal to Scripture or just a little below Scripture.

What saves ppl is CHRIST revealed in Scripture & what we need is HIM as HE is revealed in Scripture.

James 1:18 | ¹ HE chose to give us 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 of #truth, that we'd be a kind of firstfruits of HIS creation.

I think we have circled the wagons on this topic for today, seriously we walked #around this topic of GOD's being & #truth being #intertwined & unalterable/inseparable, and that is our #problem—we're still in shifting sand when we look away from GOD at other thoughts/hurts/past as tho any of the #snapshot of our lives as it is currently is the final outcome.

It's not, GOD said to me a few weeks ago, wait until the end..LOL & I'm like what??? YOU just confirmed me into YOUR family!!!

Hey maybe that's why GOD started us kids out in being traumatized with OT, Oliver Twist, like the kid left out in the field, unwanted & abandoned to die..

Ezekiel 16:4-5 Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness ⁴ On the day of your birth your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.

⁵ No one cared enough for you to do even one of these things out of #compassion for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, cause you were #despised on the day of your birth.

And this links up with James 1:27, which I was led to study or pair together earlier in thought of pursing GOD [Romans 9:31-32]

Like a giant chain reaction that takes place just from following GOD around, trying to be where ever HIS Presence is--rather than like a slave doing what he thinks will suffice for his MASTER, we're like the #nursery rhyme about the little #lambs that followed Mary everywhere she went ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ♯ 🎼🎵🎶

..................................................................................... John 10:27-28 | MY sheep listen to MY voice; I know them, & they follow ME. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, & they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of MY hand. .....................................................................................

James 1:27 | Hearing and Doing Pure & undefiled religion before our GOD & FATHER is this: 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘀 & widows in their distress, & to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I am looking for a job and this thought kept coming up, "I should do something for GOD" like Andrew Klavan driving around LA in his newly minted corvette & he generously says:

GOD YOU have given me so much! What can I do for YOU now?! 'Acknowledge that you're Christian.'

What?! YOU can't be serious, that would be career ending suicide!!! As the story goes AK did come out of the Hollywood closet & puts the Holy Wood as focal point of all his work.

Also this lady was recorded on the local news as saying the way we treat the most vulnerable in our society [#orphans/homeless/widows] is a reflection of the depravity/downward spiral of our morality [fraying of the fabric that binds us all together, kind of like that idea of the #acorn, when we realize compassion starts with a keen understanding that we're no different though all our present circumstance says otherwise.

#nailedit

LOL my last job was told to follow people around, #follow! #follow!! I was like what, every time GOD put me in a strange role where it felt like I was #reverting back to my #childhood again — the not knowing what to do & having to ask for everything

We're going back to Eden, the perfect place with GOD at the center of our lives. I do have to say I always thought it strange how Noah reacted so #vehemently against his son for looking upon his nakedness... today it clicks Love covers a multitude of sins [1 Peter 4:8]

Ham was wrong to focus on the bad.

[showfall-costumes-department]

[Transcript received 10/21/23.]

[There’s inaudible yelling before a sentence can be made out.]

Danielle: “John, she’s upset about something, you can’t just ignore that!”

John: “I understand, but she still needs to eat!”

Danielle: “Get her something light, dude! You can’t just immediately start her on a hamburger like she’s been eating normally this whole time! Did you even ask what she wanted to eat?”

John: “She’s constantly shaking! She can barely hold things, Danielle, she needs food! Real food! Protein! This is the best I could do today!”

Jenny: “… I don’t need anything.”

[The two stop arguing at Jenny’s voice. Danielle is heard audibly crouching to Jenny’s level, the audio becoming clearer the closer she gets to the phone.]

Danielle: “Jenny, babe, yes you do… I swear we’re going to help you, if John would just listen to me about this for five minutes!”

[John is heard inhaling to respond, but is cut off.]

Jenny: “No, no, I’m fine, really—”

[Jenny yelps as a loud sound is heard in the distance.]

Danielle: “Shit, what was that?”

[John gets closer to Jenny, his voice finally lowered as Danielle creaks the door open.]

John: “… Jenny, you look sick, you act sick… You need to eat something.”

Jenny: “I don’t, I’ve been eating, I—”

[Both cut Jenny off, saying “bullshit” with similar tones.]

John: “Drinking water is not the same as eating well. All we’ve seen you eat recently is a small bag of chips, and only because Dani was going to cry.”

Jenny: “No, it’s just— I just—”

[The door closes as Danielle returns to sit next to Jenny.]

Danielle: “Shh… Girlie, I know something happened, but you need to take care of yourself…”

[John is heard muttering.]

John: “That’s what I’ve been saying, if you would listen…”

[There’s a pause, the loudest noise being the air conditioning.]

Danielle: “Jenny, I know you’re dealing with something. You don’t have to tell us what, but please just—”

[The device vibrates.]

Jenny: “… Oh, Rose posted again, I just need a little peek—”

Danielle: “Jenny, no!”

[Jenny had already picked up the phone before Danielle could stop her. She is heard tapping a notification.]

Danielle: “Shit, and you were doing so well with your cleanse…”

John: “She should be allowed to talk to her friends, Dani! That’s all the contact they have!”

Danielle: “It stresses her! I just wanted to help, John!”

[Jenny is heard as the two continue to argue.]

Jenny: “No, no, wait…”

John: “Well, I don’t think that was helping unfortunately, she’s obviously been missing them!”

Jenny: “No, god, no, this isn’t… No…!”

John: “Don’t you think cutting her off from her friends would make her worry more?!”

Jenny: “No, this…!”

Danielle: “Excuse me, but if you paid attention when I brought her in, she didn’t even say hello to you, she was too busy checking on one of her friend’s blogs on Tumblr dot com!”

John: “Well, yeah! Wouldn’t you after what she’s been through?!”

Jenny: “No, this is a joke or something! There’s no way!”

John: “She’s said several times now that her friend Edgar is important to her—“

[John’s voice gets cut out of the recording as Jenny lets out a loud, blood-curdling scream.]

Danielle: “Fucking—!! Holy shit!! Jenny, Jenny, woah, what happened?! Jenny, look at me, look at me!”

[Jenny inhales and coughs, choking on air, before screaming again, her voice carrying agony. A thud is heard as she drops the device, then she drops to her knees, unable to stay on the bench press table she was sat on. Danielle is heard frantically pacing around her after jumping up, trying to find a way to help.]

Danielle: “John, watch her, I’ll be right back!!”

[Danielle’s sprinting steps reverberate throughout the large gym before being drowned out again as Jenny begins to sob uncontrollably.]

John: “Jenny, hey, hey, it’s okay, I’m here, hey—”

Jenny: “Not anyone else! God, I can’t lose anyone else!”

[John yelps as Jenny grabs the front of his shirt, the fabric threatening to rip as she pulls him forward.]

Jenny: “Tell me it’s a joke!”

John: “What’s a joke?! What happened?!”

Jenny: “John, tell me he’s okay!”

John: “Who?! Who’s okay?!”

Jenny: “For fuck’s sake, John, if anything, tell me this is all a nightmare and I’m going to wake up! Maybe on the dock! Or really, wake me up in my office maybe! Anything! Just don’t let this be real!”

John: “I don’t know what’s happening, what do you mean?! Uh, uh, okay, Jenny, take a breath—”

Jenny: “I could have been there! I could have fucking been there! I was selfish again! God!!”

[Jenny screams again, John’s response cut out of the audio. Then, after a few seconds, there is a moment of pure pained silence. The device picks up a distant echo of a scream from outside. Jenny hyperventilates, unable to calm herself. Then, she stops. She goes eerily silent.]

Jenny: “… John.”

John: “Uh… Y-yeah…?”

Jenny: “… John… John… John, I… You…”

[Jenny struggles to breathe. She doesn’t continue what she seemed to want to say.]

John: “… Jenny, what happened…? You look like you’ve seen a ghost…”

Jenny: “… Maybe I have.”

[John can’t respond before the door to the gym slams open again. Danielle, out of breath, runs over to the two.]

Danielle: “I just ran and got a hot chocolate, granola bar, blanket, pillow… God… Holy shit…”

John: “… Nice endurance, I guess? Uh…”

[John trails off as his joke falls flat, supposedly looking at Jenny again.]

John: “… Jenny, what can I do to help you…?”

Jenny: “… There’s nothing. Nothing can be done anymore… Nobody’s there…”

Danielle: “Jenny, what went down…? That was terrifying…”

[Jenny doesn’t respond. There’s silence for about a minute.]

Danielle: “… Jenny…”

John: “… I think she fell asleep… She must have been low on energy and this just… broke her down.”

Danielle: “… Wow… Holy shit, I’ve never heard her raise her voice like that…”

[John hesitantly picks up the now darkened phone, placing it next to Jenny’s sleeping figure.]

John: “… I think that’s enough for tonight. I’ll… I’ll keep an eye on her, you go home.”

Danielle: “… If you’re sure… Good luck, John… If you need me, call me.”

John: “Sure thing.”

