#like Elijah was the least violent against women

[andreal831]

Let me get this straight, in TVDU:

We blame amnesic Elijah, who erased his memories seven years before Hayley's death, for Hayley's death when he didn't even know who she was and didn't actually kill her.

But we don't blame Kol for Davina's death when he was the one that actually drained her of blood because the ancestors were controlling him.

And we don't blame Freya for torturing and kidnapping Keelin because she did it for family.

And we don't blame Klaus for nearly killing Caroline twice because it was romantic when he saved her from his own venom.

And we don't blame Klaus for nearly strangling Hayley to death because he was just scared of being a father.

Just wanted to make sure I understood where the fandom stands on this. andrea831 metas

[atlaswilliams]

It wasn't often that he got a win over on the younger woman, so when he did, he took it in full stride and with little grace. It was all good fun, of course, because as good as a win was, his intention was to spark an innocent rivalry between them and nothing more than that. "I didn't cheat. Admit it, I out played you this time around. It's alright to admit. It happens to the best of us." His days of being humble were behind him and he soaked up the happiness of a win. Dark hues scanned over her features, the look of playful disbelief and defeat sparking his amusement. For a woman far too smart for him, she'd never made him feel lesser than her. In fact, Aslihan had always made him feel as if he were too hard on himself. Maybe he was, or maybe she just had a bad habit of seeing the best in people, even if they couldn't see it in themselves.

While people might have doubted him, his desire for knowledge ran deep. He'd loved history, even in high school, but his dedication to learning wasn't nearly as intricate as hers. There was a sense of pride that always lingered when she spoke about her work or something new she was studying. It was like the spark he'd saw back in London was still there, perhaps even brighter now than it had been then. He contributed that thought to Alex and even to Elijah. It was easier to love life and everything in it when one had someone to lean on. "If you ever need a break and can't think of something to do, just call me. Maybe I can get you up to the rescue again and you check in on those wolves you liked so much. Maybe give them a history lesson while you're at it," he teased, though the offer to show her around to take her mind off the world was all too genuine. "I just wanted to do something that she likes. I heard that plants were the new thing and I wanted to start easy. Don't tell her, but I've got one growing up in my bathroom too. I took a leaf from hers and it's doing it's own thing. I might have a green thumb after all."

It was all he wanted to know, though the answer wasn't going to change a thing. He hadn't reached out. He'd danced the dance of a selfish man, entangling himself in a world of women as if it were going to fix the void in his chest. It never had and while she'd struggled, he'd fought his own battles. Battles that could been prevented had he not been so goddamn stubborn. Battles that neither should have ever had to fight alone. He shuffled in the silence, his chest aching as heart thudded violently against his ribcage. He jumped from conclusion to conclusion, the gentle sound of his name falling from her mouth leaving him to believe that he knew the answer.

She would have told him, right? She would have told him if he'd ever bothered to reach out. If he'd stopped putting himself first for once and had taken the emotional jump, despite the fears. She would have told him. He could have been there. Now it didn't matter, because there was no time machine to fix what he'd broken. There was no way to take it back. All he could do was stumble over apologies and hope that the guilt didn't eat him alive.

He lifted his chin, defeat still weighing heavily on his shoulders as he parted his mouth to quietly argue. She could move past the what-ifs and the truth, but he wasn't sure that he could do the same. At least, not as easily. However, every breath of an argument he had fell short as gaze fell upon her stomach. Head tilted to the side and lungs clamped shut. It was a surprise to hear about her pregnancy, but it was earth-shattering to hear of the risk attached. He blinked away a few tears as his cheeks flushed with emotion and burned with fear. If she'd struggled so much the first time around, he wondered what the chances were of it all happening again.

"Congrats," he mumbled before he cleared his throat and dared to speak again. This wasn't about his own fears, wasn't about the regrets and the lost memories they'd never get back. This was about her. This was about giving her the encouragement she needed to be okay, and yet, the pessimist in him couldn't swallow down the fears of what it all meant. "Are you... are you okay? Is it bad? Is it," he trailed off, voice betraying him as it broke.

"Atlas," she echoed, trying to keep a look of innocence on her face. Yet it was becoming harder and harder to do so, especially once he used a dirty trick card. Playfully, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Yeah, yeah, you know what? This is the best day of your life, I'm going to let you keep it. Even if you did cheat." Was Aslihan a sore loser? Unfortunately, yes. Atlas has always been one of the few people who knew how competitive she can be, just how much ambition ran through her being, just how stubborn she can be. And normally, she'd be ready to continue this fight. To win as best as she could and, fortunately, for them to end up laughing at the end. Shaking her head as she watched him for a moment, she wondered if this will be one of the last moments of them getting to laugh and joke around like this if things don't end well once her daughter's born. If they'll ever have another chance like this or not. And if so... well, maybe he deserves this win. To be so happy, even over something that others might consider to be silly. Yet with him laughing and smiling like that, it didn't matter what anyone else might think. At least they were having this moment together. "I don't doubt that for a single second."

She shrugged a little. "I mean... It primarily stemmed from wanting to gain as much knowledge as possible. How I could spend hours reading and do research on anything and everything without taking any breaks. It... It wasn't until uni and things got as bad as I did that it became a coping mechanism. A way to find solitude from everyone. And I guess I haven't shake it off since then. Though Eli and Alex have really helped with finding new coping mechanisms and keeping my mind distracted without risking becoming overly tired or forgetting to rest and eat or something. It's a process." Yet it was working. Of course, her doctor's orders were extremely clear. But she knew she'd have a harder time without them. Chuckling, she shook her head. "I could never forget all two hundred of them." She listened to him and her heart felt like bursting, her smile growing yet she blinked back any possible tears. "That's incredible! She really loves helping me with the plants whenever she can. I'm sure that you'll get the hang of it soon. And fortunately, there's a lot of people with green thumbs in town that'll help if you have any questions."

This day was always meant to come. No matter how long she tried to prevent that, no matter how much she told herself that she needed to protect him against the truth, it was always meant to come out at some point. Asli had just wished that it would've taken a moment longer. That she could've had more time. But would that make things better or worse? After all, everything he possibly thought about concerning the pregnancy with Alex, has all changed. So no matter how many years could've done by, she knew that it still would've rocked his world.

She winced slightly. "A-Atlas... Please..." The acknowledgement of the broken promise... It hurt more than she would like to admit. She remembered trying to remain patient, knowing that it would've taken awhile between getting from London and back to Providence Peak. How he might've need a moment to resettle back in after months of being away from home. But days turned to weeks. Weeks turned into a month. And she was back in Egypt, a note from him written in her favourite book that she never went anywhere without yet all the while trying to forget him and move on. Then another month and she learned about Alex. And even though she went to the airport and was ready to buy the next flight to him, she was stopped by her team. And then stopped by her fears, then the placenta previa, then her fears again and desperate quest to protect him from the truth for as long as possible. Any now... Here they are.

Yet she stopped breathing at his question. Unable to look at him.

If I'd reached out... would you have told me?

No, she wanted to say quickly. To lessen the burden and weight however she can. But that would be a lie. A lie that could only make things worse and hurt him even more, make him question his worth even more. And god, she couldn't do that to him.

If I'd reached out... would you have told me?

Yes, she wanted to admit. Because had she saw his name and heard his voice? She would've told him everything. She would've told him about their daughter. She would've told him about the placenta previa. She would've told him about her feelings for him. And how on earth could she admit that all to him right now? Especially when it did more harm than good?

No matter what she says or does, though, it changes nothing. All it would do was add to the list of 'what ifs' that had plagued her mind for years. And she refused to let them have power over her any longer. "Don't do that to yourself, Las," she pleaded once more. "Don't... Don't give yourself a bunch of 'what ifs' based on a question that won't change the past. Okay?" Finally, she looked up at him. A lump in her throat, realizing that she's been stalling long enough. Pressing her lips together, she sat up straight. "Atlas... There's more. I... When someone has placenta previa, they run the risk of having it again in the future with another pregnancy. I... I-I didn't have it with Theodora." Which, now looking back on it, was an ironic fate. "But, I... I-I have it again." Her voice was a whisper. A minute ago, she couldn't look at him. And now? Now, she couldn't tear her eyes from him. The anthropologist trying to smile softly as she carefully stood up and removed her long, huge cardigan. Her bump completely visible as her hands cradled beneath, the woman trying to breathe as she watched him. "I'm twenty-six weeks pregnant, Yankee. We're... We're going to try to deliver her in July, to better protect myself from... from going through what happened with Alex again." She scanned his eyes before trying to smile, her eyes becoming misty with tears. "I'm having another girl." ||📜@atlaswilliams

[thedeviljudges]

Re. Soohyun - if her death does turn out to be connected to her investigation, then imo I'm okay with that because (within the show's narrative) it would be a result of her own actions/choices, in line with her characterisation, e.g. charging in on her own, not thinking of her own safety, risking it all for justice, etc., and unrelated to her relationship to the male character, rather than just someone hurting her to hurt him. She still retains agency, just with tragic consequences. (1/2)

And yes there are legit criticisms to be made re. the writing of SH's character, but in the rush to do so some ppl seem to be overlooking the rest of the female characters - Elijah, JJ, Sun-ah and Cha Kyung-hee (love em or hate em!), who imo are all well-written, fascinating and strong in different ways. Yes CKH died, but she went out on her own terms in a way fitting to her character and even in death made more of an impact than any of her weaselly male counterparts! (2/2)

I agree with this; although the one small part I will play devil’s advocate with is the fact that the only reason Soohyun continued her and Gaon’s investigation into Yohan is because she doesn’t trust Yohan who has Gaon under his thumb. So, I suppose indirectly, it’s still about Gaon because she’s trying to persuade her friend not to trust Yohan and whatever she found could’ve been the key.

The thing is, Gaon tells her before they leave his house that they can continue looking for evidence about Yohan after they deal with the rising violent situation. But she doesn’t listen, so that truly does align with her character in terms of pride and self-righteousness.

Then again, even if it is indirectly about keeping Gaon safe, the entire thing is still a mystery and she did have agency to go out and try to discover it on her own without being tied to Gaon in that way, so I’ll give it that for sure. She, at the very least, had one thing for herself this episode outside of Gaon. And to your point, which I think is so true: someone hurt her specifically for her nosiness rather than in relation to Gaon. As fucked up as it is to say it, I do hope that’s the reason she was taken out, and the more I think about it, I think the more plausible it is, especially given how charged the preview for episode 14 is.

To your second part: I think it’s easy for people get so hung up on one female character dying because of how the film industry/writers treat them in general. Which is a totally understandable response to have. Women die off for male characters as a narrative device, for them to learn, grow and continue carrying out the plot, and it’s a nasty trope.

The thing is, we can’t avoid women’s death in film because then that’s just too unrealistic. I wish we were given more with Soohyun, that she could’ve been fleshed out and not just a plot device, that she could’ve been way more well-rounded like all the other women/men on the show, but sadly that’s just not the case. I don’t know if the writers just got ahead of themselves with the plot and were like ‘oh shit, gotta do something with her’ or what.

But with that said, you do have a point that there are other women on this show. It’s all about subversion of tropes. We see it with Gaon (he is a female character through and through); we see it with the minister, with Sunah, etc. I know it’s easy to also blame the writers for killing off Kunghee as a female character, but also tell me how many women we’ve seen on screen make a choice about their own death??? To me, her death was profound because she made the decision - she ultimately represented what it means to be pushed to the limit, and that can happen with anyone. She did so not because of a man but because she knew she was backed up against a wall by literally everyone; that makes sense to me.

And Elijah. I’m truly so happy with her, especially because she hasn’t fallen victim to normal teenage tropes and shit. She’s smart and witty. She’s still a teenager that back talks. Given she is confined to the house for safety reasons, she’s still so fleshed out, which tells you a lot in comparison to Soohyun.

And even further, I don’t think any show can every truly be perfect, and faulting it for having some errors is just going to be normal no matter what. Humans make human mistakes, even in the content we create. I recognize that completely. It’s easy to write lines and lines about how Soohyun was failed as a female character, and I think that’s normal to write about, just as it is for any other character, but after that, it’s important to sit back and breathe and just remind yourself that no perfection exists regardless of what should or could have been done.

Unfortunately, it is what it is, and that’s how the show will forever be cemented. And this is why I haven’t made too many posts about Soohyun because there’s nothing I can do outside of it aside from trying to dissect what little information we have about her character in relation to the themes and tropes of the plot.

All of this to say, I do hope we’re right in that even in death it can mean something. I think the friendship component was such a mishandled thing and it had so much potential. Everyone cries about how gays make shit things unnecessarily gay, but we never ask why hets do the same thing. Why does every m/w have to be romantic? Where are the friendships??

For what we do have, flaws and all, I'm happy with their exploration of tropes, how they've mixed it up, especially for genders. They've done a phenomenal job despite a few hiccups - how many shows can say the same??

But yes, I totally agree with all of your points!!! They’re very valid.

[leamy-world]

Reaction to The Devil Judge (spoilers for ep. 11-12)

Hello everyone! I hope you’re doing well this week!

Here we go! Again i’m really sorry for the english & my personal interpretations which might go a little bit overboard (❁´ω`❁)

THIS GOT VERYYYYYYYYYY LONG PLEASE BEAR WITH ME!!!!

tldr: i am in shambles haha

Have a nice week and take care! ♥

- Huckleberryfinn’s new OST, The Nights, was released this saturday and it’s truly a gem! The guitar/bass’s place in BOTH OSTs they composed is awesome. The lyrics destroyed me haha (i’ll shortly talk about it below!). The soundtrack during these two episodes was awesome btw ;;

- Sun-Ah’s visit to the mansion felt nostalgic and shattering at the same time, she sees she doesn’t belong in this house but still indulges a little in this illusion, « wanting to fall for his trick even just for a little while ». Her expression made me feel for her for a little while too ;; 

This shot above is funny because the bokeh effect (✨ the little sparkles ✨) is used in the background every time but this time it plays in front of Sun-Ah’s view: she sees in Yohan and his mansion a « shining » thing she desired for a long time. The bokeh here served also as a transition to the flashback right after.

Well, it could just be the streetlights’ reflections on the car and me reaching but there are so many symbolic visual shots in this show already i just couldn’t dismiss it in my brain haha

I liked Sun-Ah’s depiction of her choice to go against Yohan: she drops the necklace (symbolizing Yohan, this scene followed by Yohan’s cross-like scar) and not herself, like she did in the past for/because of Yohan when she was a maid + Yohan’s reflection disappears, Sun-Ah only focusing on herself: the ‘us’ she wanted for some time disappeared. And this event makes Sun-Ah’s rage on K more upsetting than it already is, but maybe i’m reaching haha

This scene also shows Yohan and Sun-Ah want two different directions to their relationship: to use her and to have him reach the top by her side respectively. They both look at the mirror, but their focus is different and they’re set in different plans on the shots.

In My Mister, (SPOILERS) the wife has a serious affair with her husband’s superior, but throughout the drama, they have divergent opinions on their affair’s developments: the wife wanted to leave her husband and settle with her lover, while the latter didn’t think any of it and, among other plot reasons, only wanted her because married women are the ‘safest choice (ending the relationship while she still loves him would be more troublesome) and always kept the affair secret’. 

This was particularly symbolized by their song preferences, but also by this shot in the beginning of the series: after the wife shared her hopes about their relationship (and her lover staying most of the time silent), they both look to the distance (their affair’s metaphorical future) but their eyes almost never look in the same direction.

- « I did it because i need you (by my side?) », Sun-Ah and Gaon’s parallels:

"[To Gaon on ep. 8] I wanted you to be by my side.”

“[To Gaon on ep. 5] I don’t need you to understand, but you need to make a decision. Will you stand in my way … or stand on my side?”

"[To Gaon] If i needed to, i would’ve done something even worse. Whether it was switching him or something else.”

- When Elijah and Gaon play jenga, Yohan might have let the door to his bedroom open (even after leaving them the first time) to continue hearing them have fun in the living room. It parallels to the scene in ep. 5 where he watches them play in the garden with Kkomi through the little gap of his curtains: what piques his curiosity first is the playful conversation he hears from his bed even from the closed windows. The flashback explains it all and i’m glad Gaon insisted to have him play with them despite the front he tried to put on, Elijah’s and Yohan’s expressions in this scene ended me ;;

Look how quick he turned his attention to Gaon, as if he waited for something to happen, to get to play with them!! His eyes lit up in an instant i can’t with this —

I loved how Yohan delayed his defeat to Elijah by asking Gaon questions about the game hahah

Elijah and Yohan’s relationship growth here reminds me of 2 parallels i didn’t catch the first time (but the desperation i felt when Gaon left because everything could grow cold again between Elijah and Yohan):

“That’s everything i think about”:

Elijah getting in & out of the car (ep. 6-9):

- And Gaon’s « Once everything is over, i’ll definitely … » — you’ll definitely what, please tell the audienceeeeeeee ;;;; this screams a death flag for Soohyun (or was it just foreshadowing their confrontation in ep. 12? idek anymore haha), but let’s hope it’s not!!

- After CKH’s suicide: we can’t expect people to make perfect choices every time they are challenged, and i think this story shows it well: Soohyun when she was with Elijah, and now Gaon carelessly touching the minister’s body for the files. As judges, they could have searched the body and the room using a fabric to hide their presence. But they’re both shocked: Yohan looks dumbfounded, standing and watching (even though he’s quicker to react when he sees Soohyun and he puts on a composure at the house saying it was ‘nothing’, he looked very sour when Sun-Ah called him to rejoice in her death) and Gaon panic-stricken. The fact he might have relived his parents’ suicide when he discovered the Minister’s body … And in the worst way possible (in a daze, searching her dead body for her files and realizing he didn’t give the body minimum respect) … oof

At least Yohan could have thought about it since the story shows how prepared he is in his plans, but this scene shows even him is at a loss at what to do. After all, the minister was the way he targeted to bring everyone linked to the foundation down. They were so close, i think he was too convinced her « self-pity » would mean her survival despite everything (« Do you have any other options? ») to see what was coming. After all, when they last met, he saw she was about to shoot him. 

Sun-Ah was the only one he thought was ‘unpredictable’. When Gaon talked to CKH, he let him speak and approved his speech, surely thinking everything went along his plans and the minister would surrender. And i think that’s also why he gives Gaon all this speech, to reassure himself and them, since they work now as a team. 

- Ep. 9 foreshadowing ep. 11 and 12 (Soohyun facing Yohan and Gaon). It’s interesting how the two shots from ep. 9 seem to put on the same plan the three characters, as if Yohan is literally standing between Soohyun and Gaon, as if he was the one protecting/separating him from Soohyun. This is very telling of the whole dynamic between those three.

