#learnings from hebrews 9

[annasanthology]

20 reasons to read your Bible:

To grow in Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

To learn wisdom (Proverbs 4:5)

To be equipped (2 Timothy 3:17)

To teach others (Colossians 3:16)

To know God's will (Romans 12:2)

To find comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)

To give praise to God (Psalm 56:4)

To hope in His promises (Titus 1:2)

To walk in His ways (Psalm 119:105)

To be sanctified in truth (John 17:17)

To turn away from sin (Psalm 119:11)

To love all the more (Philippians 1:9)

To receive instruction (Romans 15:4)

To listen to correction (2 Timothy 4:2)

To pray more effectively (Matthew 6:9)

To remember the gospel (2 Timothy 2:8)

To remain disciplined (1 Corinthians 9:27)

To look forward to heaven (Colossians 3:1)

To have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5)

To keep your eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)

[selkies-world]

Language resources

(Duolingo alternatives)

For those who no longer use or trust Duolingo, I've put together a list of resources - apps, learning methods, programmes, etc - with a list of whether or not they are free, and my personal experience with their success at teaching a language. I have also included new ones that I haven't tried yet but which I have researched; for these, I have included a rating of how much hope I have for them panning out in the future.

[I grew up bilingual & went to a multicultural school that had a student body consisting of children from refugee families who spoke little to no English. The school prioritised teaching the entire student body the minority languages, and finding a bridge language we could all learn together to fill in any gaps in communication. Due to this, I spent the last 4 years of primary school learning new languages with the rest of the student body.

We would have a school-wide lesson for 1 hour once a week - usually with a child or staff member fluent in that language leading the lesson at the front of the gym with a microphone so we could hear the correct pronunciation in time with reading the native spelling & English phonetics on the projector screen at the front of the hall. We were expected to use this language in the corridors when we spoke with teachers or staff members and when we passed by other students regardless of what their or our native languages were. As far as fluency went, we were expected to be able to recognise and say greetings and goodbyes, enquire to each others well-being, know how to ask for assistance, how to ask for medical help for various things, how to ask where the bathroom was, to give and receive directions around the entire school, as well as colours, names of things found around the school, make small talk about our activities of the day and our family, and why we were out of class - all with relative ease & mutual understanding.

We changed language after every break, so it was roughly 8 hours of lessons in each language, before we would start again with a new one.

Alongside this, the older students in the school (final 3 years, aged 9 - 11/12) would learn French 3+ hours a week for those 3 years so their writing, reading and speaking standards were acceptable for the beginning of high school. In 1 of these years, we also studied both of our native languages for the first time, for 6 weeks each.

I left traditional schooling at 11, and while I was home-schooled I taught myself Italian, Russian, and Latin from scratch, along with relearning my preferred native language, and 2 forms of sign - I used Makaton as a young child and in school as I have a form of mutism, but as a teen I realised I associated this language with the severe trauma I experienced at school, and so suffered from flashbacks and dissociative episodes when I used it. This, along with medical concerns, led to me learning BSL, and then SSE. Today, I use a combination of English, SSE and my native language in everyday settings. I have a mental block for learning French due to it being heavily associated with my trauma.

I am saying all this not for sympathy, but so that you can see firstly how much I enjoy and value learning languages, and in order to show my experience levels with learning languages. I've used, tried, and tested all of the learning methods I will be talking about in this post. I have either used or done a lot of research into the apps and programmes discussed in this post.

And yes, I have prioritised ones that teach endangered languages, indigenous languages and languages that aren't often included in language media such as Hebrew, various forms of Arabic, Navajo, Gaelic, and others. I have also included ones that teach and / or document sign languages and sign communication systems.]

Please note that the following lists are arranged in no particular order. They are not ranked best to worst or by any other X to Y ratio. They are simply ranked according to how I remembered, tested, or found each of them.

Apps

1: Fluyo.

Rating for hope / faith: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: n/a

Cost: unknown

Status: not yet publicly available

Please note that while Fluyo is not yet available, its Kickstarter page is flourishing, its app is in development, and the developer is a man of colour who has continued to devote himself to this app and its development despite rising health concerns, developing a life-changing disabling condition, and numerous set-backs. His YouTube channel is very educational, and he has also written a book on language-learning. If you would like to know more, you can learn about him here. Fluyo is set up like a computer game with multiple cute characters who are interactive rather than stationary, and I genuinely have high hopes for it once it is released.

2: Babble

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial for the first lesson, but a paid subscription is required for any further lessons

Status: available to download

3: Language Drops

Personal experience: ☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free for some lessons, but a paid account is required for access to all lessons

Status: available to download

4: Fluent forever

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free access to basic lessons to build your confidence with the language, but a paid subscription is required for unlimited access

Status: available to download

5: Lingopie

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial for 7 days, but a paid subscription is required after that for continued use of the app

Status: available to download

6: Fluenday

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

7: Language flower

Hope for: ☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆

Cost: free, as far as I can tell

Status: available to download

8: Sign BSL / Daniel Mitchell

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

Please note that Daniel Mitchel offers a BSL version of this, along with an ASL version.

9: Bright BSL / sign lab

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness:☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for some lessons + premium for all other lessons

Status: available to download

Please note that Sign Lab offers this app for the following sign languages: BSL (Bright BSL), ASL (ASL Bloom), LSF (Pause LSF / Langue des Signes, yoDGS, Libras (LibrasLab), Italian Sign Language (MeLISegno), and Toleio: Norsk Tegnspråk.

10: BSL zone

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

11: Reverso context

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

This is less for learning a language, more for quick reference / fact-checking a translation.

12: Pimsleur

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free 7 day trial, but a paid subscription is required for continued use

Status: available to download

13: Memrise

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for introductory levels, with a premium option to unlock majority of lessons

Status: available to download

14: Busluu

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: Free, with a premium option to download lessons, more repetition, and extra lessons

Status: available to download

15: Hello Talk

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

16: Rosetta Stone

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: monthly subscription is required

Status: available to download

17: Lingo Deer

Personal experience: ☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option for all lessons beyond Basics 1

Status: available to download

18: Beelinguapp

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, but a subscription is required for total access

Status: available to download

19: Lingvist

Personal experience: ☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆ (though it does have an option to suggest other languages for them to add, and which language you would like to learn from, and they'll email you when / if that language becomes available)

Effectiveness: unknown

Cost: free

Status: available to download

[Please note this one is not photosensitive friendly or seizure friendly. I had to close the app as soon as I opened it due to the design on their opening page, and even when I reopened it and clicked straight through, their colour scheme was still upsetting to my senses.]

20: Lingvano

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for a few lessons, but for access to all lessons, a paid subscription is required

Status: available to download

21: Duocards

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, but a more advanced version is available for premium accounts

Status: available to download

22: Chatterbug

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free with limited access, but a paid version is available

Status: available to download

23: Mango languages learning

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, with a premium account required for further access

Status: available to download

24: EdX

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost:

Status: available to download

Please note that EdX is an app which houses courses on multiple subjects, not specifically a language-learning app.