[The door to outside opens, then closes.]

[End transcript.]

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for March 28, 2023

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 12:25-26(KJV): 25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Thought for the Day

Verse 25 - We can help others by giving them an encouraging word. Many are "stooped down" by the weight of the world, but this should not be true of Christians. We can ask God daily to fill us with His love and joy, enabling us to rise above our circumstances. If we are walking in the Spirit, we will have His love and strength, and we will make a difference in others’ lives, sometimes just by giving a smile and a kind word. Once when checking out at a grocery store, I blessed and thanked the clerk. Tears came to her eyes and she told me that my kind words were the nicest thing anybody had said to her all day. We never know when our kindness might change someone's entire day.

Verse 26 - The righteous man has a good influence on his neighbors by the example he sets. The ungodly man leads others astray. In almost every neighborhood, there is a particular family that stirs up strife and trouble. We must pray for these families, reach out to them, and try to overcome evil with good. With Christ's help, we can have a positive influence in our neighborhoods and change the atmosphere of our communities.

Being separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17) does not mean never becoming involved in politics or civic affairs. If every Christian followed this reasoning, government and administrative positions would be left to immoral people and sinners. Being separate means no longer participating in the selfish, unclean ways and practices of the world.

We are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt causes food to taste better and is used as a preservative. Mixed with water, it forms a cleansing saline solution. Salt generates thirst so we drink more water. It is essential to the human body. The analogy is clear: Christian beliefs improve life and our presence preserves the world from moral decay. The righteousness of Christ makes us the salt of the earth, which when combined with the living water of the Holy Spirit, makes our witness produce a cleansing effect upon sin-sick souls and society. A true Christian witness creates a spiritual thirst in others to know Jesus Christ. As Christians, we must share the "good news" with this world, which is dying for truth and light to be revealed. We must not utter empty phrases and be like salt that is no longer salty: such a witness is worthless. Our light shines through the good deeds that we do. Living out what we say we believe brings glory to our heavenly Father. Jesus said, "And I if I am lifted from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). If we "lift " Jesus, people will be drawn unto Him. This is how we shall bring glory to our Father who is in Heaven.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, many of us do appreciate You, and we want our lives to glorify You. Fill us today with Your Holy Spirit so that we may bring encouraging words to others. Father, we have been down at times in our lives just as I am now and we are so grateful for our brothers and sisters in the Lord who came to us with faith and encouragement. They lifted us, and today we want to lift them. You know each of them and exactly what they are going through at this time. Bless them and encourage them and meet their needs even as You used them to meet my needs in the trying times of my life. May we all be good witnesses for You and never lose our saltiness. Lord, shine on us that we may reflect Your glory. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, https://twitter.com/StevenPMiller6 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeperwatchman URL: linkedin.com/in/steven-miller-b1ab21259 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElderStevenMiller

#GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller,#Eldermiller1981

[ashknife]

📖 for the firewall!

The firewall in "The Firewall" comes from two different sources.

The first comes from personal experience. Although I am not employed in IT, I have had one foot in that world since I was a senior in high school, so a little over 24 years. I've worked with technology as an enthusiast, and I do minor IT work as a function of my librarian-ish job. So, when I hear the term "firewall," the first thing I usually think of is a form of network security. I guess the best way to explain that is to provide a definition from the Oxford English Dictionary:

3b. A system, typically a piece of hardware or software, which provides protection against unauthorized access to or from a private network or computer system.

Your computer likely has a firewall already installed and active behind the scenes, and your internet router probably also has one.

So, the firewall in the story serves as a security buffer between the simulation and the outside world meant to keep the two separated, and there are dire consequences for anyone trying to breach it.

The second comes from the Bible. There are several verses that talk of fire as a cleansing, purifying agent.

For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day The day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who will be able to stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire and like cleansing lye. He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. (Malachi 3:2-3)

John answered them all, “I baptize you with Or in water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with Or in the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16)

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Fire is a cleansing agent that burns away sin, but anybody who has ever been burned knows this is not a pleasant process. Flames hurt, but we also know that such suffering produces those good fruits of the Spirit because everything else burns away. In like manner, Bernie/Bernard's ordeal in crossing the firewall is a rite of passage. It is no mistake that he enters the real world naked, stumbling about, and functionally helpless. He is literally reborn through fire. The firewall burned away his past life of selfish indulgence, and he spends the coming months learning what all of that means and how it has affected him.

Thank you for the ask!

[romanogers-lyrics]

TFAWS Ep 5: finally some good fucking ✨vindication✨

Scratch that rewind what I said- this is the best episode (maybe in comic book tv history). Closure, growth, and redemption 🙌 just when I was worried they wouldn’t be able to tie things up they fucking give me this 😩🤩👏✊🏽

Holy hell my poor heart died and ascended to the moon to hang out with Steve and Natasha. ✨Goddamn the mastery of storytelling in this episode is why I love the MCU so much ✨

The opening fight between Walker, Bucky, and Sam had me on the edge of my seat. Like in most fights you know the stakes are low because the main heroes always win but this fight... whew it was consequential and more personal than the civil war fight imo. I genuinely was worried about the outcome for Sam and Bucky physically and emotionally. Every beat was character driven! This was cathartic. 🙌 the stunt coordinators knocked it out of the park lovelovelove 💕.

“I am captain America” homie you giving me Gollum vibes. “It’s (the shield) MINE!” Like-

So many creative stunts with the wings!!!

Bucky and Sam working TOGETHER

BUCKY DROPPING THE SHIELD AT SAM’S FEET 😭

The golden light seeping into the frame at the end of the fight 🤌🏼

Sam wiping the blood off the shield. 🥲 I can’t even articulate but it makes me feel-

Sammy’s wings got snapped off and he eventually left them with Torres (passing the mantle?) which symbolizes Sam growing out of his old super hero role. It was cleansing. He’s ready to be more. He’s ready to take action rather than let things happen to him 👏

Baby boy Torres trying to talk to Mr Bucky 🥺. You have both sleeves today Mr Bucky sir 💕

I want no I NEED 😫Torres to fly in with the wings next episode.

How we feeling about Walker?? On the one hand I feel him. Us gov did him dirty but at the same time he made the choices he made. Maybe there is room for redemption? Idk... ��� or will he continue to get worse?

I am SO glad that Sam went back to talk to isaiah. He needed to know the full story. He needed closure. I could ramble on and on but the writers made the points so much better than I could but just-

Steve did the exact same thing as Isaiah in the first avenger. He went behind enemy lines to rescue Bucky- without permission! He was a hero for it. And Isaiah was thrown in jail? The double standard is so frustrating

I think Isiah’s point that “no self respecting black man” would use the shield makes sense with his background and story. It makes me sick what was done to him. Things really haven’t changed 😞. At this point I honestly wasn’t sure what Sam was going to do. More later on about this-

Zemo’s theme is so beautiful every time I hear it. 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

What a beautiful scene. Cinematography 💯 Such a great moment between Bucky and Zemo. Zemo fully expects to die and then Bucky does the one thing zemo didn’t expect- the one thing he wasn’t “programmed” to do. Fuuuuuckcjfkekxn

“I crossed my name off in your book” 😭. He obviously grew to respect Bucky and wants him to have peace at last with all the civil war stuff.

Ayo back to calling Bucky white wolf 🐺 love to see it.

The kids playing with the shield and tracing the star has me CRYING. Kids are our hope and they still see something special in the shield. They still believe in it. 😭 such a small moment completely floored me.

Wholesome boat fix up 🥺. I feel like this is the montage where SamBucky fall in love 😂

When Sarah and Sam are talking about the boat- how it is their history- I think again of Isaiah. His history was erased. Sam has to preserve his history ✊🏽

Sarah is a goddamn queen and I Stan 🤌🏼✨

The montage was just a sip of cool water in the desert of trauma that is the MCU.

OKEEEE the conversation between Sam and Bucky where they’re tossing the shield is great on so many levels 😍:

Physically the shield matches the dynamic of the convo. Someone makes a point and throws it. Someone accepts what that person said and catches the shield. Bucky physically offers the shield when he says “I’m sorry” and Sam accepts the shield AND the apology.

The difference between avenging and amending. I was surprised they even used that word bc it calls out the avengers for maybe not doing the emotional work involved in being a hero. Healing is part of the hero job now. #phase4

A small detail but as a person of color I valued it; when Bucky said I’m sorry Sam did not say “it’s okay” or “no worries” because he didn’t have to, I feel like as a POC I’m always making white people feel better and for once I’d like to be confident enough to just accept someone’s apology outright and know I deserve it.

Pivotal when Sam said “it doesn’t matter what Steve thought” at first I was like biiiihhh??! 😠 but he had a point. Both Sam and Bucky have been trying to do hold onto another person who is gone. They gotta heal but more importantly they have to find their own reasons to keep fighting.