- When the minister said she didn’t want to clear her name regarding her son in the live but still does so anyway, this is pure preterition haha! It’s also why she reminds the public opinion the first case Yohan handled!

- Cha Kyung Hee’s demise (ep. 11-4 parallels):

(+ a cinematographic reference to the 2000 movie Malèna, which was recently used in Hwasa’s MV for the song Maria)

- The scene right after where Soohyun wipes Gaon’s involvement to the suicide was moving in regards to her character, we get to see how torn she is by this situation + when she faces off Yohan in the parking (and the ‘let go’ could also have referred to Gaon) … i felt bad for her!

- About Soohyun & the professor: I find interesting the way the professor and Soohyun shelter Gaon’s existence was clearly shown with these two episodes and through their rage. At the beginning of the drama, their hold on his life’s values and choices was almost impalpable but not anymore, now that they’re facing Yohan’s threat.

In these shots, Soohyun looks like she is covering Gaon’s ear, turning him away and protecting him from outside (from the pain, Yohan, the rest of the world).

And on professor Min’s part, it’s almost infantilizing, de-responsibilizing Gaon to say the least (« What are you making Gaon do? That child has been through so much. He suffered and struggled through the worst to get there. »), given he’s the one who planted him on the court’s bench to find what’s happening behind the scene: he could have asked Gaon for explanations (as Yohan underlined, « Did you hear it from Gaon himself? ») but he just snaps at him. He should have foreseen that he could’ve taken Yohan’s side. 

For his defense, his family just got targeted but still, it’s the first time Gaon came back since then!

(By the way, that whole conversation with professor Min confirmed to Yohan Gaon didn’t admit to their plan to Soohyun nor the professor)

As for Soohyun, her deep concern for Gaon makes her antagonize Yohan and, in her POV, it’s pretty understandable: her friend got locked up in this judge’s house for days with no phone or permission to go out + said judge seems to not let her niece go out with her new friends, got violent against Gaon + he seems to be plotting something behind the trials he biased + Gaon’s description of the man in the first episodes wasn’t that nice but DESPITE IT ALL her friend still seems to be empathizing with him? 

She’s maybe thinking he got manipulated by Yohan given the evil picture he depicted her & must feel helpless in front of Gaon’s sudden change of heart. I think that’s what she wanted to ask him when she got cut by the professor’s arrival. The lack of honest conversation between them is what’s making it worse: on one hand, Gaon goes to her every time he feels sad or confused to get comfort & advice without telling what truly is going on (or eventually telling her when she insists), on the other hand, Soohyun always tells him to give up his investigation on Yohan and never asks him his point of view to understand the situation. 

And she discovered he lied about him not being involved with this man in the worst way possible, finding him by CKH’s body with Yohan. He was her reason to dedicate her life to protect people under the law (he does not owe her anything in no way, but it was her wish), and she ended up dirtying her hands for him. Her gut reaction to her moral principles being violated by both Gaon and her right now is stronger than wanting to hear the truth from Gaon. She continues to investigate Yohan on her own, to protect him. It was interesting to see this sententious side when she confronted Gaon after all this! The only time Soohyun saw him cry and didn’t support him, it hits hard ;;

But i believe the whole crisis that’s happening by the end of ep. 12 will make them team up again at least for a while. And on that note, will she meet Sun-Ah? It would be interesting!

I’m glad the professor raised as a concern on the live trials the due process & fair trial, which are essential for the rule of law to prosper.   

In fact, the live trials slowly become a place of majoritarianism/ochlocracy/mob rule as the cases progress (the two best examples being the actor and Juk Chang cases), the protests against professor Min are another example. Even if Yohan has the last word on the defendant’s sentence, this issue is still there. 

Maybe the viewers’ voice will turn against Yohan one day?

- The minister … Even though the story showed us how cruel her family could be, i can’t help but feel sympathy for her son with her suicide. And that is accentuated by the fact her family’s grief is not even showed, covered by the mediatic chaos. She could have fled the country as her son suggested, but she thought she was « nothing » without her accomplishments and her path to glory. As the former president of the foundation killed by Sun-Ah’s hands, she died in her office as the Minister of Justice, while her image wasn’t torn to shreds yet. The photograph she held showed her at the center and, ironically, it’s the only figure from the photo who is clear-cut, her husband and her son are out of focus (or it could just be the episode’s image quality misleading me haha). Even though she loved them (well, at least in her manner, which was kind of narcissistic tbh), she cared too much for her success and her death was her act of self-pity.   

- This isn’t the first time Gaon was warned about Yohan and i find it interesting it’s the people closest to him that say that, especially K despite (or precisely because?) his loyalty to him. Elijah also warned him before.

- The whole argument … It’s a progression of ep. 5 & 8 scenes (’will you stand in my way or stand on my side?’ & ‘i wanted you by my side and if i needed to, i would’ve done something worse’). You can tell how desperate Yohan was when he reached out to Gaon. His gaze faltered, showing his hesitation to do it, but as the realization he was going to lose him dawned on him, this touch became a necessity in front of the exigency, making up for everything he couldn’t say out loud. It was a sad & hurtful mess. Yohan truly looked short on ‘arguments’ after Gaon’s question (‘what kind of monster am i turning into?’), he seemed to not even know what to say to make him stay, making him pause before talking about Soohyun. 

The way his eyes lit up, almost smiling, full of hope, when he finished laying his ultimatum and how he regained a composed expression, thinking Gaon would take his side maybe?

I didn’t catch it on the first time, but Gaon’s sadness to end/put a hold on their collaboration (thus their whole relationship, stepping out of his life) transpired through him weakly rejecting Yohan’s hand with his own hand sliding down the latter's arm, as if he was unwilling to let this life with the Kangs go. You can see it’s hard on him to leave with the tears in his eyes. 

I think Gaon’s response outran his thoughts, as a quick riposte, it was to make Yohan stop this. The way things went (well, it escalated QUICKLY), hurting him like that was the only effective way, and he knows it will hurt him: before saying Soohyun is his world, he tears up because of that (in addition to everything Yohan said and it was A LOT), and didn’t even have the strength/will to get angry like all the previous times: 

the fact Yohan laid this very ultimatum and wanted to persuade/manipulate him into thinking this was the only choice. Even if he knew Yohan would be capable of doing this since ep. 7-8 (”To achieve his goal, would he not use another man’s pain? If the devil really did exist among us.”), he got a confirmation and it still hurts.

+ the fact he knows he has to hurt him with something as much as hurtful before he takes it too far.

+ the fact he knows he can’t live in this house any longer because of this argument when he made all these memories with them.

And (let’s hope for it) if Gaon wants to show Yohan there’s another way out of this ultimatum, Gaon’s « Soohyun is my world » might be a counter ultimatum (‘to stay by your side, you’ll have to deal with my world because there must be another way, there is no question, or else you’ll have to deal on your own’). He’s still not said anything to Soohyun (well, he didn’t have the opportunity to anyway but even during their confrontation, when she asked for details, he said nothing) nor the professor, so maybe that’s it?

- « Of course it doesn’t matter to me, but … » ELIJAH NOOOOOOOO ;;;;;;;;; After Yohan, Elijah tries in her way to hold Gaon back — and she makes a valid point tbh (look at what happened by the end of the episode!), but seeing her putting all her efforts and realizing it’s failing is heartbreaking … Given the preview for ep. 13, please let me hope this conversation won’t be their last one!! 

- Utter devastation when the next scenes show how Gaon still shines even in his absence: the « You never apologize » + the scene with the nanny & Gaon’s last prepared meal + Gaon’s portrait by Elijah … ugh 

- Elijah’s painting game is too strong, can’t relate haha! I wish they could show the BTS for this painting, respect for the artist behind!!

- On metaphorical images, Gaon took care of the Kangs like he tended to his plants at home. On a regular basis, he provided them attention and care, making them lively as his plants got lush. On ep. 8, we got a shot of Elijah smiling at Gaon’s plants, sort of a confirmation she loved how their house became warmer since Gaon’s stay, which led her to open up to his uncle.

- Now they’re only four! It looks like the mafia game haha, i look forward (am i though?) to the day Sun-Ah sits by herself haha 

AND THIS MAN

This is true pig behavior, especially considering Sun-Ah’s past … I felt her reaction when he said all this bs to demean her, she had all her struggles with men thrown back to her face, soiled by these « jokes ». 

- The monsters, the abyss and Nietzsche:

« He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee. », Nietzsche

- « I don’t care if humanity falls, as long as i have you two ». It was what he wouldn’t say to Gaon nor Elijah, and yet they’re his world! This sequence parallels Gaon’s inner wish when he leaves the Kang’s house + the flashbacks of his fond memories with the Kangs. Will Yohan give his vigilante ideals up for them? Will Gaon pursue this dream but in his own way that won’t threaten their « worlds »?

(Now we know what his whole world meant)

- The light from the chandelier (ie. their newfound family) is out of Yohan’s (metaphorical) reach, shown by its blurred silhouette, as if it’s gone from the room which regained its initial colder tones. But it’s not: once it’s made its way in the room, it remains and lingers, as a keepsake of the lost warmth. His fond memories with Gaon and Elijah flashed back through the window’s light.

On a similar note, Gaon’s room, albeit having warmer tones than the Kang’s ones since the beginning, looks dark too. The contrast with earlier episodes is clear. This reminds me of My Mister’s (SPOILERS) full shots of Lee Ji An’s room, getting warmer as she gets to know Park Dong Hoon, and losing all its fond colors when she has to leave for his sake. As if the room and inanimate objects were given life by their owner, imbuing them with their feelings. It becomes an outer expression of their feelings. Sorry for the rambling but i just love when they do that in fiction, and i think it sometimes leaves more impact to the viewers if emotions are conveyed through various angles (eg. through another character’s point of view, sounds, looks, the use of light i mentioned below, etc) ! 

- I wonder … since the flashbacks are giving us Gaon’s conscious point of view on this separation, was he awake when Yohan came back from his (forced) encounter with Sun-Ah? It’s a really minor point but it could be an interesting detail since this show always shows us there are some sides or spots to the stories we didn’t have yet! 

The jenga scene also flashed back but this time we see Gaon’s POV seeing Yohan’s smile & we got Gaon’s angle when Yohan had a nightmare in ep. 5: while from Yohan’s POV, Gaon’s irruption truly felt like an invasion of his intimacy (the quick succession of shots expressing his panic and defensive reaction), from Gaon’s POV only one angle showed the scene, the tension was conveyed only when Yohan slapped his hand away. 

We also got Yohan’s POV when he admitted to Gaon he needed him by his side (and a closer look at Gaon’s troubled expression)!  

- Ep. 5 and 11-12 parallels: 

Yohan’s tentative look at Gaon and Elijah playing outside, as if he wanted to join them like in ep. 11, the curtains mainly closed and only pushed by one of his hands. It let the daylight in his dark room through this sneak peek. 

But in ep. 12, the curtains are drawn, Yohan taking the (moon)light fully in. And this time, he doesn’t reach out to his late brother in the flames, but to the moonlight. He gets up, as in a trance, from his nightmare like the last time, but he goes to his window instead. And it reminds me of both Huckleberry Finn’s OST’s (in Tempest, « you said i’ll live in the sun / moonlight » and in The Nights, « my / your night shines on you / me »), the suffer is here. And see how the light reveals his tear? I nearly missed it!

The fact he could not find sleep anymore after this night + he slept on his sofa where the moonlight could be seen + has kept his phone right next to him (in case Gaon called him or to know if something happened to him) ➾ 🌝 pure devastation 🌝

- I really love the show’s use of light/dark tones to reveal and contrast its characters’ emotions! What you can’t see in the light gets revealed in the dark, and vice-versa. The OST The Nights touches on this subject as well. 

And it ties up very well to the plot so far: everyone has his or her own motivations and intentions, background, and makes choices, but depending on the perspective, their story changes and sparks off different reactions. Everybody’s story is interconnected. 

As @skylessnights pointed out, one of the books found during the series (when Yohan revealed his past to Gaon if i’m correct), The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, depicts this angle well in its plot and epigraph: « Never again shall a single story be told as though it were the only one. » - John Berger. 

When Gaon and Yohan go back to the mansion after CKH’s death, the route lights flash Gaon’s hands red, caught (literally) red-handed by Soohyun. He begins to recollect his recent memories of what just happened, and panics, short-winded, until Yohan touched his arm. He’s startled but calmed himself down, and we don’t hear him out of breath anymore. It’s interesting how the light’s focus was on Gaon’s hands, the core of his panic, until Yohan’s arm came into the light, as if our and Gaon’s attention went back to Yohan’s touch, his anchor in his panic, and begins to think clear-headed of what they had done. (btw, getting Phoenix Wright desperate vibes from Gaon’s pose haha)

Gaon’s emotions show when his phone lights up, trying to reach Soohyun again. 

When Yohan’s inner wish brings him back to their happy times, the end of the flashback shows a shot of his eyes dazzled by the light of these memories and back to the present, the light now gone out from his eyes.

Yohan’s reaction to Gaon’s cry in the prison yard in ep. 7: what i loved to see was how his restraint told more about the emotions he held back. The light shifting on his face revealed his jaw clenching & frowned brows, his glassy eyes and him averting his gaze, which he often does when he’s in front of sensitive topics and it’s too much.

+ other instances he looked away:

When Jinjoo decides to accept the foundation’s offer, she steps into the dark side of the room where the two chairmen are. Up till now, she stood where the light could reach her, away from them. It symbolically seals her involvement with the foundation, and by the end of ep. 12, it is confirmed by her message on behalf of the foundation (about the plague) displayed on the screens. By the way, i love the fact so much things unfold while we focus on Yohan and Gaon’s story!

On the subject of ‘subjective’ truths, examples, besides the flashback with the priest about Yohan in ep. 11, could be the truth behind the cancellation of the donation by Yohan or Sun-Ah’s fall from the window when she was a maid. We got Sun-Ah, Elijah, and then later Yohan’s point of view.

- I think Gaon tried to call Soohyun and not Yohan (though the subs say otherwise) because the contact above has the ‘thug’ nickname with the fist emoji! It made more sense, Yohan would’ve answered right away! But i believe he will have regrets/worries in the next episodes (Yohan and Elijah seem to be getting in real danger so maybe he’ll come back to save them).

- Metatextuality in The Devil Judge — Beauty and the Beast (written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont & Disney’s 1991 animation movie)

I’ve always loved transtextual relationships between fictions, my french teacher in middle school gave us this passion haha! Ever since i read this interview translated by @deviljudge​, it’s true i’m getting more and more Beauty and the Beast vibes, especially from ep. 12’s argument (and the whole premise Belle got locked up in the mansion in the beginning)! The original fairy tale and Disney’s adaptation are both relevant, some plot points differ from one another (Belle’s sisters vs Gaston, the mansion personnel turned into living paraphernalia) even though the core of the fairy tale is left untouched but for the sake of this bit, i’ll use the 1991 movie because its inevitably longer format delves more into the fairy tale moral lesson.

(Cheesy time incoming haha) The beast lets Belle go see her father he knew she deeply cared about, and let her go because he realized he loved her. He thought she would never come back, but despite it all, she came back and saved him from Gaston. Belle (Gaon) broke the spell that was casted on the mansion (the Kangs and their loneliness, especially when Yohan said he’s tired of this house). Yohan fails at not hurting the people he cares about but learns step by step, by Gaon and Elijah's side, how to live again and reconnect with his ‘human’ side.

Even the secretary looks like the modern version of the whole cast in the Beast’s mansion (Cogsworth, Lumière, …) haha

The movie intro is self-explanatory: 

« Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish and unkind. But then, one winter’s night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman’s ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart. And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope, for who could ever learn to love a beast? »

Belle’s characterization in the movie is also interesting:

« With a dreamy, far-off look and her nose stuck in her book what a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle ». 

« There must be more than this provincial life (…) I want adventure in the great wide somewhere — I want it more than i can tell — And for once it might be grand to have someone understand — I want so much more than they’ve got planned » 

& when Belle got locked up in the mansion: « I’ve lost my father, my dreams, everything. » (similar to “Soohyun is my world”).

Gaon, since his parents’ death, lived his life believing in the illusion of justice the system gave him, along with Soohyun and professor Min, his two pillars who kept him steady this whole time. Once he was showed it was an illusion, he wanted to fight this world.

Before the movie’s climax, this conversation reminded me of ep. 12’s argument:

« - Belle? Are you happy here with me?

- Yes. [looks to the distance]

- What is it?

- If only i could see my father again just for a moment. I miss him so much.

- There is a way. This mirror will show you anything. Anything you wish to see.

- I’d like to see my father, please. [The mirror projects the image of his father in danger and sick] Papa. Oh no. He’s sick. He may be dying and he’s all alone.

- [Glances at the wilting rose] Then you must go to him. 

- What did you say?

- I release you. You’re no longer my prisoner.

- You mean i’m free?

- Yes.

- Oh, thank you. Hold on Papa, i’m on my way.

- Take [the mirror] with you, so you’ll always have a way to look back and remember me.

- Thank you for understanding how much he needs me.

(…)

- I let her go. 

- [Cogsworth] Yes, splen … You what? How could you do that?

- I had to.

- Yes but … Why?

- Because i love her. »

Yohan did nothing to hold Gaon back even if he needs him (as shown when he clutches his hands together after he left) because he was forced by Gaon to understand how precious Soohyun is to him, this point was already made multiple times in the series (when Gaon thought he was the one who pushed Soohyun in the stairs and already threatened him about it, when Gaon told him he couldn’t live as a conman in front of Soohyun and his parents). Since his ‘to have you by my side, i would have done worse if it was necessary’ + ‘this is a life or death situation, sacrifices are also necessary’, he seemed to think Soohyun was expendable in his own world, which he shared with Gaon. With this argument, his world looks definitely incompatible with the one Gaon described (« Soohyun is my world »), and even though they already went this far in their plan, he lets him go and respects his choice. Will it make him change for the better or for the worse? Will the whole ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ apply to him?

Other moments i found interesting to note:

« Come into the light »:

When Belle goes to save the Beast from the village:

« - Please, i know he looks vicious, but he’s really kind and gentle. He’s my friend. - - [Gaston] If i didn’t know better, I’d think you had feelings for this monster. - - He’s no monster, Gaston. You are! - - If you’re not with us, you’re against us. » (pretty similar to the professor’s rage in the hospital)

When Belle’s father goes to save her: « I don’t care what it takes. I’ll find that castle and somehow, i … I’ll get her out of there. » (when Soohyun talks about and to Yohan)

The Beast possessive behavior in the beginning of the story: « [To her father] She’s no longer your concern, take him to the village. » (similar to Yohan’s behavior towards Soohyun) & « [To Belle] The castle is your home now » (and towards Gaon)

A monster:

When the Beast observes Belle playing from afar:

- And i saw some Jane Eyre vibes (SPOILERS) from the whole fire haha + Wuthering Heights on Sun-Ah’s & Yohan’s mixed parts!