25: Mondly Languages

Personal experience: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free, though it does repeatedly offer you a subscription account for an experience catered to you and your interests

Status: available to download

Please note this one may be triggering to those who are photosensitive or whose senses are upset by rapid moving gifs. There is a crown in the top right-hand corner which vibrates very quickly.

26: Speakly

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free trial, with a subscription account required for further use

Status: available to download

27: Pocket sign

Hope for: ☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, as far as I can tell

Status: available to download

28: Lingo legend language learning

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, though I think there may be a premium option either available but unmentioned, or in the works

Status: available to download

Please note that this app offers you the chance to vote for which languages should be added to its interface, so they can prioritise which ones to fund.

29: INC sign language app

Hope for: ☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to download

For those with religious trauma, please note that INC stands for Iglesia Ni Cristo, and the INC Sign Language App "is a project of the Christian Society for the Deaf under the Christian Family Organizations Office of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)". While it does not appear to prioritise religious content, the content does feature people dressed in suits as if for attending a church sermon.

30: My signing time

Hope for: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: 14 day free trial, and a subscription is required after this point

Status: available to download

Please note that this one is aimed at babies / toddlers & families.

32: Falou

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option if you want to learn more than 1 language & unlock additional courses in your chosen language

Status: available to download

33: Earworms

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free for the demo, then after that, the lessons are broken into two "volumes" to buy individually, or 1 bonus-pack which contains both to buy once at a slightly reduced cost.

Status: available to download

Please note that Earworms used to be available as CD lessons, which is when I first used them. The CDs were in Volumes and were more expensive than all costs on this app. I used them 10 years ago and still remember what I learned despite not getting to use the language very often, so I can guarantee their method is very effective.

34: Qlango

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, with a premium option for the final 3 levels

Status: available to download

Please note that this one is laid out more like a semi-immersive lesson plan rather than a game. However, it is currently my favourite one.

Other resources

1: Signing hands (YouTube)

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆

Cost: free

Status: available to watch

2: Military style

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆

Cost: n/a

Status: available to begin for free, though it will be difficult for you to find an environment that allows you to experience this authentically. If you would like to learn more about what the military style is, I will speak about it further below.

3: Textbooks / Reading materials

Personal experience: ☆☆☆☆

Languages available: ☆☆☆☆☆

Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: free, or otherwise up to you (what you are willing / able to spend on it)

Status: available to start whenever you feel like it

You can find numerous language-learning resources listed at the end of this post. I also recommend buying an up-to-date dictionary and thesaurus in your chosen language, and studying it. Study the grammar noted in the front, and then actually read the dictionary. It will seem strange, but it will benefit you in the long-run. Make notes as you go, highlight and colour some things in as you see fit.

Learning methods

1: Immersion

Over and over again, we are told that immersion is the best, most effective way to learn a language. This is because this is how we often think children learn languages - and we're partly right about that.

Immersion is the process of immersing yourself in the chosen language, with one single choice: learn the language, or suffer.

If our brains have to choose between struggling to pronounce a few words while gesturing to something we want and clinging onto sounds we hear like trying to hold onto a wet otter, or not getting what we want, we're going to choose to sound & look like an idiot, pointing and saying basic sounds, even if trying to remember the reply is like trying to remember Pi.

With enough time, though, we pick the language up remarkably well when we have no choice but to pick it up. This is the method which has us mimicking accents and gestures and expressions in order to best gain what we want: to express ourselves, our needs and our desires.

However, immersion is often critiqued because unless you have the means to fly to the country that speaks your desired language and live there with 0 influence from your native language for 6+ months... Well, you're not fully immersed, are you? Language apps try to give you an immersive experience, but you can always put your phone down. Depending on where you were educated, you may have had an immersive language class, where you had to learn the language or not be able to join in and so failed by default.

Good ways to mimic immersion are: finding radio channels in your chosen language and watching TV shows in your chosen language without subtitles, and listening to music in your chosen language.

2: Flashcards

Flashcards often tend to be a popular way to test your memory and retention of a particular subject. However, using them to begin learning a language can lead to a loss of motivation.

If you are creating the flashcards yourself, I would recommend creating them in 2 sets: 1 which is the traditional flashcard (your first language OR a picture on one side, and the translation on the other side), and 1 which has twice as many, with only 1 side being used. This second set should be designed like playing cards - the word or picture on one side, and a plain back.

This second set can be used when you're wanting to boost your motivation or confidence - arrange the cards face down, and begin playing the children's game of Pairs. Another option would be Snap.

When you return to using the traditional flashcards, you'll have a better foundation to build on if you've taught yourself to see these as fun, and taught your brain to associate these cards with quickfire responses - such as are brought to the surface during childrens' cards games.

3: Stickers

This is a method which seems obvious once it's pointed out, but seems confusing if you've never done it before.

Simply put, using stickers is when you create or buy stickers with the translation of everyday objects, words and phrases in your chosen language, and put them up around your house. "Door" goes on the door. "Cupboard" goes on the outside of a cupboard, "bread" goes on the inside. "Fridge" goes on the fridge door. "Milk" goes behind the milk so you see it every time you pick the milk up. "Lightswitch" goes above / under the lightswitch. Etc etc etc.

This is a memory retention technique used for multiple scenarios. Nurseries and schools may sometimes have the Makaton sign for something shown in a large diagram stuck to the walls / surfaces. Carehomes may have the names & purposes of objects stuck to the surfaces / objects in the dominant language, for the residents with memory issues or communication barriers.

While this is a good technique for quickfire memory boosts, it can be a slow way to learn a language from scraps, and is better suited for when you are semi-familiar with the written form of the language you are learning. It is also a good way to get everyone involved, as everyone in the home will be interacting with the stickers.

4: Forced conversation

This one is controversial, but can be very effective if it is approached with an open mind, clear communication and previously-agreed upon rules and lines.

The method of forced conversation is exactly what it sounds like: it is when you are engaged in a conversation in your target language, in which the person whom you are conversing with refuses to speak your original language. However, no matter how poor your language skills are, or how uncomfortable you get, they do not stop the conversation, and you do not let to leave the situation until they are satisfied you have communicated well enough, and have understood them. This will usually be "proven" by them giving you instructions, asking a specific question, or requesting you do something for them - if you follow the action through, you have understood them, if you try to give a vague answer and do not do the task, you have not understood them, and the interaction is forced to continue. Again.

This method is controversial because it is not immediately inclusive or welcoming for those who are shy, have anxiety, any form of Mutism, or who have a neurodiversiry or learning disability which impacts their communication. In formal situations, it is often these people who fall behind or get put off from learning a language if forced conversations are the only method they have the option of.

However, if there are adaptions made and accommodation previously discussed and provided, this can still be a viable method which is inclusive to all.