The training montage 🤌🏼🙌🤩🥲🥺😭✊🏽. Like FEED ME YEs WE ARE EATiNG. Sammy deserves it all

Sam’s cap theme music is similar to Steve’s but still different. Goddamn so beautiful 💕💕😩

Sam has been pretty passive in this show- almost wanting confirmation he did the right thing. Isaiah didn’t give Sam that comfort but neither did Bucky at first. Sam had to make his own choice 😤✊🏽

It’s a heavy burden to be cap knowing all the shit that has come before but Sam is the only one who can make that decision to be or not to be. And he’s seen the alternative now. In life taking action and taking control of our situation is empowering but always harder than doing nothing. He says it best- what’s the point of all that struggle if you’re not going keep on fighting ✊🏽🥺 I love and respect Sam so much 😭 spoken like captain America! 👏

Show me the suit you COWARDS I WANNA SEe

Goddamnit damnit to hell... I need to SEE IT

Is Sharon setting a trap for Karli???

🚨 end credit: I’m not sure if they are making an iron man comparison. What do you guys think?

Ready for the showdown throwdown next week 👀

All in all it was fucking wild ya’ll and I felt catharsis watching this and so fucking hopeful. I cry 😭

Please feel free to share any thoughts you have about this episode💕

there’s so much in this show that is world building within mcu but also in greater conversations about heroism and power. It is a moral re evaluation of the superhero. Malcom Spellman being head writer you know this shit is not happenstance it is intentional. The took the long road and it totally paid off in this episode 😭

🙇🏻‍♀️ I am emotionally manipulated by this show 🙇🏻‍♀️

Huge shout out to all the cast and crew for making something both respectful to the lore but also challenging it to be better 🙌

My ep 4 review:

Tag list: @soliloquy-of-nemo

[dykekingofhell]

Considering Sam was less than a year old when Mary died and the fact that John didn’t seem to raise the boys as religious, do you think Sam joined a church for the first time in college and made the decision to get baptized? Was he hoping the holy water washing over him would cleanse him of the his feeling of impurity? When the shame did not go away, whether it stemmed from the demon blood or his own anxiety or the lingering effects of being treated as a ticking bomb by John, how much did he try pushing it down?

[steveezekiel]

SERVING GOD WITH A PURE CONSCIENCE

12. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

13. although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 1:12-14(NKJV)

• God works mainly with our hearts. He Judges based on the motive behind what we do.

- Paul was an injurious man, violently arrogant, who persecuted believers, yet his heart was right (Acts 8:1; 9:1,2).

- Paul thought he was offering service to God, when he was persecuting the church.

“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that WHOEVER KILLS YOU WILL THINK THAT HE OFFERS GOD SERVICE.”

John 16:2(NKJV)

- God who knows all things, including thoughts in a man’s heart , knew Paul was doing it in ignorance (1 Timothy 1:13).

- One may be right in his heart, but wrong in his head. Paul’s heart was right, but he was wrong in his head.

• Conscience

- Relate with God in a good conscience. Let your heart be right (2 Timothy 1:3).

- If your head is wrong, but your heart is right, God will have mercy on you. However, if your heart is wrong, you do evil deliberately– God will allow you to suffer for the evil you do (Romans 2:2,3).

• What is the rationale behind what you do? What is your motive in doing it? (Hebrews 13:18).

- God will judge us according to the intent of our hearts (1Timothy 1:5).

6. “who will render to each one according to his deeds.

11. For there is no partiality with God.

16. in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

Romans 2:6,11,16(NKJV)

“For our boasting is this: the testimony of OUR CONSCIENCE that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.”

2 Corinthians 1:12(NKJV)

• Whatever you do, do it with simplicity and godly sincerity– let your conscience judge you right.

- Relate with people in godly sincerity, unhypocritical love, not with fleshly wisdom (1 Timothy 1:5).

- If you live thus, do this, God would defend you.

- If you want to be wise, prove smart, you want to use your wisdom– it is bound to fail.

“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

1 Corinthians 1:19(NKJV)

• Let God defend you. Albeit, He can only do that when your conscience is pure, right�� and when you carry Him along in all you do.

- Be sincere in dealing with other people, in all your relationship. Let God know all you do, and why you do whatever you do (Proverbs 3:5,6).

24. “and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

25. Therefore, putting away LYING, “LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR.” For we are members of one another.”

Ephesians 4:24, 25 (NKJV)

• God will defend you, defend your integrity, if you carry Him along in all you do.

• The reason why you need to carry God along is that– you may be sincerely wrong (proverbs 16:25).

~ You may be sincere in your dealings with somebody, even a believer in Christ, but the person may be a deceiver; thus you need God to reveal the deceitfulness of the person’s heart to you– that is the esssence of carrying God along in everything.

~ There are false brethren among believers, even in the church (Matthew 7:15).

~ Paul has this to say: “in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among FALSE BRETHREN.”

2 Corinthians 11:26(NKJV)

• Some believers decided to be deceitful, live in deceit, because we have wolves in sheep clothing– false brethren in the church.

- There is no experience that can negate the Word of God. You cannot justify, approve your wrong doing, because some people are wrong– because some people are false, deceptive, then you also become deceptive (Matthew 7:15,16).

- You should live in line with the Word of God, however, you should be sensitive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

- If you have a good relationship with the Holy Spirit, He will not allow you to be a prey in the hand of false brethren. Do not try to justify lying and deceptive acts of yours.

• Also, some Christians think if you are honest, truthful, and sincere, other people will take advantage of you– they will think you are naïve, stupid. But it is not true.

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”

Titus 1:15(NKJV)

- Your perspective about life determines what you experience in life. If you believe nothing is pure, then nothing will be pure. – And in your dealings with people, if you believe everything is pure according to God’s Word, everything will be pure.

• If your mind is defiled, you need to cleanse it with the Word of God (Romans 12:2).

“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind”

Ephesians 4:23(NKJV)

“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

• If you prove smart, God will leave you with your earthly, sensual, and demonic wisdom (James 3:15).

- Allow God to lead you in everything– even in your relationships with other people. – Serve God with a pure conscience!

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.

Peace!

[ms-rampage]

Eden's Gate: Left Behind Chapter 8 - The Truth

Warnings: Swearing, slight violence

Word count: 1,400

Summary: Kate learns the truth about John.

THANK YOU FOR 300 FOLLOWERS!!!!!!!❤❤❤

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

“Shit!” Kate exclaims.

“Yep, looks like we have a demon on our hands” Morgan says.

“Fuck!. Fuck. Fuck, fuck” Kate yells, hitting the arm on the couch, “I just want to live a normal life. That's all I want”.

“Well this life isn’t exactly “normal”.” Morgan says

“Yeah, I know but I wanted to get away from it. Then this happens!!’ she says, annoyed. “Where is this at?!”.  

“In the Henbane, near that rail bridge near the O’Hara Haunted House. It looks like it was dumped there” Morgan says.

“Who the fuck dumps 5 dead cow carcusses?!” Kate asks, disgusted. 

“Demons? Psychopaths? Anti-animal lovers?” Morgan says.

“Should we get going?!” Kate asks.

Morgan looks at the time on her phone, “It's getting late. We can go in the morning”.

She shrugs, “That’s fine with me”.

“So?!?” she asks.

“So what?!?” Kate asks, confused.

“You said John was taking you out again?!?”.

Kate chuckles “Yeah, umm if you consider going to church a date!?”.

Morgan looks at her in confusion, “Church? As a date?!?”.  

“Yeah I know right. But what was weird is that. It was almost cult like. Ya know?”. 

“How do you mean?!” she asks.

“The people, or the members of that church. They had guns, they were all crazy eyed, bushy beards, and there was this symbol on one of the walls. It almost looked like the fucking cross for Scientology but with a few added crosses.

Morgan looks at her, for what felt like hours, “Did it look like this?!”. 

She shows her a photo of the cults logo.

“Yes!!!” she exclaims. The realization hits the both of them like a train.

“Dude!!” she exclaims, “John is in a fucking cult!!!”.

Kate’s eyes widened in realization.

“Holy shit!!!” she yells.

“That explains all the missing people, stolen properties!!!”

Kate aggressively scratches her head, anxiety kicking in. 

“Dude. you gotta call things off with him!!!”.

Kate stands up, starts to pace back and forth.

“I’m pretty sure I saw some people trying to drown, or baptize some innocent people” she says. Kate stops, and looks at her in complete horror, “What did you do?!?”.

“I killed the people. They were fucking drowning an innoecent man for crying out loud!!!”.

There’s a moment of silence between them. Kate tried to drink in everything that Morgan had said to her. 

“Are you gonna break up with him?!?” she asks. 

“I-I-I don’t know. I’m gonna have to, but I don’t know how!!” she says. 

Morgan tries to calm down her friend, “Okay, how about this. We just sleep on it, and we’ll come back to it in the morning. Maybe we can get some dirt on that after we solve this case” she says pointing the photo on the table.

“Okay, okay. Yeah we can. Go over it in the morning” Kate says, sounding like she’s gonna pass out.

They both go to their rooms, and go to sleep. Neither of them are going into work the next day because they’re both calling out, or just not gonna show up. Fuck that job, and fuck Holly. 

