#luke morrow imagine

[groovyzombiellama]

Chemistry

Title: Chemistry

Requested? No.

Plot: You decide to try out as an actress and you move to LA, eventually landing a role opposite Nicholas Galitzine.

Words: 2243

---***---

You decide to give your dream a chance, to take the leap and head to LA, not knowing how many times you're gonna be rejected and have to start over, but confident enough in yourself that you can survive the rejections. Actors who get their first lead role after their first audition are rare, and you know that even sometimes the same actor will audition for the same role multiple times, just so the casting crew can solidify their choice, find their perfect casting to bring their characters to life. But you were ready, you felt ready and after finishing college and not being able to get a good job, you took the money you made at your odd jobs and other jobs you worked on and you were on the first plane to LA. You didn't have much, but it was a start, it would get you a hotel room for a few days, while you look for an apartment. The thought of one day actually getting the lead role in a movie or TV show filled you with immense joy, but even if you never do end up getting more than a minor role, or you end up having to go back home, you will still be happy that you tried, that you gave it all your could and didn't spend any more time simply sitting in your room, staring at posters of famous actors, wondering if you could make it.

Now you were gonna find out the answer to that question, and finally know if you had what it takes. You checked in to the hotel room, and freshened up, grabbing a newspaper from the foyer and immediately started looking for an apartment. You soon had a couple places circled, determined to check them out as soon as possible. Even if you don't end up as an actress, you could try and find another job there, after all, new places, new opportunities. A few days later, you'd already checked out a few of the places that you had circled. One was a lady that was kind at first, but hearing that you we're going to live in the apartment alone and you didn't have a husband, and weren't even in the works of finding one, she became rather rude to you, complaining about how there was so many women like you nowadays that didn't value the proper things and wanted your "independence".

Oh how you hated the face she made when she said that word in the most condescending tone you've ever heard. Another one was in a really bad neighbourhood, but you didn't even care about that, because all you'd be doing is heading to auditions and back, you wouldn't be bothering anyone, but the guy that was renting it had a sketchy vibe to him, even making a joke about always being able to come over in case you needed some "company", the implications really evident in the way he said that. And then another was a place almost rundown, filled with cockroachoes, and even rats, as one scurried across the floor as you entered the bedroom. Big nope on that one. So the next day, you decided to head to an audition. You didn't want to aim high and audition for the lead immediately, so you chose the script for a best friend character. You were super nervous about it, and that was probably the reason why they weren't so stoked to have you hired as the character. But you weren't going to give up. You went to another audition and another and another, eventually landing a role of an extra, with one line. Okay, that was a start, and you were excited about it.

Let's hope getting the apartment will also get sorted out. You were heading to more places you had circled, eventually coming to an agreement with a kind old lady for a studio apartment, close to the city center. You applied for a job at a nearby café, to be sure you'd be able to pay for the place if you don't get payed a lot for the role. At least you will have one credit under your name. You had landed another audition, only to be dropped a couple days later, due to as they say finding a better fit for the role. You were a bit sad about it, but trying not to let it deter you from pursuing further. Finally checking out of the hotel and moving to the small apartment, where the only separate room you had was the bathroom, you felt a bit more comfortable. You'd lived in studio apartments as a college student, so this was nothing new, and you didn't really expect to find anything large, nor did you need anything large. The most important thing to you was having a place to sleep, a place to eat and a place to shower. That was enough for you.

The day of shooting was approaching, and you were happy that you were gonna be there for even a day or two to say your line and to be a background extra for a few scenes too. Arriving at the specified location, you were directed where to go and when you got there, you realised who was shooting this movie. It was none other than your celebrity crush, Nicholas Galitzine. He was chatting with the director and the, what you assumed was, lead girl in the movie. He was chuckling at something that was said, and his smile made you stop in your tracks. You had his photo as your phone background and the background of your keyboard, specially photos of his smile, so seeing it in person was a whole new experience, and he was just as mesmerising as he was on camera. You had to quickly compose yourself and not stare at him for so long, and end up being perceived as a huge creep. So you stayed behind, as the background extra, and as the camera would no longer have you in frame, you would watch him act, smiling softly at his mannerisms and the way he looked, like he was born to be an actor.

Your big scene was approaching, where you were playing a bartender, that would be asking Nicholas' character what he wanted to drink and then making it and handing it to him, and you were genuinely nervous. Not just because you were going to be on screen, but because you are going to be on screen with him. You had a bit of experience as a mixologist, from working at a few bars, and so the crew didn't need to make the drink for you and just have you serve it, you knew exactly how to make it. Another thing you didn't even know was a dream of yours would come true. Not only were you a part of a scene with Nicholas, but also a part of a blooper, because he ended up spilling a bit of the drink on himself, making everyone on set laugh, including you, as you giggled at his adorable behaviour. He apologised to you for making you redo the scene, but you shook your head, not even remotely upset about it. After doing the scene again and the director yelling cut, Nicholas turned to you.

"You sure know how to make a drink. Where did you learn that?"

You smiled and told him about your background in mixology, the two of you sharing a couple of words, as you tried to calm your heart down, to make sure it doesn't burst out of your chest. He was not only near you, but talking to you, and you could see his lovely personality first hand. The director paused for a moment, seeing your exchange, the way your conversation flowed, and it got him thinking for a moment before approaching Nicholas to talk to him about another scene. It was true what they said, that Nicholas just naturally has chemistry with people. His co-star Anne Hathaway even said he could have chemistry with a lamp. And honestly you'd ve jealous of that lamp, but moving on, you were back to being a background extra for a few more scenes that day and a few tomorrow. The director couldn't seem to shake off a feeling he had seeing the interaction you had with Nicholas. He was trying to figure out if it was just Nicholas' natural chemistry and charm or if there was something else. He wanted to work with Nicholas again, but he was yet to find his female lead. Could you be that female lead?

As your part of the shooting wrapped up, you were approached and handed a few pages of a script and told that the director wanted you to try and audition for that role. You were extatic at the prospect of actually getting to go to that audition and you were so incredibly thankful to the director for even considering you and giving you a chance. You still had no idea you would be acting opposite to Nicholas if you got the part. You studied the script long and hard, trying your best to portray the emotions that were expected of you. You had panic attacks in college a lot, but you decided to try and not put so much pressure on yourself, and just do your best, and you if you succeed, you succeed, if not, you won't be mad at yourself, because you did your best. You arrived to the audition a few days later and you were told that if you got the part, filming wouldn't start until the end of the male leads previous project, but that they started looking for the female lead a but earlier. You did what was asked of you for the audition, and they told you they would give you a call. You were walking out of the audition room and saw a bunch of other girls who were auditioning for the same role, and you smiled at them, wishing them all luck, and you genuinely would be happy even if you didn't get the part and one of these other girls did.

About two weeks later, you were at work at the café as you got a call to come back and do another audition and that you'd be doing a chemistry testing also, since you were in the next round of auditioning. And so you arrived to the arranged address, did the audition, and they instructed you to stay outside the room as they wait for the male lead to arrive for the chemistry test. You were on your phone for a bit, as you heard a familiar British accent and lifted your head up to see none other than Nicholas Galitzine walking in. He smiled seeing you, and he actually recognised you from the set of his current project.

"So you're my new potential co-star? I'm happy for you getting the opportunity to do a lead."

He was so sweet, that it made you fall for him even more. He winked at you, which he definitely shouldn't have done to your poor heart and entered the room, where you were soon called in for the test. You were supposed to act out a scene together, the one you were given to rehearse. It was a breakup scene, and you had to get into that mindset, which was actually somewhat easy for you because you had this way of imagining scenarios as you read them and you imagined that scene multiple times in your head, so when it came time to do it opposite Nicholas, you already had the general idea of how it was supposed to go. And your crush on Nicholas definitely helped the feeling of not wanting to be apart from him, but having to.