- And well … Sun-Ah’s character loosely reminds me of Simone in Nier Automata (which in itself is a reference to Simone de Beauvoir’s life and works), with the whole « I must become more beautiful / But he still won’t look my way », to whoever knows this game! 

- These thigh boots holy hell Sun-Ah!!!! i loved this outfit!

- As soon as he said he didn’t feel anything from his revenge, K got the biggest death flag in this episode, i can’t believe they did this to the poor boy … When i asked for more scenes THIS isn’t what i meant aaaaaaaaaa

- A very random and weird note: Yohan’s almost silent and held back pain by the end of the ep. 12 fits his character so far, as well as his ‘calm’ tears. Given his past, it’s as if he’s always kept his pain bottled up and quietly bears it all and almost never got the space to properly let it all out (he had his brother, but with their father, i think they didn’t have this ‘chance’).

- My sick mind thought Sun-Ah was going to bring Gaon to the scene just in time for him to witness Yohan getting shot, but i guess it will be when she will get in the Kang’s mansion again according to the preview (since she asked Juk Chang for a « favor », i think they’ll knock Gaon out  after beating him up for his own fun to leave him to Sun-Ah). Sun-Ah looked surprised when Jae-Hee shot him, so i guess only hurting K was part of the plan.

- The ‘I know i’m fucked’ look hahaha

+ the softer version:

- I now have BIG trust issues since these last episodes’ previews, and the cliffhangers kill me haha 

- On another note, i find it amazing how Ji Sung and Kim Min Jung keep that upsetting atmosphere whenever there’s a scene between them that involves them and skinship, but it still conveys Sun-Ah’s complex feelings for Yohan and Yohan’s interest in her! The soundtrack really does a good job to convey that mood as well!

- In conclusion: How Dramatic do you want these two episodes to be? The devil judge: Yes

[casey-v]

Part 3: “If anything happens to her...”

Ethan x Casey

Warning: angst

Word count: 1,6K

Disclaimer: all characters belong to PB

Part 1: “...ending this...” Part 2: “Talk to him!”

I had to delete the first version, tumblr was messing with me and got the order totally wrong, don’t know why. I hope this time it’s right.

-------------------------------

Ethan was pacing up and down his office. He had desperately tried to focus on his work, but instead he tortured himself again and again with every word Casey had said to him a few days ago.

“Working with you makes me miserable. And that’s why I’m leaving the diagnostics team.”

He had honestly thought they could make a strictly professional relationship work. After fleeing to the Amazon, he was determined to keep his distance. But there was something about her that made it impossible for him to stick to his intentions. And now he had not only lost her, but also ruined her career. All sacrifices had been in vain.

Part of him wished that he had never met her. Before she came to Edenbrook he had had a good life. He wouldn’t exactly say that he had been happy, but he had been content. He had found fulfillment in his job and his little spare time he had filled with cooking, reading historical books, the opera and mostly staying to himself. There had been a few women, but never anything serious. Never had there been anyone he wanted in his life for more than a limited time. He didn’t believe in long term relationships thank to his parents.

But now there was Casey.

She was constantly in his head, at work and at home, by day and by night, in his waking hours and in his dreams. Only a smile from her or a gentle touch made his day. He couldn’t imagine a life without her anymore. He missed her so much, it hurt. These intense feelings scared him.

Was she right? Was being afraid of his feelings the real reason for his refusal, not her job and his ethics? Way back, when they had been to Derry Roasters for the first time and she had tried to analyze him, she had said

“You’ve carried an anger in you for a long time, so long you’re used to it.”

He had denied it at the time, but she was right, of course she was. There were wounds from his childhood, that never had been healed. It was hard for him to trust anyone. Hence, he had learned to rely only on himself.

  He walked over to the window and stared into the pouring rain. He hadn’t dared to go to Kyra’s funeral, although he longed to be there for Casey, to take her in his arms and console her. But she had made it perfectly clear, that those days were over.

“Don’t you dare ever touch me again!”

These words had almost killed him. Tough even worse was the way she had looked at him when she said it. There had been so much hatred in her eyes, it felt like his heart stopped beating.

  He banged his fist against the window. Now the scalpel jockey was there with her, to give her comfort and support. Jealousy spread in his stomach, just as before when he saw her leaving the hospital with him. When Casey started her intern year there had been a lot of gossip about her and Lahela, there were stories about on-call rooms and supply closets. Ethan had often seen them flirting at Donahue’s. But soon the gossip had died down and when he himself got closer to her, this never seemed to be an issue.

Were there any feelings left? Would the surgeon take his place in her heart?

  Ethan rubbed his neck and sighed devasted. There had to be something he could do. He couldn’t afford to lose her. He went over to his desk, sat down and grabbed his phone. Words might not be enough, but first he had to get her to at least talk to him again. He started typing a message for her, shook his head frustrated and deleted everything. He tried it again and again, but nothing seemed right.

After an hour and what felt like a hundred deleted attempts, he finally tapped ‘send’. He stared at the screen in disbelief. Never had he texted anything similar let alone spoken those words.

  At that moment, the door to his office burst open and Bryce and Jackie stormed in. They were very agitated and both spoke at the same time. “Did you talk to Casey?” - “Have you heard of her” - “Was she here?” – “Did you see her?”

Ethan felt an uneasiness evolve, rose from his chair and met the two residents halfway. “What happened? Weren’t you at the funeral together?”

Both answered simultaneously again, their anxiety obvious. “Of course we were there.” – “She was there with us. But then she ran away.” – “She was about to say a few words but then she had kind of a breakdown and ran away.” - “She started to cry mid-sentence and just left.” – “When we started to look for her, she was nowhere to be found.”

Panic took over when Ethan had comprehended their words. He approached them accusingly. “Why didn’t you run after her immediately?”

Bryce turned to face Jackie who guiltily directed her gaze to the ground, both recalling the scene in the cemetery. He had tried to go after Casey, but Jackie had held him back: 

“Leave her alone for a few minutes”. 

Bryce was angry at Jackie and at himself for listening to her, but now he turned his anger on Ethan. He took a step forward and pushed the attending violently, so he struggled to maintain his balance. Ethan froze up, staring wide-eyed at Bryce, who started to jell at him. “How dare you, you jerk! It’s your fault she ran away. If anything happens to her…!”

Jackie pushed herself in between and gently held back Bryce. “Stop it. This doesn’t help. We have to try to find her together.” He muttered something unrecognizable but stepped back.

It was hard for Ethan to keep his self-control. He tried to ignore Bryce and turned to Jackie. “What have you done so far? Doesn’t she answer her phone?” “Her purse was still on the chair when she left. She has no phone, no keys, no money. We searched all around the cemetery. Then Sienna and Elijah went home to wait for her. They’re calling all our friends right now. Bryce and I came here.”

Ethan regained his composure. With the efficiency of the experienced doctor he gave orders. “Ok, that’s what we do: page me Dr. Trinh’s phone number. We all will report back to her. Lahela, you check out Donahue’s and Derry Roasters and search the streets around the hospital. Dr. Varma, you look for her here at the hospital, check every on-call room or supply closet and ask every nurse or doctor you can find, if they’ve seen her. I will take my car and drive around.”

He grabbed his keys and his phone and was out the door before the other doctors had the opportunity to say otherwise.

  It was already getting dark and Ethan was still driving through the streets of Boston in his car. Once he had left the hospital, he had gone straight to his apartment hoping that Casey would be there waiting for him. But of course, she wasn’t. Then he had searched the entire area surrounding the cemetery and then went back to check every street near the hospital. All the time, rain kept pouring down from dark clouds. When he had run out of ideas he just drove randomly through the streets of the city.

Almost every ten minutes he called Sienna for news, but so far no one had seen her or heard from her. He had also asked Sienna to call the police and all the hospitals to check if there had been any accidents involving an unknown young woman, but thank god nothing there either. Ethan didn’t really believe in God, but he sent prayers up in the air. His fear got worse by the minute and he saw images of her in his head: Casey run over by a car, Casey dead in a park, robbed, mugged, raped, Casey jumping off a bridge, floating in the river. Suddenly, he remembered something she had said to him as they walked on the beach in Miami.

“Water always has such a soothing effect on me. Whenever I’m troubled, I try to find time to sit by the water whether it’s the ocean, a lake or a river. That makes me feel better instantly.”

That was the last straw he clung to, although it was no easy task, because in Boston water seemed to be everywhere. He concentrated his search on all roads along the river, but it seemed hopeless to recognize someone in the dark through the heavy rain. The desperation lay heavy on him when at last he saw a figure sitting on a bench in the shimmer of a streetlamp. Ethan quickly pulled over, jumped out of the car and started running. He almost tripped in his haste.

Casey sat slumped in her seat, totally soaked, the wet fabric of her dress clung to her body. Her face was pale, her lips had turned blue, shivers ran through her body. Ethan stopped next to the bench, but she didn’t seem to notice him. She stared into the water in front of her.

Apparently, she was wasn’t hurt. Ethan felt great relief, a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. But now that he had found her, he was unsure, what to do. Would she even talk to him? Over and over again he had practiced what he wanted to tell her, but at that moment his mind went blank.

He hesitated, then took a step towards her.

“Casey….”

-----------------------------------

Part 4: “Don’t get her hopes up”  (Ethan is taking care of Casey)

Tags: @queencarb  @utterlyinevitable @schnitzelbutterfingers @nerdydinosaursweets @eramsey28​ @mrsdrakewalkerblog​ @starrystarrytrouble​

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Mon., June, 29, 2020

Saint Tikhon Bishop of Amathus in Cyprus

Saint Tikhon, Bishop of Amathus, was born in the city Amathus on the island of Cyprus. His parents raised their son in Christian piety, and taught him the reading of sacred books. It is said that the gift of wonderworking appeared in Saint Tikhon at quite a young age.

His father was the owner of a bakery, and whenever he left his son alone in the shop, the holy youth would give free bread to those in need. Learning of this, his father became angry, but the son said that he had read in the Scriptures, that in giving to God one receives back a hundredfold. “I,” said the youth, “gave to God the bread which was taken,” and he persuaded his father to go to the place where the grain was stored. With astonishment the father saw that the granary, which formerly was empty, was now filled to overflowing with wheat. From that time the father did not hinder his son from distributing bread to the poor.

A certain gardener brought the dried prunings of vines from the vineyard. Saint Tikhon gathered them, planted them in his garden and besought the Lord that these branches might take root and yield fruit for the health of people. The Lord did so through the faith of the holy youth. The branches took root, and their fruit had a particular and very pleasant taste. It was used during the lifetime of the saint and after his death for making wine for the Mystery of the Holy Eucharis...keep reading OCA

Venerable Moses of Optina

Saint Moses (Putilov) was born on January 15, 1782 in the city of Borisogleb in the Yaroslavl province, and was baptized with the name Timothy. His siblings were called Jonah, Basil, Cyril, Anysia, and Alexander. John Putilov named all his children after the saint commemorated on the eighth day after their birth, so the future Saint Moses was named for the holy Apostle Timothy of the Seventy (January 22). The children were educated at home, since their parents feared they would be corrupted in some way if they were sent away to school.

When Timothy was nineteen, his father sent him and his younger brother Jonah to work in Moscow. While in Moscow they met the Elders Alexander and Philaret of the Novospassky Monastery, who had spiritual ties to Saint Paisius Velichkovsky (November 15). Through their aquaintance with these two ascetics of piety, the brothers decided that they also wished to become monks. In May of 1805 they visited the Sarov monastery (which their widowed brother-in-law Cosmas Krundishev had entered in November 1804) and spoke with Saint Seraphim (January 2). The brothers remained at Sarov for two and a half years. At first they were assigned to the bakery, and then to other obediences.

In 1811, following the advice of Hieromonk Alexis of Moscow’s Simonov Monastery, Timothy went to live with the hermits of the Roslavl forests. There he was placed under the guidance of Elder Athanasius, a disciple of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky. In time, he received the monastic tonsure from Father Athanasius and was named Moses. His sponsor at his tonsure was Elder Dositheus, who had lived in the Rostov forests for forty years.

Alexander, the youngest brother of Father Moses, came to the Roslavl forest on January 15, 1816 to share the life of the monks. Four years later, he was tonsured with the name Anthony. He was placed in the care of Father Moses, to whom he remained obedient for the rest of his life.

In 1821 Bishop Philaret of Kaluga (later Metropolitan of Kiev) suggested that the Putilov brothers move to the Optina Hermitage with a few monks and establish a skete near the monastery, where they could live in greater solitude. Saints Moses and Anthony arrived at Optina on July 6, 1822 to begin their labors. Their first task was to clear away some trees from the place they had chosen, and to uproot the stumps. They built a small cell and enclosed it with a fence, and also built a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist...keep reading OCA

Romans 9:18-33 NKJV

Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” 26 “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. 28 For [a]He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

29 And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the Lord of [b]Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

Present Condition of Israel

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law [c]of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, [d]by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Footnotes:

Romans 9:28 NU the Lord will finish the work and cut it short upon the earth

Romans 9:29 Lit., in Heb., Hosts

Romans 9:31 NU omits of righteousness

Romans 9:32 NU by works, omitting of the law

Matthew 11:2-15 NKJV

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he [a]sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Footnotes:

Matthew 11:2 NU sent by his

New King James Version

(NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Source Biblegateway

[yanderedbh-moved]

The Yanderes As Shakespeare Villains

Please take this post with a grain of salt, about 90% of the characters here are expressly not meant to be either entirely good or entirely evil and not going to lie. I mostly just titled this list “yanderes as villains” for the sake of a title, as more than a few of these characters are far more like anti-heroes than outright villains. Would I identify all the Shakespeare Characters below as antagonists? No. Do I feel they are similar enough to be compared to their DBH counterpart? Yes. All that in mind, please enjoy!

Connor: Macbeth, Macbeth

(Specifically the “nice” version of Connor.) Strung along while heavily manipulated under the control of Amanda/Cyberlife as Macbeth is manipulated by his wife Lady Macbeth, despite all this. However, they are the ones actively doing evil. Carrying out these acts of violence.

Straddle the line between victim and villain. Because of this, they're viewed wildly differently by other characters. Additionally, both are dynamic characters, developing and changing thoroughly from the beginning to the end of the play.

Even though both characters unleash severe pain and even death onto others, it's mostly on account of manipulation. Because of this lack of intention on their end to commit these acts, they suffer the regret and remorse later.

Markus: Cassius, Julius Caesar

Much of their resentment for their enemy is on account of having to live and serve as a lesser to a force of evil. Not necessarily Carl specifically, but still, Markus is forced to serve and interact with humans who hate him.

They fight for freedom and Liberation from the unjust in a way. Markus for androids who deserve a better life, Cassius, who argues Rome is too good to be controlled by a tyrant like Caesar.

Not necessarily an identical parallel but one which still connects the two, Cassius is motivated by his envy for Caesar. At the same time, Markus wants revenge on humans for what they did to him and his people.

Kara: Aaron, Titus Andronicus

The only time Kara is violent, even potentially lethal to others in the story, is in the name of devotion to her child. In the same way, Aaron’s redeeming factor is his devotion to his own son.

There isn’t exactly any real detail given to explain what it is that motivates them beyond the fact they appear to act based on instincts. Kara’s instincts telling her to act as a “mama bear” for Alice, while Aaron is only doing what he believes to be right in the name of being a good lover, and provider for his significant other.

Fundamentally their monogamy and the way they are so loving with only the one they care the most about is central to their characterization. Kara is one of the only non-pleasure based female androids, and Aaron mostly only acts as a way to appease his lover.

Hank: Shylock, The Merchant of Venice

Despite if you love or hate either of them, it's undeniable that they are a victim of circumstance. His villainy is one that is created, not what he was born with.

The driving force behind his dramatic change in behavior is on a count of losing a loved family member. Causing them to cling desperately to what they have left hardening themselves in the process.

Shylock demands a pound of flesh in return for his daughter, while Hank straight-up murders (ok, technically he only shoots him in the head, but his intent stands, just the same.) Connor, on account has misplaced anger towards androids.

Luther: Hamlet, Hamlet

Hamlet may be the tragic hero of the story, and Luther is given a fair shot at redemption. Still, it's wrong to ignore the fact that both of these characters committed evil deeds before the conclusion of their story.

Both arguably have blood on their hands for some character's death even though they're not the direct killers. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent to their deaths by Hamlet, and Luther's complacency in Zlatko’s house kept more androids suffering.

Hardly means they should be counted among the blood thirstiest of villains listed. As they are developed through story and are defined more by their redemption and complexity than by their own faults and failings.

North: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth

Fiercely driven by her appetite for power and ambition, an iconic and classic example of female power and the corrosive influence on her husband.

Obviously, she acts as the driving force in trying to convert Markus and pursuing a path of violence and vengeance. She won't hesitate in her goals, no matter the hesitance of others.

No doubt, this unrelenting thirst for violence would likewise extend to her as a yandere. She would see her actions as ones made out of love and selflessness.

Simon: Tamora, Titus Andronicus

Strikes a chilling balance between a schemer and a bloodthirsty murderer while never leaning too far to one extreme. In a sick way, by keeping this balance, this allows Tamora to embrace the full power of violence, as well as calculation.

While in her own right, she might not be expressly powerful in her own right. However, by aligning herself with as a leader becomes far stronger, similarly, Simon is one of Markus' right-hand men.

He would be the kind of yandere who should never under any circumstances be underestimated as he is capable of intense violence. Far more than meets the eye

Josh: Claudius, Hamlet

Claudius is an interesting villain because, even though he is the one actively committing acts of violence, he is absolutely doing this of his own free will. He’s not manipulated by another, or only doing this for some higher goal. He wants power, and he knows he must kill the current king to achieve this. Yet still, he feels remorse and unease over this. Josh similarly will openly vocalize his dismay over Markus pursuing violence, yet always, will follow through with his leader all the same.

There is no joy in this bloodshed. Both are brutally realistic and understand, ultimately killing is fundamentally wrong, but follow through with this plot to satisfy their own needs. To them, killing is always wrong, it was wrong when they committed this sin, and they fear their time of atonement is coming.

Both the stories of Hamlet and DBH share the notion that no one is entirely good or entirely evil. Even though he knows it’s probably a lost cause, Josh still pleads with Markus to turn to the side of peace and to favor mercy. Claudius may be self-serving to an insidious degree. Still, it’s debatable he did care for Queen Gertrude and felt pain when she died.