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

At the Seed ranch, John is preparing to leave to cleanse some sinners. 

One of his men tell him about the murder of one their followers at that same river.

“Do you know who it was?!” he asks.

“No sir. We assume it was one of the Resistance members” he answers. 

“Of course. Those nasty, dirty sinners. They will all be cleansed, and will atone for their sins”.

He finished preparing himself, “But. We cleanse tonight's sinners then move on the next then the next. Until everyone is free of their sins”.

They leave to the lake for the cleansing.

5 sinners having their souls cleansed. John with the book of Joseph, preaching to the sinners.

Making sure they are clean of their sins.

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

12:29 am. Kate who can’t sleep, gets up, rubbing her face.

All of her anxiety is keeping her from sleeping. She gets up, and looks out her bedroom window.

She looks back at Haley who is awake because of her owner. 

“I need answers Hale. I’m gonna go out for a walk” she says.

Haley tilts her head to her saying “walk”. 

Kate puts on some pants, a sweater and her shoes.

Quietly leaves the house without waking up Morgan, she usually never goes for night walks.

And what happened a while back with that man attacking her. She grabs her pistol, and her knife just in case for trouble.

She takes Haley as back up. 

They walk down the dirt road, the quiet streets of Hope County.

She walks near a body of water, hoping it’ll clear her mind, and maybe help her with breaking up with John without pissing him off. 

Sitting on a rock, letting the night, and the moon clear her mind. Hoping to bring her a peace of mind. 

Haley playing in water, bringing her some joy.

After a few minutes they walk down the river, and off in the distance, Kate can hear a familiar voice.

In fact it was too familiar.

As they get closer, the voice becomes more clearer, and her body goes numb when she realizes it's John’s voice. 

She hides behind some bushes, and sees her boyfriend watching some men hold some people’s head underwater.

“What the fuck?!?” she whispers. Haley whimpers, and makes her high pitched whining. 

One of John’s men hears this, and approaches. 

Kate ducks behind the bush, holding her dog by her collar.

“Who’s there?!” he calls out. 

Kate starts to internally panic. The footsteps get closer. Stopping on the opposite side of the bush.

“Please don’t come closer. Please don’t come closer” she whispers to herself.

He turns around to leave, and just as he turns around. Haley sneezes. Making Kate’s eyes go wide. 

The peggie hears this, and walks closer. He peers around the bush and sees Kate, and the dog.

Haley attacks him, biting his arm. Locking her jaw.

He screams in agony getting the attention of John, and the others. 

She stabs him in the throat killing him, prys Haley off of him, and takes off home.

Running, not stopping once. 

She hopes John didn’t see her, or recognizes Haley. Hopefully it was too dark for him to see her. 

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

John’s POV

Cleansing these sinners souls, freeing them from sin. Saving them.

“In the words of Father Joseph let the water cleans your souls. Let the water purify you. Free you from sin. You will be cleansed of your sins. God will forgive you for your past sins. No matter how big or little. You will be cleansed”. 

He closes the book, and hands it to one of his men.

“No matter how petty your sin is. You will confess. You will atone. You will know the power of Yes!!” he continues. 

One of his men hears something in the bushes nearby.

“It’s probably just an animal” John says. 

The peggie approaches “Who’s there!?” he calls out.

Everything silent. No response. He turns around to go back to the others.

Then -dog sneeze- he turns around. He definitely heard that, he wasn’t hearing things.

He walks closer to the bushes, and he sees a girl that happens to be John’s girlfriend Kate.

Before he could say, or do anything. A dog that he didn’t see, jumps at him. 

Biting his arm, won’t let go. He screams.

John looks over and sees that one of his men has an animal latched onto his arm.

He sees a dark figure, jump out of the bushes and stab him in the throat.

“Stop them!!!!” he yells.

The animal and the figure take off, disappearing in the darkness.

“We will find them, and they will atone for their Wrath!!!!” John yells to his men.

Before going back to the water.

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

Kate makes it home, slowly and quietly closing the door.

She goes to her room, her hands covered in blood. 

She goes to the restroom, washing the blood off her hands

Can’t believe the man she loves is in a fucking doomsday cult. She’s breaking up with him for sure.

She just hopes she doesn’t see him within the next few days, or at all for all she cares.

Rinsing off all the blood on her hands, she goes back to her bedroom, laying down in bed.

Probably not gonna get much sleep but enough for a hunter.

Yep, she’s back in the hunter life. 

For all she knows there is a demon among them, and she has to protect her friends from being attacked by them.

She just wishes Paige was there, or maybe her mom.

But she’ll do great with Morgan, after all she is one of the best monster hunters she knows aside from her family.

Hopefully tomorrow, or the next several hours will be okay, and she can figure all this shit out. 

[giftofshewbread]

World Government is Rising In America!

By Daymond Duck    Published on: May 9, 2021

Here are some recent events that seem to indicate that world government is rising in America.

One, concerning hyper-inflation, economic collapse, and famine: on Apr. 29, 2021, it was reported that the price of food is soaring in Asia, a region that contains more than half of the world’s population, and history shows that soaring food prices eventually lead to social unrest (The French Revolution of 1789, Europe’s Revolutions in 1848, and a revolution in Russia in 1917).

Concerning the signs of His coming: Jesus said there will be “upon the earth, distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25).

This is usually interpreted in one of two ways: the waves and seas roaring represent an increase in cyclones, hurricanes, etc., at sea; and roaring (social unrest, rioting, demonstrating, etc.) in the sea of humanity (Rev. 17:15).

Two, also concerning hyper-inflation and an economic collapse: it is being reported that the Biden administration is planning to spend 6 trillion dollars just in the next 6 months alone.

Some economists say America’s debt-to-GDP ratio is higher than it has been since the end of WWII, and another 6 trillion dollars will destroy the U.S. dollar.

Three, concerning world government: on Apr. 28, 2021, Pres. Biden addressed the nation and a joint session of Congress.

As expected, he accused America of “systemic racism,” a vague term that many say means because of slavery and segregation in America, black people do not get fair treatment at school, at work, in elections, in housing, in anything; and everyone in America, especially white Republicans, is guilty.

Using the death of George Floyd as an illustration, Biden said, the “knee of injustice [is] on the neck of black America.”

In response, the black Senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott, said, “Hear me clearly: America is not a racist country,” and he added, “It’s backwards to fight discrimination with different discrimination.”

Aside from wondering how this black man got elected to the U.S. Senate if America is so racist, and aside from noting that this black man pointed out that Democrats want to fight racism by discriminating against all white people, U.S. citizens need to understand that the purpose of portraying America as a bad nation is to restructure America and bring it into a godless world government.

According to the Bible, America will be subjected to a godless world government that is far worse than what we have today; and billions of people, including multitudes of the black people, will regret the day it happened.

Four, concerning world government: on Apr. 30, 2021, Dr. Andy Woods and Jim McGowan discussed the U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis on Pastors’ Point of View #163.

The Biden administration has delegated authority over the crisis to Vice-Pres. Kamala Harris, but she has not even visited the border.

For whatever it is worth, she says she is working with the radical U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to get the international community’s help.

Notice this!

Kamala Harris is delegating control of the U.S. border with Mexico to unelected foreigners instead of the U.S. Border Patrol, building a wall, etc.

The fact is, according to the Migration Policy Institute, during his first 100 days in office, Biden issued 94 Executive Orders that have dismantled America’s immigration policies and throw the border wide open.

Five, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: Pres. Biden is now involved in indirect talks with Iran over that terrorist nation’s quest for nuclear weapons.

This prompted Israel’s Intelligence Minister, Eli Cohen, to warn that “a bad deal will send the region spiraling into war.”

Cohen said, “Israel will not allow Iran to attain nuclear arms. Iran has no immunity anywhere. Our planes can reach everywhere in the Middle East.”

An Israeli attack on Iran would almost surely result in Iran attacking Israel, a war that the Bible says will happen in the latter years and latter days (Ezek. 38:8, 16).

Six, concerning the Mark of the Beast: on May 1, 2021, Dave Hodges reported on The Common Sense Show that New Zealand has just made Covid vaccinations mandatory without public notice, discussion, etc.

Seven, concerning persecution: Evangelist, Mike Gendron, bought a round-trip ticket from Texas to Green Bay on A.A. to speak at a conference.

Gendron said the only time he did not wear a mask was while he was drinking a cup of water, and no flight attendant ever asked him to put his mask on.

Two days later, when Gendron checked in at the airport to return to Texas, he was told he was banned from flying on A.A. for not wearing a mask on his trip to Green Bay.

An overnight hotel room and a ticket on another airline cost him another $600, and none of the money he paid A.A. for a round-trip ticket was refunded.

After a week of trying to straighten this out, A.A. stopped taking Gendron’s calls.

Why he was reportedly falsely banned for not wearing a mask is a matter of speculation.

Persecution of those that object to what is happening to America is intensifying almost daily.