If the person speaking your target language is previously informed of your communication issues or complications, and are instructed in how to accommodate you (ie: Do they need to point at something, or use picture cards as prompts? Do you prefer using picture cards? Do you get distracted if they use hand gestures? Do you need fidget toys provided? Will it be easier for you if you are not forced to maintain eye contact? Will it be better for you if one or both of you are moving around rather than sitting down directly across from each other? Do the lights need to be altered in your environment to make the sensory experience less overwhelming? Do you use noise cancelling headphones? Do you focus better if there is music on in the background? Are there certain tones of voice or volume levels that need to be avoided? Does constantly changing body language stress you out? Do you have a stutter or speech impediment that may impact your pronunciation? Etc.)

Accomodaring these issues, and coming up with a signal to take a break (ie, if you have issues telling the difference between "I am angry at you personally" and "I am tired today" in vocal tones and facial expressions, will you get upset if you think the person is angry at you for not knowing their language? If so, do you need a signal to take a break so you can clearly communicate your stress, and they can give you an answer in your original language and clarify anything which is upsetting or confusing you, before continuing the conversation in your target language?) or to speak in simpler terms? Is their one subject you can talk about particularly well (a hyperfixation) which they can use in the conversation to help you engage?

All of these accommodations may seem intimidating, but if all those involved are aware of these accommodations going into the conversation, it can make the interaction much more positive and productive.

Forced conversation uses the same logic as immersion: if your brain has to choose between looking / sounding like an idiot who stumbles over words, or a very uncomfortable situation which lasts longer each time you make a mistake, your brain will choose to look like an idiot in order to achieve what it wants.

5: Repetition

Repetition is a very common method of learning a language, though it is often criticised for being ineffective.

It is when a phrase or word is said by one party, and repeated by another. If the second party does not pronounce it correctly, the first party repeats it again. This continues until the second party gets it correct. Then the pattern is repeated with another phrase / word. Once a certain number of words have been said correctly by the second party, the first party will return to the start and repeat the process again, with the second party having to say the phrases / words correctly multiple times before being able to move onto the next. The entire process continues in this loop until the second party is saying things correctly with ease.

This method is part of what makes up both immersion, flashcards and military style methods for language learning. It can also be used with textbook learning.

However, it is often critiqued because once the second party is away from the first party and left to their own devices, their confidence in their previous pronunciation will falter, and when they return to the lesson or need to use the language again, they'll be at a lower level of achievement than they were when they left. It is also very tedious, and can become boring.

6: Music

When I spoke about immersion, I briefly mentioned music. I also said that we assume children learn language via immersion. However, as adults we often overlook something else which plays a crucial role in teaching children language: music.

Children learn language, rhythm, speech patterns, and turn-of-phrase via songs, rhymes, riddles, fables, tongue-twisters, and music.

This is why it can be priceless to learn songs in your chosen language. Lullabies. Nursery rhymes. Children's songs. Pop songs that are ridiculed as being too simple or written without talent. Theme tunes from children's shows. Traditional rhymes and tongue-twisters. Most of these can be found via a long time on YouTube.

Music works in a unique way, worming its way into our minds. Our brains are hardwired to recognise and remember patterns - and music is made up of patterns. This is why we get songs stuck in our heads for no reason. Being able to use this to your advantage to learn or remember a new language can be an amazing experience.

7: Subtitles and language swap

This is a method which can be useful when you are learning more than one language, but are more familiar with one than the other.

It is where you watch / listen to a certain media in 1 language, while reading the subtitles / lyrics in another language. This way, the language you are more familiar with / fluent in will fill the gaps of understanding the less familiar one.

You can then challenge yourself by removing one language (muting the media & only reading the subtitles, or removing the subtitles and only listening to the provided audio) and seeing how well you follow along / understand.

This can also be used with your target language and your original language.

8: Writing it down

This is another form of repetitive learning which can be useful when studying / retaining for an exam, but can also be useful when you are first learning the written-to-verbal patterns of a language.

One method is longterm recall: this is where you write down short notes, words & phrases in your target language 1+ hour after engaging with your learning resources. This tests how much you retained. It is a physical show of how much you have actually learned.

Another method is short term recall & build-up: this is where you choose a single word / phrase, and write it as lines (Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are green and brown. Ducks are-) until your page is full. Then go back to the start and write over the top of your own writing, staying as close to your original marks as possible. Repeating this pattern multiple times until your page rips or the words become close to unreadable tricks your brain into focusing morenon your handwriting than on the language - as such, you will start to see the phrase / word as a pattern to follow, and it is then left to your subconscious mind to retain it while your conscious mind prioritises hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

9: Textbook

If you're more academically inclined, you may prefer a textbook method of study. This is the style used in most night classes and / or some traditional education classes.

Textbook methods have everything arranged by date and time, and learning goals are broken down & laid out according to a set calender: by x, you will have learned this amount, by y, you will have learned this amount, so on so forty until the final set date when you will be "fluent" or a certain level of reasonably fluent.

Most of the time with this method, you will be following guidelines, activities and lesson plans previously arranged in a chosen textbook, and that textbook will be your sole or primary resource.

10: Bilingual books (page by page)

Using page-by-page bilingual books can be confusing and is often overlooked in regards to adult education - however, it can be somewhat interesting to try.

On one page, the text will be written in your original language - on the opposite page, the same text will be repeated in your target language. Seeing the two side-by-side allows you to read your target language and instantly refer back to your original language if you get stuck on a word or phrase.

There is another form of bilingual books often given to children: line-by-line. These feature the image / picture, with the original text written clearly and simply, usually no more than 1 or 2 sentences per page. Directly underneath them will be the translated text written in a different font.

11: Same story / movie, different language

While this can be a fun method, it isn't always the most beneficial if you're looking for accuracy - however, it can be useful if you're wanting to test yourself.

It uses a similar logic to the subtitles & language swap method: you put on a movie you are familiar with, but you put it on in your target language with 0 subtitles. This allows you to engage with the language while using the familiar movie / story as a bridge.

12: Military Style

This is perhaps the most effective technique to use of you have a set amount of time to reach a specified level of understanding / fluency in a language. However, it is also one of the most difficult to fully replicate yourself.

Military style is a form of forced immersion combined with forced conversation and repetitive loops, but with reward and punishment techniques to make you prioritise learning the language over your own comfort zone / personal boundaries.

An example of this style would be party 1 having party 2 engage in forced conversation in front of an audience, then having them repeat a phrase they got wrong over and over until they get it right - all in front of the audience, with a rule set which forbids party 2 from sitting down or disengaging the interaction until they have finished the task. Nobody in the audience is allowed to help party 2. Party 1 continues to push party 2 outside of their comfort zone by having them continue the conversation, repeating any mistakes until they are corrected, and the conversation does not end until it is completed.

After that, party 2 has to do 100 push-ups while repeating the phrase they got wrong the most - and they have to pronounce it correctly while doing the push-ups. Any mistakes, and they go back to 1, regardless of if they were at 7 or 98.

This combined punishment of mild public humiliation and physically pushing their body beyond its limits makes the brain see learning the language as the solution to ending this treatment - as such, party 2 will be far less likely to repeat those mistakes again.