Kamski: Edmund, King Lear

While it’s not ever disclosed in canon any real details about Elijah’s upbringing, the two of them share a kind of “larger than life" persona. At least a part of their motivations could be described as going above and beyond the “common man.” For Edmund, this is because of his humble upbringing, and it’s at least possible Elijah shares this need to be celebrated on account of unremarkable upbringing.

Both Elijah and Edmund are absolute snakes! There’s nothing trustworthy or loyal about them, and they have no problem sacrificing or hurting others in the name of their own gain. Edmund, the adulterer, and Kamski, who was fully ready to let Connor shoot one of his companions.

Their quest to become the perfect self-made man left them cold and withdrawn as a result. In the narrative, this cold and withdrawn behavior is Elijah’s way of appearing more cold and mysterious. At the same time, for Edmund, this is a representation of his resentment for the familial love he never received.

Chloe: Titania, A Midsummer’s Night Dream

Both are extraordinary women. Titania is debatably the most powerful character in the entire play, while Chloe is a sophisticated, empathetically driven android, perhaps the most advanced ever, in this sense. Yet are unable to reach their full potential, on account of living under the control of men. Titania, subjected to life under Oberon, and Chloe's bound to a life of domesticity.

Despite their implied superior abilities and potential, they aren’t even really able to fight back against the men who control them. Titania, under the influence of a love spell, forces her to act a fool for her husband’s enjoyment. As Chloe is kept separate and isolated from the rest of the world with no way to make connections of her own.

(I am so sorry, Titania is not a villain in any way, this is all such a reach, but this… this was literally all I got, RIP.)

Gavin: Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet

Definitely a “what you see is what you get” kind of antagonist. And this description applies to both men from the beginning to the end of the story. They wear their motivations and emotions on their sleeves and are unapologetic for the way they act and treat others.

Complete hot-heads. While they may claim not to have selfish motives, as in, they genuinely believe their enemies to be as evil and reproachable as they say, but this is not true. Tybalt’s pugnacious behavior leading to his, and the deaths of many others. While Gavin’s opposition to his fellow investigator prolong progress and only lead to infighting and tensions rising between other humans and androids.

Both characters are pretty much the closest thing to an “all bad” character as it gets. While Tybalt may mean well in some way, to protect his family from the Montagues, he doesn’t care for their well being the moment the rival family is gone. And is clearly only fighting so hard for his own enjoyment. Similarly, for someone who wants to keep humans and androids apart as fiercely as Gavin wants, he doesn’t seem to have any good-will, or kindness to share with any of his fellow humans.

Zlatko: Richard the third, Richard the Third

Both characters follow the arcs of characters who desire power, or to hold a superior status to others, only to lose this power when taken down by the demons of their past.

Even when they are surrounded by the faces of those they’ve wronged in their past, it’s only until the very last second that either of these characters shows any semblance of regret for what they’ve done. And in Zlatko’s case, this doesn’t mean he regrets what he did to the androids he tortured but does regret how he wound up in a position like this.

Ralph: Caliban, The Tempest

Both are fiercely territorial of the places they reside in. While they may or may not have a right to this level of possessiveness, it’s important to acknowledge they only have to share the space anyway on account of unfairness. (Caliban was tricked into giving up possession of his island, and Ralph technically was here before anyone else, and even if he doesn’t own the area officially, it’s still his space.)

Both are written to be “monster” like characters. Or, in other words, characters who are fundamentally different from the humans in the story. Ralph an android, as well as “corrupted” on account of his trauma. While Caliban is described as a creature that lived in the wilderness before the island was under Prospero’s control.

Through the roughness, they present to the outside world, however, the audience sees a glimmer of softness, and maybe even more intelligent than given credit for. If Kara is kind to Ralph, then he will refuse to give away her position to Connor, even under intimidation. Caliban actually does desire a life on the island with Miranda by his side. (Granted, saying he wants to populate the island with “lots of little Calibans” was a bit of a yikes move on his part.)

Daniel: Goneril & Regan

They share a common theme at the heart of their stories. The idea of spending your time, life, and energy to be close to another, to be considered a part of the family, only to lose themselves to jealousy at the notion of being replaced.

Characters with motivations which may appear petty at first glance, however, this is more than enough motivation to enact intense violence. For Daniel, this means threatening to drag the young daughter of his former host family off the top of a building. For Regan, this means literally pulling out someone’s eyes.

Nines: Don John, Much Ado About Nothing

(This is partly a headcanon here.) Even though Nines is considered an upgrade from his predecessor, Connor, that doesn’t change the fact he’s still fundamentally following in his brother’s footsteps, and he can’t help but feel out shined here. A kind of familial resentment John experiences, which motivates his actions in the story.

Even though this petty jealousy may appear superficial at first glance, it’s critical not to underestimate these characters. They are both intelligent schemers. No one is truly safe from, or around them.

This would absolutely extend to you, in terms of yandere Nines. His treachery runs deeply, and if he is so ready to start a war against his own brother than you will never know if you’re genuinely safe around him.

[allyvampirelass29]

Painting the Fire

A Vampire Diaries Fanfiction By: Allyssa J. Watkins

Niklaus Mikaelson smirked to himself, the paintbrush poised in his slender fingers, as if he were conducting an orchestra, coaxing the lyrical likeness from the canvas, his determined hand roving in brave strokes, ending in a slow wisp of a tenderly crafted raven curl.

"Really Nick, are you seriously painting that irksome assassin yet again?"

Klaus winced, reluctant to move the brush from the canvas. Ah, and how the notes have soured......

He turned slowly to look over his shoulder, clearly perturbed. Ironic for his little sister to have used the term, "irksome," being, herself, the very personification of the word, sighing in a huff, arms crossed, as she leaned forward, her face crinkled in harsh scrutiny.

"Come now, Rebekah, don't be nasty, not in the face of such...….. untamed loveliness."

His raspy voice got very quiet then, touching his fingertip to the mocha coloured cheek of his fiercely exotic subject, a gentleness stealing over his features, as the fiery dark eyes looked back, gleaming with danger and desire.

"Tal."

"Ever the poet, aren't you, Brother? Untamed, oh most definitely but lovely?" Rebekah scoffed tossing her long, straight blonde hair back, her impudent face continuing to frown. "You should have made her angrier, more inaccessible, with her signature "bite my ass," expression."

Klaus' lips curled into a fond grin, his usual piercing blue eyes, playfully dancing, knowing that expression his sister had so eloquently described all too well.

"What is it about this one, Nick? She can be so horrid to you, say the most frightful things! She supposedly works for you, is sired by you, and yet still defies you at every turn!! Why ever would you desire a creature that runs so hot and cold on you!? Is it just because she gives you something to chase? Poet and Predator, of course, I should have guessed. All the women in the world fall at the feet of the Great and Terrible Niklaus, but this one fights back, makes you play her game, and you're all too happy for it!!!

Rebekah threw her arms out exasperated as she spoke, mocking him, turning her head from his raven-haired masterwork, as though it pained her to look at it.

"Rebekah, if you're going to be dramatic, I'm going to need another scotch," He simpered coolly, dipping his brush into the blood red paint, his tongue pressing against his bottom lip, as he put the finishing touches on her own sassy Spanish lips, and the ruffles of her off the shoulder dress.

"Why this one, she asks...…" He spoke aloud leisurely, more to his painting than the frustrated petite blond being difficult. "Shall we enlighten her, Darling?" He asked Tal's flirty eyes in a hushed rasp, brushing the blood red paint over her shoulder, watching the satin form around her skin, the answer hot on his lips.

"The Fire...….." He whispered with a harsher, more hungry edge, swooping the crimson ruffle around the small of her open back. "Natalia..... My Spanish Rose...… From the moment I found her, picked her up, broken, I felt it. The fire, the delicious potential, burning inside of her. She's my Masterpiece, Rebekah, not just in artform, but in body, in flesh. I've stoked that fire, both starved and fed it into an unstoppable force. My femme fatale, as flawless a killer, as she is breathtaking a beauty. I want to taste that fire, become...… one with it."

"How very lovely of you, Nick," Rebekah chortled back, placing her hand on his shoulder, and he bristled, not trusting her overly zealous smile. "It's too bad. I feel sorry for you, I really do."

Klaus seethed as she squeezed his shoulder in feigned comfort. "Whatever do you mean, dear, dear, Sister?" He managed through clenched teeth in careful threat.

"It's too bad," Rebekah continued, smiling even more charming, leaning down to look him in the eyes, her brandished blade finding its mark. "That she's madly in love with Damon Salvatore...…."

Klaus leapt up from his seated place at his easel, shoulders heaving, and his eyes snapped furiously, flashing gold and glowing. "What the HELL did you just say!?!?"

"Oh c'mon, Nicky, it's disgustingly obvious. Your Spanish Rose has already been plucked by your worst enemy.......... You want to talk about flesh? His hands know every inch of her caramel skin, while the only thing you're caressing of her, is that cold, rough canvas. Of course....... there's our answer, the rub for your sick little obsession. You're only drawn to her flame because it burns so hot for someone else. Paint the fire, Brother, but by your own foolishness be prepared to PERISH in it!!!!

"How DARE you!!!!" Klaus roared, murder in his glowing gaze. "Aughhhhhhhh!!!!" He let out a thundering yell, flinging his arm out, knocking several glass jars of paint to the ground, each of them smashing against the white marble floor, red, black, yellow, and blue paint bleeding into each other in a chaos of colour. He stepped forward, and gripped Rebekah's throat, his thumb pressing hard against her jaw, and to his utmost frustration, she continued to smile.

"My, my, jealousy is not a colour I often see you dripping with, Nick, but please, don't claw the messenger. Trifle with your angry, difficult, sour-faced little tart all you wish, but don't forget who first tasted her fire."

"SILENCE," Klaus roared again, his grip tightening on his sister's throat, leaning in dangerously, trying and failing to hide his catching hatred. "Be careful, Little Sister, or I'm going to have to be very unpleasant, and that shan't be fun for either of us."

"I'm only protecting you, you braggart, preventing you from wasting your time on something that's long been won. You'll never have her, Nick, not while Damon Salvatore remains in existence!!!!"

Klaus rubbed his lips together furiously, mischief glinting in his harsh glare.

"Well there's an obvious solution then, isn't there...…..?"

"Please, don't tease. She's not worth it, Nick. If you're going to finally off a Salvatore, and nearly get yourself killed in the process, it should be over something that matters."

"She is the ONLY thing that matters, you spiteful, ridiculous girl!!!"

"I'm being ridiculous? And yet you're the one swooning, and moaning over her, painting and drawing her over and over again like she's the Venus de Milo, all when she could NEVER love you the way she loves him!!!! She'll always choose him, Nicky, always, and I think a part of you already knows that. You hold onto her, like she's your last human breath, but she's not holding you back, now is she? In fact....... You are the ONLY thing keeping her from what she wants most in this world........ HOW can you call those chains anything akin to love!?"

Klaus clamped onto Rebekah's wrist painfully, his hybrid claws emerging, his lip furled with his rising fury, his golden eyes narrowed. "You're REALLY starting to piss me off, Rebekah, and we both know what happens when you upset Big Brother...…"

"Bite me." She seethed, the black veins dancing about her eyes.

"Tempting........ But there are just so many more appealing ways to punish you, Sweetie, beginning with your darling blonde errand boy. Shall I bite him instead? Or is it your old tortured flame that tempts you more these days?" Klaus laughed cruelly, tilting his light-coloured auburn curls, already knowing the answer. "Talk about loving a lost cause....... How does it feel, Sister, to always be the second choice, the consolation prize?"

"YOU tell me!!!! Go on, you preening narcissist!!! Tell me she loves you with all of her thorny heart!!!! Tell me I'm wrong!!!!!" She shot back, trying to get loose of him, but he grabbed her other wrist too, his scruffy angular jaw raised in defiance, his claws holding her in place, and there was a part of him that wanted to mirror what her words had done to him, and rip her heart right out.

"You're. Wrong," He seethed, his jaw clenching, as he moved in closer, the violent heat of his anger, scorching. "Damon Salvatore is her EX, as in EXPELLED from her heart, her mind, her immortal life. She's MINE, now, do you understand? If I asked her to kill him for me, surround him in her fire, she'd DO it, let him burn, for all that damn smart ass Casanova has done, is hurt her something most cruel. Oh yes, she blames Katherine for the slaughter of her family, but it's Damon's hands that drip with their blood, having hurtled her in Katherine's warpath. He brought this devastation down on her, he REJECTED her for that conniving attention whore, and even now he suspects he can win her back with only a smile and a wink, believing with such hubris that's all it takes, when she deserves to be fought for, BLED for!!!!"

Rebekah struggled in his grasp, leaning forward, glaring back. "And you, Brother...… Is it YOU who must bleed for her? She's a weakness, Nick, a bad habit, a lethal dose, and if you don't stop indulging, she's going to get you KILLED!!!!"

"What's this? Rough housing again? Really, what am I going to do with the both of you? Rebekah, whatever nasty thing you've clearly just spat at Niklaus, say you're sorry, and stop pestering him. Niklaus, we've only got the one sister, and being down two brothers, we'd best not end her just yet...…" Elijah swept into the lavish room, the picture of serenity, that is, until he saw the paint smearing the pristine marble floor.

"That's Italian Marble!!!! Oh Brother, what a MESS you've made!"

"He has NO idea," Rebekah smarted back, and Klaus released her with a shove, his once again blue eyes following her coldly as she left the room in a huff.

"Go on, Elijah, swoop in and be the good one, the saintly brother, go comfort our poor sister's hurt feelings like you always do."

"My God, Klaus, Don't be-"

"What? Beastly? Can't help it, Brother, it's in the genes, I'm afraid."

It was then Elijah's calm brown eyes, caught sight of Klaus' fiery rendition of Natalia.

"Oh......... You've painted another one, I see."

Klaus chuckled, shaking his head, not the least bit surprised. Typical Elijah. Predictable to the point of exasperated boredom. "Oh, not you too!!! And here I thought you liked Tal."

"I-I do," Elijah managed, feeling unsettled by the striking eyes in the painting, that seemed to follow him as he paced in the other direction, making a show of fretting over the floor.

"Whatever you're not saying, Elijah, it's deafening." Klaus snarked, snatching up one of his brushes, whisking it furiously in a cup of water.

"You're too close to this one, Niklaus, she's a dire distraction. She has consumed you, tempted your very soul."

"How kind of you, Elijah, to assume I have one," Klaus smiled resentfully, cleansing his brushes with even more fervor.

"Be careful, Niklaus, take measure. She's dangerous, to you, to herself, and to the survival of this world. She threatens us all...... Killing openly in crowds, dissolving like shadow, but the most egregious act thus committed, is how deeply she has rooted herself in your heart, taking hold, stolen her way past your usually sound defenses."

"Calm your fears, Brother, I LIVE for her danger, ache for those comely shadows, and as for the world...…. I'll happily destroy it right alongside her, should she be so inclined. Make no mistake....... I'VE rooted her there, Elijah, that her bloom may flourish, entangled our hearts so neither can be withdrawn without harm to the other. She's right where I want her," He chuckled, caressing his palm along the side of the canvas, marveling at his masterwork. Of all the pieces he'd done featuring Natalia, this one was his favourite. Devil red becomes you, My Spanish Rose.

"You don't mean that!" Elijah insisted vehemently, his unease all the more evident, as he watched his little brother gaze into the danger he loved, the danger he would die for.

"I do. I mean it, Elijah, Tal isn't going anywhere, so you best get comfortable having her around. And Rebekah should learn to play nice with my paramour, else I'll have her grounded, quite literally, in the ground, tucked away warm and safe in her coffin. Now, if you'll excuse me, there was an original Matisse with a gold plated, pearl inlay frame, that might just be far more suited to my own artistry."

Elijah watched with an austere countenance as Klaus collected his portrait, smirking sneakily, and disappeared up the winding spiral staircase. Once he was sure he had gone, Elijah turned heel, and hastened to meet his younger sister in the foyer, attempting to keep his composure to little, practically no avail.

"Oh good. You haven't killed each other yet. How marvelous," Rebekah drawled lazily leaning up against the wall, rubbing her wrist with accusing disdain.

"What ARE you thinking, Rebekah, I said TALK to him, seed doubt of her allegiance, assuage him off her, NOT knowingly bait him, rile him up, get him foaming at the mouth!!!! Have you not been listening!? If you're petulant about Natalia, you'll only drive them closer together."

"I can't help it, I don't like her, and I don't like who he is with her, and I really don't care for your scolding when I've been generous enough to help you."

"You're not helping me, I've already told you, WE'RE helping him."

Rebekah chuckled, running a hand through her long, straight blonde hair, looking amused.

"What? By taking away Niklaus' favourite toy? Really, Elijah, you'd have better luck getting her to fall back in love with Damon Salvatore. Let's say it outright, shall we? You're not helping him, you're helping you. You want him to be a good little soldier, and you know she could do it, get him to leave us, corrupt him in ways the world's not yet ready for, never mind what he'd do to her...… Imagine the power they'd have between them, if he actually got his way. They'd bring the world to its knees, and us along with it.

"It's not altogether a terrible idea...… Throwing Tal at Damon...….. She did love him once, some part of her still must," Elijah mused, his thumb and forefinger resting underneath his chin.

"Oh BRILLIANT, Elijah, My God, you've solved the thing proper this time!!!!!!" Rebekah exclaimed in false praise, her shrill voice rife with sarcasm. "We play Vampire Matchmaker, hurl Natalia into Damon's greedy, skeevy arms, watch our brother drown his sorrows in the blood of everyone living and undead, before staking us both into eternity, perfection, SO happy we worked that up!"

"Well, what method precisely, would you suggest?"

Rebekah smiled with her own glamour and mischief, giving Elijah a knowing look. "You see, that's your problem, Dear Brother, you always go for the noble play, the right way out, when there are far more devious, yet desperately effective options. You want Niklaus to give up his saucy little assassin for good? Well, it's deliciously simple. Turn him against her, convince him she's betrayed him, that she's never loved him. Nothing gets him quite worked up like opening up his miserable heart, only to realize he's being used."

Elijah stared at her aghast. "No. We can't do that to him. Rebekah, really, that's diabolical, even by your standards, to break our brother, thus, just when he's at last learnt to love!"

"You want to buy our brother's loyalty away from that scheming woman, you have to be willing to pay up, Elijah. He'll never choose us over her, unless...… we choose for him."

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

12th December >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Thursday, Second Week of Advent 

    or 

Our Lady of Guadalupe 

    or 

Saint Finian, Bishop.

Thursday, Second Week of Advent

(Liturgical Colour: Violet)

First Reading

Isaiah 41:13-20

I, the Holy One of Israel, am your redeemer

I, the Lord, your God,

I am holding you by the right hand;

I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid,

I will help you.’

Do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm,

Israel, puny mite.

I will help you – it is the Lord who speaks –

the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer.