Eight, A reader sent an e-mail reminding me that some past prophecy teachers have suggested that world leaders might use the Rapture to deceive people.

Several highly respected prophecy teachers speculated for years that globalists might promote the Rapture as an alien abduction to scare people into uniting against a threat from outer space and thereby accept a one-world government.

I consulted with a friend, and we agreed that it is time to remind people of this.

My friend even sent a link to an Apr. 30, 2021, article titled, “Pentagon whistleblower warns of UFO intelligence failure on ‘level of 911.'”

The whistleblower, a former Pentagon investigator, said there is something out there and U.S. citizens need to be told.

As it turns out, the U.S. government will release files on the subject in June.

Just know this: The Church will be removed from planet Earth by Jesus, not UFOs from outer space.

This is not to say that UFOs don’t exist or that people don’t need to know about them, but it is to say that people shouldn’t allow themselves to be deceived and scared into a world government because leaders have decided to admit that UFOs are not a conspiracy theory or because they have made up lies to convince people that a world government is needed to defend the planet.

The rise of the Antichrist over a Satanic world government is a greater threat than aliens from outer space.

Christians oppose a godless world government, but they support the coming world government of Jesus during the Millennium.

Christians oppose the false peace on earth that the Antichrist will promote, but they support the peace on earth that the Prince of Peace (Jesus) will establish.

Christians oppose the false religions of Mother Earth, the Green New Deal, Chrislam, etc., but they support the true teachings and worship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as recorded in the Bible (God’s will).

Nine, concerning godless world government: the fact that the Democrat Party left God out of their Party Platform is now old news, and so is the fact that on Feb. 26, 2021, Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, said, “What any religious tradition describes as God’s will is no concern of this Congress.”

It has now been reported that the National Day of Prayer will not be allowed at the U.S. Capitol for the first time in 70 years.

There was a request for prayer at the Capitol, but it was denied supposedly because the Capitol is closed due to the January 6 protests.

This writer believes prayer is badly needed, and the truth is that those that have taken over the Capitol support a godless world government.

The America that was based on Judeo-Christian values no longer exists.

Jesus said the day of His coming will be like the days of Noah (Matt: 24:37).

In the days of Noah, God saw that the wickedness of man was great. He was grieved and decided to destroy man with a Flood (Gen. 6:5-7).

Ten, on May 2, 2021, it was reported that California plans to release at least 76,000 inmates.

63,000 of them have been imprisoned for violent crimes and repeat felonies.

20,000 of them have been given life sentences with the possibility of parole.

10,000 of them have been imprisoned twice.

About 2,900 of them have been imprisoned 3 times under the state’s “three strikes law.”

Critics say putting thousands of criminals back on the streets will increase wickedness and criminal activity in California.

To make matters worse, police are retiring or quitting in record numbers all over the U.S. because of the “Defund the Police” movement, the liability, and the abuse and hatred that is being directed toward them.

Finally, if you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

[apptowonder]

A Homily for Theophany -- 2021

Christ is baptized! In the Jordan! Today we celebrate Theophany, the revelation of our Lord’s divinity, and His act of humility for our salvation. This act gave to water the power to sanctify. In our baptism, we are given to participate in Christ’s death, that we might also partake of his resurrection.

As Jesus comes to the Jordan and steps into the water with John, we begin to see both the tenderness and the awe inspiring love of God revealed in our midst. John asks Christ, perhaps with a mixture of fear and joy, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” And Christ, knowingly, gently, responds, “Let it be so. Let it be so, because this is what must happen to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus fulfills the Law in his own person, knitting back together the cosmic unraveling begun with Adam and Eve. As he does so, the Father and the Spirit come to recognize his eternal divinity, his union with them from before time. St. Theophylact of Ohrid says that “Adam had closed the heavens, but through Christ the heavens were opened, so that you may learn, that when you are baptized, you too open the heavens.” We are baptized into Christ’s baptism. We are baptized into Christ’s death. We are baptized into Christ’s resurrection, and when we rise with him at each moment of our lives, God’s light within us pierces the clouds of life like the sun. The Sun of Righteousness warms us by his light, which is implanted deep in us. How beautiful is the tenderness of God’s love for us.

And yet also, how awe inspiring. In the Royal Hours yesterday, we hear the poetic words of the Jordan River itself as it prepares to receive Christ. “Why are you restraining your waters, o Jordan? Why do you reverse your current and not proceed to flow naturally?” And the river replies, “I am unable to bear the all-consuming fire. For I am shaking with holy thrill at the extreme condescension. For I am not accustomed to cleansing one who is clean; I know not how to purify the sinless, but only to wash the dirtied vessels. But now Christ, who is being baptized in me, is teaching me to burn up thorns of sins.” The Jordan itself trembles at God who stands in its flow. Our God who is, as St. Paul says, is “a consuming fire.” As Christians, we are called to stand in the midst of that purifying fire, the fire that is kindled within us from the moment of our baptism. Purification is often painful. Confronting the truth of who we are and who we have failed to become is painful. If we try to run from this transfiguring process, to hide ourselves or block out the light, we risk wounding ourselves and one another more deeply. Through our efforts of self-preservation, we shut ourselves off to our neighbor and “close up” the heavens of our heart. But If we stand with courage in the midst of that fire, and turn towards God with an open heart, it will hurt, but we will become, in the words of St Joseph of Panephysis, “all flame.” How fierce is the awe inspiring power of God’s love for us.

Today, a tragedy and a travesty is upon us as thousands of domestic terrorists march on the nation’s capitol, in an attempt to uphold an administration built on fear and hatred of the other, built on the oppression of the powerful against the powerless. The institutions they march upon, meanwhile, have continued to ignore the cries of the poor, the needy and the oppressed. They speak with softer words, but are themselves complicit in shutting out our collective consciousness from true repentance and justice for ourselves and our neighbors. This confrontation is taking place because we as a nation have failed to confront the truth of who we are. We have failed to confront the racism, economic oppression and bigotry that have plagued this country since the beginning. Rather than standing in the flame of God’s love and allowing it to burn up the thorn bush of sins, we have tried to hide the thorn bush under landscaping, and it has only continued to grow and fester. As Christians, many of us who are called to witness to the consuming fire of God in acts of mercy and justice have wounded ourselves and one another more deeply through apathy, ignorance, self-preservation. The good news is, God’s fire can and will burn through all inequity if we let it. Our baptism, Christ’s baptism, can wash away all sins as a mighty river, if only we open the floodgates of our lives and let the currents knock down our idols of fear, racism, pride and power. The bad news is, in ignoring it, we only grow more kindling for the fire, and make more suffering for ourselves before true healing can come.

Each of us will have a different work to do. We are all in the image of God, and like a mosaic icon we each reflect a different piece of God’s image. Reach out to your community. Speak out for more just laws. Give alms to organizations promoting flourishing for marginalized communities. Listen to people’s stories. Do whatever God calls you to do, but do something. And be attentive also to the fire of God that burns with grace and beauty within you. That fire kindled by Christ in the Jordan. May the revelation of our God this day make us radiant with his love, and sharing in his death through baptism and repentance may we be raised to new life, all of us in solidarity with one another, by His resurrection. + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[ftpthemovement]

You are loved beyond your wildest dreams. The sacrifice that Christ made on the cross was to set you free from a life of guilt, shame, condemnation, and judgment. He came so that you would live a life of abundance, free from fear and the ways of wicked men. He came to set the example of the life you should live that is pleasing and honorable to God.

Men make the choice daily, second by second, of who they choose and what they represent. Every-time we open our mouth we are wielding one of the most powerful weapons we have accessible to us. Our words have the ability to shape the world as we know it. They can control masses of people, countries, armies, animals, etc. It is such a powerful force, it can sway the hearts of even the most resentful men.

Scripture says that men desire unfailing love. That means at our root core, every one of us long to be loved free from judgment, free from guilt, and free from the condemnation of sin and the fear of death. Christ came and set the example of what that looks like by laying his life down for us. In doing so, he gave the commandment to love one another, that the world would know his followers by how they loved one another.

If our words and our actions are seasoned with grace and focused on love, we produce a harvest that leads to righteousness. When we allow ourselves to operate outside of those key disciplines set by Christ, we are operating in the realm of the flesh. The flesh is not pleasing to God, because it is rebellious to his will. He came so that we would live operating in the spirit, and put to death the deeds of the flesh.

Once the spirit of God is in you, the flesh and the spirit are at war with one another. The spirit is the deposit guarantee that you have eternal life, and an inheritance set aside for you in the life to come. The flesh however is a constant reminder of death. It is always trying to get you to trade your hope in the victory to come, for the short term temporary satisfaction that the world has to offer.

Another major struggle you will find when denying yourself daily and picking up your cross is the shortcomings you experience in your own hometown, and among your own family. Scripture says, that a prophet won’t receive a prophet's reward in his own hometown, or in his own family. For many, this is where they drop the ball. They like to apply all that scripture has to offer in accordance with their faith, but here’s where most decide to stay, trading away the hard scripture for an easy excuse.