Alongside this, there is forced immersion, in the sense that nobody is allowed to speak their original language in any context or to anyone - they must use the target language or be ignored at best or ridiculed at worst.

Understandably, this method is difficult to replicate on your own or outside of the army.

However, there are some tokens which can be taken from it: notably forced repetition & physical exercise.

Set yourself a challenge using any of the previously mentioned learning methods or apps. Keep note of your mistakes.

At the end of the challenge (say 30 minutes of learning) count up all your mistakes. Now do a push-up / squat / pull-up / sit-up / etc for each mistake you made while repeating the phrase out loud. If you stall too long on making a connection in your mind or stumble over the sounds, start counting from 1 again. Repeat this until you're continuously getting the mistakes correct.

At the end, go back to your lesson and repeat it. Did you get less mistakes?

Thoughts & considerations when it comes to learning a language - for language savants and novices alike

"If you don't use it, you lose it" is probably one of the most hated phrases in terms of learning anything new - and especially in terms of learning a language. I think a better expression would be "If you don't make room for it, you won't keep it".

If you don't make time to learn a language, you won't learn it.

If you don't challenge yourself to reach a certain standard, you won't achieve any standard.

If you don't make the effort to retain the new information, you'll forget it.

When you learn a new language, you have to make room for it in your mind. You have to be willing to make mistakes and continue, knowing you're not doing it perfectly. You have to be willing to make it a priority, even if nobody else in your life sees it as one. You have to be willing to be frustrated and tired and bored. You have to be willing to get every single thing wrong and try again. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable with the new sounds you're making and you have to be willing to be patient while your brain digs out a new burrow of tunnels and connections which didn't previously exist.

If you genuinely want to learn a new language, you have to make room for it in your mind and life. Even when sometimes it's a tight fit.

Resources, as promised

Reading, writing & textbook materials:

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

Book 5

Structured notebook 1

Structured notebook 2

Structured notebook 3

Something worth checking out 1

Other things to invest in:

A dictionary in your target language

Picture cards

Flashcards

Stickers

Books in your target language

Children's books in your target language

Nursery rhyme books in your target language

Magazine subscriptions in your target language on a topic you find fascinating

Newspapers in your target language

Poetry in your target language

1 paid language learning app - a lot of the time, you get what you pay for. Not always, but usually.

Notebooks, stationary, etc

Headphones / earplugs

Media in your target language

[garden-of-thoughts-fruit-of-lips]

Matthew 10:7

As you go, preach, saying: ‘The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Note the time the Devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5) "in an instant of time" saying that the world has been given over to him and he could give it to whomever he chose, and the Devil chose Christ. The Devil said to Christ, "I will give you all this authority and their glory" (Luke 4:5-8).

Who is the ruler of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), is it not the Devil (Revelation 12:9)? And what are the inhabitants of the earth saying? Are they not saying that Jesus is God, giving Jesus all his authority and their glory? The Devil wanted Jesus to do an act of worship before him by means of the Devil's image of the heavens (Isaiah 14: 12-14) and earth by giving breath of life to it by means of the fruit of his lips (Hebrews 13:15). But note how Jesus replied when being tempted by the Tempter (Matthew 4:1), "Then Jesus said to him: 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: 'It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service' (Matthew 4:10)." Because it was God at the beginning who created the heavens and earth and said let there be light through His Spirit (Genesis 1: 1-3).

Read one Bible verse or read them all! 📖📚

1 John 2:16

because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world

Isaiah 29:13

Jehovah says: “This people approach me with their mouth And they honor me with their lips, But their heart is far removed from me; And their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.

1 Thessalonians 3:5

is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn of your faithfulness, in case somehow the Tempter might have tempted you, and our labor might have turned out to be in vain.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light.

Revelation 12:12

On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ.

Revelation 13:13

And it performs great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind.

Luke 10:18

At that he said to them: “I see Satan already fallen like lightning from heaven.

[thespiritualencourager]

🔴 —REST—

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

‭‭—Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

[Dig Deeper] : (Exodus 16: 23)

In 24 hours the average adult accomplishes much: his heart beats 103,689 times, his blood travels 168 million miles, he breathes 23,040 times, he inhales 438 cubic feet of air, he eats 3 1/2 pounds of food and drinks 2.9 quarts of liquid, he speaks 4,800 words, he moves 750 muscles, his nails grow .000046 inch, and he exercises 7 million brain cells. It's no wonder we need rest!

When God established the laws governing the lives of the Israelite people, He built into their schedule a time for rest. Physically it enabled their bodies to recuperate. Spiritually it reminded them that their salvation was not complete. They needed a spiritual "rest" that would come only when the Messiah would take away their sins. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that even though the Jewish people practiced Sabbath-keeping, the real "rest" was a future event. He declared, "For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God" (Heb. 4:8-9).

In the New Testament the command to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" is the only one of the Ten Commandments not repeated--and for good reason. The spiritual rest that the Old Testament saints looked forward to and which the Sabbath represented is now a reality. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).

Taking a day to rest is still an important part of maintaining a healthy body. But it's a physical necessity, not a spiritual law. Now we can rejoice in the true rest that comes in Christ.

Rest is a matter of wisdom, not law.

—Woodrow Kroll

© Back to the Bible

[walkswithmyfather]

John 15:9-17 Jesus (NIV). [9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other.

“Our Best Friend” by In Touch Ministries:

“Jesus always loves us—and is always available to help us.”

“Believers think of the Savior as Lord, King, or Master, but how often do we think of Jesus as our friend? We may have difficulty with the concept, but He doesn’t. Jesus...

Accepts us. Unconditional acceptance means we can always approach Him. He may want us to become more Christlike, but we are still accepted no matter what is happening in our life.

Walks through trials with us. God promises never to leave or forsake His people (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). He is our constant encourager and faithful friend during both the good and dark times in our life.

Is always available. He’s never too busy to meet our needs or respond to our prayers.

Listens to us. We can share our doubts, fears, and joys with the Lord because He cares about what’s on our mind and wants to hear from us. Whatever we say—even angry shouts and tears—will be consistently met with assurance of His love.

We can take comfort in knowing the Lord has a plan for each believer and will take care of us. Thank Him today for the way He looks out for us. As the old hymn says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!”

[Picture thanks to Jamie Street at Unsplash]

[girlactionfigure]

🚨 G7 WARNED OF IMMINENT IRANIAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL WITHIN 24 HOURS 🚨

‼️The G7 countries have informed that Iran could mount a full-scale attack on Israel within 24 hours.

‼️General Michael Kurilla, Commander of U.S. Central Command, is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to review plans and coordinate forces in the Middle East.

‼️U.S. President Joe Biden will convene his national security team in the situation room on Monday at 2:15 PM ET (9:15 PM Israel time) to discuss developments in the region.