See, I turn you into a threshing-sled,

new, with doubled teeth;

you shall thresh and crush the mountains,

and turn the hills to chaff.

You shall winnow them and the wind will blow them away,

the gale will scatter them.

But you yourself will rejoice in the Lord,

and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The poor and needy ask for water, and there is none,

their tongue is parched with thirst.

I, the Lord, will answer them,

I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.

I will make rivers well up on barren heights,

and fountains in the midst of valleys;

turn the wilderness into a lake,

and dry ground into waterspring.

In the wilderness I will put cedar trees,

acacias, myrtles, olives.

In the desert I will plant juniper,

plane tree and cypress side by side;

so that men may see and know,

may all observe and understand

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 144(145):1,9-13a

R/ The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.

I will give you glory, O God my king,

I will bless your name for ever.

How good is the Lord to all,

compassionate to all his creatures.

R/ The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign

and declare your might, O God,

to make known to men your mighty deeds

and the glorious splendour of your reign.

R/ The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Yours is an everlasting kingdom;

your rule lasts from age to age.

R/ The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, Lord, with your peace

that we may rejoice in your presence with sincerity of heart.

Alleluia!

Or:

cf. Isaiah 45:8

Alleluia, alleluia!

Send victory like a dew, you heavens,

and let the clouds rain it down.

Let the earth open and bring forth the saviour.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 11:11-15

Salute the house and let your peace descend upon it

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

——————————-

Our Lady of Guadalupe 

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

Zechariah 2:14-17

'I am coming', says the Lord

Sing, rejoice,

daughter of Zion;

for I am coming

to dwell in the middle of you

– it is the Lord who speaks.

Many nations will join the Lord,

on that day;

they will become his people.

But he will remain among you,

and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you.

But the Lord will hold Judah

as his portion in the Holy Land,

and again make Jerusalem his very own.

Let all mankind be silent before the Lord!

For he is awaking and is coming from his holy dwelling.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Judith 13:18a-19

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High,

beyond all women on earth;

and may the Lord God be blessed,

the Creator of heaven and earth.

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

The trust you have shown

shall not pass from the memories of men,

but shall ever remind them

of the power of God.

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary,

and most worthy of all praise,

for the sun of justice, Christ our God,

was born of you.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 1:26-38

'I am the handmaid of the Lord'

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

————————-

Saint Finian, Bishop 

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

Exodus 32:7-14

Moses pleads with the Lord his God to spare Israel

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’

But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’

So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.

Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,

that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

I have sworn to David my servant:

I will establish your dynasty for ever

and set up your throne through all ages.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant

and with my holy oil anointed him.

My hand shall always be with him

and my arm shall make him strong.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him;

by my name his might shall be exalted.

He will say to me: “You are my father,

my God, the rock who saves me.”’

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia!

You have only one Father, and he is in heaven;

you have only one Teacher, the Christ.

Alleluia!

Or:

Mt28:19,20

Alleluia, alleluia!

Go, make disciples of all the nations.

I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.

Alleluia!

Or:

Mk1:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Follow me, says the Lord,

and I will make you into fishers of men.

Alleluia!

Or:

Lk4:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,

to proclaim liberty to captives.

Alleluia!

Or:

Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my own sheep and my own know me.

Alleluia!

Or:

Jn15:5

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the vine,

you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Or:

2Co5:19

Alleluia, alleluia!

God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,

and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 9:35-37

The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

[androgyne-acolyte]

The Radical Queer Gospel

(My first try at a sermon, for Pride Sunday 2019. You can also listen on Soundcloud.)

Why do we need a Pride Sunday? Especially in June? [Note: our local Pride festival is held in July.]

Because there is still a great lie that queer people — LGBTQ+ people — and Christians can’t get along.

I’ve had people on the internet tell me that my decision to go into ministry as a genderqueer person is worthless, because “the belief system of some two-thousand-year-old desert tribe didn’t care about being nice to gay people”. We routinely get messages telling us our church sign is wrong.

Anyone can spout talking points about this; but wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. [cf. Matthew 11:19]

I’m going to tell you about Jesus today; how he lived, and what he taught. For me, there is something powerfully relatable about the shape of Jesus’ life; not just as a person of faith, but as a queer person. I want to talk about how Jesus’ story resembles, in many ways, nothing so much as a queer life — with all the upheaval, scandal, and confounding of expectations that implies.

I’m certainly not saying that Jesus was gay, or trans, or intersex. Queer is a more expansive term than that, and is a much more immediately transgressive term; it’s a term, quite honestly, that is still very much connected to its origins as a term of abuse. While it can refer to anyone who experiences homophobia or transphobia, it carries with it a connotation of a way of being that goes against the grain; a state of being not quite one thing and not quite another.

But, fair warning: its use is sometimes quite contentious, even discouraged, within the wider LGBTQ+ community, especially when used by people who would not consider themselves “queer”. I’m using it today, however, because I’m speaking from my own point of view.

Jesus is born as an ordinary peasant, the son of a teenage mother and a carpenter — you know the story. He lives under military occupation by the Roman Empire, which has annexed all the best land; demands punitive taxes to build palaces in fortified seaport towns; has taken over the Jerusalem Temple, hiring and firing high priests at will, and doesn’t hesitate to violently crush any sign of dissent.

But as Jesus grows up, he starts to realize that he is called to be something different, something that will disturb the very fabric of the society that he lives in. He finds community through John the Baptist, a strange, wild figure who has quite a following, mostly among the more downtrodden parts of society — and through John he gets initiated into a new kind of life, a new way of being.

Then, Jesus begins to get noticed. Imagine the young Jesus, certainly no older than I am now, speaking in the synagogues all across the countryside of Galilee. And when he gets to his hometown of Nazareth, he stands in front of all his family and friends and begins to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives … to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” … The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21)

This reads, to me, like a coming-out narrative. Because Jesus immediately follows up this seemingly empowering message with a bunch of uncomfortable truths that they don’t want to hear — namely, by citing the story of the prophet Elijah to make the point that God works from the margins of society, and plants the seeds of prophecy and change from the bottom up. “No prophet is accepted in their own country,” declares Jesus — and the congregation who had just minutes before said “Wow! This kid is going places! Joseph, isn’t this your son?” turn around and try to run him out of town.

There is something else here that the gospels aren’t quite obvious about. Jesus is giving up his place in the family structure that bound Judean culture together; striking out on his own, all the way to the raggedy edge — to share his message of healing and justice and resilience in the face of Roman occupation with those whom his people would have considered foreigners and outcasts.

It’s almost certain that Joseph assumed that Jesus would come of age and take on his father’s trade, inheriting his tools and going to work as a day labourer in Roman construction projects. All of a sudden, that’s not going to happen — because Jesus has fallen in with a very strange crowd; he’s been influenced by these people, and has come back home full of uncanny zeal and radical ideas.

I can imagine all too well the sight of Mary grieving for the image of the son she loved, who she assumed would grow up, settle down, and have children of his own — but all of a sudden he’s someone different; someone or something that can’t quite be contained. I can imagine this all too well because my own mother, my own father, have both gone through this.

But as it turns out, Jesus had discovered — he had understood, had even begun to embody — a kind of love that had never been thought possible; a kind of love that was so radical and so powerful that a lot of folks outright rejected it. The people in power certainly weren’t into it.

This is a kind of story that should absolutely resonate with queer folks like me, because we have a very similar experience — with and through each other. The dawning realization that we are meant for a different kind of life; something which not everyone can understand, but which we suddenly realize is beautiful. That moment when you see someone else, in person or in the media, who embodies an indescribable feeling that you have kept tucked away inside of you for your entire life.

Isn’t it possible that those ordinary semi-literate fishermen, Peter and Andrew and James and John, had a similar experience — seeing something in Jesus that was so powerful, so compelling, that they couldn’t help but respond when he said “follow me”?

We queer people know a kind of love that wrenches us out of the closet and into the sunlight; a kind of love that makes us feel beautiful and strong and valued in a way that no other love has before; a love that opens our hearts to weep at the injustices done to our queer siblings, our trans siblings, our Two-Spirit siblings throughout history;

A love that can make us fearless, so that no catcalling, no misgendering, no homophobic preaching, no gay-bashing, no parental rejection can dissuade us from living out the kind of love to which we are called; the ways of being that upset cultural assumptions and power structures that most of us take as fact.

The love that took root in Jesus’ movement was one that breached walls and broke down borders; that reached across ancient religious schisms — such as the one between the Judeans and the Samaritans, who wouldn’t even speak to each other; that uplifted and empowered women; that extended all the way to the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts — who would have been considered not only foreign, but ritually unacceptable as a person! — to heal and unify and plant the seeds of distributive justice through small, beautiful, subversive actions. And it didn’t stop there.

Near the end of the Gospel of Matthew, some of the Roman-backed chief priests and elders come up to Jesus and start questioning him. But he takes the wind out of their sails by telling them a parable:

“What do you think? A man had two sons [keep in mind that in a lot of Bible stories, the second son is the underdog who comes out on top]; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the [sex workers] are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:28-31)

(Look at it this way; at least no one can accuse me of not being Bible-based.)

That passage is a proverbial smoking gun; of all the sayings in the Gospels, it’s the one that is still immediately subversive to us today. But it’s true, Jesus explains, because there’s one thing that the most stigmatized, most down-and-out people in society have that the respectable folks who actually obey the traffic laws and run the Temple don’t — and that is, a thirst for hope and meaning and healing, and a reason to imagine that another world is possible.

So, I’ll say it right now: I am not going into ministry to uphold the stability of the mainline church in its current form. I am going into ministry in the hope that I can help make the church into a refuge, where everyone has the opportunity and the tools to heal and thrive and care for one another; where this transformative divine love is as present and as accessible as the air we breathe.

I believe that I am called, among other things, to be a minister to and for my queer and trans siblings, for my radical siblings; to be an instrument of disorientation and reorientation and renewal and healing for the wounds that the church at large has inflicted by confusing white heteronormative Western social conventions with the actual, radical teachings of christianity.

Because how many queer and transgender children have been turned away, just like Jesus was run out of his hometown, by parents and communities and churches who don’t understand them?

I think what Jesus says to his own people later on in the Gospel of Matthew is something he might say to my radical queer siblings, and to the church that has historically rejected them, today:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children [— your queer and trans and non-binary children —] together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate.” (Matthew 23:37-38)

Because the great tragedy here is that that vital, transcendent love should have been the church’s stock in trade all along. We, the church, have the capacity and the knowledge to reach back to our radical, counter-cultural roots and throw people a lifeline of meaning and hope and healing in a tempest-tossed world — but in the eyes of far too many, we are still at best a bastion of the status quo.

I’ve connected with some wonderful radical theological people through the internet; one particular person, by the name of Jane Nichols — a remarkable lesbian trans woman who just completed her master’s degree in theology — says it better than I ever could:

[O]ur stance towards exclusionary theology should not be ‘well, actually, if we look in the Bible, we can see that it never actually forbids being gay,’ but instead, ‘how dare [we] presume to limit God’s love? What blasphemous arrogance could have possibly led [us] to where [we ended up]? When did [we] start worshipping [our] own image in place of the Divine?’ (Jane Nichols, Tumblr post, May 2019)

Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.

Where I have found the Holy Spirit alive and well and pushing the envelope is on the margins of almost every sphere. Most immediately, I encounter it in the deep insight and vulnerability of the women clergy members in my life — and most recently, I have seen it spring to life in the passion and brilliance and vision of the lesbian and queer women clergy with whom I was privileged to commune on the sidelines of the former Maritime Conference.

By the way — Jesus’ story is hardly the only one that’s relatable to queer and trans people like us. The Bible is replete with stories of transformation, of coming into new identity and purpose, even gender-ambiguity, if you know where — and how — to look.

Yes, queer people — LGBTQ+ people — and Christians, followers of Jesus, can and should get along. Yes, queer people can be Christian, and Christians can be queer; and yes, we can and should learn from one another!

Because we have a remarkable common ground — a remarkable birthright:

We are called to go against the grain; to challenge the basic patterns in which our societies operate, and to embrace a new and powerful kind of love;

a love that reshapes the way we think about ourselves, a love that beckons us to healing and renewal, a love that calls us to take action and cry out for justice, a love that is itself a radical way of being; a love that is potentially more beautiful and more life-giving than the power structures of this world are ready to understand.

Amen.

June 2, 2019 — St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax

[explosivebang]

Wip tag

My buddy @quartzess tagged me on this but idk enough people on Tumblr to tag on this, so I’ll put some people on as time goes on. this is pretty long so more under the cut

1. describe the plot in one sentence

Man tells daughter she can’t be queen, she says ‘Fuck you’

2. pick one sight, sound, smell, feel and taste to describe its aesthetic

sight: The light of the sun as is drowned everything in its path

sound: The clashing of blades as will went against will.

smell: the clouds of incense as they wafted through the hair

feel: Cold metal, sharply cutting skin.

taste: revenge. Can I say revenge?

3. which 3+ songs would make up a playlist for the novel?

Dreamin - The Score ft Blackbear

Belgrade - Battle Tapes

Starlight - Starset

Victorious - Panic! At The Disco

Lonely Dance - Set It Off

Dancing With The Devil - Set It Off

Wired - Mallory Knox

Reckless - Jaxson gamble

4.  what’s the time period and location in which the novel takes place?

Takes place on the continent of Aegis between the Northern Kingdom, Thoran, and the Southern Kingdom, Ceres. General time period is that weird fantasy medieval time zone.

5. are there any former titles you’ve considered but have discarded?

Not particularly? Originally All the King’s Men was just a placeholder but the more I fleshed out the plot and the more I decided to make it about women instead of just using that as backstory I felt the irony from the title fitted a lot more as time went on and now I really like it.

6. what’s the first line?

“The whispers clogged her ears like hair in a drain, disdain washed over her like slime and at this rate vague murder of the next noblewoman to side eye her was very much on the table.”

7. what’s a dialogue you’re particularly proud of?

"Everything i do for good will be attributed to someone else. My strength must have come from father. The throne given to me by you, as if i didn’t fight for it,” Kavi growled, a hand slamming against the table that kept her from strangling her brother. “Everyone will assume I am the puppet of someone else. They will rage when my council is full of women. They will froth at the mouth any time I do anything that uplifts the lower class or women. When i do good for everyone, they will assume a cardinal must have been behind it. If I get a husband, even worse, they will say it was thanks to him. But I have accepted my fate. Because frankly this country deserves better than our bastard of a father who fattens himself on the plight of the people, and you who clamber after his coat tails."

“Is that how you truly feel?” Vikan asked, almost reverently, as if the answer was some holy secret. Kavi snorted. “It’s how I’ve always felt you insensitive prick. It’s not like I’ve ever hidden how I feel, if anything I roared it from the battlements whenever I could!” she roared

“I’m so sorry…” he whispered “I only ever wanted to keep father happy. I only ever wanted a sister.”

“And I always wanted a brother, but we don’t always get what we want. Some of us have to fight for it. But you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

8. which line from the novel represents it the most?

“I’m smarter, stronger and, fraaaankly, better suited forthe thrOne! And the only diff… diff…-” Kavi began

“Difference?” Ely offered

“That! The only difference between me and him, is vat he has a dick. Wait… vaat’s it” she slurred “I’ll get a bigger one!”

9. who are your character faceclaims?

I never really thought about it to be honest

10. sort your characters into hogwart houses

gryffindor: Kavi, Zev

hufflepuff: Aera, Vikan,

ravenclaw: Ely, Grey

slytherin: Virin, Naina, Noir

11. which character’s name do you love the most?

Ely, it’s pronounced the same as the first syllable from Elijah. I like Aera too and Naina.

12. describe each character’s outfit.

It generally changes from what I’ve planned and I haven’t thought of any outside of Kavi soooo

Kavi: A dark, leather tabard with tails, under a flat metal breastplate. Her legs are protected by thick boots, greaves and sabatons. With vambraces and gloves and a sharpened blade at her side she’s always ready for battle.

13. Do any of the characters have distinct birthmarks/scars?

Kavi has a scar across her nose and going up the left side of her jaw that she got from a bar brawl. “On the upside, my father can’t marry me off for my face”

Noir has a scar on her throat as mark of her place as a Ceresan Assassin to the crown. Those women are extra.

14. which character most fits a character trope?

Kavi fits the violent princess trope, Ely is the “So competent, she could take the goddess to task if she showed up with the wrong paperwork”, Aera is the dangerous airhead and Noir is the silent assassin.

15. which character would be the best writer? worst?

Grey and Virin would probably be the best writers because Grey reads so many scriptures and has probably picked things up. Virin however is a Courtesan, her entire job is to use words to sway her audience, in this case the audience is her marks but it can easily be switched to readers. Oddly enough, maybe Kavi in that way that her drunkenness could fuel a lot of plotlines, but other than that she would probably be the worst in the group because she is too blunt and doesn’t like to mince words like authors would.

16. which character is the best liar? Worst?

Virin for the aforementioned reason, ie its her entire job. The worst would be Aera, the sweet little airhead that she is, would probably be the worst liar.

17. which character swears the most? least?

Ironically not Kavi, it’s Ely when she’s drunk which, doesn’t happen often as a result. Aera swears the least.

18. which character has the best handwriting? Worst?

Kavi has the best hand writing weirdly enough, whereas Ely has chicken scratch “but in my  defence… yeah I got nothing.”

19. which character is most like you? least like you?

It’s probably Ely?

20. which character would you most like to be?

A weird mix between Kavi and Grey. I want Kavi’s ability to do the right thing damn the consequences and trust my decisions no matter the cost. But I also really want Grey’s peace of mind, her ability to have faith, not necessarily in a god, but her faith in the world and the people around her.

[roseisread]

My Year in Movies: Favorite Non-2018 Feature Films (Part 1)

I watched a LOT of movies this year. At last count, I had logged 229 features and 126 shorts; and that doesn’t count rewatches--only movies that were new to me.

I set a few challenges for myself as well this year. The first one was to watch at least one non-English language/US release per week--this exposed me to so much world cinema and some really amazing filmmakers. Anyone who avoids foreign films because “I don’t like subtitles” is really missing out, and I found myself craving these narratives from voices I don’t ordinarily get exposed to in my everyday life. 

Other personal challenges: Watching as many horror movies as possible in October (with horror defined pretty loosely so I could include entries from silent era and onward, as well as some comedy cult classics that have horror/thriller elements); participating in Noirvember (in addition to attending Noir City in Chicago); crossing off some major blindspots from my list (such as Bicycle Thieves, The Producers, Lethal Weapon, A Few Good Men, Grease, Home Alone 2, Brazil, and Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom); and trying to watch movies and short films from every decade that motion pictures have existed.