But not me, I’m going to address these hard scriptures. Because unlike most who shy away from the truth and try to sell you a watered-down version of scripture that fits their comfort zone, I’m gonna give you the real.

The Bible says “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:30

Where in scripture have you heard of a return on your investment like that other than the tithe? Ever wonder why the reward is so great? I believe it’s because he knows that’s where all of the excuses start to flood in. Men always use the ways of the world that seem right to a man but ultimately lead to death. They say they can’t because of their family, wives, children’s, jobs, circumstances. Forgetting that Christ says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple.

Most like to leave that part out of their daily remembrance. Through some do understand the accuracy of the translation to mean, “love less than,” they still choose to avoid the truth by setting up excuses using scripture such as

“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8

They cling to this verse for the safety of the security found in their excuse. But what does scripture say about the work that God requires?

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.””‭‭John‬ ‭6:27-29‬ ‭

So if the work God requires is to believe in the one he sent, then we are to believe in Jesus Christ and his finished works. Yet scripture says, “whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6) So how did Christ live?

We can see in scripture that John The Baptist clearly knew what to expect from how the messiah would live. So he sent his servants to question Jesus, so Christ told them to report to him this, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

If we are to live how he lived, Is this the work you are doing in your life? Is this the job you are dedicated to? Let’s look a little further into the scriptures to see the work Jesus has called us to do:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”” Mark‬ ‭16:15-18‬ ‭

Is this the work you are dedicated to on a daily basis and do these signs accompany you in your daily walk with Christ? I know it’s easy to avoid the tough truths of scripture. It’s even easier to want to go do what you want to do and trade the truth for a lie. But, in the end, these are the words of God, the very same God that told us to calculate the cost of what it meant to follow him.

Yet, you still have so many who refuse to answer the call, especially those who use providing for their family as a scapegoat. Even though there is more than enough scripture provided above to convict them to repent, maybe it’s best to include this one as well.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:26-34‬ ‭

Isn’t it wild what happens when you read scripture in proper context, and not through a filter of comfort!? I’ve found that scripture without a doubt, never leaves room for an excuse. Why? Because God predestined you to be adopted into sonship to complete the works he had prepared for you before he laid the foundation of the earth. So when we choose him, we operate in his will, but when we choose the flesh, we operate in the will of the enemy. God doesn’t leave room for excuses, he gave his son so you wouldn’t have any. Instead, that you would come to the understanding that a life of discipline and obedience through the Holy Spirit, leads to a fulfilling life of love, grace, mercy, and peace for eternity.

Sin ultimately created the separation between us and God, but Jesus bridged the gap so that we have access to the father for all of eternity. He didn’t lay his life down so that we would eventually go to heaven. No, he laid his life down to free us from the power of sin and death, to walk as his living representatives here on earth. He commissioned us through the power of the Holy Spirit to finish the mission most call “The Great Commission.” To walk as living representatives of love through action and truth. Spreading the good news of the gospel to all creation, baptizing them in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Are you willing to face the hard truths of scripture? Are you willing to walk like him and not just talk like you know him? What are you willing to give up to complete the mission? Are you willing to deny yourself daily and pick up your cross, or are you going to keep saying you have faith, but your actions don’t follow the way of truth?

Selfish or selfless? Pick up your cross and deny yourself daily, or say you believe and not walk as he walks? Trade the hard scriptures for a bubble gum gospel that fulfills your carnal desires, or stand in front of God and hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant?” -ES

[thecursedhellblazer]

For @thedemonconstantine​​​: you didn’t ask for it, but I couldn’t resist so I delivered anyway xD

Look at our idiots together || Accepting !

JOHN & DEMON JOHN

who hogs the duvet Honestly? Both. It’s not even about the damn thing, it’s all a ruse to have an excuse to fight over something, even in a moment that’s supposed to be a quiet one. Most of the times it ends with the poor duvet being forgotten and them shoving at each other, insults flying around, hands fisted in clothes and hair. Then...one thing leads to another, up to a quite predictable finale.

who texts/rings to check how their day is going None of them. John put a tracking rune on his Other, so he always know where he is and he prefers showing up in person to check on whatever he is doing if the Copy heads off somewhere suspicious. As for Demon John, he probably calls and texts John just when his Maker is doing something that requires focusing, with the only aim of annoying the hell out of him. And he does it even if he’s sitting in the next room.

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts Depends on your definition of “creative”. And of “gifts” too. Demon John makes sure to pull out embarrassing “presents” (like stuff they can use in their private time) every time John has company (mostly Tim and Chas, but there was that one time when Zatanna came to visit...Not the best way to let their ex girlfriend know that they are a thing. And that the Copy exists in the first place). John usually retaliates by dumping spells and holy water on his Other’s head, because a bit of “healthy cleansing” never harms. And, if it does, oh, “yeh asked for it, mate”. However, there are very rare moments when they are being oddly civil with each other (and every time it happens Chas starts preparing for yet another Apocalypse, because that has to be a sign) and, in such periods of truce, some actual gifts might happen. John breaks out his best bottles of wine and liquor (the expensive ones he stole or got gifted in the past, the ones he keeps for special occasions) just for the two of them, because he feels like “drinkin’ some better shite”. The Copy pops back from Hell with some rare ingredient or a small artifact he found “by chance” along his way. They never acknowledge it, but it happens.

who gets up first in the morning They tend to get out of bed (or of whatever they have been sleeping in) at the same time, for the mere reason that they have Chas coming in and kicking their asses out of bed (he tries the gentle way first, with the promise of breakfast, but it works only half of the times). If John has a case or a meeting or stuff to do in general, he might be the one to crawl out of bed and leave the Copy to laze among the sheets. Demon John doesn’t necessarily need sleep, but he does anyway because he is a lazy bastard and he likes to taunt John with that fact that he doesn’t need to be up and running while his Maker has to. Plus, maybe, very deep down, part of the truth might be that he likes sharing John’s space and sleeping with him gives him a good excuse to do so.

who suggests new things in bed They are constantly looking for ways to torment each other, so most of the times is a competition to find new ways to push each other out of their comfort zone. For now, they are both losing, because there are very few things that have turned out to be a categorical ‘no’ and, when it happens, it’s usually a shared opinion. This doesn’t stop them from trying, though. On the contrary, it spurs them on even more. 

who cries at movies None of them. Usually them watching a movie together means a ton of annoying commentary that irks everyone who happens to be around. There was this one time when they caught Chas getting emotional over a movie, though. Useless to say, the poor man didn’t hear the end of it for weeks and weeks.

who gives unprompted massages Oddly enough, John does, from time to time. They are moments when he has been drinking, but isn’t drunk just yet. The alcohol gives him that bit of liquid courage he needs to admit that he might be craving some physical intimacy that doesn’t involve having heated, complicated, perverted sex, and so he settles behind wherever the Copy is sitting and works his hands all over the Other’s back. Demon John called him out and mocked him about it at first, but he stopped the one time John got really pissed and threatened to stop doing it completely. In the Copy’s defence, no one knows how to work the knots out of your muscles better than yourself.

who fusses over the other when they’re sick No one fusses. On the contrary, whenever one of them is sick or injured (and mostly is John because, demon blood or not, he’s still human), it’s a festival of mockery and making sure the unlucky one gets even more miserable than they already are. It still happens, even if they have tuned it a bit down after an exasperated Zatanna has threatened to put a spell on them both, to make sure that when one of them gets sick, the other does too. 

who gets jealous easiest Demon John. It’s just part of his personality, considering that John has tried (and apparently failed) to shove all his worst traits inside him. The fact that they are both natural flirts doesn’t help the issue and the episodes always tend to end in very ugly fights and temporary break-ups. Useless to say, John is forced to hunt down the Copy every single time in the aftermath, because the Other goes around and wreaks havoc (out of spite, he says, but maybe that’s not all that there is to it).

who has the most embarrassing taste in music They have the same exact tastes when it comes to music, so mocking each other every time one of them gets a new tune stuck in his head is something they have quickly stopped doing after they have realised that it usually ends with the both of them having said song stuck in their heads. And, that considered, the only one who gets to tease them about it is Chas. And Tim too, if he happens to be around and in the mood.

who collects something unusual Collecting magical and cursed artifacts is part of what John does for a living. The Copy doesn’t really care for them, unless they are something that can come useful to him in some way, so he normally leaves that sort of oddity to his Maker.

who takes the longest to get ready John can take ages in the shower whenever he is too hangover to process what he is doing or hasn’t slept in days. Demon John takes ages just because he doesn’t really want to get ready for whatever they are supposed to do. Cue to Chas, waiting outside in the cab, drumming his fingers and wondering if he should just head off on his own and have them reach him once they are ready via planeswalking.

who is the most tidy and organised They are both messy as hell. John tries to keep his living space clean, but the only reason why the place isn’t a complete dumpster is because their best friend is patient enough to clean after them. Of course, double John means double mess and double trouble...And Chas should really start asking to get paid.

who gets most excited about the holidays None of them has a real definition of “holiday”. Not in the common sense of the term. For people who live their kind of life, vacations aren’t exactly common, or something they bother with in general. It happens that John decides to take some time off from actively looking for trouble, also because the troubles usually come finding him anyway, and they all go off somewhere that is supposed to be quiet (as quiet as it can be with the pair of them around). It’s not something they get excited about, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate.

who is the big spoon/little spoon Spooning isn’t something that happens often. Most of the times, they end up tangled in each other, face to face. In any case, as almost everything in their relationship, they go for switching, depending on the mood or simply on whoever has lost their latest bet. The little spoon gets an unhealthy amount of mocking all the way through it, so it’s not a position either of them really looks forward to finding himself in (unless Demon John is really in the mood of being degraded. He makes sure to lose at the games on purpose, in that case).