"I know I can't ask you to wait for me-"

Nicholas started and you were supposed to come in next and cut him off.

"Then don't. Don't "ask me to wait". Just don't go."

Nicholas sighed, fully in character and approached you to lean his forehead against yours, making your heart skip a beat and your eyes admired his features as he spoke about how he had to do it, and then it was your turn to sigh, knowing that there was no way to get him to stay. The two of you went on with the scene, and you were so into the moment, that your tears flowed naturally, as he hugged your frame close to his chest, begging you not to cry, as he couldn't bear it. As the scene came to an end, the two of you untangle yourselves from each other and you wipe your tears, as Nicholas smiles at you. He genuinely thought you did a really good job and hoped that you'd be cast as his partner. And in the end you were. A week later you got the call to tell you that you got the part, all that was left was to rehearse and prepare as Nicholas wrapped up his previous project, and could work on this one. Being in the lead role and acting opposite of your celerity crush, it was your dream coming true. Nicholas is no longer going to be a crush you watch on screen, he was gonna become your friend, your co-star. Would he become more?

---***---

I am doing my best to try and get back into writing, I'm not sure this is any good, but I wanted to write about my favourite little british bean. This guys charm and wit and talent have truly captivated me, that I just had to put it into writing to stop thinking about him constantly. And I still continue to do so. It's a little something I did today on the bus to my college town. I'll try my best to get to my requests as soon as possible... Sorry for not being more active...

[n-i-m-u-e]

I really love the point that Luke speaks Higt Valyrian as Aemond - very well (because the second sons can). And now the confirmation Aegon can’t barely string two words together is such a good parallel with Jace… Can you imagine how they would annoy their older brothers with endless dialogues, deliberate use of rarely used words, wrong words for fun, and complex constructions?

because I am! and it’s enjoyment!

luke:*speaking valyrian* i’m reading with arrax aftertoday, does anyone want to join us? aegon: didn`t he say "reading"? jace: i’m pretty sure aemond:*speaking valyrian* you acts of prowess done, nephew of mine, you encourage me to contribute aegon: what the?.. luke:*speaking valyrian* rejoicefull hearin! let us meet the morrow morn once more in field jace: okay, there was something about a field... aemond:*speaking valyrian* it is convenient rime aegon: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?! luke: 👀 aemond: 👁️⚫️ luke: 👀 luke:*speaking valyrian* environmentalism!

[mushroompapitheoriginal]

It's been like almost a full week since episode 8 came out and WOW. Just WOW.

The fight with Ares was exactly how I imagined it as a child and more. The way Percy immediately got his ass headed to him only to go full Moana perfection. Also the actor for Ares is a former WWE wrestler, so when Percy is like I wanna fight i'm like boy he will break your skull.

Alecto maybe a bitch but she's one of the cool ones and possibly in my top ten of antagonists who aren't really antagonists they just have different morals.

Did I cry when Annabeth gave Percy her necklace? Yes. They quoted the scene of her giving it to him, word for word.

Luke teaching Percy to sword fight and give him advice was so cute only to be riped to shreds at the climax, but we'll get there.

Olympus looks like something out of a video game and to be honest, I don't really like it that much because it doesn't really give me this is the land of the gods. It looks gorgeous, but not something i'd for this show. I personally prefer the one for the movie. I know sue me, but it gave more of what ancient Greece would have actually looked like. One of three things the movie did right. BUT the throne room spot on ten out of ten.

Also Zeus just chilling in his throne waiting for Percy, beautiful. The actors whole demeanor while playing Zeus is so intemanating yet ignorant. This maybe one my favorite irradiation of Zeus. But the way Poseidon protected Percy from Zeus AND surrendered to Zeus for his son, someone just one the Best godly parent of the year award. This meeting or reunion of Percy and Poseidon was too perfecto. Percy calling Poseidon dad in ANCIENT GREEK no less. Also the way how Poseidon holds him self while talking to Percy you can see the pain, fearfullness, and proudness all in the actors face. The cast in this is so good. You can also see how Poseidon just wants to scoop Percy up in a hug and protect him. Why does this show play with my heart strings.

The batrayal is prefect. With everything to Percy's realization in the way Luke looks at Annabeth when she reveals herself. This is better then using the scorpion because it adds more emotional depth and you can feel just the pain coming from Luke. Also when Percy was like we met your father and Luke just snapped. I got chills but also laughed out loud because if Lin was my father i'd have issues too.

I bawled when the trip split up at the end, all of them have grown so much. Also Annabeth going to Disney World, you know that's the photo the Percy will have in his notebook, guaranteed. Also Grover's searcher license being a flower is too adorable.

The reunion between Sally and Percy also destroyed me. It was all the emotions. As I said before this show is phenomenal and it wouldn't be anything with its cast. Where's the award for this show gods Damit.

Cronos just invading Percy's dream and Percy just going full Persassy on his dusty titan ass was perfect. Not Sally with the Dream Journal though. Also I'm probably the only one, but I forgot that Percy was Seventh grade.

The ending with Gabe becoming stone not because Sally had enough, but because of his disrespect and lack of being a decent human being was what he deserved.

In total I cried 7 times probably because I can't believe this season is over. This show is full of so much passion and you can feel it. It has some faults was piece of media adapting a popular series doesn't, but this does the books justice and it intorduces the story to a wider audience. Though a longer episode count would be much appreciated.

If this doesn't get a award I throwing hands anyways, good morrow fellow fans, hyperfixators, and all the others in between.

[bills-bible-basics]

EATING MEAT IS NOT A SIN -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done." Genesis 8:20-21, KJV "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Genesis 9:2-4, KJV Note: In the following verses, the words "meat" and "meats" are not actually referring to meat, such as beef, chicken, etc. Derived from the Greek words "broma" and "brosis", they refer to food and eating in general. The word "flesh", however, is derived from the Greek word "kreas", which signifies the flesh of a sacrificed animal. "And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:10-11, KJV "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man . . . Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?" Mark 7:15, 18-19, KJV "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he [Jesus] said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." Luke 24:41-43, KJV "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven." Acts 10:9-16, KJV "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him . . . I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost . . . For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Romans 14:1-3, 14-17, 20-23, 15:1-3, KJV "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/eating-meat-is-not-a-sin-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=230310&EATING%20MEAT%20IS%20NOT%20A%20SIN%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[mads-weasley]

Let Me Help You

Luke Morrow x Wife!Reader

A/N: I looooved this movie, so I had to write a fic for Luke! In this fic, the reader is his real wife (no fake marriage thing)! Enjoy!

Summary: When Luke gets home after a long day, a scary situation leads to the couple having a heart to heart.

Warnings: none!

(y/e/c) - your eye color

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Luke woke at the repetitive sound of the alarm clock beside him that read 7:00am. Running a hand down his face, he silently peeled back the covers and grabbed his brace from the side of the bed. He worried about the sound from the velcro straps waking you up, but little did he know that you were already awake, a headache waking you up at 5 that morning.

With a suppressed grunt, he stood up and reached for his cane, slowly walking towards the bathroom. He got ready in silence before walking back into their bedroom.

"I love you, baby. I'll see you later," he whispered, leaning down and kissing her temple.

(Y/n) rolled over to face him, smiling softly. "I love you, too. Have fun working out. Don't overdo it."

Mirroring her smile, he nodded and said another 'I love you' as he closed the door behind him. The second the door shut, (y/n) sunk back into the pillows, sighing as she messaged her temples. At that moment, she knew that day would be a long one.

The drive home wasn't short enough for (y/n) after her miserable day at work. Since that morning, her migraine had only worsened, slowly becoming debilitating as the day went on. She probably had checked her watch over a hundred times before her shift was over.