In 2019, I hope to do similar personal challenges with a focus on movies made by women, LGBTQ+, and people of color, in addition to filling in the gaps of my classical/canonical movie knowledge. 

OK, so that’s enough preamble. Let’s get to the list! For this list, I’m excluding movies that were released in 2018--that’s coming but this is for movies released before that. 

50. Linda Linda Linda (2005, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, country of origin: Japan)

High school girls recruit the Korean exchange student (Doona Bae, of Cloud Atlas and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) to join their rock band a few days before the school talent show. This is just a feel good film, recommended if you enjoyed the likes of Sing Street, We Are The Best!, and The Runaways. Unfortunately, it’s out of print in physical form; but last I checked someone had uploaded it to YouTube so you might want to get on that before it’s removed. You can watch the trailer here.

49. The Blue Dahlia (1946, directed by George Marshall, country of origin: US)

This film noir stars Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd, and like any good noir, it deals with dark subjects including murder, blackmail, political corruption, and PTSD. It’s been on my watchlist for a long time, and thanks to Noir City Chicago, I got to see it on the big screen at the Music Box Theatre. For small screen viewing, you can catch up with it via rental on Vudu, Amazon, iTunes... the usual suspects. 

48. Siren of the Tropics (1927, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Etievant, country of origin: France)

My dearly departed Filmstruck had a spotlight on the films of Josephine Baker, and this was among them. I fell in love instantly with the lively, beautiful Baker, here playing a woman named Papitou who deals with some super scummy dudes but manages to be herself in the face of all that nonsense. Silent films can sometimes be tougher to engage with for modern audiences, but this one flies by and contains some unexpectedly racy sequences for the time. Its racial politics don’t meet today’s cultural standards, but considering Baker’s parents were former slaves and their daughter went on to become the first woman of color to star in a major motion picture, this is still a landmark film worthy of our consideration. She broke down many barriers and contributed a great deal to both the entertainment world and the Civil Rights movement, and this serves as a nice entry point into her career. It’s available on DVD through Kino Lorber, and hopefully one day soon it’ll pop up on another streaming service that carries on the Filmstruck legacy.

47. I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore (2017, directed by Macon Blair, country of origin: US)

Here’s a film that goes to some unexpected places. I had no idea what to expect from Macon Blair, who frequently appears in the movies of Jeremy Saulnier; but in his debut feature for Netflix, he pulled out all the stops. Hilarious, violent, and intense, with memorable performances from stars Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood, this is a movie about getting in over your head and just going for it anyway. I don’t want to tell you about the plot because it’s best discovered through watching--just go to your nearest device and add it to your Netflix queue. 

46. Song of the Sea (2014, directed by Tomm Moore, country of origin: Ireland)

Absolutely gorgeous animation from the team that previously brought us The Secret of Kells, and a touching story that combines family and mythology. I adored this one. Watch it on Netflix or rent on the usual streaming sources--for a preview, click here. 

45. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942, directed by Michael Curtiz, country of origin: US)

I always watch Independence Day on the Fourth of July; but in 2018, I decided to mix it up and cross this patriotic musical off the watchlist. I’d seen James Cagney’s gangster movies like White Heat and The Public Enemy, but seeing him sing and dance was a whole new joyous discovery. This movie is entertaining, funny, touching, and full of iconic sequences that other films would go on to borrow from. I absolutely loved it. Pretty sure I saw this on Filmstruck originally, but since that’s no longer possible you should be able to find it at your local public library or you can rent it for a couple bucks on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes, and the like. 

44. The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950, directed by Felix Feist, country of origin: US)

This tightly wound noir thriller pits brother against brother against the backdrop of 1950s San Francisco. Lee Cobb plays an aging bachelor and an accomplished police detective who falls for the wrong dame. His younger brother, played by John Dall (Gun Crazy, Rope), has just joined the police force and idolizes his older brother. Trouble strikes when the dame murders her no good husband and needs help from Cobb to cover it up. Naturally, Dall gets assigned to the case and as he begins to piece together the clues, he doesn’t like where they’re leading him. The climactic sequence is one of my favorite endings to a noir film, and I’ve seen a lot of them. Watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime; otherwise, there are a few versions uploaded to YouTube of varying quality or you could wait for it to pop up on TCM. 

43. Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003, directed by Thom Andersen, country of origin: US)

This documentary edits together clips from movies of every era that were filmed or set in Los Angeles, and explains through voiceover narration the significance of each location and the history of the motion pictures in LA. That’s it--very simple concept but also fascinating. I split this up over a couple nights because it’s pretty long, but if you’re a film fan or a Los Angeles native, this is well worth your time. The voiceover is kind of hilariously flat in its delivery--kind of a Steven Wright sound actually--but that sort of adds to the charm for me. Get a taste by watching the trailer, and then you can rent it on YouTube for $1.99.

42. A Simple Plan (1998, directed by Sam Raimi, country of origin: US)

It’s been almost two years since we lost Bill Paxton; I don’t know about you but I don’t think any other actor can really fill those shoes. This year I caught up with three films that showcased his talent: A Simple Plan, One False Move, and Frailty. He plays very different characters in each one but in many ways they all start off with a similar premise: Ordinary guy dreams of becoming more. What that “more” is for each character is what sets each film and performance apart, but Paxton provided a great canvas to paint these unique characters onto. He inhabited the ordinary man better than just about anyone. 

In this film, which I watched during Noirvember, Paxton plays Hank, a college-educated guy working a blue collar job in a small town, trying to make a better life for himself and his family. He’d like to get away from those small town roots, but his socially awkward brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton) relies on him. Unfortunately, Jacob is often accompanied by the hard-drinking loose canon Lou (Brent Briscoe). When the unlikely trio discover a crashed plane in the woods containing a suitcase full of cash, they each have ideas for how to handle the situation. Of course things escalate from there, and the way the movie explores human nature and family ties set this story apart. Available for online rental on the usual platforms.

41. The Iron Giant (1999, directed by Brad Bird, country of origin: US)

Given my obsession with Vin Diesel in the early 2000s, it’s pretty shocking I never saw this movie til now--sure, he and his glorious muscles don’t appear on screen, but he does provide the voice of the title character after all. When the Iron Giant made a controversial cameo in this year’s film adaptation of Ready Player One, I decided it was time I saw the source material for myself. 

This gorgeously animated fable unfolds during the Cold War era, and features an ET-inspired story arc of a young boy befriending an unlikely being that the government is looking for. If you’ve never seen it, this is definitely a must-watch. Currently available on Netflix, but rentable on other platforms too.

40. The Unsuspected (1947, directed by Michael Curtiz, country of origin: US)

I adore Claude Rains, star of this film and supporting actor in Curtiz’s more famous work, Casablanca. Here, he plays the host and narrator of a popular radio show that revolves around tales of murder--basically the Law and Order: SVU of its day. We learn early on that he sometimes draws inspiration for his broadcasts from real life criminals. When people in his own life start dropping dead, the plot thickens and he finds himself at the center of the action. A very suspenseful and well-plotted film noir, which is available from the Warner Archive collection on DVD. I got to see it at Noir City Chicago, and loved every second of it. 

That’s all for this entry--stay tuned for part two of this list, posting soon! 

[loveofyhwh]

January 18: Genesis 32–33; Matthew 11; Psalm 18:1–24; Proverbs 6:1–19

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January 18: Genesis 32–33; Matthew 11; Psalm 18:1–24; Proverbs 6:1–19

Old Testament:

Genesis 32–33

Genesis 32–33 (Listen)

Jacob Fears Esau

32 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.Mahanaim means two camps‘>1

3 And Jacob sentOr had sent‘>2 messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, 4 instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”

6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 8 thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.”

9 And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. 12 But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

13 So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau, 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milking camels and their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 These he handed over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass on ahead of me and put a space between drove and drove.” 17 He instructed the first, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ 18 then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’” 19 He likewise instructed the second and the third and all who followed the droves, “You shall say the same thing to Esau when you find him, 20 and you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease himHebrew appease his face‘>3 with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”Hebrew he will lift my face‘>4 21 So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

Jacob Wrestles with God

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,Or sons‘>5 and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,Israel means He strives with God, or God strives‘>6 for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,Peniel means the face of God‘>7 saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Jacob Meets Esau

33 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. 2 And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. 8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this companyHebrew camp‘>8 that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead ofOr along with‘>9 you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.Succoth means booths‘>10

18 And Jacob came safelyOr peacefully‘>11 to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of moneyHebrew a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value‘>12 the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.El-Elohe-Israel means God, the God of Israel‘>13

Footnotes

[1] 32:2 Mahanaim means two camps [2] 32:3 Or had sent [3] 32:20 Hebrew appease his face [4] 32:20 Hebrew he will lift my face [5] 32:22 Or sons [6] 32:28 Israel means He strives with God, or God strives [7] 32:30 Peniel means the face of God [8] 33:8 Hebrew camp [9] 33:12 Or along with [10] 33:17 Succoth means booths [11] 33:18 Or peacefully [12] 33:19 Hebrew a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value [13] 33:20 El-Elohe-Israel means God, the God of Israel

(ESV)

New Testament:

Matthew 11

Matthew 11 (Listen)

Messengers from John the Baptist

11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepersLeprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13‘>1 are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A manOr Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .‘>2 dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?‘>3 Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

  “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,     who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,Or has been coming violently‘>4 and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear,Some manuscripts omit to hear‘>5 let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17   “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;     we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)‘>6

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.Or for so it pleased you well‘>7 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Footnotes

[1] 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [2] 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . . [3] 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? [4] 11:12 Or has been coming violently [5] 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear [6] 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35) [7] 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 18:1–24

Psalm 18:1–24 (Listen)

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

18   I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2   The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,     my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,     my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3   I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,     and I am saved from my enemies. 4   The cords of death encompassed me;     the torrents of destruction assailed me;Or terrified me‘>1 5   the cords of Sheol entangled me;     the snares of death confronted me. 6   In my distress I called upon the LORD;     to my God I cried for help.   From his temple he heard my voice,     and my cry to him reached his ears. 7   Then the earth reeled and rocked;     the foundations also of the mountains trembled     and quaked, because he was angry. 8   Smoke went up from his nostrils,Or in his wrath‘>2     and devouring fire from his mouth;     glowing coals flamed forth from him. 9   He bowed the heavens and came down;     thick darkness was under his feet. 10   He rode on a cherub and flew;     he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. 11   He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,     thick clouds dark with water. 12   Out of the brightness before him     hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. 13   The LORD also thundered in the heavens,     and the Most High uttered his voice,     hailstones and coals of fire. 14   And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;     he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. 15   Then the channels of the sea were seen,     and the foundations of the world were laid bare   at your rebuke, O LORD,     at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. 16   He sent from on high, he took me;     he drew me out of many waters. 17   He rescued me from my strong enemy     and from those who hated me,     for they were too mighty for me. 18   They confronted me in the day of my calamity,     but the LORD was my support. 19   He brought me out into a broad place;     he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 20   The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness;     according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21   For I have kept the ways of the LORD,     and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22   For all his rulesOr just decrees‘>3 were before me,     and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23   I was blameless before him,     and I kept myself from my guilt. 24   So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,     according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

Footnotes

[1] 18:4 Or terrified me [2] 18:8 Or in his wrath [3] 18:22 Or just decrees

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 6:1–19

Proverbs 6:1–19 (Listen)

Practical Warnings

6   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,     have given your pledge for a stranger, 2   if you are snared in the words of your mouth,     caught in the words of your mouth, 3   then do this, my son, and save yourself,     for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:     go, hasten,Or humble yourself‘>1 and plead urgently with your neighbor. 4   Give your eyes no sleep     and your eyelids no slumber; 5   save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,Hebrew lacks of the hunter‘>2     like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6   Go to the ant, O sluggard;     consider her ways, and be wise. 7   Without having any chief,     officer, or ruler, 8   she prepares her bread in summer     and gathers her food in harvest. 9   How long will you lie there, O sluggard?     When will you arise from your sleep? 10   A little sleep, a little slumber,     a little folding of the hands to rest, 11   and poverty will come upon you like a robber,     and want like an armed man. 12   A worthless person, a wicked man,     goes about with crooked speech, 13   winks with his eyes, signalsHebrew scrapes‘>3 with his feet,     points with his finger, 14   with perverted heart devises evil,     continually sowing discord; 15   therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;     in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. 16   There are six things that the LORD hates,     seven that are an abomination to him: 17   haughty eyes, a lying tongue,     and hands that shed innocent blood, 18   a heart that devises wicked plans,     feet that make haste to run to evil, 19   a false witness who breathes out lies,     and one who sows discord among brothers.

Footnotes

[1] 6:3 Or humble yourself [2] 6:5 Hebrew lacks of the hunter [3] 6:13 Hebrew scrapes

(ESV)

[majocreativewritingblog]

Second Piece-- Salem

“Bye, sweetie!” My mother said as I got into the carriage car.

I was finally able to afford to travel, after a long time of working as a secretary of state. It was a big deal when I became secretary of state because it was 1690 after all and women are expected to stay at home and take care of the children, but I managed to get the job, although it was not easy. Two years later it still was not easy to maintain the job and fulfill each and every requirement.

I have always felt unaccomplished in certain aspects of my life compared to my friends. They all are married now and having kids, which is not going to happen any time soon for me. On the other hand, I am the first female secretary of state here, which made me feel a little better.

People in my hometown, Kittery, do not travel for pleasure; they think that there was no point in doing so, because of the enormous amount of money necessary to feed the horses and general maintenance of the carriage along with accomodation and food for the travelers. Despite this, in the only other trip I had done before, I did find the change of daily setting to be relaxing, which is what I am hoping to experience this time round too.

I was excited to go on this trip. Partly because I had an important reunion with the governor of New York, which if goes well, will provide new funding for Maine’s new project: a small pocket watch factory, and partly because I am intrigued by how this whole experience will make me feel. My mother too was excited because of this trip. When I first told her, I was afraid that she might not like it because of some murderers that had been around according to some of her friends.

My final destination was New York, so I had to go through New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. We wanted to see how far we could get until it got dark, and then we would make a stop to rest and eat. I started to think about all of this as the carriage car went further and further away from my home. Eventually, I fell asleep to the thought of what the meeting in New York will be like.  

When I woke up, it was dark and my coachman was asking me where I thought we should stop.

“Where are we?” I asked, half asleep.

“We have just entered Kingston, in Rockingham County, ma’am,” he politely answered.

“Elijah, I have asked you not to call me that, you make me feel old,” I said in a rather absurd manner.

“Sorry, Cordelia. Habit,”

“Well, at least we made it to New Hampshire. I believe the house around the block could serve us two rooms” I said.

He guided the carriage to where I told him, and after taking care of the horses, Elijah took my luggage out and into my room, while I talked with the lady in charge of the house, asking her to please provide us with some food. She seemed hesitant to give Elijah a room since he was considered a slave, but to me he is like every other human being.

After a while of us settling in our rooms, I hear a knock on the door. It is Elijah.

“Aren't you going to say good night?” he asked after a few seconds of him staring deeply into my eyes right after I opened the door.

“The lady downstairs was not pleased to give you a room, you should behave yourself,”

He glared at me. “You should have told her only one room then, and I could have slept here, pretended I went to sleep with the horses. It would have saved you a lot of trouble,” he said jokingly.

I chuckled. “You’re right there, I’m not gonna lie.”

He entered my room after checking if anyone was eavesdropping, or spying. He stayed a little longer while we talked about how nervous I am about the meeting and how the road there was. Eventually, he stopped talking and smoothly stared at me with his eyes glowing. I hate when he does that, and he knows it. I can't think of anything or anyone else. All I can do is look back at him. He has this charm and confidence when he stares at me like that, that really makes me nervous.

“Well, Cordelia, it has been a lovely evening, but I believe it is time for me to leave,” He said while still staring at me like that.

He had these beautiful brown eyes with long lashes that have haunted me since I was 18 and he arrived in my hometown where my father bought him as a slave. He had always been polite to me, but delightful and self-assured despite the hard times as a slave that he has gone through, and always with a smile on his face when he addressed me. Which is why since I have been able to gain more control over my family’s assets, I have prioritized to give the slaves and especially Elijah a more humane treatment.

“Good night, Elijah.” I said as he left my room.

The next morning after my breakfast, I managed to give some proper food to Elijah since the lady in charge insisted on treating him as what he is; a slave, which is why she only gave him some small and old bread. We left really early in the morning in order to get as far as possible before we had to stop again. The ride was pretty much the same as always. I could not talk to Elijah normally because he was guiding the carriage and the horses, so I decided to prepare some things for the meeting meanwhile and later fix my dress which got ripped when I went into the carriage.

After a very long time, we arrived at a town named Salem. The carriage seemed to have broken down, so while Elijah tried fixing it and calming down the horses, I went looking for a place we could stay. It took me a while, but I found a really nice lady who said worked for the governor of Massachusetts, and who would gladly house us both, and provide some food. It is the beginning of January, so I believe people are more willing to have a better attitude this time of the year.

With some help from other slaves, Elijah said it would be a while before the carriage was fixed, which led me to ask the nice lady if we could stay a little longer than predicted, and she was happy to guest us there.

After hearing of my arrival, the minister of Salem Village, Samuel Parris went to pay me a visit along with his daughter, and asked about my work trip. I had heard some gossip about how Samuel Parris wanted the founding from New York as bad as I did, so I tried being very polite, to try and gain some more information about this. We were talking normally, when he started being a little too invasive with his questions, and insinuating I was never supposed to be a government official because it was a job for men, which I was not doing very well also taking into account that I ‘help’ slaves revolt and be more independent, treating them differently than anyone else.

This really bothered me because I am tired of not having the support of anyone but my mother and Elijah to do this job, because even my father was upset when I got the job, saying it was not something for the ladies to do and that I should have gotten married to a boy who proposed to me a while back, but I said no and refused to get married. This all made my father unrecognized me as his daughter, leaving me and my mother alone.

Because of this, I got into a more defensive tone, and the minister’s daughter jumped in, defending her father and being ruder than him.

“I will not stand this disrespect!” I yelled, sparked with rage, but quickly realized it and lowered my tone. “I am going to have to ask you both two leave. I am a person who deserves respect, and will not stand by while you people say anything you like about me without even knowing if it is true or not, so please, leave.“

They both got up from their seats and left without saying anything else, but I could see in their faces how the respect for me was still not there.

Still filled with anger and disgust, I opened the door to my room when Elijah knocked, and went back to where I was sitting. He followed me, and said he got the carriage car somewhat fixed, but there still are some things left to do.

“What's wrong?” he asked once he realized I did not feel like talking.

“The same disrespect and imposed decadence and rudeness as always,” I said in a dispassionate manner.