‼️In a special report by Army Radio, Efi Triger noted that the IDF has recently deployed several units from the Home Front Command and the Jordan Lions Battalion to reinforce the defense of the Seam Line communities in the Sharon area. This action follows an urgent warning after recent targeted killings, indicating plans to carry out infiltration attacks on these communities, orchestrated by Iran and Hamas.

The Shin Bet received intelligence that terrorists from the Tulkarm area intended to infiltrate settlements in the Sharon Seam Line area. Consequently, soldiers have been stationed within these settlements to provide an immediate response to any incidents, given the proximity to Palestinian territories.

These units are tasked with serving as the last line of defense within the settlements, should all other security measures fail, learning from the events of October 7th. It became evident on the night between Friday and Saturday that there were genuine threats, as a terrorist cell from Tulkarm, eliminated on Saturday morning, was planning an infiltration attack in Israel.

Security officials told Army Radio that Iran and Hamas are attempting to divert Israeli attention to Judea and Samaria to provoke an intifada, hoping this will prevent an Israeli attack in Lebanon. Judea and Samaria risk becoming the main theater of war once again.

🔅EMERGENCY PREP - THE BASICS

via ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting the World to Israel in Realtime

Things are scary, “well what am I supposed to do?”

Basic preparation IN ISRAEL:

.. Drinking water.  Buy some bottled water, 9 liters per adult (less for children).

.. Washing / flushing water.  Have a few buckets or fill a bunch of used water bottles, to wash or flush with - fill buckets when emergency starts, BUT not if you have small children who can drown in an open bucket.

.. Medicine.  If you take chronic medicine (every day), get the 3 month supply from your Kupah.

.. Money.  Have cash on hand in case ATM’s and credit cards aren’t working.

.. Food.  Canned, dry, etc, supplies on hand for a week per person.  Baby food? Formula? Special nutrition? Pet food?

.. Light.  Flash lights, candles. 

.. Communications.  Have a power-bank or two for your cell phone.  And maybe a radio (buy at hardware stores).

.. Shelter.  Make sure it is ready.

More here -> Supplies and Equipment for Emergencies.  https://www.oref.org.il/12490-15903-en/pakar.aspx

❗️EMERGENCY PLANNING

Links work in Israel.

.. Preparing your home for an emergency.  https://www.oref.org.il/12490-15902-en/Pakar.aspx

.. Help Prep your Neighborhood and Family Elderly.  https://www.oref.org.il/12550-20999-en/pakar.aspx

.. Know the Emergency numbers:

Police 100 emergency, 110 non-urgent situation

Ambulance 101

Medics 1221

Fire 102

Electric Company 103

Home Front Command 104

City Hotline 106

Senior Citizen Hotline *8840

Social Services Hotline 118

Cyber (hack) Hotline 119

🔸 MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINES, in case you are freaking out:

.. in English : Tikva Helpline by KeepOlim, call if you are struggling!  074-775-1433.

.. in Hebrew : Eran Emotional Support Line - 1201 or chat via eran.org.il

...

[thenightling]

Things we learned about the character Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Spoilers below: 1. He's actually Italian. 2. His cause of death was poisoning. 3. He told the truth about having lived through the black death. 4. He's six-hundred-years dead. Age at the time of death unknown. 5. He married a soul-sucking succubus cult leader and somehow thought it would be fine. 6. He was a grave robber (and apparently didn't wear shoes). 7. His plan for a "Green card wedding" has now grown into an unhealthy infatuation / obsession with Lydia. 8. He's multi-lingual. 9. He's familiar with Russian literature. 10. He knows how to open a portal to Hell or Hell-like dimension. 11. He now has minion who are apparently all victims of the witch doctor we saw in the waiting room at the end of the first movie. 12. Beetlejuice now canonically loves a good song and dance number in every incarnation of the character from the movies, to the animated series, to the Broadway musical, to his appearance on Teen Titans Go. 13. He is well-versed in the many corridors of The Afterlife Social services office. (Is the Netherworld all one building in the movies? It was an entire dimension in the animated series where it was called Neither World). 14. He's actually really good at dividing his attention. (See the Wedding scene). 15. Beetlejuice has a weirdly romantic side and really wanted MacArthur Park to play at his wedding. 16. Beetlejuice is familiar with the German legend of Faust. (Note the contract signed in blood. (Who would have guessed he actually has some sense of culture???) 17. There's a very high chance Beetlejuice was born Jewish. He says L'chaim at one point in the Beetlejuice Broadway musical and Mazel tov in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

18. Beetlejuice's mortal marriage was definitely not Christian or Hebrew. The ceremony had him and his bride drink each other's blood, bite the heads off chickens, and sacrifice a goat. 20. Beetlejuice has a sense of justice, as twisted as it may be, going out of his way to show Lydia Rory's true nature, and sending the ghost to Hell (or a Hell-like dimension) that tricked Astrid. I'm starting to feel like the version of Beetlejuice from the animated series is the most "accurate" depiction of the character, as weird as that sounds. Since the movie version has shifted to be more like him and the Broadway musical version feels like a prequel to the cartoon.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Ten Commandments

1 Then Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the ordinances and the laws which I propose to you this day, that ye may learn them, and take heed to observe them.

2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

3 The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers only, but with us, even with us all here alive this day.

4 The Lord talked with you face to face in the Mount, out of the midst of the fire.

5 (At that time I stood between the Lord and you, to declare unto you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid at the sight of the fire, and went not up into the mount) and he said,

6 ¶ I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before my face.

8 Thou shalt make thee no graven image or any likeness of that that is in heaven above, or which is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth.

9 Thou shalt neither bow thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, even unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:

10 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

11 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.

12 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.

13 Six days thou shalt labor, and shalt do all thy work:

14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: thou shalt not do any work therein, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maid, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, neither any of thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates: that thy manservant and thy maid may rest as well as thou.

15 For, remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand, and a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to observe the Sabbath day.

16 ¶ Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

17 Thou shalt not kill.

18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

19 Neither shalt thou steal.

20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.

21 Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor’s wife, neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor’s house, his field, nor his manservant, nor his maid, his ox, nor his ass, nor ought that thy neighbor hath.

22 ¶ These words the Lord spake unto all your multitude in the mount of the midst of the fire, the cloud and the darkness, with a great voice, and added no more thereto: and wrote them upon two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. — Deuteronomy 5:1-22 | 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 15:13; Exodus 18:20; Exodus 19:1; Exodus 19:18; Exodus 20:2-3; Exodus 20:5; Exodus 20:21; Exodus 23:1; Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 19:11; Numbers 14:18; Matthew 5:21; Matthew 5:33; Matthew 15:4; Mark 2:27; Luke 13:14; Luke 18:20; Luke 23:56; Romans 7:7; Hebrews 8:9; Hebrews 12:18

Read full chapter

The Ten Commandments

[scribeforchrist-blog]

What I Really Needed Is Peace

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

=======================

+ James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your    passions

=======================

VERSE OF THE DAY

======================

+ Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

=======================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM AT PEACE

I AM HEARING GOD

I AM WAITING ON GOD

I AM NOT ALONE

======================

READ TIME: 9 Minutes & 45 Seconds

======================

THOUGHTS:

======================

  I can remember thinking life was so simple because if I got my liquor on Friday. I had a good movie to watch; that was my life, something simple, nothing complicated, and a lot of times, I would think it couldn’t get better than that, and I had to learn that life could get better, as I gave my life to God he made me see that life was better with him and what I wanted to do was just be in peace.