As she walked through the door, she was attacked by Peaches, the golden retriever's barks increasing the ever-present pounding in her head.

"Hey, girl," (y/n) cooed quietly, scratching behind Peaches' ear lovingly. "I've missed you."

After popping a few ibuprofen...or five, she went through the cabinets in search of ingredients to use for dinner, even though she felt nauseous herself. She knew when Luke came come that he would be starving after a day of physical therapy and his own training to get back in shape.

Even though she felt like she could fall over any second, she continued her search. Deciding on chicken alfredo penne, she started the noodles and began making the sauce when the shrill ringing of her phone pierced her ears.

White hot pain filled her vision and she shut her eyes tightly as she answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Hey, (y/n/n). I just wanted to let you know that I'm on my way home."

Her headache seemed to dull slightly at the sound of her husband's voice. "Okay. I'm making dinner right now, but I'll see you in a few. Love you."

Luke moaned quietly at the thought of food. "That sounds amazing. I love you, too. Bye."

A few minutes had passed when Luke's keys jangled in the door. (Y/n) was too focused on the pan in front of her and simply staying upright that she didn't hear him call out to her. She gasped slightly when he wrapped his arms around her stomach, resting his chin on her head.

Leaning down, he kissed her temple. "Hey, sweetheart. I missed you today."

(Y/n) turned around in his arms, thankful that he was there to ground her. The second he saw the dark circles under her eyes and the pale complexion that covered her normally vibrant face, he knew something was wrong. With furrowed brows, he cupped eyes her cheeks and looked deeply into her eyes. In her (y/e/c) irises, he saw complete exhaustion and something else behind them that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked, rubbing her hair gently.

(Y/n) nodded, willing her eyes to stay open after another wave of nausea hit her. "Yeah, I'm fine," she whispered. "I'm just tired."

Although he was unconvinced at her feeble attempt to convince him, he didn't push her. "Alright. How about I finish off dinner? You go lay down, babe."

"You shouldn't be standing up for long periods, Luke."

Luke shook his head. "I'll be fine. Go," he whispered.

(Y/n) pecked his cheek, bending down to pet Peaches. "Your daddy is just the best husband ever, isn't he, Peaches?"

Luke's laugh seemed to ease some of the tension in her head, but when she stood up, the world started to sway under her feet. Darkness danced around her vision as she tried to stay upright. Just before she succumbed to unconsciousness, she was able to breathlessly call out.

"Help," she muttered, causing Luke to whip around just in time to see her limp body falling to the floor.

His heart stopped beating. "(Y/n)!"

Reaching out for her, he cursed when he couldn't get there in time because of his leg. She landed with a thud on their hardwood floors, and he was thankful that her head didn't hit hard. Luke quickly slid down next to her, ignoring the pain in his leg and pulling her to sit up against his chest.

"(Y/n)!" he cried, rubbing her cheeks. "Baby, wake up. Come on!"

His eyes began to burn as he held back tears at (y/n)'s unconscious form in his arms. "Please wake up. Please."

A few moments later, her eyes fluttered open, and Luke let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He quickly wiped a tear that leaked out of his eye before she could see it.

Looking around them in confusion, she asks, "What happened?"

"Y-You passed out, (y/n/n). How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy," she responds, holding her head in her hands.

Luke scans her face. "What's really going on?"

With a sigh, she closed her eyes. "My migraines are back."

"(Y/n), why didn't you tell me?" he asks quietly, pulling her close to cradle her head on his chest.

"I just didn't think it was important," she answered, looking at the floor.

"It is important."

"Well, you're in so much pain from your leg and I just have a stupid headache."

Gently moving so he could face her, he put a finger under her chin to lift it. "(y/n)," he started, not breaking eye contact. "You are everything to me. Don't ever compare your pain to mine. Just because I'm hurting doesn't mean you have to always be okay. Remember what you always tell me?"

She nodded.

"It's okay to let people help you. To let me help you. So let me take care of you, please."

Sighing, she nodded before pecking his lips softly. "I love you, Luke."

"I love you, too, (y/n). Now let's get you to bed." He whispered, helping her up. "I would carry you if I could."

She weakly smiled at him, leaning on him for stability as he led her to their bedroom. "I know, commando. I know."

Tag List:

@juliapalka @thatwh-0-re @just-my-obsession-things @dayan281198 @drizzyreese @lilfoxyqueensworld @arianagrandes-things @peaches-and-sunshine @writerslove2403 @paigewinchester67 @1uv4yyu @k-1s-things @happypersonalya @clovurst @hirokosoul @icarusignite @luv4jeno @eddiesslvtt @shatteredrosess @hermionesbookshelf @itskarlaaaaaa @soff2122 @loser4everrr @mimiroe @holy-macncheese-balls @annrose799 @kheavnlyy @relaxedrelique @readingbookelf

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

[popcrone818]

How Could You Know - Luke Morrow Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist 

Part One 

Part Two 

Part Three 

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

[adamwatchesmovies]

Purple Hearts (2022)

If your romantic drama, comedy, etc. contains a line similar to “In reality, marriage is really just a pointless legal arrangement that turns lovers into enemies”, don't be surprised if your audience hates your movie. While Purple Hearts has likeable performers, their characters are insufferable. The movie spends so much time with them at each others’ throats you’ll check out long before the forced romance sparks to life.

Recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, aspiring singer/songwriter Cassie Salazar (Sofia Carson) can either afford her medication or her rent but not both. While bartending, she meets Luke Morrow (Nicholas Galitzine), a newly recruited U.S. Marine about to be deployed in Iraq. He does not have the money to pay his drug debts to his former dealer, Johnno (Anthony Ippolito). Though they mix like oil and water, they agree to get married to benefit from the bonuses offered to military couples.

Luke makes a terrible first impression. He and his marine buddies stomp into the frame making misogynist jokes, he comes off as massively entitled, plus he’s got this substantial debt he’s dragging Cassie and/or his family into. Conversely, you sympathize with Cassie, whose turd of a boss cuts off her band after exactly two songs, is going to die if she doesn’t get her medication, is living in a run-down apartment and is on the “right side” of every modern-day issue. The problem immediately is that seeing her hang a Black Lives Matter flag, combined with some insensitive comments the marines make about Arabs makes you think Luke is the kind of bro who would’ve participated in the 2021 United States Capitol attack. Them falling in love is inconceivable.

As the film progresses, your sympathy for Cassie vaporizes. Her mother suggests she move back in with her. Cassie refuses - instead opting to enter a fake marriage followed by a divorce once Luke returns home. I’m not saying defrauding the government makes you dislike her, I’m saying she comes off as too stubborn for her own good. As an aspiring musician, she says she would rather struggle with her art than “punch the clock at a soul-sucking job making the rich richer”. Well. Would you rather die?

So what if Luke is brave by enlisting and putting his life at risk? In her mind, he's a dude-bro and doesn't deserve the time of day. In fact, when an injury sends him home, she still insists on him sleeping on the couch while she takes the bed. She’s a caricature of a feminist, determined not to depend on any man for any reason whatsoever and practically gags at the mention of the word “husband”.

You’ll be sitting on the couch with your significant other, getting madder and madder. That's what nearly two hours of people constantly arguing will do to you. Then, there will be a couple of scenes that prove the actors have decent chemistry. Nicholas Galitzine is handsome, he can even be charismatic. As for Sofia Carson, her character performs a few covers and several original songs throughout the film. Every time she sings, she’s pretty great. I could even see some of the numbers becoming minor hits. It doesn’t sound like much but these are enough to make you imagine a film with these people that might be nice to watch.