“Cordelia, sweetheart, you know we don't have to care about what people think, and despite everything, I do respect you and honor you and encourage you to do anything you like because your only limit is yourself. I will never get tired of telling you how capable you are and you have proved me right, you just have to believe in yourself a little more, okay?” He reassured as he sat really close to me, giving me that look that he knows makes me melt away, and I instantly felt a lot better.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I got closer to him. “You really did change my life, you know that, right?”

“I will always be here for you, no matter what,” He started whispering too.

I was starting to feel his warm hands up against my face when we were disrupted by a knock on the door. He sat up, quickly and I hid him in the closet to open the door. It was the lady in charge of the house, who said worked for the governor, she seemed pretty upset and worried. She told me to beware not to have the government officials form Massachusetts as my enemies because they are dangerous people. I did not give that as much importance as I should have.

Time passed and we had to wait until the carriage car was fixed up so we could leave. I had to postpone the meeting in New York some time, and we stayed with the nice lady all that time, until it all started going south.

Apparently, after our meeting, Samuel Parris’ daughter and niece, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams began having fits, including violent contortions and uncontrollable outbursts of screaming. They have been keeping this a secret to not create chaos amongst citizens, but after some time the symptoms continued, they went to a doctor, who diagnosed bewitchment for both of them. As time passed, more and more girls from the community began having the same symptoms, and it had just come to light that the police was investigating who might have bewitched them.

Elijah and I were in our normal lives, exploring what salem had to offer to us, and exploring where our relationship might be at, when one late February morning, it became known to the public that arrest warrants were issued for the Parris’ Carribean slave, Tituba, along with two other women--the homeless beggar Sarah Good and the poor elderly Sarah Osborn, who were accused by the girls of bewitching them.

After being arrested that same day, the three accused supposedly witches were brought before two magistrates and were questioned. Their accusers were there in the courtroom while the witches were being questioned, and made full display of their symptoms, which were clearly visible to the whole public, not painting a good picture for any of them.

In a moment of despair, when asked for an acknowledgement of their guilt, and while Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn denied it completely, Tituba decided to falsely confess, unleashing without knowing a series of events damaging events for the village.

It seemed as though Tituba thought she was saving herself from conviction by acting as an informer, and she claimed that there were other witches acting alongside her. People in the community then reacted with hysteria and chaos was unleashed even to the rest of the State. This is when a bunch of other people were accused of being witches, including people who were regarded as upstanding members of the church and community. Even the daughter of Sarah Good was accused of being a witch.

While all this was going on, Elijah and I were not able to leave, because of the chaos within the community which prevented some slaves to go help him fix the carriage car, and I was afraid that if we left in that moment, it would have become much more suspicious and word could travel fast back home, creating a lot of problems for me in the future, which is why we decided to stay at least until things calmed down a little bit.

One morning I was having my coffee after breakfast, waiting for Elijah to go get something he needed from his room, and I was about to go looking for him when two gentlemen, dressed in black, tall and with a mysterious aesthetic, approached me.

“Are you Cordelia Davis?” One of them inquired, addressing me.

“Yes, sir, that would be me. What can I help you with?”

The other one got closer to me and tried to put handcuffs on me. I resisted and jerked back, but the one who talked to me joined the other and they took me into their carriage car even while I was fighting back. Inside the carriage car, they covered my face, so I could not see where they were taking me.

After a while, we arrived, and the two men who got me into their carriage car took me out and removed the cover from my face after walking a little. I was standing before the magistrates that questioned the three women initially accused of being witches. They started questioning me too, assuming I was a witch as well.

I found out that apparently, some neighbor from where we were staying, who was accused from being a witch because of this never ending cycle that Tituba began of accusing each other, supposedly saw Samuel Parris’ daughter and himself leaving where we were staying, and she said that right next day the girl and her cousin began having these horrible symptoms. She said she had heard the screams, and immediately knew something was wrong, and when she knew about the health state of the girl, she felt in her bones it was me who did it.

I argued with the magistrates that this was not the case, but the evidence was clearly against me as the questioning went on. They also brought up the fact that they had questioned the lady owner of the house where we were staying as a witness, and she confirmed everything the neighbor was saying. She also brought up the topic of me apparently having an affair with my slave, which was very badly regarded in our society. I again argued against it.

As I was facing my seemingly inevitable destiny, I saw Elijah in the courtroom. That just made me feel bad because of how I felt I had disappointed him, especially with what he had said before about me, how I was capable of anything. If only he knew, I might not be able to free myself from this.

“I love you, you can do this,” He mouthed at me, smiling

I don't know how he is always capable of giving me strength. Those words were all I needed to keep defending myself. I got enough arguments for them to let me make a letter. I decided to write to my mother and I broke down while writing that letter because they too had great arguments I could not argue with. They let me go to the bathroom to clean myself up. There was Elijah waiting for me with a smile on his face. He said my name, and hugged me as tight as the first time he did it. That just broke me even more. I was very very scared.

When I got back to the courtroom, the magistrates asked me if I was guilty or innocent. I knew I could not get out of this as easily as other people, so “guilty” would not have been of any use for me because I could not act as Tituba, and I could not stand another woman taking my place, so I decided to just say the truth; “innocent,”

The public and the magistrates seemed all disappointed and shocked. Elijah was silently cheering for me in the background where nobody could see him, except me. It seemed that the magistrates got very very angry and declared I should receive capital punishment, and that I should be hanged along with two other witches, the next day.

The same men who took me inside the courtroom got to me again, and did the same thing as before. They covered me and handcuffed me. I decided I would not take that, and I began fighting them back, kicking them and trying to get free from their grip. It did not work. I got to the cell where I would spend the night. It was filthy and dark, and as I entered there I felt a great sadness.

The other two witches who were going to get hanged with me were in the next cells. They heard my despair and tried helping, but nothing worked. I found a sharp stone on the corner of the cell and decided to try to cut the bars from the cell. I spent all night doing that.

The next day, after a long long time of me trying to cut the bars, and as the sun was rising, I was able to cut a little from one of the bars. I was able to make it thin at the middle so with a hard push it would definitely break. I was achieving that point when I heard the guards coming to get us. It did not matter to me, I kept trying to cut the bar. They were getting closer and closer. I got more nervous too. What if this was something they could use to torture me instead of just killing me, I kept thinking. What if they put some consequence on the other women who were there with me, since they saw I cared about other people? All this was in the back of my head, but my desire to get out of there and at least fight for my life were all I could feel, all that kept me going. The desire to see Elijah again, to see my mother.

The guards were closer, and I tried finally pushing the bar to see if I could break it. I pushed as hard as I have ever pushed something in my life. I pushed so hard, my clavicle broke, and I was in a lot of pain. Just when I heard the bar making a sound as if it was breaking, the guards arrived.

They saw what I had been doing, so they unlocked my cell first, took me out, pushed me to the ground, and started kicking me and punching me. At that point I was numb. I could hear one of the other women who were there with me, begging them to stop. I liked her, she and I would have been good friends if this hadn't happened. All I could hear in the back of my mind was Elijah encouraging me, telling me I’ll be fine. I was able to gain some strength back, and pushed some of the men who were on top of me. They were starting to undress me too. I got on my feet, and tried putting back on the clothes they had ripped off of me, while trying to run, to find an escape.

After analyzing some of the paths I could have taken, because that was like a labyrinth, I saw one that led to a door, it seemed to me that was the way the guards came in. I ran to it, and wondered why no one was coming to get me, why they were all relaxed, and stayed behind. When I reached the door, I quickly realized it was locked, and they knew it, so there was no point in chasing me in there.

I sat down crying, and one of the guards came to get me. They put handcuffs on me and covered me, just like before. I heard the other women being taken out and told to behave themselves. we eventually arrived where we were going to get hanged. The hanging tree where many other women accused of being witches were hanged. Strangely, as we were getting our necks tied with a rope, each of us on a different thick branch from the tree, a local lullaby from back home came to my mind.

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree?

They strung up a man

They say who murdered three

Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be

If we met at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree?

Where dead man called out

For his love to flee

Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be

If we met at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree?

Where I told you to run

So we'd both be free

Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be

If we met at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you

Coming to the tree?

Wear a necklace of hope

Side by side with me

Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be

If we met at midnight in the hanging tree

I thought about how strange it all was, but I started singing, The magistrates and some people from the courtroom, who I guess have privileges, were there witnessing how we were getting hanged. They all looked at me with a troubled look, they seemed to not have liked my singing or the song itself for that matter. That just made me want to sing louder and louder.

I heard as the main magistrate give the order to release the bottom, where we were standing, and a tear came down my cheek, as my singing stopped and I felt the lack of air coming to my lungs despite every cell of my body screaming for it, thinking of all the great things I had, and will never see again. Then, everything went black...

[dalyunministry]

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING JESUS – Part I

By. Bro. Paul Vincent Moses

🔰

Dear brothers and sisters, it is my privilege to first thank God for the opportunity He’s given me to be here with you all to share God’s word and to greet you all once again in the most precious name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

As we are all kept safe and healthy by our Lord despite various challenges that we confront due to epidemic and we are all bound to thank Him for all the goodness and mercy and grace that He’s showered upon us. Today, the 20th September 2020, I’ve taken the topic: KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING JESUS – 1. Let us pray for God’s leading and guidance before we start our meditation.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father! Thank You for using me in Your ministry! Thank You for guiding me thus far and granting me Your grace! Even now Lord You know the purpose for which I have come to You. Lord, fill me with the grace, anointing and power today so that I can share Your word boldly and with joy for the revelation of the truth. Lord, I know that I'm unworthy! But make me worthy by cleansing me and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. I on my own, am an empty vessel Master. Let Your Holy Spirit take full control of me and let Him speak, not me. You know the needs of your people who are longing for Your word. I submit myself to You so that You can use me in whichever way You want to so that you alone be glorified. As we are going to meditate on the topic KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING JESUS, please help us reflect on Your Son our Lord, Jesus according to Your will. Thank You for guarding us with Your special grace power and strength Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

In today’s meditation, we will observe the following: Knowing Jesus Through His Messenger and Knowing Jesus Through His Witnesses.

¶ KNOWING JESUS THROUGH HIS MESSENGER

‘See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple: the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the LORD, Almighty. Malachi 3:1.

The prophet Malachi gave God’s final promises of the Old Testament. One of the greatest of these promises is in Malachi chapter three, verse one. God assured His people that He would send a messenger. This messenger would have a special task – ‘to prepare the way’. For whom? He ‘will prepare the way before Me’, said the LORD.

Voice in the Desert

In the book of Malachi 4:5, God promised to send a prophet, ‘Elijah’, who lied in dry, desert places. An earlier prophet, Isaiah, had foretold one coming in the desert. ‘A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God…And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5.

For over 1000 years, from Moses to Malachi, God had spoken often. He had sent many prophets to Israel. Their work had resulted in the Old Testament. But after the prophet, Malachi there were about 400 years of silence – no recognized prophets spoke from God. There were no new writers from God for the Old Testament. God’s people wondered when God would fulfill His promises. When would God’s preparing messenger come? when would God reveal His glory?

• The Years of Silence

During those long years many more people were hearing about God’s promises. New rulers captured the land of Israel. While some Israelites stayed in their homeland, others were scattered far and wide. In distant countries they told others of the one true God. They were able to use Greek, the language that many people shared at that time. About 150 years after Malachi, the Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew language into Greek, trained workers made copies of this Greek Bible. The copies were carried to many places. In their weekly meetings Jews read the Old Testament aloud as in Acts 15:21. Even some non-Jews came to believe in God’s promises. More and more people looked forward to the Lord’s coming.

Then people in Israel began to hear of amazing events. A child named John was born to a couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth as in Luke 1:5-24, 57-80. Yet Elizabeth was well beyond the age for giving birth! An angel, using words from Malachi 4:5-6, had announced, ‘He (John) will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Luke 1:17. John’s father, Zechariah, had also used words from Malachi 3:1. By God’s spirit Zechariah prophesied: ‘And you, my child (John), will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him.’ Luke 1:76. God’s promises, made through Malachi 400 years earlier, were coming true! God was ending His long silence! He was speaking again. Just as He promised, He was speaking through an ‘Elijah’.

• The New Elijah

John was not the Elijah of the past. “Who are you, then?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No, I am not,” John answered. “Are you the Prophet?” they asked. “No,” he replied.” John 1:21.

“Suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah,” Luke 9:30).

But John was like that ancient prophet in many ways. Those who knew the Old Testament could recognize John, not only as a true prophet, but as a new ‘Elijah’ as in Matthew 11:7-14 (7 While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: “7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[b] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.’).

Matthew 21:26 (‘But if we say, 'From human beings,' we are afraid of what the people might do, because they are all convinced that John was a prophet.’).

Like Elijah, John spent much time in the wilderness - 1 Kings 17:19, ‘“Give the boy to me,” Elijah said. He took the boy from her arms, carried him upstairs to the room where he was staying, and laid him on the bed.”

Luke 1:80 – ‘The child grew and developed in body and spirit. He lived in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the people of Israel.’

Matthew 3:1 – ‘At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.’

Like Elijah, John dressed in rough clothes:

2 Kings 1:8 - ‘“He was wearing a cloak made of animal skins, tied with a leather belt,” they answered.

“It's Elijah!” the king exclaimed.’

Matthew 3:4 – ‘ “He was wearing a cloak made of animal skins, tied with a leather belt,” they answered.

“It's Elijah!” the king exclaimed.’

Like Elijah, his preaching was full of courage. He had to spirit and power of Elijah, ‘He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him.”. (Luke 1:17).

He spoke out against all sin, even the king’s sin (Luke 3; Matthew 14). John commanded the people of Israel to prepare for the Lord’s coming. John himself quoted from the prophet Isaiah 40:3, ‘I am the voice of the one calling in the desert. “Make straight the way for the Lord.” John 1:23. How could they make the way straight? How could they prepare for the King?

• John the Baptizer

John told them to prepare by repenting being baptized, ‘In those days John the Baptist came preaching…”Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:1-2.

‘John came baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.’ Mark 1:4.

‘Repentance’ is making up one’s mind to leave sin and to live for God. By repenting the people promised to do right in the future. Yet that decision alone could not change their wrongs of the past. For the pure and hoy King there had to be full preparation. Even past sins had to be removed, by forgiveness. Those who repented had to be baptized. John became known as “John the Baptizer” or “John the Baptist”. The word ‘baptize’ comes from Greek in which it means to immerse or plunge under water. That is why John baptized ‘in the Jordan River’ and where there was ‘much water’. Mark 1:5 & John 3:23.

Through baptism John separated the people. Those who wanted to get ready for the Messiah confessed their sins and were baptized but others, especially the religious leaders, were too proud. They would not admit how sinful they were. They refused to be humble by being dipped under water. Baptism was simple obedience to God’s command. It meant trusting God for forgiveness. Their hard hearts had no room for such obedient trust. ‘All the people, even the tax collectors…acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.’ Luke 7:29-30.

• One Greater Than John

The leaders should have listened to John. He was ‘a prophet…and more than a prophet’, a truly great man as said in Matthew 11:9-11. Yet, as great as John was, the Coming One would be much greater. John himself said, ‘I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’ Matthew 3:11. John hardly dared to touch the shoes of the Coming One. John used water for baptism; the Coming one could do something far greater – He would baptize using God’s Spirit! The Holy Spirit is a part of God Himself. Who would so high and exalted that He could use the Holy Spirit as John used water?

Yet this Coming One looked like an ordinary ma. So John, by himself, had no way to recognize Him. God told John to look for this sign: The Holy Spirit would take the shape of a dove and come down on the Coming One, the One about whom John preached.

• The Baptism of Jesus

While John was prophesying about the Coming One, Jesus was living over 100 kilometers (62 miles) away, at the village of Nazareth. He was a humble carpenter, helping to care for his mother, brothers and sisters. Jesus then traveled to meet John and to be baptized by him. John knew of Jesus goodness. He did not want to baptize Jesus. John said, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” Jesus had no sins to confess. He had no need of forgiveness. But He always fulfilled God’s righteous will. He told John to baptize him (Matthew 3:1-15). When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God came down and settled on Him. A voice from heaven said, “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22. John realized then that the Coming One was Jesus. The One for whom John had been looking had arrived!

‘John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One I meant when I said, ‘A Man whom comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me’. I myself did know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel”. Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heavens as a dove and remain on Him. I would have known Him, except that the One was sent me to baptize with waster told me, ‘The Man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”.’ John 1:29-33.

• Listening to John

Isaiah and Malachi had drawn a picture of the special messenger who would prepare the way. Only John the Baptizer fit that picture. For whom did John prepare? John led all the people toward Jesus. John 3:22-36. John’s part is so important that it helps to begin each of the first four books of the New Testament-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Anyone seeing to know the truth about Jesus should give careful thought to the report of John. For John too was a lover of truth. John spoke the truth so boldly that he was later killed by King Herod. Mark 6:14-29. He was an eyewitness of heaven’s sign that pointed to Jesus. Through John’s testimony we can be sure that the Coming One promised by the Old Testament is Jesus. John helps us to see the Light. ‘There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that Light, so that through him all men might believer. He himself was not the Light; he came only as a witness to the Light’. John 1: 6-7.

God closed the Old Testament with wonderful promises. He would come to visit His temple. A special messenger would prepare for His coming. 400 years passed. Then God spoke again. The New Testament opened by telling of the new ‘Elijah’, John the Baptizer. He was the preparing prophet predicted by Malachi and Isaiah. To whom did John point? Jesus.

¶ KNOWING JESUS THROUGH HIS WITNESSES

This section will make things clear about the questions on and against the Lord Jesus Christ because many in the world wanted to have someone who had seen Him so that it would be the source of their faith. There were witnesses, the three wise men, who went to see Jesus just a few days after His birth so that the message would be spread to the other parts of the world. Right from the birth of Jesus till the ascension of Jesus there were several earthly witnesses who saw Jesus through His miracles and wonders too. Let’s pursue them very meticulously to have a better understanding about the Lord.

‘The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples hear him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi (which means a teacher), “where are You staying?” Jesus replied, “Come and you will see.” So they went and saw where He was staying and spent that day with Him. it was about the tenth hour.’ John 1:35-39.

A ‘witness’ is one who tells what he/she sees and knows to be true. When he/she gives his/her report of the truth, he/she testifies or gives testimony. John the Baptizer was such a witness as in John 1:7. John said, “I’ve seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34). John, when he saw Jesus, told the people, “Look!” Thus they too became eye-witnesses. Two of John’s followers wanted to know Jesus more fully. They were faced with the same problem that any ordinary person has. How does a common person come into the presence of a King?