We see our life as full with peace because we have all these things and money. We think we are at peace, but peace is only obtained when we trust God. We must trust in God for peace, but the peace he can give us is everlasting. I could remember thinking that weed and drinking could make me feel so good that nothing else is better, but as you smoke, you always have to smoke to keep your high; you always have to buy it, but the peace of God, I didn’t have to buy it , it came freely his word says “Freely you have received; freely give.” And he gives freely to us when we allow him to give.

 John 14:27 peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

  See, the world can only give us so much peace; the world can give us only what it has, which is so tiny; we can sit here and say we were in peace when we were sinning, but sinning only puts us in a loop of the same thing which is sin. Then we are back at the empty place, over and over again, but with God's peace, we don’t have to worry about it; we don’t have to worry about being in this endless loop of the same feeling, we just have to let go of the mindset that what we are doing is right to obtain peace, peace starts with us, we can allow our day to be messed up by something someone does, or we can ignore it and give it to God now when you first do this you're going to be irritated you're going to be frustrated. Still, as you do this more often, you learn this is what we are supposed to do all along.

 Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

  When we are in peace with God, we learn we can sleep in peace because we have the safety of the Lord. I'm not going to lie to you that peace is hard to get sometimes when thinking about finances, life, problems, and our love life, but our minds don’t know how to let go. I don’t care what you do; whatever you try to use for peace instead of God won't last. Still, when we depend on God, our life becomes easier, and sleep becomes easier because we are then leaning on God, and that is what peace is about: leaning on God for everything; peace is about knowing that we can get it from God, not from our things here on earth. There is so much out there to give us peace: weed, drinking, gummies, pornography, relationships; it all is there to help us gain something, but are we gaining something? No, we are opening doorways into our lives for spirits to attach themselves to us.

 Hebrews 12:29 for our “God is a consuming fire.

  We talked this week about the fire that God has that can consume anything that we have that’s not of him when we submit to him. His fire cleanses what in us that’s of the flesh, but this comes from time spent with God and building a stable relationship with him, not just talking to him a little at a time, but when we fully allow him to be our everything. Some might find this hard to do, as the Holy Spirit said above, because we have allowed things to be our peace, and we start to allow the Holy Spirit to be our friend, guide, and teacher; we begin to see what we are doing wrong.

 1 Samuel 1:15 Not so, my Lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.

  It's different levels. I noticed that we get on with Christ; sometimes, we are on this unique level, pouring our souls into him. Then we have these levels where we don’t engage enough, but whatever season you are in, don’t give into the temptation to draw away but ; pour your heart out to him and allow him to hear you speak; allow him to hear what your feelings when I go to the prayer closet I often time am pouring my heart to him because I don’t want it to be ever a moment that I'm not showing him I do care. Yes, he knows, but when we let him know, we are doing this by doing what Hannah did, we are pouring ourselves out to him.

  Proverbs 1:5: let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

  We listen with our ears, but do we truly listen to the voice of God? We learned this week about how sometimes we don’t listen with our ears; we allow our habits and actions to tell us what to do, but every day, we should be listening to the voice of God, and when we do this, we will see and hear what the Holy Spirit is trying to say to us we can live our whole lives and never hear the voice of God. Still, it’s because we don’t try to sit quietly and wait for him; we allow what we think we heard to lead us. We can't allow that to happen; we must be sure that what we heard was of the Lord.

  Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart

  When. We look in the mirror, and it won't lie to us; what we see is what we see that’s like our heart; we learned this week that our heart reflects our true intention; it reflects what we are feeling and a lot of times, we might say no this isn’t my true feelings, but when we give ourselves to the Lord he can see into our true thoughts its nothing we can hide from him, we must be able to be real with God it's some people I can't be real with I can't even tell you countless of people that pretend to be something they’re not just to make someone happy, but we can't pretend with God.

  ***Today, we learn that we need Jesus to give us peace; a lot of times, we think other things will bring us the ultimate happiness, and it can money, people, and things can bring you happiness, but what I am looking for right now in my life is the joy I want the joy of the Lord I want the peace that doesn’t leave, I want that more than anything, we can sit and think how many times we have had pure happiness that didn’t end so quickly not so much but when we give ourselves to God we can guarantee what he gives us is real, and it's true that’s what I need

  1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

We also discussed some of the topics of the week, and one of them was about how weak we can be and how God won't allow anything to take us over that he won't provide a way out of; we might say, oh, I got myself in a situation, but with every situation God has given us a way out he's just waiting for us to escape, that’s something I use to cry to the Lord about because I will be so overwhelmed. I say, Father, please help me, and he will because I asked him to; how many times have you asked him to help you? He might not help you the way you like. Still, he will at his timing and his speed; we must be patient with him; today, if you feel this way you go to him and say, Father, I need you to help me to be more like you, help me to call on you, it's okay to be in a place in your life where you need help. Still, we must be ready to allow him to free us from it and be willing to let go of it. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

======================

PRAYER

=====================

Heavenly Father, we thank you for today; we ask you to help us take what we learned this week and apply it to our lives. Father, forgive us if we have done anything to offend the Holy Spirit. Lord, give us strength today; help us to get peace from you and not from things here on earth; we love you, Father, and we ask you right now to tear down anything the enemy has for us and his plans. We rebuke it in Jesus' Name Amen

======================

REFERENCES

======================

+ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

+ Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

+ Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

 ======================

FURTHER READINGS

======================

 Proverbs 9

Judges 3

Job 12

Ecclesiastes 11

======================

[birdybirdvillagetown]

The Lord Shows mercy even to his enemies Also more truth.

The lord shows mercy even to his enemies. Instead of just beating them senseless he shows them an ounce of mercy. For example when that guy who was possessed by those demons and jesus arrived to cast them out. They begged and pleaded him to not send them back to hell instead asked jesus to send them in the pigs and so he did.

Another would be if you look at the end of revelation it shows that the devil and his demons would be casted into the lake of fire. So instead of outright destroying them they will be hurdled into the lake of fire. Thats an act of God's gracious mercy.

The lord even to the wickedness of people still shows his mercy. He shows his mercy first then his justice. You see people have been lied and deceived by the devil. The devil has told people he shows his justice and then mercy after no thats not the truth he shows his mercy and then his justice.

Here are some bible verses and we qoute

Luke 6:36 - "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

James 2:13 - "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

Matthew 5:7 - “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Matthew 9:13 - Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

1 Peter 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 - "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Hes a loving faithful God to us he shows his patience and his mercy to us. When we come to him who we are and repent of our actions/sins he forgives us and he shows his mercy and his gracious blessings and forgives us but we have to truly repent and change our ways. He will never leave nor forsake anyone. Its not a "oh lord i sinned so bad you wont be able to forgive me" no thats not true he forgives you, you have to make an effort to pray and ask for forgiveness and repent and change your ways.