Purple Hearts mentions many hot-button issues and modern topics but none are ever addressed. Instead, the film indulges in oversentimentality (bet you can foresee what happens to Chosen Jacobs right away) and contrivances at every opportunity - anything to make us forget we don’t like the protagonists. No one could watch Purple Hearts and feel the warm fuzzies afterward. (July 31, 2022)

[type1diabetesinfandom]

My Fanfics with T1D:

This Needle’s Wearing Thin (Justice League - Snyder Cut) feat. diabetic Clark Kent

Wordcount: 5.4k | Rating: Teen & Up, due to mild cursing | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: Gen

Victor shakes off Aquaman and holds up a glistening metal hand. “Wait a minute. Superman has low blood glucose?”

“Superman has type 1 diabetes,” Clark corrects. “If it’s a vote, I would also love to go home now.”

The Batman scowls. “You are not flying anywhere on your own with low blood glucose.”

Clark pretends it’s his super hearing that allows him to hear the unsaid, “Idiot,” following the rest of the sentence.

“Hold on,” Aquaman says. “How the hell does Superman get diabetes?”

Or: After defeating Steppenwolf, Clark and Barry have to deal with low blood sugar. The team is shocked to discover Clark’s not as invulnerable as the world thinks. T1D!Clark Kent and hypoglycemic!Barry Allen.

Sokka’s Birthday (Avatar: the Last Airbender) feat. diabetic Sokka

Wordcount: 3.4k | Rating: General Audiences | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: M/M - Sokka/Zuko

Every eye in the courtyard turned toward Zuko, who reminded himself that nothing was scarier than Azula, and he had already dealt with her. Unsurprisingly, that reassured him enough to not stumble as he rose to his feet.

“Citizens of the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom,” he started. Then he stopped.  

Briefly, the world spun and Zuko forgot where he was. He blinked. Instead of the raised podium he, Aang, King Kuei, and the other presiding nobles had been sitting in all morning, Zuko found himself standing in front of a small, elderly Fire Nation woman holding out a glass of Watermelon juice.  

“I said that’ll be three copper pieces,” she said.  

Zuko frowned. “Who are you?”

Or: Soulmates switch bodies for 16 minutes when the younger one turns sixteen. In all the hullabaloo of ending the war, everyone forgot it was Sokka’s birthday. He and Zuko swap bodies just as Zuko has to give an important speech and Sokka’s blood sugar runs low. T1D! Sokka. Post-canon. 

Podfic available on AO3 here.

Let's Go Back to Nothing (Purple Hearts - 2022) feat. canonically diabetic Cassie Salazar

Wordcount: 258 | Rating: Teen & Up | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: M/F - Cassie Salazar/Luke Morrow

A stranger's rude to Cassie when she checks her blood glucose after a show. She calls Luke, who's never said a word about her type 1 diabetes since he met her.

Written for the OTW 15th Anniversary Fanwork Challenge of a 15 sentence fic.

When the Warmth Hits You (Once Upon a Time) feat. diabetic Emma Swan and diabetic Henry Mills

Written for the @sqsupernova

Wordcount: 33.1k | Rating: Teen & Up | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: F/F - Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Emma Swan

With the Evil Queen’s curse finally broken, Storybrooke is quiet. Emma Swan is excited to know her family and smooth the waters with her son Henry’s infuriating, attractive adopted mother. She should have known better.

When a virulent flu arrives, Henry gets sick. Other early victims fall into supernatural comas and fear grips the town. Many blame Regina for this plague, but Emma can’t believe she would risk Henry; the more she gets to know Mayor Mills, the less she can imagine her counterpart, the Evil Queen.

Eventually driven to hide as the townsfolk head to war, Regina dives into her vault to find a cure. Then Emma falls ill. Forced to work with Snow White, Regina must use stronger magic than she ever has before—without her Savior.

See the beautiful artwork by Iyashpia here!

Uprooted (Swamp Thing: Twin Branches) feat. diabetic Alec Holland and canonically diabetic Walker Holland

Wordcount: 2.5k | Rating: Teen and Up | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: Gen

After the events of the story, Alec develops T1D and follows his brother's footsteps.

Alec mourns Walker heavily, and his entire life is uprooted again. His new friends abandon him. Walker's friends want nothing to do with him. His family can't understand. Then he gets sick, and he's completely alone.

Except there's something in the woods that might be calling his name.

Written for the T1D Awareness Fest, using the Week 1 prompts: Diagnosis and Fantasy.

Lost (Heroes of Olympus) feat. diabetic (and dyscalculic) Jason Grace

Wordcount: 17.1k | Rating: Teen & Up | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: Gen (past Jason/Piper, mist-version only)

Summary:

Jason Grace wakes up with no memory, a chronic illness, and the unsettling knowledge that everything is wrong.

When he’s taken to Camp Half-Blood, he hopes for answers; instead, he comes to realize that although the campers love the mysteriously missing Percy Jackson, they think Jason shouldn’t exist. But Jason’s disturbing kinship with the air and tendency for spontaneous electrical surges aren’t the only things to worry about.

Told in second person POV, Lost is a mostly canon-compliant character study focused on Jason and his powers during The Lost Hero. What are you supposed to do when your instincts tell you to trust no one?

Written for the @pjo-hoo-bigbang. Art by @ashilrak can be found here. Art by silima to be linked.

Tomorrow, We Stand Together (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) feat. diabetic Annabeth Chase

Wordcount: 2.1k | Rating: General Audiences | Warnings: None Apply | Relationships: F/M - Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson

Percy surprises Annabeth with an insulin pump after SoM. Pre-Percabeth hurt/comfort.

Written for the T1D Awareness Fest, using the Week 2 prompt: Technology.

Podfic available on AO3 here.

[aadeguzman]

SERMON XIV. QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY – DELUSIONS OF SINNERS ~ St Alphonsus

Delusions Of Sinners

“Lord, that I may see.” LUKE xviii. 41

1. THE Devil brings sinners to hell by closing their eyes to the dangers of perdition. He first blinds them, and then leads them with himself to eternal torments. If, then, we wish to be saved, we must continually pray to God in the words of the blind man in the gospel of this day, “Lord, that I may see.” Give me light: make me see the way in which I must walk in order to save my soul, and to escape the deceits of the enemy of salvation. I shall, brethren, this day place before your eyes the delusion by which the devil tempts men to sin and to persevere in sin, that you may know how to guard yourselves against his deceitful artifices.

2. To understand these delusions better, let us imagine the case of a young man who, seized by some passion, lives in sin, the slave of Satan, and never thinks of his eternal salvation. My son, I say to him, what sort of life do you lead? If you continue to live in this manner, how will you be able to save your soul? But, behold! the devil, on the other hand, says to him: Why should you be afraid of being lost? Indulge your passions for the present: you will afterwards confess your sins, and thus all shall be remedied. Behold the net by which the devil drags so many souls into hell. “Indulge your passions: you will hereafter make a good confession.” But, in reply, I say, that in the meantime you lose your soul. Tell me: if you had a jewel worth a thousand pounds, would you throw it into a river with the hope of afterwards finding it again? What if all your efforts to find it were fruitless? God! you hold in your hand the invaluable jewel of your soul, which Jesus Christ has purchased with his own blood, and you cast it into hell! Yes; you cast it into hell; because according to the present order of providence, for every mortal sin you commit, your name is written among the number of the damned. But you say. “I hope to recover God’s grace by making a good confession.” And if you should not recover it, what shall be the consequences? To make a good confession, a true sorrow for sin is necessary, and this sorrow is the gift of God: if he does not give it, will you not be lost for ever?

3. You rejoin: “I am young; God compassionates my youth; I will hereafter give myself to God.” Behold another delusion! You are young; but do you not know that God counts, not the years, but the sins of each individual? You are young; but how many sins have you committed? Perhaps there are many persons of a very advanced age, who have not been guilty of the fourth part of the sins which you have committed. And do you not know that God has fixed for each of us the number of sins which he will pardon?” The Lord patiently expecteth, that, when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins.” (2 Mach. vi. 14.) God has patience, and waits for a while; but, when the measure of the sins which he has determined to pardon is tilled up, he pardons no more, but chastises the sinner, by suddenly depriving him of life in the miserable state of sin, or by abandoning him in his sin, and executing that threat which he made by the prophet Isaias” I shall take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be wasted.” (Isa. v. 5.) If a person has cultivated land for many years, has encompassed it with a hedge for its protection, and expended a large sum of money on it, but finds that, after all, it produces no fruit, what will he do with it? He will pluck up the hedge, and abandon it to all men and beasts that may wish to enter. Tremble, then, lest God should treat you in a similar manner. If you do not give up sin, your remorse of conscience and your fear of divine chastisement shall daily increase. Behold the hedge taken away, and your soul abandoned by God a punishment worse than death itself.

4. You say: “I cannot at present resist this passion.” Behold the third delusion of the devil, by which he makes you believe that at present you have not strength to overcome certain temptations. But St. Paul tells us that God is faithful, and that he never permits us to be tempted above our strength. “And God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that which you are able.” (1 Cor. x. 13.) I ask, if you are not now able to resist the temptation, how can you expect to resist it hereafter? If you yield to it, the Devil will become stronger, and you shall become weaker; and if you be not now able to extinguish this flame of passion, how can you hope to be able to extinguish it when it shall have grown more violent? You say: “God will give me his aid.” But this aid God is ready to give at present if you ask it. Why then do you not implore his assistance? Perhaps you expect that, without now taking the trouble of invoking his aid, you will receive from him increased helps and graces, after you shall have multiplied the number of your sins? Perhaps you doubt the veracity of God, who has promised to give whatever we ask of him? “Ask,” he says, “and it shall be given you.” (Matt. vii. 7.) God cannot violate his promises. ”God is not as man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man, that he should be changed. Hath he said, then, and will he not do?” (Num. xxiii. 19.) Have recourse to him, and he will give you the strength necessary to resist the temptation. God commands you to resist it, and you say: “I have not strength.” Does God, then, command impossibilities? No; the Council of Trent has declared that “God does not command impossibilities; but, by his commands, he admonishes you to do what you can, and to ask what you cannot do; and he assists, that you may be able to do it.” (Sess. 6. c. xiii.) When you see that you have not sufficient strength to resist temptation with the ordinary assistance of God, ask of him the additional help which you require, and he will give it to you; and thus you shall be able to conquer all temptations, however violent they may be.

5. But you will not pray; and you say that at present you will commit this sin, and will afterwards confess it. But, I ask, how do you know that God will give you time to confess it? You say: “I will go to confession before the lapse of a week.” And who has promised you this week? Well, then you say: ” I will go to confession tomorrow.” And who promises you tomorrow? “Crastinum Deus non promisit,” says St. Augustine, “fortasse dabit, et fortasse non dabit.” God has not promised you to-morrow. Perhaps he will give it, and perhaps he will refuse it to you, as he has to so many others. How many have gone to bed in good health, and have been found dead in the morning! How many, in the very act of sin, has the Lord struck dead and sent to hell! Should this happen to you, how will you repair your eternal ruin?”Commit this sin, and confess it afterwards.” Behold the deceitful artifice by which the devil has brought so many thousands of Christians to hell. We scarcely ever find a Christian so sunk in despair as to intend to damn himself. All the wicked sin with the hope of afterwards going to confession. But, by this illusion, how many have brought themselves to perdition! For them there is now no time for confession, no remedy for their damnation.

6. ”But God is merciful.” Behold another common delusion by which the devil encourages sinners to persevere in a life of sin! A certain author has said, that more souls have been sent to hell by the mercy of God than by his justice. This is indeed the case; for men are induced by the deceits of the devil to persevere in sin, through confidence in Gods mercy; and thus they are lost. “God is merciful.” Who denies it? But, great as his mercy, how many does he every day send to hell? God is merciful, but he is also just, and is, therefore, obliged to punish those who offend him. ”And his mercy,” says the divine mother, ”to them that fear him.” (Luke i. 50.) But with regard to those who abuse his mercy and despise him, he exercises justice. The Lord pardons sins, but he cannot pardon the determination to commit sin. St. Augustine says, that he who sins with the intention of repenting after his sins, is not a penitent but a scoffer. ”Irrisor est non poenitens.” But the Apostle tells us that God will not be mocked. ”Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” (Gal. vi. 7.) It would be a mockery of God to insult him as often and as much as you pleased, and afterwards to expect eternal glory.

7. “But”; you say, “as God has shown me so many mercies hitherto, I hope he will continue to do so for the future.” Behold another delusion! Then, because God has not as yet chastised your sins, he will never punish them! On the contrary, the greater have been his mercies, the more you should tremble, lest, if you offend him again, he should pardon you no more, and should take vengeance on your sins. Behold the advice of the Holy Ghost: ”Say not: I have sinned, and what harm hath befallen me? for the Most High is a patient rewarder.” (Eccles. v. 4.) Do not say: “I have sinned, and no chastisement has fallen upon me.” God bears for a time, but not for ever. He waits for a certain time; but when that arrives, he then chastises the sinner for all his past iniquities: and the longer he has waited for repentance, the more severe the chastisement. ”Quos diutius expectat,” says St. Gregory, ”durius damnat.” Then, my brother, since you know that you have frequently offended God, and that he has not sent you to hell, you should exclaim: ”The mercies of the Lord, that we are not consumed.” (Thren. iii. 22.) Lord, I thank you for not having sent me to hell, which I have so often deserved. And therefore you ought to give yourself entirely to God, at least through gratitude, and should consider that, for less sins than you have committed, many are now in that pit of fire, without the smallest hope of being ever released from it. The patience of God in bearing with you, should teach you not to despise him still more, but to love and serve him with greater fervour, and to atone, by penitential austerities and by other holy works, for the insults you have offered to him. You know that he has shown mercies to you, which he has not shown to others. ”He hath not done in like manner to every nation.” (Ps. cxlvii. 20.) Hence you should tremble, lest, if you commit a single additional mortal sin, God should abandon you, and cast you into hell.

8. Let us come to the next illusion. “It is true that, by this sin, I lose the grace of God; but, even after committing this sin, I may be saved.” You may, indeed, be saved: but it cannot be denied that if, after having committed so many sins, and after having received so many graces from God, you again offend him, there is great reason to fear that you shall be lost. Attend to the words of the sacred Scripture: “A hard heart shall fare evil at the last.” (Eccles. iii. 27.) The obstinate sinner shall die an unhappy death. Evil doers shall be cut off.” (Ps. xxxvi. 9.) The wicked shall be cut off by the divine justice. “For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap.” (Gal. vi. 8.) He that sows in sin, shall reap eternal torments. “Because I called and you refused, I also will laugh in your destruction and will mock when that shall come to you which you feared.” (Prov. i. 24, 26.) I called, says the Lord, and you mocked me; but I will mock you at the hour of death. “Revenge is mine, and I will repay them in due time.” (Deut. xxxii. 35.) The chastisement of sins belongs to me, and I will execute vengeance on them when the time of vengeance shall arrive. “The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him, shall suddenly be destroyed, and health shall not follow him.” (Prov. xxix. 1.) The man who obstinately despises those who correct him, shall be punished with a sudden death, and for him there shall be no hope of salvation.

9. Now, brethren, what think you of these divine threats against sinners? Is it easy, or is it not very difficult, to save your souls, if, after so many divine calls, and after so many mercies, you continue to offend God? You say: “But after all, it may happen that I will save my soul.” I answer: “What folly is it to trust your salvation to a perhaps? How many with this “perhaps I may be saved,” are now in hell? Do you wish to be one of their unhappy companions? Dearly beloved Christians, enter into yourselves, and tremble; for this sermon may be the last of Gods mercies to you.

[axiomsofice]

Group A:

 Owen Power, D, NCAA

This is likely the only pick that we’ll be able to predict with much conviction. It’s a package that is impossible to ignore, a huge frame, good passing skills, and already contributing at a high level. Seeing as the second-to-last defenceman to go 1st (Ekblad, get well) just started to transform into his best self, and with Dahlin posting uneven results early in his journey, there shouldn’t be an expectation for Power to make the jump to Buffalo next season. Especially given he’d be headed back to Michigan, a higher level than junior, this should be an ideal place for him to hone his craft for a year or two before the Sabre slide him into their top 4.

 Group B: 2nd to 10th

 Some consensus should be coming as we approach the draft, but in general it wouldn’t be surprising for these players to be selected anywhere in this range. Central accounting’s lists were quite surprising and I definitely take their opinions to heart, along with many other opinions as well. I’ve divided them by position.

 Defence:

 Brandt Clarke, D, Slovakia (via OHL)

Clarke went overseas to find playing time this season, playing pro in Slovakia. He’s got a lot of agility, or shiftiness, with and without the puck. He’s aggressive in pursuing offence with his passing and skating, and has the quality to make plays and even score goals when he jumps up into the play.

 Luke Hughes, D, USNDTP

The third instalment of the Hughes Brothers (Quinn and Jack), Luke is bigger than his brothers and amongst the youngest of the draft class. He has all the tools we’ve come to expect from the family interns of puck skills and skating prowess, although time will tell maybe not quite to the level of his brothers, but nonetheless standouts amongst this draft class. Given his age, and playing at a lower level than the rest of these top ranked defenders, the baseline of at least one more year before thinking about jumping to the NHL might be 2 for Hughes. With patience and development, Hughes could prove to have the most upside among blueliners in this class.

 Simon Edvinsson, D, SHL

Not quite as tall as Power, but Edvinsson a big person in his own right. He uses this size and his skating to be a really effective defender. His offensive game, especially his passing and decision making, or perhaps better framed as transitions, is still a bit raw. Surviving in the SHL at this age is definitely an accomplishment, and the hope is that next season he can make a bigger difference in that league. It seems all but guaranteed he’ll be able to contribute in the NHL at some point, the question is more about how much.

 CENTRE

 Matt Beniers, C, NCAA

Beniers is definitely the prospect I’ve seen the most of in the class, and especially early in the season I had almost cone to terms with ranking him number 1. Although it is significant to me that Central Scouting had him as their 6th NA skater. He’ll be described as a 2-way centre, maybe a 2nd line type of centre, and I wonder if it’s mostly due to a perceived lack of upside that others might have jumped past him. Regardless, he’s already succeeding in at Michigan and played a big role on the Gold Medal U20 US team. He supports his teammates all over the ice and is a great passing outlet from breakouts to zone entries. He does have some skill and is probably my favourite to go 2nd overall at this point (June).

 Mason McTavish, C, SUI (via OHL)

Another OHL top prospect who had to venture overseas for ice time, McTavish performed really well in a men’s pro league. Perhaps a bit more powerful in skating and style than Beniers, the situation with the OHL, a strong U18 performance, and a high season end Central Scouting Ranking (2nd NA), it’s likely McTavish will be considered a late riser, even though it’s not as if a strong development curve wasn’t expected. Especially as we get closer to the draft we should expects to see his name solidify itself in this 2-10 group, especially given his position.

 WINGS

 William Eklund, W, SHL

Eklund posted really good results in the SHL this year. He is able to contribute offensively in many ways, and at this point his game seems to be more effective than astounding. Having succeeded at such a high level already it’s hard to imagine he won’t be able to make a difference on an NHL roster in a year or two.

 Kent Johnson, W, NCAA

Johnson might be a good foil to Eklund in that his play oozes skill, often able to makes and see plays at an extremely high level. He was able to translate it into both a strong performance at Michigan, and a high spot on Central Scoutings’ List. The fact that they ranked him above Beniers is very interesting to me, and says that scouts think his game will take well as he moves into higher levels. He is very fun to watch and attacks laterally in a way that only the high quality players can.

 Dylan Guenther, W, WHL

19/20 was strong for Guenther, and a short and strange season for the WHL was enough for him to grow his reputation. He averaged both a goal and an assist per game in 24 games this season, basically playing as well as he could have. The CHL leagues were probably most affected among top development leagues, so it’s hard to know how much that affected things. That being said, should he return to the WHL it’ll be a tall task to improve his offensive output. Despite playing at a lower level he is very much in the mix with Eklund and Johnson, and it is quite likely there will be nothing close to a consensus on which order these wingers are selected.

 Goalie

 Jesper Wallstedt, G, SHL

More and more often were seeing really high ranked goaltenders, and as more of them start to pan out, it’s hard to make a case picking against Wallstedt. Posting great numbers in the SHL as a skater is impressive, but in net the accomplishment becomes truly rare among draft eligibles. The position is volatile, and it often takes time to find the metal stability to be an NHL starter. That’s why despite the dominant results in the SHL, it’s probably best to err on the side of patience. That being said, it’s exciting to conceptualize that he might be able to make a difference at the NHL level in 2-3 years vs in his mid to late 20s as is common for netminders.

 Group C

 This group I would call likely 1st rounders, obviously some of this caliber of player can fall into round 2, even in more normal years. Some might even be able to push over some of the group B prospects ranked ahead.

 WINGS

 Matthew Coronato, W, USHL

The Chicago Steel have a great program, and seem to have a more consistent line of talent than most of the others in their league, perhaps similar to the London Knights of the OHL. That being said Coronato scored at a ridiculous pace, even compared to his teammates. In part thanks to the Steel this league is being seen as more and more credible when it comes to drafting prospects. It is still not quite as strong of a league as the SHL or NCAA, but it might be the only thing that keeps him from going in the top 10.

 Nikita Chibrikov, W, KHL

There is debate about who the best Russian forward prospect is between Chibrikov and Svechkov. In Chibrikov’s favour is the ranking from Central Scouting as well as a really strong U18 performance. It seems every year that the best Russian prospects don’t garner much respect from those who aren’t scouting the region specifically, so it shouldn’t be a surprise for all 3 Russians in this range (Chibrikov, Svechkov, and Chayka) to be selected earlier than one might expect.

 Fabian Lysell, W, SHL

He is not quite as good a prospect as Lucas Raymond from the 2020 draft, yet the two are similar in that they are small, offensively capable wingers who didn’t get much ice time in their draft years, and who are much better at pressuring the puck all over the ice than given credit for. It wouldn’t be a surprise for him to fall a bit due to his stature, but Lysell still figures to go I. The first round.

 Isak Rosen, W, SHL

 Simon Robertsson, W, SHL

 Brendan Othmann, W, SUI

Othmann has the size, power, and skating skills that figure to translate well to the pros. He has the shot and puck skills to be dangerous on the rush and gets a lot of chances to do so thanks to his abilities in transition and counter attacks.

 CENTRES

 Aatu Raty, C, SML

At one point a favourite to be the top ranked prospect in this class, Raty stock has cooled recently thanks to some less than promising results in the Finnish pro league. He’s big and strong enough to be effective along the walls in zone offence, and is able to find open ice in shooting positions. Typically, the Finns employ a utilitarian skillset, disposed to strong 2-way play or substance over style. I believe that this often causes the offensive capability of Finnish prospects to be undersold (thinking of Anton Lundell from the 2020 draft). If supported in the right way Raty could be a steal, especially given the scarcity of strong centres in this class.

 Fedor Svechkov, C, KHL

 Cole Sillinger, C, WHL

 Chaz Lucius, C, USNTDP

  DEFENCE

 Corson Cuelmans

 Carson Lambos

 Daniil Chayka

  Group D

 This group is players I have a first round grade on, but are by no means a lock to be selected afterwards. No doubt that some of this group will be selected from the mid second round and later. At this point there is a greater number of prospects, so I’ll merely name a few that I feel strongly about.

 Forwards

 Logan Stankoven

 Zachary L’Heureux

 Chase Stillman

  Defence

 Scott Morrow

 Stanislav Svozil

[frederickwiddowson]

The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts 6:1-7 comments : choosing the seven, including Stephen

Acts 6:1 ¶  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 If Ananias and Sapphira weren’t enough to throw a monkey wrench into communism, then the murmuring and complaining of the Greek Christians against the Jews would. Their complaint was that their own widows were being neglected. Every church at some point, because it is composed of fallible human beings, although hopefully saved human beings, who will argue and whose self-centered egos will sow discord and there is often favoritism and cliques, the in-crowd, will have these problems. This can lead to people being neglected or perceiving that they are being neglected. If this is typical human behavior, even saved human behavior on this scale imagine how hopeless communism would be on a national scale.

 The twelve Apostles were already overworked and needed help and so they could focus on the ministry of the word they needed deacons to assist them with the care of the congregation. I am reminding of Moses and how he was in danger of being crushed by his responsibility. He took the advice of his father-in-law, Jethro, to keep from burning out.

 Exodus 18:13 ¶  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15  And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: 16  When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17  And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18  Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19  Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22  And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23  If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24  So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25  And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27  And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

 Seven men are chosen to oversee service to the congregation in the way of physical needs. Most commentators report that these and those who follow after them were called deacons. There are later listed certain requirements and restrictions for deacons.

 1Timothy 3:8 ¶  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 Roman documents suggest that the early church had female deacons as well.

 Pliny the Younger was the governor Bithynia in what we know today as Turkey, geographically Asia Minor. He wrote a letter about Christians to the Emperor Trajan around 115AD. Here is the content of what we have today. Paul could not go to Bithynia but Peter may have gone there.

Acts 16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

1Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Here is one translation from the Latin between the two men.

“Pliny the Younger to the Emperor Trajan

It is my practice, my lord, to refer to you all matters concerning which I am in doubt. For who can better give guidance to my hesitation or inform my ignorance? I have never participated in trials of Christians. I therefore do not know what offenses it is the practice to punish or investigate, and to what extent. And I have been not a little hesitant as to whether there should be any distinction on account of age or no difference between the very young and the more mature; whether pardon is to be granted for repentance, or, if a man has once been a Christian, it does him no good to have ceased to be one; whether the name itself, even without offenses, or only the offenses associated with the name are to be punished.

Meanwhile, in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished. There were others possessed of the same folly; but because they were Roman citizens, I signed an order for them to be transferred to Rome.

Soon accusations spread, as usually happens, because of the proceedings going on, and several incidents occurred. An anonymous document was published containing the names of many persons. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ.

They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food--but ordinary and innocent food. Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations. Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called deaconesses. But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition.

I therefore postponed the investigation and hastened to consult you. For the matter seemed to me to warrant consulting you, especially because of the number involved. For many persons of every age, every rank, and also of both sexes are and will be endangered. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms. But it seems possible to check and cure it. It is certainly quite clear that the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be frequented, that the established religious rites, long neglected, are being resumed, and that from everywhere sacrificial animals are coming, for which until now very few purchasers could be found. Hence it is easy to imagine what a multitude of people can be reformed if an opportunity for repentance is afforded.

Trajan to Pliny the Younger

You observed proper procedure, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians. For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard. They are not to be sought out; if they are denounced and proved guilty, they are to be punished, with this reservation, that whoever denies that he is a Christian and really proves it--that is, by worshiping our gods--even though he was under suspicion in the past, shall obtain pardon through repentance. But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of keeping with the spirit of our age.”(1)

(1)   http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/pliny.html. (accessed 3.28.2018).

  Female deacons were also present in the early Baptist churches of the seventeenth century.(2)

 (2)   McBeth, H. Leon. The Baptist Heritage (Kindle Location 780). B&H Publishing. Kindle Edition.

 Laying hands on someone to confer a blessing or authority was established a long time prior to this.

 Deuteronomy 34:9 ¶  And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

 Notice how what was in the beginning thought to be merely a sect of Judaism was cutting into the company of the priests.

[bills-bible-basics]

EATING MEAT IS NOT A SIN -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done." Genesis 8:20-21, KJV "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Genesis 9:2-4, KJV Note: In the following verses, the words "meat" and "meats" are not actually referring to meat, such as beef, chicken, etc. Derived from the Greek words "broma" and "brosis", they refer to food and eating in general. The word "flesh", however, is derived from the Greek word "kreas", which signifies the flesh of a sacrificed animal. "And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:10-11, KJV "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he [Jesus] said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." Luke 24:41-43, KJV "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven." Acts 10:9-16, KJV "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him . . . I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost . . . For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even

Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Romans 14:1-3, 14-17, 20-23, 15:1-3, KJV "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/eating-meat-is-not-a-sin-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=113251&EATING%20MEAT%20IS%20NOT%20A%20SIN%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[mads-weasley]

I just watched Purple Hearts on Netflix and I absolutely LOOOOVE Luke Morrow!! I thought about maybe writing some Luke Morrow imagines. Would anyone be interested?!

OKAY, I WROTE IT!! YOU CAN FIND THE FIC HERE!!

[popcrone818]

How Could You Know - Luke Morrow

Part One    Series Masterlist   Main Masterlist 

Part one is here baby !! please enjoy and leave feedback.

As I walked out of the Drug Rehab Centre in Oceanside, I was greeted by the sun shining in my face and my sister Camille holding a bouquet of flowers, her olive skin shining in the heat of the California sun.

“Its good to have you back, I've missed you so much.” She pulled me into a bone crushing hug before she helped me load my bags in the trunk of her beat up old car.

“I’ve missed you too. It’s been so long since I've seen the outside world.” We hopped into the cab of her car as she handed me the flowers she had gotten me.

“It really has been such a long time,” she pulled out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of her house on the beach. Camille was a hard-working bartender and business owner. She owns her own dive bar with the help of her business partner Billy.  With her income she was able to afford a lavish home with beach views.

Once we pulled up, she grabbed my bags and unlocked her front door for me to follow her in.

“So, I do have to work tonight, but after the girls have finished on stage, you’ll have me all night long. We can have a few drinks and then get food on our way home and watch crappy movies.” I nodded at her as she showed me the room that she had converted for me to live in. She nodded as I sat on the bed in the centre of the room.

I watched as she backed out of the room. I looked around at my new room, everything seemed new, and I didn’t know how to take it all in. I had been in rehab for the last 12 months everything was so different for me now. I had been sober for a year now no more drugs running through my veins. Camille and I had lost our mother 6 months ago and I couldn’t even get a day pass to attend her funeral. I pulled out a photo frame from my bag. In the picture two little girls smiled up at me with an older woman behind the girls. My beautiful mother was the one who made me get help. She was the reason that I pushed myself to get better so I could come home to her. And now I’ll never be able to see her beautiful smile again. I watched a small tear drip onto the frame as I placed it on the side table and started to unpack my bag.

An hour later Camille popped her head in to see how I was going. I was sitting on the bed with a book in my hands and looked up.

“You ready to head out?” I nodded and pulled on my leather jacket as I followed her out the door. I noticed the bar was already fairly full when we walked in, and I pulled my jacket tighter around my body. Camille squeezed my shoulder before heading behind the bar. I took a seat at the bar and she handed me a glass of coke. I spun around to watch band play. The lead singer was Cassie Salazar, she used to babysit me and my best friend Frankie Mabuthia, I watched fondly as she took over the stage, she was going to be big one day. She used to teach me piano when she would babysit me, I don’t play anymore but I wish I did and I wish I still could. I twirled the straw in my drink as Billy pulled the cords out of amp effectively shutting off the mic as Cassie was introducing the band. She and Nora, the other waitress, made their way over to me and the bar.

“Omg! Callie! Your back? When did you get back?” Cassie pulled up off my seat and into a crushing hug.

“I got out today, Cam had to work so you could rock the stage, then were going to get greasy food and watch crappy movies when we get home.” I waved to Nora as Cassie tied her apron around her waist.

“Cassie, your favourite people are here.” Nora nodded to the group of Marines that just walked into the bar. I rolled me eyes a long with Cassie as she and Nora made their way over to get their orders. I looked back down at my drink waiting for Cam to come out from the back so we could get on with this girls night we had planned.

“Cal! Get your ass over here.” I looked up at my name and noticed Cassie standing with the Marines gesturing me over to them. I groaned but got off my seat leaving my drink and walked the few steps to the group. Cassie was talking animatedly to a dark-skinned man with a buzz cut, as I approached he turned around and I jumped into his arms. His arms wound around my back as my legs wrapped around his hips. I held him close tears brimming my eyes.

“It’s so good to see you too Ope.” I pulled away from him and jumped down suddenly remembering we weren’t the only ones here. Frankie pulled me to his side as he gestured around to the boys. “These are the guys, were shipping off to Iraq in two weeks.”  

“Since when have you been a Marine?” I asked him as I punched his shoulder.

“6 months, after your, after everything I wanted to go out and do something, be someone other than just another taxpayer. We’ve been in training ever since. You look good, it helped you a lot.” I nodded and looked down, being reminded of where I had been and what I had missed.  “Guys, this is Calliope, my very best friend in the whole world. Cassie used to babysit us.” I watched as Cassie blushed and looked around at the other guys. My eyes followed hers and my heart leapt into my throat. I pushed Frankie away and took a step back. It felt like I had seen a ghost, a ghost of my past I was hoping to forget. My hands started to shake as I continued to back up. Johno’s face flew through my mind and as I felt the cold the concrete of the bar on my knees I felt a soft pair of large hands gently take hold of my shoulders.

“Callie, hold your breath, your having a panic attack.” His sweet deep voice floated through my ears, the breakup of music to hear his voice helped bring me back from my panic. My green eyes flicked up to his hazel ones, tears were freely running down my face now. I looked over his shoulder at his Marine buddies. I noticed Frankie was standing right behind Luke. His expression one of realisation. I looked back at Luke willing my tears to stop but looking at him just brought back memories, memories I had tried so hard to forget, to push away. The way he made me feel in the last year or two before he went away. And he was here sober as well by the looks of things. Luke helped me up off the ground and helped me walk back over to the others. Cassie had brought over drinks for everyone before one of the bigger Marines spoke up.

“So, were good enough to save your ass but not good enough to touch it?” I watched as she walked away shaking her head. Luke handed me to Frankie and made to follow Cassie. I felt something deep in the pit of my stomach wake up before I turned my head back to Frankie and the guys. I wiped away my tears and looked at each one of them. Without Luke near me it was easier to not break down.

“I need names for whose ass I'm kicking if this one comes home injured.” I joked poking franking in the chest. Camille showed up and Frankie left me to say hello to my sister.

The blonde guy to my left who looked no older than 20 spoke up first.

“Brandon.”

“Armando.” The who made the ass comment. I nodded and took a seat at the table.

“Look you two better watch those two for me, if you come home and they don’t there will be hell to pay and I can promise you no matter what kind of training you’ve had you will not get away.” I threatened as I got closer to them. They swallowed loudly before nodding as Luke, Frankie and my sister all walked back up to us.

“You ready to get out of here?” Cam asked me, I nodded and waved at the boys as I followed my sister out.

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE VIGIL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

There was in the days of Herod, the King of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth. And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame. And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God, according to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord; and all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zachary seeing him was troubled, and fear fell upon him; but the Angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: and thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity. For he shall be great before the Lord: and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb. And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people. – St. Luke, i. 5 – 17

So sacred was St. John's day deemed that two rival armies, meeting face to face on 23 June, by common accord put off the battle until the morrow of the feast (Battle of Fontenay, 841). “Joy, which is the characteristic of the day, radiated from the sacred precincts. The lovely summer nights, at St. John's tide, gave free scope to popular display of lively faith among various nationalities. Scarce had the last rays of the setting sun died away when, all the world over, immense columns of flame arose from every mountain-top, and in an instant, every town, and village, and hamlet was lighted up” (Gueranger).

The custom of the “St. John's fires” has endured unto this day. All over Europe, from Scandinavia to Spain, and from Ireland to Russia, Saint John's Day festivities are closely associated with the ancient nature lore of the great summer festival of pre-Christian times. Fires are lighted on mountains and hilltops on the eve of his feast. These “Saint John's fires” burn brightly and quietly along the fiords of Norway, on the peaks of the Alps, on the slopes of the Pyrenees, and on the mountains of Spain (where they are called Hogsueras). They were an ancient symbol of the warmth and light of the sun which the forefathers greeted at the beginning of summer. In many places, great celebrations are held with dances, games, and outdoor meals.

It should be noted that in the Catholic sections of Europe the combination of the ancient festival of nature lore with the Feast of the Baptist has resulted in a tradition of dignified celebration, which has come down to our day. People gather around the fireplace, dressed in their national or local costumes, and sing their beautiful ancient songs. When the fire is lighted, one of them recites a poem that expresses the thought of the feast. Then they pray together to Saint John for his intercession that the summer may be blessed in homes, fields, and country, and finally perform some of the traditional folk dances, usually accompanied by singing and music.

At sunset on June 23rd in Ireland, the festivals begins. This midsummer festival was known as St. John's Eve, or Bonfire Night, and not that long ago, it was a wide-spread tradition. For several days beforehand, children and young people went from house to house asking for donations for the blessed fire. It was considered very unlucky to refuse. In fact, at some fires, the names of generous donors were called out and the crowd would cheer. But then, the names of the miserly were also announced and these were greeted with jeers and catcalls.

Imagine what it must have been like. Around the fire were assembled all the people of the locality – from the smallest children to the oldest men and women. As the sun set, the fire was lit. Usually, this honor was given to a knowledgeable elderly man who would say the traditional prayer for the occasion. One verse of this prayer is:

In the honor of God and St. John, to the fruitfulness and profit of our planting and our work, in the the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

And if you’re looking for an excuse to build a bonfire, the Church gives us a great reason to do so tonight, for tonight is the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner of Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was a man on fire with the Holy Spirit. His words burned like a furnace, and he feared no one, even the powerful rulers of his day. He called all to repentance without exception, and lightened the way for the messiah like a blazing torch. What better way to commemorate this zealous prophet than with a roaring bonfire?

And indeed, it is an ancient tradition of the Church to build a bonfire on the night of June 23, the vigil of St. John’s nativity, and keep watch through the night. The vigil of this feast is also symbolic in that it takes place only a few days after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, calling to mind St. John’s declaration that, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

So build a fire tonight, like centuries of Catholics before you, and spend time with your family and loved ones. Remember this great saint who courageously preached the coming of the Messiah, and ask him for his intercession.

The Roman Ritual contains a priestly blessing for the vigil fire, and it is one of the oldest prayers contained in it. But if no priest is available to bless your fire, the family can sing the hymn together and the father can recite the closing prayer. Enjoy!

From: www.pamphletstoinspire.com