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports Considering that every chance is good enough to try and best each other, they both are insanely competitive at pretty much everything. They are both incredibly sore losers and cheating is their norm, which makes it an official part of the games. However, the worst happens whenever they are teaming up against some unfortunate opponent, because their competitive streaks sum up and good luck getting out of a game against them in one piece.

who starts the most arguments They both never miss the chance to have a go at the other, but Demon John tends to poke John a bit more often than the magician does. While John loves fighting, there are times when he honestly just wants to enjoy a quiet pint and instead he finds having to deal with his Other being a pain in the ass for the whole night. 

who suggests that they buy a pet Aside from John’s occasional fantasies to stash the First in the Chest that Tim has gifted him, none of them are the pet kind of person. Chas, on the other hand, would kill to get a dog or two, so, if they’d ever end up with one or with a hellhound, you know whose fault it is.

what couple traditions they have Does screwing on every surface, available or not, count as one? Aside from that, they take one night per week to go off somewhere on their own, not much for privacy but because John thinks that Chas needs some breathing space. What they do changes every time. They might go somewhere and get drunk, or go off to some other realm and wreak some mostly harmless havoc. From time to time (rarely), they head off to visit one of John’s few mates, because their reaction to the pair of them is always hilarious. Also, when they are drunk, they get the idiotic idea of impersonating each other, because they find it hilarious, for some obscure reason, and switch roles. Chas, Tim and Yoyo are beyond unimpressed.

what tv shows they watch together TV shows aren’t really their thing. At times, they just sprawl on the couch and watch whatever trash it’s airing, for the sake of being able to exchange comments or bicker over it. Watching games is more likely to happen, but in that case Chas is there with them too, and it becomes more of a buddies kind of night.

what other couple they hang out with Double dating is not even up for discussion. It can’t work because it constantly ends up with everyone feeling uncomfortable (aside from Demon John, who always laughs his ass off). There has been one time when they both stalked Chas while he was hanging out with this cute woman he had run into and the ordeal ended into a full-fledged disaster. Zatanna tried to introduce John to her current boyfriend, but of course she should have expected that he would have showed up with the Copy in tow (even if, in John’s defence, he tried to make the Other stay behind). As for whatever girl falls in love with Tim, they really don’t need more rotten luck coming in their way, so they are both forbidden to meet them as a pair.

how they spend time together as a couple Aside from the obvious (which means fucking, drinking, fighting, being a pain in everyone else’s neck), Demon John has taken up the habit of tagging along for John’s (mis)adventures. He usually isn’t very helpful, but John, on good days, appreciates the company in any case. They also go demon hunting together, from time to time, just to have a laugh out of it. The demons who already hate John’s guts are anything but pleased to find out that there are two of them now. Also, during one of his visits, Tim has suggested them this very nice pic-nic spot in Hell, set over a cliff, with a great view of a lava field where some damned souls are being tormented. The ground is mostly burnt, but in some periods of the years the plain also grows some spectacular fire flowers. They smell a bit too much like rotten eggs, but they are quite the sight (”romantic”, Tim has called it). An added bonus is that the place also happens to be property of the current Ruler of Hell and the First is never amused to find the pair making a mess of his field and of each other.

who made the first move It’s a bit difficult to say, because it depends on what should be classified as “first move” in their case. Technically speaking, the sexual (and romantic) part of their relationship started because the Copy kidnapped Tim to get his payback on him for rescuing John from his clutches. However, on the other hand, the one who officially crossed the line during the consequent fight was John. It’s definitely up to interpretation.

who brings flowers home Whoever is in the mood to try and either curse or poison or make the other sick as payback for whatever has been done to him earlier on. Once again, the eventual witnesses to the scene are not impressed.

who is the best cook Considering that Demon John most likely doesn’t even care to learn how to turn the cooker on, it’s John. He has been forced to learn how to put meals together, since he has lived on his own for most of his life. He isn’t stellar, but he can be pretty good when he puts some effort into it. Plus, even if he would never admit it, he finds cooking relaxing from time to time and fun, whenever he chooses to experiment with it (even if that last thing is at very high risk of setting something on fire).

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JOHN & CHAS

who hogs the duvet John moves around a lot in his sleep, so he often ends up stealing the thing and then kicking it on the floor. Chas lets him do it and, if he wakes up during the night, he always makes sure to get the duvet back and to tuck in John under it once again. He is aware that it’s pretty useless, because the blanket is fated to fall on the ground once again, but it’s all part of his self-appointed job (namely, taking care of that disaster man he can’t live without). 

who texts/rings to check how their day is going Chas. He knows that John isn’t very good at taking care of himself, so he rings in, when they are apart for a prolonged amount of time. The magician doesn’t always pick up or at times he hangs up in his face, but Chas doesn’t take offence. That’s just whom John is. As for John, he doesn’t call or text unless he needs something or wants to share some completely useless piece of information. However, he tends to do the second thing mostly with Chas and Chas only and the latter knows, by now, that it’s his way to tell him that he is alright. You can’t get John Constantine to tell you straight in the face that he cares, but he shows it, in his own weird way. Good thing Chas has learnt to read between the lines a long time before.

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts John brings back the weirdest kinds of souvenirs from his trips, so he definitely wins the price for the oddest gifts. Some of them are completely useless, others are bordering dangerous, but from time to time he also gets his hands on tokens that have a use or can bring some decent luck to their owner. He slips them in Chas’s pockets without saying a word, stealing his cigarettes in the process. Chas’s gifts are more of the normal kind, but he makes sure to get everything John is currently missing, because he is well aware that the other might not go around and buy them until he is desperate. In the end, it doesn’t really matter what exactly he gets him, because John always sees is one thing: Chas being there, having his back all the time, no matter what. And there is no best present than that. Especially because he is absolutely persuaded that he doesn’t deserve any of it.

who gets up first in the morning Chas. He always lets John sleeping in a bit, even when they are supposed to be out and about early. The time to cook him breakfast, at least, especially when the blond has stayed up till almost dawn, doing only God knows what. It’s a bit of a morning routine they have established and they are both quite comfortable with it. Even when Chas is forced to literally kick John out of the bed.

who suggests new things in bed They can both get pretty creative. John has tons of experience from sleeping with non-humans, so he usually is the one who spits out the new ideas, always making sure to tell the whole story while they are sharing drinks or spending a quiet night in. Chas tends to be game for almost everything, because he trusts John and he knows that his best friend comes in very odd flavours, even if he is a bit weary every time there is some spell or magic involved. But damn if he doesn’t prefer having just a more normal fuck from time to time.

who cries at movies As mentioned above, John isn’t very likely to get emotional over a movie...or anything else. Chas is a bit more open with his feelings, even if he doesn’t go as far as crying, and that usually gains him a good amount of teasing. There are certain times, however, when John is in one of his weird moods and some themes might trigger memories or dark thoughts. He closes off and gets sour, even if he doesn’t say anything. Not that he needs to, since his best friend knows him too well to miss the shift. When it happens, Chas usually turns off the TV, saying he has got bored, and they go off for a drink to their favourite pub, or maybe just have a walk or a ride somewhere. John plays along, pretending to believe Chas’s excuses, but he is well aware of what the other man is doing. And those are some of the many moments when he can’t not admit how lucky he is to have Chas with him, in spite of everything.

who gives unprompted massages Usually, it’s Chas. John is almost constantly tense as a wire, even if he is very good at hiding it. Sometimes it’s subtle, with Chas going to stand behind his and rubbing his shoulders for a while, others he bullies the magician into lying down and being still while he gives him a full back rub. John protests every time, but his heart isn’t in it, because he knows he needs it and because Chas works miracles with his hands. It happens, more rarely, that the roles are reversed and John is the one giving the massages. Usually it happens on the days when Chas is missing his daughter more than the usual or when he has been forced into one, long fight on the phone with René. Or after some tough case. John breaks out a bottle of their best gin, pours Chas a glass, downs a shot himself and then gets to work. There’s no talking, but he always spends at least a good hour straddling the other man’s thighs and working on removing every single knot he can find in his muscles. And if Chas happens to doze off in the process, he then grabs the bottle and goes off in the basement, leaving the other man to his well-earned and much needed rest.

who fusses over the other when they’re sick Again, it’s Chas. He fusses and worries and covers John with attentions, even when they aren’t wanted or appreciated and when he gets yelled because the magician just wants to lie down and be miserable. However, no matter what he might say, John still gets soup, fresh sheets,painkillers, and has his alcohol and cigarettes intakes restricted. Moreover, Chas is usually the one doing the patching up after a bad fight or a mission gone wrong. John, instead, sucks at being a nurse, even if he tries from time to time. He tries to be quieter and to give Chas more space to rest. He breaks out the healing spells Zatanna had tried to teach him once upon a time and gets them to work, when normally he can hardly heal a flesh wound with them. He delivers all of it wrapped in a constant dose of teasing, but it’s hard not to miss the care and the attention he puts in every single gesture.

who gets jealous easiest Jealousy is a bit of an odd thing with them. They aren’t together, not in the normal sense of the term, and John still sleeps around from time to time, even if not as much as he used to do. On the other hand, Chas is technically still married to René. They balance it, because they put their friendship before any romantic or sexual attraction they have for each other, but at times it stings. For Chas, it can be hard to see John going off with others, even while they were supposed to be out together. As for John, he sees the looks that some girls (and some men too) give to his best friend and he can’t help the bitterness, even if he knows that Chas wouldn’t do anything about those (hard to tell if it’s because he is still married or because he is trying to stay faithful to John himself). What makes the magician jealous, however, is the awareness that those people could give Chas what he deserves, while he, with the kind of life and choices he makes, would never be able to accomplish it.

who has the most embarrassing taste in music They both have their moments. Sometimes, one of the latest hits gets stuck in their heads and it’s usually some very embarrassing song for teenagers and that always ends in a lot of teasing coming from the other. It’s a bit of a game, with one trying to stop himself from humming along whenever the song is aired on the radio and the other eventually catching up with what’s happening.

who collects something unusual As mentioned above, collecting weird things is part of what John does. Chas helps him out in the basement from time to time, so he has a very good idea of what is stashed down there. He would never admit it to John, but at times he really wishes he could unsee and forget about some of the things he has witnessed in the vault. Especially when some of them end up in John’s mouth. He has seen pretty much a bit of everything, but witnessing his best friend touching and swallowing things that are instinctively revolting still gets to him from time to time.

who takes the longest to get ready They are both pretty quick with getting ready, but John has his moments when he is too gone to be able to coordinate his own movements, whether it is because he’s drunk, because he is too sleep deprived or because his head is completely elsewhere. When that happens, all Chas can do is making sure to have aspirins and coffee at hand and arm himself with a good dose of patience. Thankfully, when it comes to dealing with John, he has a lot to start with.

who is the most tidy and organised Chas. He is the only reason why John doesn’t live in the middle of Chaos. Truth to be told, the magician can clean up after himself, but there are periods when he is obsessed with something or has too many mood swings and he completely forgets about everything that concerns care and self-care. He doesn’t eat enough, he doesn’t sleep enough, he drinks and smokes too much. He leaves everything hanging around, from trash to clothes, to dirty dishes, to empty bottles. He doesn’t listen, he even forgets that Chas is there at times. Eventually, he gets back to his normal self, but they are usually rough periods, for them both.

who gets most excited about the holidays Excited isn’t the right word, but usually it’s Chas. “Holidays” with John means “no more magical shit for some time”, which usually translates in not having anyone trying to kill them and being able to properly relax. Of course, it never lasts because John gets restless too soon, but it’s still a good chance for them to recharge a bit. The holidays Chas gets excited about, instead, are Geraldine’s ones. They are the periods when she gets back from boarding school and he travels back to England to spend time with his daughter. He asks John to tag along every time, but the answer is always a negative one. He doesn’t push, because he expects it, but he can’t help the disappointment. John is and will always been an important part of his life, no matter the status of their relationship and he wished he could be a part of his daughter’s life as well exactly because he is important to him. But, then again, dealing with Constantine means having to find a compromise and he takes what he can, even if it means splitting between the two important people in his life.

who is the big spoon/little spoon They tend to take “turns”, when the cuddling actually happens, which isn’t all the time. John has to be in the mood for it and Chas respects the boundaries, even if, was it up to him, they’d be touching all the time when they are alone. Chas honestly love being allowed to hold John, wrapping himself around him. It gives him the illusion that he can keep the blond there with him, it allows him to forget, for a while, that John is going to slip from his fingers once again, as soon as the moment is over. And, deep down, John likes to he held too, because the gesture gives him a delusion of the peace and the warmth he will most likely never be allowed to have. And he enjoys being the one holding Chas too, from time to time, because it helps him believing that there is something he can give to his best friend that isn’t just misery and grief. He needs to believe that he can protect him, that he can be a decent person for him, that he can make the price of the wonders he shows him worth paying. Chas just basks in the feeling of having John’s arms around him because they are the reminder that, in spite of everything, he is, one way or the other, the one person John fights to keep in his life.

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports They are both pretty competitive, so their matches can get heated, especially when they are drinking their way through it. However, John is a sore loser and a cheater, so he ends up winning most of the times, either because he bends the rules to his own will or because Chas let him win. Antagonising a drunk, overly competitive magician isn’t always the best idea and, while he knows that John would never really harm him beyond repair, experience has taught him that he can been scaringly vindictive when he decides to be.

who starts the most arguments John. He is often careless with his words or too brutally honest when he shouldn’t be. When he is angry, he lashes out, taking all his rage out on the closest person to him. And said person happens to be Chas most of the times. As for Chas, he is usually patient and knows John well enough to know not to bite when the other tries to provoke him on purpose, but there is only so much he can do to bear him when the blond hits all his buttons at the same time. When he is the one to snap, the arguments are always the most vicious and a few times they have ended with John using magic on him, just as he did the day he left London. He has never spoken like that one time again, of course, because that’s one line he doesn’t wish to cross a second time, but they have come close to it in a couple of occasions.

who suggests that they buy a pet Chas likes dogs and he is hellbent on getting one (this is your headcanon and I love it, so here it goes again x’D). John couldn’t care less for having a pet, mostly because they are more of a bother than anything else. Besides, if he had to pick something, he would go for a cat or for a snake, because they are far less trouble. Or some magical creature that can mostly take care of itself. It’s a still ongoing argument, with the result that the only pet they get to have is Yoyo whenever Tim stays with them for some time. Considering the amount of time John spends fighting with the bird, he and Chas have agreed that, whatever happens, their possible future pet won’t have feathers. Of any sort.

what couple traditions they have Their “couple traditions” coincide pretty much with their “best mates traditions”. The watch sports on TV, go out for drinks, have road trips and, from time to time, some sight-seeing. Picking up bar fights might as well be part of the list, considering how often it happens. They also spend their quieter nights on the couch, sharing a beer and talking about their shared past, or about the things they have done while separated. From time to time, when they get nostalgic over their younger years, they end up recreating the settings of their most memorable hook-ups. It’s never the same, and perhaps it’s for the best, but satiated their shared desire for closeness.

what tv shows they watch together They usually go for sports, but it happens from time to time that one of them gets mildly interested in some soap opera or TV show and they watch it together to have a laugh. The most memorable time has been when John forced Chas to binge all eight the seasons of “House, M.D.” and the poor man was forced to hear, among the other things, the magician going about, in every single episode, how the protagonist and his best friend should have just “shut the fuck up n’ fuck already”.

what other couple they hang out with They aren’t officially a couple, so they can’t exactly double date. They see Zatanna and some others of John’s mates, from time to time, but those outings are considered meetings between friends and acquaintances. Alternatively, it’s always the two of them with Tim and Yoyo, and those are, even if none of them uses that term, “family reunions”.

how they spend time together as a couple They do all the things they have always done during the years, after Newcastle and Ravenscar. They act much more like best buddies than anything else, with the addition of the fact that a life with John Constantine includes demons, angels, magic and all the rest of those particular lots. There is always a danger waiting behind the corner, or some sort of Apocalypse they need to stop. Plus, the random hook-ups and the rare, but meaningful moments of tenderness, but those are something they never talk about in the aftermath.

who made the first move John. Back when they first met, he was the one who decided that he wanted to screw the pretty brunet who had fixed his band’s mixer and he was the one to kiss Chas first that very same night. And he was also the one to kiss Chas outside the pub, almost two decades later, before leaving for the States. Moreover, he was the one to send the first text to allow them to reconnect, but that was just because Chas didn’t have his new number or address. Otherwise, they both know that Chas would have reached out first.

who brings flowers home Chas, but he does it for himself, not for John. The place definitely use some colours and, besides, they smell much better than all the potion John insists on preparing in the kitchenette of the cabin.

who is the best cook As stated above, John can manage in the kitchen, but Chas is much better than him and, especially, he’s the one who takes care of the cooking more of the times. It’s the best way to get proper meals at appropriate times. Whenever he leaves it up to John, he ends up having breakfast at 3 in the afternoon and dinner at dawn. Useless to say that, since he likes his routine, he prefers taking the matter in his hands.