He knows you make mistakes he knows you fall for sin. We are not perfect human beings do we try to walk christ like, yes yes we do. He knows we try everyday. Thats why he shows his mercy to us and his patience. Hes patiently waiting for you to come to him. Hes not going to be like "oh you sinned well im not going to love you no more" No! Thats not him, thats the demons and the devil filling your mind with lies.

Hes going to love you no matter what. Does he love the sin your commiting, no he does not, he does not love the sin your commiting but does he still loves you. Does he want you to come to him, yes yes he does. Hes not going to abandon you, he will never give up on anyone.

Is he a ruthless God? No he isnt he is a patient, faithful God and a loving God. Righteous, holy, pure, and just. Hes never ever going to change. Hes going to be the same forever. God will never going to change for anyone. Hes full of wisdom and knowledge beyond our human understanding. He created everything. Though did God create evil? No he didnt.

Thats also a lie from the devil and his demons. He didnt create evil. Theres nothing evil about God at all. Hes a good faithful God and will always be. No matter what happened no matter what sin its never going to change the fact that God will never ever stop loving you, because he will always love you. No matter how great the sin is, he will always be there waiting for you to come back to him.

[hiswordsarekisses]

The Torah of Mercy...

“What you must do is love your neighbor as yourself. There is no one who knows your many faults better than you! But you love yourself notwithstanding. And so you must love your neighbor, no matter how many faults you see in him.” - Martin Buber

It has been said that grace is getting what you don’t deserve, whereas mercy is not getting what you do... Yeshua said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7). This is not a reciprocal law like karma, i.e., you get in return what you first give, since we cannot obtain God’s mercy as reward for our own supposed merit (Rom. 4:4). No, we are able to extend mercy to others only when we are made merciful (“full of mercy”), that is, when we first receive mercy as the gift of God (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 5:15). After all, you can’t give away what you don’t have, and if we have no mercy for others, it is likely that we have not received it ourselves, as the parable of the Good Samaritan reveals (Luke 10:25-8). Your forgiveness is your forgiveness, that is, as you forgive, so you reveal your heart. What you do comes from what you are, not the other way around. We are first changed by God’s grace and then flow works of love. We judge others mercifully, with the “good eye,” because we come to believe that we are beloved by God.

When Yeshua rebuked the “holier-than-thou” attitude of some people, he said: “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt. 9:13). The pattern therefore abides: First you realize you are broken, impoverished of heart, and you mourn over your sinful condition (Matt. 5:3-4); then you hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, that is, for his healing and deliverance, and finally you learn to trust the mercy of God, that is, you come to accept that you are accepted despite your unacceptability (Matt. 5:5-6). As you begin “suffer yourself” and forgive your own evil, you are enabled to extend this mercy to others (Matt. 5:7). In this way you begin to see God in your relationships and obey the heart of truth (Matt. 5:8; 1 Sam. 15:22).

Though we love and honor truth, we must be careful never to use it as a weapon to judge or wound others (including ourselves). The failure to extend mercy, to demand your “rights” or hold on to grudges, implies that you are relating to God as Judge rather than as Savior (James 2:13). If we condemn what we see in others, we have yet to truly see what is within our own hearts; we have yet to see our desperate need for God’s mercy for our lives. If you don’t own your own sin, your sin will own you. Being merciful is a response to God’s love and therefore is essential to genuine teshuvah (repentance). Walking in love is the deepest expression of truth, since love heals untruth and embraces hope for what is presently broken (1 Cor. 13:7). In light of this, take a moment to ask the LORD to help you relinquish the pain of your past by being full of mercy toward yourself and others. Honor God’s love for you by forgiving yourself and showing compassion and mercy to others in your life...

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

­

[lilgreeneyes71]

Reprobate

Strong's G96(Adokimos) Definition: failing to pass the test, unapproved,counterfeit

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Jeremiah 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being (abominable), and (disobedient), and unto every good work (reprobate).

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, (reprobate concerning the faith).

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Below same word Adokimos G96 and it's translated as castaway

1 Corinthians 9:27 (But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection): lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a (castaway).

Same G96 Adokimos translated rejected

Hebrews 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

God gave them over to a reprobate mind

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a (reprobate mind), to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[zimwy]

i think unfortunately bucky feels very alone, in general, but specifically as a jew. it isnt something that gives him strong negative feelings--that he no longer really belongs to any community, that he cant remember his rabbi's name when he was a kid (and knows that he's surely dead by now)--as he generally practiced with his family and few others. if steve is jewish or from an interfaith household, he might share in it a bit with him, but it feels different.

judaism is largely about connected community, and bucky is sorely lacking that. he's very solitary as a person, and struggles to connect and reach out to other people. he'd have to be practically bullied into attending a synagogue again, but the first time he does.. it's awkward at first, bucky's hair is tied back but his head isnt covered, he's buried in a loose jacket and dark pants. he doesn't look like he knows what he's there for, until the rabbi, younger than him in actuality but so much more visibly aged, grey hair and hard lines in his kind and bearded face, takes him by the shoulder and tells him he's welcome, that so many of them lost their community or desire, even, to be jewish, after the war and since. that if even some small part of him wants to be here, then here is where he belongs.

bucky definitely cries the first time he attends again. when he admits so much weighs on his soul, the rabbi (david elmaleh, bucky learns his name is, a man with grandparents from maghreb) urges him in his kindly way to sort it out with god.

so barnes observes siddur, and romaniote confessionary rites, and writes acrostics and confesses to god. it makes him angry--he's never been good at poetry, and writing in hebrew makes him feel like he's 9 years old again, george going over the letters with him--but he does it, על חטא שחטאנוּ לפניך.

befriending other jewish marvel superheros--like kitty, bobby, peter (he uses yiddish so i'm inclined to assume ajdwhjdw), even magneto--would make bucky feel significantly less alone.

[steveezekiel]

WALKING WORTHY OF THE LORD

"THAT YOU MAY WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Colossians 1:10 (NKJV)

Comment: Apostle Paul in the verse 9 of the Colossians 1 was praying for the believers in Colosse that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

It was in the progression of that line of thoughts that he said the outcome of that prayer in verse 9 would be; they, the Colossian believers, would be able to walk worthy of God (Colossians 1:10).

That is, their daily walk or how they live their lives as believers in Christ Jesus would be worthy of God. The Amplified version of the Bible rendered it thus: "SO THAT YOU WILL WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], TO [fully] PLEASE HIM IN ALL THINGS, BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK AND STEADILY GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]" (Colossians 1:10 Amps).

Note:

a. God would be seen in their lives. Godly attributes would be evident in the life of such a believer for others to see and learn—displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity.

b. The way that such a believer lives his or her life would be fully pleasing to God.

d. Such a believer would be fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God—deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for God's precepts or principles.

Being fruitful means the life of such a believer would be a blessing to others. It means, the Kingdom of God is being advanced because of his or her way of life—good virtues are learnt from his or her life by others.

This is the level that God wants every believer to reach or get to. It was also referred to as the full stature of the fullness of Christ in another passage of the Bible (Ephesians 4:12).

This is the fruitful stage of a believer who walks intimately with God (John 15:16).

a. Such a believer would increase in good works, ethical works, and his or her knowledge of God being immensely or greatly increased.

b. This would further strengthen or concretize or solidify the communion or fellowship of such a believer with God.

That being said, God will be pruning or trimming the believer as he or she continues to bear fruit. The pruning though meant for more fruitfulness: "EVERY BRANCH IN ME [Jesus] THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT, HE [God] TAKES AWAY; AND EVERY BRANCH THAT CONTINUES TO BEAR FRUIT, HE [repeatedly] PRUNES, SO THAT IT WILL BEAR MORE FRUIT [even richer and finer fruit]" (John 15:2 Amps).

READ: Hebrews 12:4-11

Peace.

[artandthebible]

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)

Date: Between 1640-1645

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Collection: Staatliche Museen, Kassel

Description

The subject of this painting, taken from the Old Testament was very popular in seventeenth-century painting. Sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. Potiphar's wife made eyes at him, but he resisted her attempts at seduction. On one occasion, when she tried to entice him to bed, Joseph escaped and she was left with only his coat. Disappointed by yet another rejection, she told her husband that Joseph had made advances to her, whereupon the angry Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison.

Biblical Narrative

Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph, but he staunchly refuses her advances: “My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Joseph is loyal both to Potiphar and to God. Potiphar’s wife doesn’t give up; she “spoke to Joseph day after day, [but] he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her” (verse 10). Note the wise course Joseph takes, choosing not to be alone with Potiphar’s wife if he could help it.

When Potiphar’s wife stirred her husband’s jealousy and made him throw Joseph in prison unjustly, God was still there, comforting and blessing Joseph. From this we can learn that, even if we are treated unfairly in this life, God will never forsake His servants (Hebrews 13:5).

[girlactionfigure]

🔅 WED morning - ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

( 1 / 2 )

⭕ SUICIDE DRONE attack at Eilat by IRAQ SHIA (Iranian) MILITIAS, interception failed but drone missed, hitting the sea.

 ▪️ON THE ULTRA-ORTHODOX DRAFT.. the Attorney General: The recruitment of 3,000 yeshiva students must be started immediately, all the ultra-Orthodox who are required to be drafted must report to the recruitment center, any budget that concerns those who do not enlist must be stopped.

.. COMMENTARY:  One of the principles for rabbis ruling for a community is not to attempt to uphold a law that the community will not keep - turning the community as a whole into violators.  Apparently the justice system believes if they declare it will happen?  Whether you agree with drafting Torah students or not, saying “do this” to a large group who is already refusing is… silly.

 ▪️RELATED - POLITICS & CONSCRIPTION LAW CHANGES.. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Edelstein in the conscription law debates: "Either the adjusted conscription law will pass with broad agreement or the law will not pass at all."  (Hint: there is no broad agreement possible.)

.. The MK says: “I know that the High Court's ruling will not bring even one recruit - I will continue the committee's deliberations on the way to a correct, agreed upon and historic (conscription) law.”

 ▪️LEGAL WAR BLOCKERS.. The military attorney's office ordered not to eliminate Gazan citizens who participated in the Oct. 7th massacre. The reason: they are not defined as Hamas terrorists.  From the interpretation of the military attorney's office for the laws of war, it is claimed that only those who belong to a fighting force can be killed intentionally in war. Targeted elimination is a preventive measure, not a punishment, and therefore, since the "civilian" is not part of the fighting force, he cannot be killed in retaliation.

If the Shin Bet and the IDF learn of the location of Gazans who have murdered, looted, raped or kidnapped Israelis, they do not have legal authorization to eliminate them. (N12)

🔥ARSON ATTACK.. Overnight a huge wildfire fire broke out near the "Ofrit" base on Mount Scopus, believed to be started by Molotov cocktails from nearby Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem.  Damage to the Hebrew University Mt. Scopus campus.  Brought under control.

 ▪️AID - WATER.. In an official letter sent from the Office of the Minister of Defense to the Chief of Staff, the head of the Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Energy, the request is made - the desalination plant in Gaza must be connected to electricity for the first time since the beginning of the war, due to a humanitarian need that would allegedly prevent the sewage from flowing into the sea.

🔅 WED morning - ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

( 2/ 2 )

▪️AID - FOOD.. for the 5th time so far, the United Nations threatens to suspend its humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip, if the security of the aid workers does not improve while being attacked by Hamas again and again (( and therefore complaining to Israel? )). Over 1,500 trucks are backed up by Kerem Shalom.

▪️AID - ORDER 9 COMMENTS: The State of Israel continues to provide aid to an enemy that continues to spit in its face. Risking soldiers for treats to the terrorist organization that massacred our children is a terrible crime. The State of Israel must immediately stop aid to Hamas in its current form.”

▪️PROTEST - RETURN THE HOSTAGES!  Sderot Reger in Be’er Sheva.  Small crowd.

▪️IDF MANPOWER CHANGE - COMBAT PROFILES TO COMBAT.. hundreds with a combat profile destined for the intelligence and tech services will serve as combat fighters. Senior officials explained this is a change from the "small army" concept: "It would have been better for a genius to be in cyber and not a fighter in the paratroopers or in an elite unit”, with the idea "it is better for the army to have them in the offensive cyber at the expense of another fighter in the paratroopers or even in an elite unit”.  

But with the extended need for combat infantry, the combat rating must override the education and intelligence rating.

Intelligence unit 8200: “This may harm the quality of soldiers in our unique roles.”

▪️NOT WHAT THEY THOUGHT - CAPTURED TERRORIST DIET & THE COURT.. The Israeli Association for Civil Rights petitioned the High Court that the diet being served to mass murdering baby killing captured Oct. 7 massacring terrorists was “not healthy” and “included too many processed meats - unhealthy”.   The Prison Service sat with professional nutritionists: Instead of 4 slices of bread, they will get 3 in the meal with plain tahini.  Instead of processed meat (sausages), lentils.  

“The minister (Nat. Sec. Ben Gvir) made the conditions of the terrorists worse and is not ashamed of it. The food provided is the minimum required. If the judges want to care for the well-being of those who perpetrated the massacre - let them declare it in the hearing."

♦️IDF ATTACKS.. 3 airstrikes one after the other in a fire belt layout in the Al Dahani area in Rafah.

♦️COUNTER-TERROR - SILWAD (Ramallah area).. firefight.

⭕ HOUTHIS SAY.. struck cargo ship MSC Sarah V in the Arabian Sea, using new ballistic missile system.

⭕ HAMAS ROCKET.. at Sufa, near Gaza town.