• Come and See

Since these two were followers of John, they knew John’s great respect for the coming King. John was their leader, yet even he was not worthy to carry the King’s shoes as in Matthew 3:11. Now, John had pointed to Jesus as that King. How could ordinary men get close to this King? How could they come to know the high, exalted One of whom John spoke? When they spoke to Jesus, He invited them to go to the place He (Jesus) lived saying, ‘Come and you will see!’ The memory of that invitation was so bright that they remembered exactly when it took place – the tenth hour. According to Jewish time, it was 4:00 p.m. and even was approaching. So they spent the rest of that day with Jesus. This King wanted to talk with them. More than that, He was willing to let them stay with Him!

• The Openness of Jesus

The first thing the two disciples learned from Jesus was His openness. They were free to know Him personally. He welcomed them. They could see Him, talk with Him, and be close to Him.

John the Baptizer was right about the honour owed to Jesus. Yet Jesus’ greatness did not cut Him off from His people. In this, He was different from most kings. He made Himself poor in earthly things (2 Corinthians 8:9). Sometimes, he had no proper place to sleep (Luke 9:58). He was among the ordinary people. He welcomed all, both great and small. Even children felt very welcome. ‘People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will no receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.’ Mark 10:13-16.

Sinful people found Jesus friendly. He had no sin (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). He taught them to ‘repent’, which is leave sin (Luke 13:3). Yet He made it very clear that He truly cared for them. He ate and drank with people known for their bad lives. He did the same for the government’s tax officers, whom many people treated as enemies. Jesus became known as the ‘friend of tax-collectors and sinners’ (Luke 7:34). Jesus was with the people because of His concern and love for them. This explains why He spent so much time helping each one who came. He helped them, no matter how great their problems were. He helped them even when He was very busy with other important matters.

Mark 1:21-34, - Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit, ‘21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.’

• Jesus Heals Many

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Others scriptures for reference: Mark 2:1-13; 5:21-43; 10:46-52.

• To Be With Him (Jesus)

There is another reason why Jesus worked so openly. The Christian faith would begin as a matter of public knowledge and public record. Since Jesus was among the people, there were often many eyewitnesses to what He said and did. He had nothing to hide. He said at His trial, ‘I have spoken openly to the world…I said nothing in secret. Why question Me? Ask those who heard Me. Surely they know what I said.’ John 18:20-21.

When the apostle Paul was later tried in a royal court, he said, ‘The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner’- Acts 26: 26. In this Christianity is different from faiths based on claims of hidden events and personal ideas or feelings. Such faiths have no way to prove to others that they are true. from the beginning Christianity was a matter of public and historical record, and could be fully examined. Today one could be fully examined. Today one can still find out whether it is true or false. Indeed, it demands such study. Christians invite people to check for themselves, to examine the facts. “Come and you will see!”, as we found in the words of Jesus Himself. One of the two disciples who met Jesus on that memorable day was named Andrew the brother of Apostle Simon Peter (John 1:40-42). Both these brothers are the partners in fishing business with James and John, sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:5-7).

Jesus chose these four and eight others, to serve as His special messengers or apostles (Luke 6:12-16). An important duty of the apostles was to be with Jesus. ‘He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.’ Mark 3:14. Being with Him meant they could see Him often, at any time of the day and the night. They could watch Hi closely in good and bad times, happy and sad times and crowded and lonely times. They could see how He met every new challenge and trial. Many people are afraid to let others get too close. Why? Closeness reveals one’s faults. Yet Jesus invited other to be near. By watching, listening and sharing in His life, the apostles could know His true character. They could also learn how to become like Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they would carry on with Jesus’ work after He ascended into heaven. They would be the Spirit’s way for others to come to know Jesus. He made this clear when He prayed for the apostles, “My prayer is not for them alone (the first disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one.” John 17:20-21.

• Witnesses For Christ

How would people in later years believe in Christ? “Through the message heard or left with them as in John 17:20. That is, by the report of those first disciples, especially the apostles. Like the word ‘ambassador’, Apostle, means the one who is sent with special authority to pass on his leader’s message. Jesus gave them the task of being witnesses, to testify to the truth about Him (Luke 24:48; Acts 10:39-41). As He sent them into the world, Jesus said, “…You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

However, at the time when this was said (Acts chapter 1), one of the twelve was missing. Judas had betrayed Jesus, and then had killed himself. Another had to be chosen to take his place. The importance of finding a real witness was shown by Simon Peter’s words, “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” Acts 1:21-22.

Yes, Jesus wanted the apostles to be ‘with Him’ so that they could be true witnesses. They were in the best place to see and know the truth about Jesus. They were the kind of witnesses that any good court of law would welcome. They were from ordinary positions in life. They had normal questions and doubts when they first heard about Jesus. Yet what they saw for themselves removed doubts and fears. The witnesses were many, coming from different backgrounds and interests. Like all witnesses, they stated their testimonies in different ways. Each spoke from his own viewpoint. When carefully compared these testimonies agree. There is nothing middle or lacking. The apostles, and those closest to them, gave a full and clear report. They remained united, and true to this report, all of their lives. The collection of their reports and letters is called the New Testament.

True Witnesses are not Ashamed of Being as Witnesses or Preaching the Gospel

As apostles spread the Good News about Jesus, they reminded the people that they were true witnesses (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 10:39, 41 & 13:31). They were not ashamed to speak in the presence of other who had been there. When Peter re-told the facts about Jesus, he added, “…as you yourselves know” (Acts 2:22). Thousands in Jerusalem proved that they agreed with Peter (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14). From the very beginning, the rapid spread of Christianity showed how many found the testimony to be true. Peter’s enemies did not show faults in his testimony. All they could do was to try to stop him by threats (Acts chapters 4, 5 & 12). Peter later wrote, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty”. (2 Peter 1:16).

Peter said this when he knew he would soon be killed (2 Peter 1:14; John 21:17-19). What reward could there have been in dying for lies? If Peter was not telling the truth of what he saw, what did he think he could gain? The apostles did not become rich (Acts 3: 6; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:10). Instead of becoming famous they became infamous – they were hated by the world because of their association with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This can also be seen in John 15:18-25. They also suffered great losses and hardships for their message about the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:9; 6:1-10; 11:23-31).

Paul wrote, ‘But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles last place. We are like men condemned to die with all the people watching. We are like a show for the whole world to see…At this time people still treat us like we are the world’s garbage – the dirt of the earth.’ 1 Corinthians 4:9, 13. (ERV).

No, the apostles received no reward from this world, but only shame and pain. Why then did they keep telling the same story? For the simplest and best reason: They knew it was true. they had seen it with their own eyes. Their lives matched the honesty of their report. When threatened, they had to reply, “We cannot help speaking about what we have see and heard” (Acts 4:20).

If Jesus was the great King, why did He live among the ordinary people, both good and bad? It was just because He loved all people, and He wanted all to know Him. Many watched Jesus’ life and works. Those closest to Him were His apostles. They gave their eye-witness / testimony about Jesus. Even today, their reliable reports invite us to look into the truth about Jesus.

May God bless our meditation and help us to have a better understanding about His Son Jesus Christ our Lord that we may proclaim the name of Jesus in the way He wanted. We’ll get back next week with furthermore dimensions of the same topic. May God bless us all! Amen!

[dfroza]

“Who do people think I am?”

A line from Today’s reading.

and it certainly matters what we think and what we “believe...”

what we choose to place as a treasure in the space of the heart.

[Luke 9]

Jesus summoned together his twelve apostles and imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease. Then he commissioned them to preach God’s kingdom realm and to heal the sick to demonstrate that the kingdom had arrived. As he sent them out, he gave them these instructions: “Take nothing extra on your journey. Just go as you are. Don’t carry a staff, a backpack, food, money, not even a change of clothes. Whatever home welcomes you as a guest, remain there and make it your base of ministry. And wherever your ministry is rejected and not welcomed, you are to leave that town and shake the dust off your shoes as a testimony before them.”

The apostles departed and went into the villages with the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and they instantly healed diseases wherever they went.

Now, Herod, the governor, was confused and perplexed when he heard the reports of all the miracles of Jesus and his apostles. Many were saying, “John the Baptizer has come back to life!” Others said, “This has to be Elijah who has reappeared or one of the prophets of old who has risen from the dead.” These were the rumors circulating throughout the land.

Herod exclaimed, “Who is this Man? I keep hearing about him over and over. It can’t be the prophet John; I had him beheaded!” Herod was very eager to meet Jesus.

Months later, the apostles returned from their ministry tour and told Jesus all the wonders and miracles they had witnessed. Jesus, wanting to be alone with the Twelve, quietly slipped away with them toward Bethsaida. But the crowds soon found out about it and took off after him. When they caught up with Jesus, he graciously welcomed them all, taught them more about God’s kingdom realm, and healed all who were sick.

As the day wore on, the Twelve came to Jesus and told him, “It’s getting late. You should send the crowds away to the surrounding villages and farms to get something to eat and find shelter for the night. There’s nothing to eat here in the middle of nowhere.”

Jesus responded, “You have the food to feed them.”

They replied, “All we have are these five small loaves of bread and two dried fish. Do you really expect us to go buy food for all these people? There are nearly five thousand men here, with women and children besides!”

He told his disciples, “Have them all sit down in groups of fifty each.”

After everyone was seated, Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, and gazing into the heavenly realm he gave thanks for the food. Then, in the presence of his disciples, he broke off pieces of bread and fish, and kept giving more to each disciple to give to the crowd. It was multiplying before their eyes! So everyone ate until they were filled, and afterward the disciples gathered up the leftovers—it came to exactly twelve baskets full!

One time, when Jesus was praying in a quiet place with his disciples nearby, he came over to them and asked, “Who do people think I am?”

They answered, “Some are convinced you’re the prophet John who has returned. Others say you are Elijah, or perhaps one of the Jewish prophets brought back from the dead.”

Jesus asked them, “But who do you believe that I am?”

Peter said, “You are the Anointed One, God’s Messiah!”

Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone yet, saying, “The Son of Man is destined to experience great suffering and face complete rejection by the Jewish leaders and religious hierarchy. He will be killed and raised back to life on the third day.”

Jesus said to all of his followers, “If you truly desire to be my disciple, you must disown your life completely, embrace my ‘cross’ as your own, and surrender to my ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice, giving up your lives for my glory, you will embark on a discovery of more and more of true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will lose what you try to keep. Even if you gained all the wealth and power of this world, everything it could offer you, yet lost your soul in the process, what good is that? So why then are you ashamed of being my disciple? Are you ashamed of the revelation-truth I give to you?

“I, the Son of Man, will one day return in my radiant brightness, with the holy angels and in the splendor and majesty of my Father, and I will be ashamed of all who are ashamed of me. But I promise you this: there are some of you standing here right now who will not die until you have witnessed the presence and the power of God’s kingdom realm.”

Eight days later, Jesus took Peter, Jacob, and John and climbed a high mountain to pray. As he prayed, his face began to glow until it was a blinding glory streaming from him. His entire body was illuminated with a radiant glory. His brightness became so intense that it made his clothing blinding white, like multiple flashes of lightning.

All at once, two men appeared in glorious splendor: Moses and Elijah. They spoke with Jesus about his soon departure from this world and the things he was destined to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had become very drowsy, but they became fully awake when they saw the glory and splendor of Jesus standing there and the two men with him.

As Moses and Elijah were about to return to heaven, Peter impetuously blurted out, “Master, this is amazing to see the three of you together! Why don’t we stay here and set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah?”

While Peter was still speaking, a radiant cloud of glory formed above them and overshadowed them. As the glory cloud enveloped them, they were struck with fear. Then the voice of God thundered from within the cloud, “This is my Son, my Beloved One. Listen carefully to all he has to say.”

When the thunderous voice faded away and the cloud disappeared, Jesus was standing there alone. Peter, Jacob, and John were speechless and awe-struck. But they didn’t say a word to anyone about what they had seen.

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a massive crowd was waiting there to meet them. And a man in the crowd shouted desperately, “Please, Teacher, I beg of you, do something about my boy. He’s my only child. He’s possessed by an evil spirit that makes him scream out in torment and hardly ever leaves him alone. It throws him into convulsions and he foams at the mouth. And when it finally does leave him, he’s left with horrible bruises. I begged your disciples to drive it out of him, but they didn’t have enough power to do it.”

Jesus responded, “You are an unbelieving people with no faith! Your lives are twisted with lies that have turned you away from doing what is right. How much longer should I remain here, offering you hope?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son to me.”

As the boy approached, the demon slammed him to the ground, throwing him into violent convulsions. Jesus sternly commanded the demon to come out of the boy, and immediately it left. Jesus healed the boy of his injuries and returned him to his father, saying, “Here is your son.”

Everyone was awestruck. They were stunned seeing the power and majesty of God flow through Jesus.

While everyone marveled, trying to process what they had just witnessed, Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “This is very important, so listen carefully and remember my words. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed and given over to the authority of men.”

But the disciples were unable to perceive what he was saying, for it was a veiled mystery to them, and they were too embarrassed to ask him to explain it.

The disciples began to argue and became preoccupied over who would be the greatest one among them. Fully aware of their innermost thoughts, Jesus called a little child to his side and said to them, “If you tenderly care for this little child on my behalf, you are tenderly caring for me. And if you care for me, you are honoring my Father who sent me. For the one who is least important in your eyes is actually the most important one of all.”

The disciple John said, “Master, we found someone who was casting out demons using your name and we tried to stop him, because he doesn’t follow you like we do.”

Jesus responded, “You shouldn’t have hindered him, for anyone who is not against you is your friend.”

Jesus passionately determined to leave for Jerusalem and let nothing distract him from fulfilling his mission there, for the time for him to be lifted up was drawing near. So he sent messengers ahead of him as envoys to a village of the Samaritans. But as they approached the village, they were turned away. They would not allow Jesus to enter, for he was on his way to worship in Jerusalem.

When the disciples Jacob and John realized what was happening, they came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you wanted to, you could command fire to fall down from heaven just like Elijah did and destroy all these wicked people.”

Jesus rebuked them sharply, saying, “Don’t you realize what comes from your hearts when you say that? For the Son of Man did not come to destroy life, but to bring life to the earth.”

So they went to another village instead.

On their way, someone came up to Jesus and said, “I want to follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Yes, but remember this: even animals in the field have holes in the ground to sleep in and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place here to lay down his head.”

Jesus then turned to another and said, “Come be my disciple.”

He replied, “Someday I will, Lord, but allow me first to fulfill my duty as a good son and wait until my father passes away.”

Jesus told him, “Don’t wait for your father’s burial. Let those who are already dead wait for death. But as for you, go and proclaim everywhere that God’s kingdom has arrived.”

Still another said to him, “Lord, I want to follow you too. But first let me go home and say good-bye to my entire family.”

Jesus responded, “Why do you keep looking backward to your past and have second thoughts about following me? When you turn back you are useless to God’s kingdom realm.”

The Book of Luke, Chapter 9 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is chapter 6 of Joshua that documents the fall of Jericho as a harsh reality of the wars fought back then, even with God on their side just as He was with King David. and when David’s son Solomon had the first Temple built in Jerusalem there was peace for his entire reign.

and what is the real Temple but the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Himself? the King who will return earth to a pure state in a grand end of time. and we who believe are His Body here on earth as the Temple of the Spirit who share a True message of rebirth. as daughters & sons of our heavenly Father, our Creator.

[Jericho 6]

The citizens of Jericho had barricaded themselves behind its high walls because of the Israelite forces. No one could get in or out.

Eternal One (to Joshua): I have given Jericho, its king, and all its soldiers into your hands. Every day for the next six days, you will march once around the city walls with all your fighting force. Seven priests will go in front of the covenant chest, each carrying a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. On the seventh day, you will march around the city walls seven times, and the priests will blow their trumpets. When they play a long final blast, then all the people will give a mighty shout. The city walls will collapse in front of you, and all the Israelites will charge in and take the city.

So Joshua, the son of Nun, summoned the priests and instructed them.

Joshua: Take up the chest and have seven priests, each carrying a ram’s horn trumpet, march in front of the covenant chest of the Eternal.

Then he gave orders to the people.

Joshua: March around the city with the fighting men marching ahead of the chest of the Eternal.

So they all proceeded as Joshua had commanded them. The fighting men led the way; the seven priests marched after them, blowing their horns continually in front of the covenant chest of the Eternal, and the rear guard followed behind.

Joshua gave the Israelites very strict instructions.

Joshua: Don’t yell or shout. Don’t let your voice be heard until the day I tell you. And then I want you to shout with all your might.

So they circled the city once, carrying the covenant chest of the Eternal, and that night they returned to their camp. The next morning, Joshua rose early, the priests carried the chest of the Eternal, and they all marched around the city in exactly the same order as they had the day before: the armed men, seven trumpeting priests, the chest of the Eternal, and the rear guard, all making one complete circuit around the city with its great walls. That night they returned to their camp, and the next four days proceeded just like the first two.

But on the seventh day, they rose with the sun and the procession marched around the city walls seven times; that was the only day they made seven circuits around the city walls. After the seventh and final circuit, when the priests had raised a mighty noise on their trumpets, Joshua turned to the people.

Joshua: Shout! Shout! For the Eternal One has given you the city! The city and all who are in it will be destroyed completely as an offering to Him, except for the prostitute Rahab and those who are with her in her house. Her life will be spared as a reward for sheltering our two spies.

Be sure to stay away from these things that He has devoted to complete destruction so that you won’t be tempted to pick something up and carry it away. Anyone who disobeys God in this matter will bring destruction on all of us.

Any silver or gold, any bronze or iron vessels should not be burned; instead, they should be set aside for the Eternal’s treasury.

Then the people shouted, and the trumpets blasted. The noise of the voices and trumpets rose higher and higher, and the thick walls of Jericho collapsed, just as God had promised. When the wall fell before them, they rushed straight ahead and took the city, killing everyone—all the men and women and children, all the cattle and livestock—with their swords.

Joshua (to the two spies): Go back to the house of the prostitute, and bring her out with all of those who have hidden there so that you can keep your word.

So they set off through the destruction, found Rahab’s house, and brought her and all she had—father and mother, brothers and sisters, and all her relatives—out of the fallen city to a place outside the camp of Israel.

So Jericho was destroyed completely, burned to the ground except for the precious metals and iron and bronze vessels that were put into the treasury of the Eternal’s house. But Joshua spared the life of Rahab the prostitute, all her family, and all she had because she was faithful to the spies he had sent, and she lived among the Israelites from that day on.

When the city lay in smoke and ashes, Joshua pronounced a curse.

Joshua: May the Eternal curse anyone who ever rebuilds this city, this Jericho! If he lays new foundations, it will be over the grave of his firstborn; if he raises new gates, it will be to contain the corpse of his youngest!

The Eternal One had helped Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

The Book of Joshua, Chapter 6 (The Voice)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, August 7 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs