#may we pray 4 voices lost

[mohammedalanqar]

At the Crossroads of Humanity: A Fa***y That Needs Your Voice, Hand, and Heart

In this world, where wars burn at its edges like an unquenchable fire, and where souls fade away amidst storms of pain, I write to you today not as a writer, but as a human being. A human being who has only words to awaken the shared conscience within us, the hope that we can still be better.

There is a family, just like any other, that once lived in peace. A modest home filled with children’s laughter and big dreams of parents striving for a brighter future. Mohamed, an engineer driven by resilience, and Enas, an English teacher who inspires hope in her children and students alike. They have four children: Layan (11 years old) with her keen intelligence, Sarah (9 years old) with a smile that melts hearts, Adam (4 years old) with his boundless energy, and Amir, a 6-month-old infant who knows nothing but his mother’s embrace. These children carry dreams in their eyes that have yet to be touched by war.

But war does not choose its victims. Today, this family has lost everything. Their home reduced to ashes, their security vanished, and their youngest sleeps cradled by fear.

We now stand at a crossroads. Can we look into the eyes of this family, and into the eyes of our own children one day, and say: “We tried”? Or will we choose silence and let humanity’s flame flicker out in this darkened world?

I know that among us here on this platform, Tumblr, there are writers, artists, creators, leaders, and hearts full of compassion. Imagine if each of us, with our pens, our voices, and our keyboards, chose to make a difference. Imagine if we shared this story, making it the talk of Tumblr and every corner of the internet.

Let’s think of this post as a beehive. Each of us is a bee carrying a drop of honey, a drop of hope, to create something bigger. Every share, every repost, every contribution is a step towards bringing this family to safety.

Let’s create a miracle.

Not because we need to prove something, but because this is the true face of humanity. Because we are stronger together. Because love and generosity are the most profound gifts we can offer, especially when the world needs them most.

If not today, then when? If not for them, then for whom?

We have an opportunity to show the world that the internet is not just a place for fleeting pictures and laughter but a force capable of changing lives. Let us show everyone that the Tumblr community can be a refuge for those who have none.

You, each of you reading these words now, are the true heroes of this story. Don’t let this post end here. Carry it on your wings, spread it as light that reaches every dark corner. Share it on Tumblr, weave it into stories on Instagram, tweet about it on Twitter, and make it a voice that cannot be silenced.

Let’s unite as one.

Let’s build a bridge for this family and create an unbreakable wave of hope.

> “In the end, none of us will be asked how many books we’ve read or songs we’ve written, but how many lives we’ve helped.”

“We may not change the entire world, but we can change the world for this family.”

Be the light that brightens their path. Share, create, and spread hope wherever you can.

you can support them through their campaign here:

Click here to support the campaign.

They are vetted here on nabulsi and el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet here (174)!

Let’s unite and make a real difference.

, , , , , , , , , , ,

[amica-aenigmata-naboo]

COLLISION

Astarion x Y/N - Chapter 2 - 2.5K WC

Masterlist

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 (you are here!)

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5 NSFW 18+

Chapter 6 NSFW 18+

Chapter 7 NSFW 18+

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

Magic was tougher than it looked. It felt like the most grueling full body workout. “Well, you’ve got enough to get you through a very short… heavily aided battle.” Shadowheart said, it sounded like the best backhanded compliment. 

“Can we be done for the day?” You asked, cracking your neck and stretching your back. “Please?”

Gale smiled and waved you off, “Just for today, we’ll need you in battle soon enough. Best you have a few tricks up your sleeve to survive… A word of advice, seek out Lae’zel, have her show you combat training. The Githyanke are -”

“Excellent warriors, I know.” you stated without thinking.

Gale’s face faltered for a moment before relaxing “Precisely, she’s the best to learn from.” he clapped his hand on your shoulder before walking back to his tent.

Shadowheart was walking back to her tent but gave you a smile and mouthed “good luck” towards you. 

You took a deep breath and walked to Lae’zel’s tent. Feet practically made of lead the way the anxiety made them drag. You stopped in front of her not looking up.

“Speak” was all she said.

“I’d like to spar with you… have you teach me how to fight… so I’m not just a useless cleric.” Your lip twitched up at the end of your sentence. Finally raising your gaze, Lae’zel looked at you and crossed her arms. 

“Fine. I suppose you can use this.” She said handing you what you recognized as “The Cruel Sting” sword from the drider, Kar’niss. 

You clutched the sword and followed Lae’zel to the center of the camp where she unceremoniously body checked you, knocking you onto your back with a groan.

“The Hell was that for?!” you yelled at her.

“Your enemy will not fight fair, you need to know brutality if you wish to fight.” she said as she unsheathed her sword.

You stood and held your sword. Nothing had ever felt more out of place. This wasn't a Renaissance Festival, this was real and you had to learn this to survive. You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and praying a collective prayer to any deity listening. You opened your eyes, the first strike of many clanged against your sword.

Shit.

________________________ 

Metal collides well past sundown. Lae’zel had run you ragged. You were currently trying to shove her back. She put her foot behind yours and shoved, sending you crashing onto your back.

“Have you learned nothing?!” she yelled so loudly everyone else in the camp was watching now. “Your enemy will not hesitate to kill you. You shall offer them no such mercy either!” she continued to yell.

That's it. That’s what broke the camel's back. Rage consumes you after being beaten down for hours. Your hand reached slowly for the small blade tucked into your breast pocket. Lae’zel put her sword to your neck to demand your surrender. You raised your hands. Lae’zel began putting her sword away and that's when you struck. You kicked her closest ankle and sent her falling. Dagger in your hand, you rolled on top of Lae’zel, straddling her hips and pressing the blade to her throat. She gawked at you, she was speechless. 

“Never assume the war is over because the battle was lost.” you said with hate in your voice but a proud smile on your face. 

Lae’zel gave the faintest smirk before taping the handle of the blade, signifying she surrendered. Both of you got up slowly. Lae’zel extended her arm. You stared at it in disbelief but your arm went to hers. Holding each other's forearms she shook it once firmly before saying, “Cleric, you may survive us yet.” she let go of your arm, walking to the bonfire as the meat roasting smelled as if it was almost done. 

Karlach walked over to you, “That’s as close as you’ll ever get to her saying you’re friends now.” she laughed. “You’ve improved a lot in one day. It’s going to be nice having you around soldier.” she patted your back before she herself walked to the campfire. 

You smiled watching her walk away. Glancing at Gale and Wyll they both gave you smiles, Gale giving a soft clap and Wyll a thumbs up. You walked back to your new tent that Karlach had set up for you while you were in the weave. It wrapped around the tree you slept on last night. A bedroll, some candles, and a small table with a lamp softly flickering. The flamed danced shadows across your tent, you laid on your bedroll momentarily, watching the shadows. Quickly, before you got too comfortable, you stood and began your walk to the stream. Your body ached but in a satisfactory way. Maybe you could be an adventurer. At least until you got back home. You shed your camp clothes at the shore, looking back and making sure everyone was at camp. You could hear them eating and telling stories  around the fire. You waded into the stream until it reached your ribs. You sat against a boulder in the stream. The water rushing around you felt calming, as if the water was trying to massage the ache out of you. You brushed water over your face and hair before leaning your head back and closing your eyes. Trying to connect to the earth around you, searching for a blissful escape in the elements even if only for a moment. 

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

Astarion watched you from behind a tree near the shore and his tent. He didn’t mean to spy on you. He honestly thought he saw a fae or siren wade into the water, your body enchanting him. He watched you wade to the boulder finding some sort of solace in it. You leaned there unmoving for what felt like hours. 

Sad

That's what rang out in Astarion’s mind. The tadpole saying what your mind must have been screaming. He felt that unfamiliar pang in his chest again. He wanted to… comfort you? He didn’t even know what that would look like. Was it like seduction just… less? He both wanted to know and despised the thought of knowing.

Without realizing it, he had drifted off and he refocused on your form trudging back to the shore. He knew what he had to do to get rid of the pang in his chest. Crush it. Crush you. The very thought hurt him somehow but he knew it had to be done. He walked out from behind the tree heading towards the shore. Your back was facing him, your shirt and underwear on but nothing else. He adored the way the moonlight made your shirt cast a shadow of your body. He noticed every curve, dimple, freckle… he noticed them all. 

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

“Oh! Astarion…” you jumped when you heard the rocks behind you shift. Your hands flew all over your body trying to cover up but not sure what exactly to cover. He grabbed your hip when you started to move backwards. You glanced at his hand before looking at his face, your eyebrows scrunched together. Astarion hadn’t exactly been the most welcoming in the camp so what was this? Hand still on your hip he possessively pulled you to his chest, his opposite hand tilting your chin up so your lips were a breath away from each other. Your whole body felt like cement and lava at the same time. Your eyes watched his every move. 

“A bath with no invite? Darling, you wound me.” he whispered onto your lips. You sucked in an unintentionally sharp breath when he leaned forwards and smashed his lips to yours. He was rough despite his gentle grasp on your chin. He continued to kiss you, nipping at your lower lip.

“Ouch!” you yipped, pushing his chest away. 

“Come now darling you cannot be so delicate…” he said seductively.

You backed up and held your arm out in front of you to put a physical barrier between you. “Astarion, stop.” You said as your finger smoothed over the nip on your lip that had drawn the smallest bit of blood. 

Now it was his turn to freeze, “What? Why? Is something wrong?” He asked. He almost sounded… annoyed? Instead of concern which you would expect from a lover. 

You knew enough about Astarion from your progress in Baldur's Gate III that he was trying to manipulate you by sleeping with you. It saddened you. He might not like you much in reality but you would still protect him like everyone else in your party. Your face gave a painful squeeze before you swallowed it all down. You put your arm down, picking up your pants, boots, and vest. “Astarion… you don’t truly want this. I’ll umm… I’ll see you at camp.” You whispered out. 

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

The world seemed to be so still and quiet down by the stream. Astarion heard every syllable. He watched you leave quickly and did he detect… a quiver in your voice? Why would you be upset about him trying to fuck you? Why did you say “you don’t truly want this”? He didn’t want it, but how did you know that? He walked back to his tent glumly. After seeing you take down Lae’zel he thought you might not be so bad to have under his thumb. Why would you reject him? He saw himself for the first time in 200 years that morning so he knew for a fact he was still beautiful, fangs and all. He wracked his brain but couldn’t come up with an answer to why his plan didn’t work on you. It works on everyone else. 

A bitter seed was planted inside him. He watched your form move around camp for the rest of the night. Eyes never meeting his. He watched you talk with the others. Sing with Wyll. attempt to dance with Karlach. Everyone wore soft smiles, even Lae’zel which was rare. A warmth was spread around the camp. As if the air was made of warm honey. Suffocating you in the best way possible. Rested and comfortable is what it was.

He wanted so desperately to be a part of it. And yet, that bitter seed took root and every thought of you suddenly felt like rot and decay. Finding the bad and none of the good. Making you the cause of such ire. He wanted to be rid of you. He thought of the item you had, the “mirror” he used. Had you told the others about that? What would they think of it? He could twist it to make you look like the villain, he was sure of it. 

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

“”Y/N darling…” 

Your head snapped to Astarion who had silently managed to sit across from you at the bonfire. Your head swirled a bit, whatever Karlach was drinking had some twang to it that's for sure. You were drunk and the warm glow of the fire made you feel like a cat in a sunbeam.

“Astarion darling…” you giggled back.

“Have you told our dear friends about your powerful little tool?” he batted his eyelashes at you but a devious smirk laid across his lips. 

Everyone's eyes slowly drifted to you and lord did you feel them on you.

“I… I showed Gale.” you rushed out. You weren’t hiding it. Not truly. You just didn’t know how to tell them what a phone was without having to tell them about your… well… life? And how to you, they were a mere video game. That they didn’t actually exist. That's a little tough to deliver. Especially while drunk. 

“Yes! She had me repower it.” Gale chimed in. 

“Oh it needs magic to power itself? Sounds dangerous if you ask me…” 

Now everyone's eyes were not only looking at you but focused on you, scanning you over for any potential danger. You slowly reached into your bedroll. Your phone lit up and everyone kept a strong hold on their weapons. 

“I… it is a power source… but it only powers itself. It’s not dangerous I swear…. It’s used to communicate where I’m from.” you quickly defended yourself.

“And where is that exactly?” Astarion hummed.

Your skin was crawling, you felt how unsteady your stomach was, a cold sweat coating your back, your hands shaking, and dear god you were fighting the urge to spill tears. All out of sheer anxiety. You didn’t want to lie, but you didn’t know how to tell the truth either. 

“I… I’m… not from here. Or Baldur’s Gate. Or Faerûn. I’m… I’m from somewhere far away. I’m not sure how to explain it.” you choked out. The tears slipped out but you quickly wiped them away and looked at your new friends, hoping they’d believe you but not push for more answers either. 

“How mysterious.” Astarion jested. “Care to show up what it does so we know it isn’t dangerous?” 

You looked down at the phone before looking at everyone around you. You had no idea if this would have some sort of butterfly effect or alter reality but you didn’t really care. These people were your best hope, you needed them and were in no position to test their patience. You looked down, defeated. You agreed, turning the phone on you opened the camera app. 

“I can use it to see people… and take portraits of them instantly.” you softly explained before taking a picture of yourself and then showing them all the picture. They looked impressed, borderline shocked. 

“Anything else?” Astarion asked, sounding unamused. 

You opened your music app and clicked on classical music, thinking that would be somewhat close to the music they know. Playing strauss II - voices of spring you turned the volume up and watched them become entranced. Karlach started swaying and humming with the melody. Everyone’s tense appearance faded and they all seemed pleased with the music. 

“Portrait machine and a music box, how delightful!” Gale spoke before drinking more wine. 

“If you all don’t mind I will retire early this evening.” you spoke softly as you got up and walked away leaving your phone as it began the classical music playlist you had saved for when you would study. Some of the group gave you nods, some were too deep in drink or conversation to notice. But Astarion did.

He saw how tightly you clasped your hands as you walked away. How your eyes were so big and full of fright. How your heartbeat sounded. Terrified.

Shit.

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

He watched you from his tent as you threw rocks from the river bank into the riverbed. He could still hear your heartbeat. How strained it sounded. Like it was fighting itself. He felt wretched. He was doing what he needed to. Right? Then why did it hurt so damn bad? Why did the way the tears skimmed down your face feel like a wound to his heart? Why did he want nothing more than to go to you and whisper sweet apologies. He hates you. He has to because it is the only control he can feel at this moment. So why does the final sob he hears escaping you on the shore bring him right back to where he doesn’t want to be. He digs in his supply pack before pulling out the vile of angelic slumber. If he couldn’t meditate this away he was not above drugging himself to sleep for the night. Anything to not feel what he felt when it came to you.

Hello angels! You all were so sweet leaving me comments, likes, and reblogs. Thank you soooooo much! All that support went into overdrive so here is chapter 2! I'll be working on other chapters this week. Thank you again for all the love, I love interacting with ya'll! <3

[wildlife4life]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday

Tagged by the lovely @exhuastedpigeon, @hippolotamus @wikiangela @disasterbuckdiaz @daffi-990 @jamespearce9-1-1 @jeeyuns @hoodie-buck @theotherbuckley and @ladydorian05 Thank you all so much!

I am in a very generous mood today, so for this tidbit Tuesday I am sharing several teases from different wips. Enjoy!

NFL Buck: Athena hits the intercom above the code box, taking note of cameras that swivel slightly towards her way. A deep voice seeped with weariness comes through the speaker, "What can I do for you officer?"

In the back seat of her cruiser, Eddie immediately perks up and cries out, "Buck! She arrested me and I don't like it and I swear those tiny humans put her up to it! But I didn't do it! I swear!"

4+1 Buck is too nice: Eddie is actually contemplating stealing Bobby's nice knife set away from the firehouse. Stolen knives for Eddie's stolen boyfriend. Seems fair. Sort of.

When in reality Eddie more than understands. Athena is working, Bobby is covering for Captain Royce, and trying to get any sort of non-familiar (free) transportation from LAX was a disservice to May.

Kidnapped Mpreg Buck: Eddie grips his tiny newborn daughter tight to his chest. Its too quiet. Buck is silent, no longer screaming in agony. Their baby has gone quiet after her first cries. Doug will never make a sound again, lying dead by the fireplace. He can barely hear Hen muttering under her breath, pumping her fist hard over Buck's chest. Chimney hasn't said a word since announcing the loss of Buck's heart beat, frantically working to try and stop the omega from bleeding out. And Maddie...is slumped against the wall near the bed where her brother lays dying, covered in blood from Doug, herself, and Buck. Catatonic. Quiet. Too quiet.

Parental Chimney w/ Teen Buddie: Chimney does a double take when he see's Eddie standing just a step inside the bay doors. The older teen is wringing his hands together, looking nervous and very lost.

Tapping Hen on the shoulder, he motions towards the kid and Hen nods in understanding. "Yell if you need back-up." She jokes somewhat serious.

Chimney rolls his eyes, "Doubt he's here to cause harm."

Hen shrugs, "Your new to this parenting thing, and so am I, so asking for help won't hurt." She glances over to Eddie, "Just don't be too hard on him. From my understanding, kids been through enough and losing Buck must feel like rock bottom."

Return of sperm donor kid: “Carson, Connor is your dad, okay?  I just-well-um” Buck was floundering to find the right way to explain to a beginning 5th grader how sperm donation works. 

“He’s not my dad! I heard my mom say so!” Connor shouted, anger and frustration starting to take over.

Buck raised his hands up in gentle defense, “Okay. Okay.  Let’s just,” He sighs in frustration, looking upwards.  Buck didn’t really pray, but he did believe in the universe and Eddie would be his entire paycheck that he was cursing it right now. “I’m calling your parents.”

Carson opened his mouth to object, but Buck immediately cut him off, “I am calling your parents, and that includes your dad, the same man who has fed you, clothed you, LOVED you since the day you were born. I am calling them and then we are all going to sit down and talk. Understand?”

Hope you all enjoyed!

Tagging (no pressure): @bekkachaos @prosperdemeter2 @spotsandsocks @malewifediaz @elvensorceress @bigfootsmom @watchyourbuck @jesuisici33 @thewolvesof1998 @fortheloveofbuddie @giddyupbuck @devirnis @eddiebabygirldiaz @loserdiaz @spaceprincessem @thekristen999 @lizzybizzyzzz @homerforsure @sibylsleaves @spagheddiediaz @try-set-me-on-fire @monsterrae1 @lover-of-mine @rogerzsteven @eowon @honestlydarkprincess @911onabc @911-on-abc @cowboydiazes @vampbuckley @brokenribsdiaz @buck-coded @housewifebuck @arthursdent @glorious-spoon @buddierights @athenagranted @rainbow-nerdss @gayhoediaz @gayedmundodiaz

[wheelsvoid]

SONGBIRDS ; LUCY GRAY

⇢ you and lucy gray survive the hunger games, and she takes on the roll as your older sister

masterlist

genre: platonic, angst with a happy ending

word count: 2,029

warnings: mentions of death, weapons, blood and fighting

request: “Would you be willing to write an angsty Lucy Gray from Hunger Games (if you write for her of course) where R is in the games, but young, and Lucy is protective of R (who is mute as well if ok?) they both survive the games, and she takes them in like a younger sibling figure? Up to you how it ends :)))”

absolutely, i love lucy gray so, so much. this is movie based, as i have yet to read that book (currently on catching fire, obsessed). and of course anything in this from the actual movie does not belong to me. rights go to suzanne collins, lionsgate films and everyone else involved mwah

I stood in the vast group of people, listening to the sounds of dread. The birds had stopped chirping, the breeze had gone, and so had the smiles of District 11.

Every year since I was 12 I’d stood here, praying that my name wasn’t called. If I went into the games, I’d never see my home again. District 11 was all I had, but there was a comfort in knowing I had no family to leave behind. At least I wouldn’t be worrying anyone while I died on a screen.

I didn’t listen to the woman on the stage, who seemed uncomfortably pleased with where she was. The safety of her position brought her confidence, and power.

Then, I watched as she held out a note. I held my breath. I was so nervous I hadn’t even seen her take it from the bowl.

“Y/N L/N.”

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. Everyone turned to me.

I may have been lonely, but I still made an effort to be kind to everyone. They knew who I was, and as I glanced around me, I could see varying emotions. Concern, relief, pity. No one said anything, and slowly, I walked forwards on my shaky legs.

My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. As I stared up at the woman, I hoped that I wouldn’t be forced to speak—because I couldn’t even if I tried.

My voice did not work. Even if I willed it to, it would only cause me pain. The accident that had happened seven years prior made sure of that.

As I looked out to the people of District 11, I could only hope that they would forgive me for their loss.

———

I knew the games to be cruel, but experiencing it myself brought me a different kind of rage. I didn’t like being kept in a zoo, and broadcasted on live television. I didn’t like being pushed and shoved, or poked at like some wild animal. I glared at every person from the Capitol, and let them know that even if I could not speak, they would never see me going down without a fight.

The only good thing to come out of the Hunger Games had been a songbird named Lucy Gray. She showed me kindness, and she spoke for me like it was second nature. The Games were changing this year, and tributes were getting sponsors—and Lucy understood that I could not speak for myself.

Lucy Gray helped me give the people of the Capitol a story worth listening to. Some sort of sob story of how I lost my voice, but it had worked, and the people liked me.

She told me that I was hard not to like.

Although, Coriolanus Snow, Lucy’s mentor, had hated what she’d done. He didn’t like how she was fighting for not only herself, but for me and District 12’s other tribute, Jessup.

I decided that I wasn’t a fan of Snow, either.

So now, as we stood in the ruins of what was to be the arena, with my heart racing in my chest, I could only hope that either me or Lucy would survive.

“5.”

I sucked in a deep breath.

“4. 3. 2.”

Lucy and I made eye contact for a brief moment. I had no intentions of running to the centre of the rubble to grab a weapon. I’d likely end up dead. I knew my strengths and weaknesses, and killing was no strength of mine.

“1.”

An alarm blared, and the Games were on.

I watched in horror as the teenagers screamed out, rushing towards the weapons in the middle. My eyes went back to Lucy Gray, who was now the closest to me. She ran up to me in an instant, but her eyes where wild.

“Where is Jessup?” I barely heard her over the screams and cries ahead of us. “Jessup! Jessup!”

I found myself searching for him, too. I didn’t know him, and I had only met him once, but he was important to Lucy.

Lucy started stumbling backwards as she watched the bodies start to fall. I gripped her arm tightly, my mind a haze. If I could scream and cry, I would.

The Capitol found this exciting? They found this fun?

I wondered if they’d cheer when my blood spilled to the floor, or if they’d cry. Their feelings had never made sense in my mind.

A boy with an axe came charging towards Lucy and I, and with a scream, Lucy pulled me down with her to avoid the hit. We watched as he ran crazily around the arena, finding another victim for his blade instead.

“Jessup!” Lucy called once more, but I had to pull her back as we got caught in the middle of another fight. We were not safe here. We had to leave.

As a girl impaled another boy with a trident, we hastily got to our feet and ran.

Time and time again, Lucy and I avoided the deadly blows sent our way. My mind was on autopilot, and I was reacting on instinct. Lucy made sure to never remove her firm grasp on my hand.

Then, her eyes landed on someone in the distance. “Jessup!” And with bravery I felt I’d never had, I followed her through the arena, dodging weapons and fists.

———

We’d been in the arena for days now, never leaving each other’s side. Lucy was determined to keep me alive, and I wondered what I’d done to make her adore me so much that she’d put me first even if it meant her death. I wondered if she knew I’d been doing the same.

There were very few tributes left, and I realized I’d barely known their names. I worried that if I’d been forced to kill, I’d feel more guilt if I knew who they were. But I was lucky to have Lucy. She did all of the difficult things.

When I’d offered to poison the water, because I was quiet, and quick, and smaller than she was, she refused. She’d kept me hidden as she’d done it herself.

The loss of Jessup had hit her hard, too. She felt the guilt of his death, even if it couldn’t have been her fault that he’d gotten rabies. He had been doomed before he’d even entered the arena.

Maybe that’s why she was working so hard on keeping me alive, now.

Lucy and I could do nothing but stare at the new obstacle to enter the arena. It had been put there only seconds ago, but we waited with slow breaths as if it would jump out at us in seconds.

It was a tall, glass container. From here, I couldn’t see what was in it. I was lost on ideas, too. I glanced at Lucy, but she looked as clueless as I was. She reached for my hand, held it tightly, and did not let go.

“Is it over?” I watched as a small girl walked towards the container, a small smile on her face. So innocent and young. “Can we go home now?”

“Wovey.” A boy in the distance called out. He was warning her. “Wovey.”

She continued to plead, as he continued to call for her to stop. My breath hitched when the glass container started to crack. And as it exploded, a sea of snakes filled the arena.

I gripped Lucy’s hand even tighter, and we ran.

One by one, tributes fell. Lucy and I found higher ground on the rubble, but it was useless. The snakes were climbing the concrete at a rapid rate.

Soon, it was just the two of us, and as the snakes slithered around my legs and up my torso, I could only watch as Lucy Gray sang in the haunted arena with tears streaming down her face.

———

I wasn’t supposed to be alive, and neither was Lucy Gray. I had learned that Dr. Gaul had originally planned on letting every tribute die, but Snow had found a way to save Lucy, and with Lucy there was also me. We were a package deal now.

There was little time we had left before we had to leave for our own Districts, to hopefully be welcomed back with open arms. As Lucy played a guitar in the small room the Capitol had provided for us, I listened.

She had a beautiful voice, and she played the guitar like it was as easy as breathing. She knew music like the back of her hand. I had no doubt that she was born to sing.

I was glad that Lucy had a voice, because when I heard her sing I forgot all about how I’d lost mine.

When the song ended, I looked at Lucy with a grin. I realized that for now, I was not alone, but I’d eventually have to return to my District without the only family I’d ever had.

She smiled sadly like she was thinking the same.

“Well, I think we’d ought to call it a day, don��t you?” She said. I nodded in agreement. The sun had been replaced by the moon hours ago, and neither of us had slept. I suppose we wanted to spend as much time with each other as we could.

As she put the guitar down gently, leaning it against the wall, she turned to me and brought me into a hug. She sighed softly, like she was happy to be alive and I was too.

“I know what you’re thinkin’.” She said softly. “But don’t you worry,” she pulled me away to look at me more closely. “I plan on seeing you again sometime soon.”

I pointed to the guitar across the room, and she grinned. I loved her smile. “Yes, I’ll sing you all your favourite songs when we get there.” I smiled widely.

She held her hands on my cheeks and tried not to bring sadness, or dread into the conversation. “When you go home, you celebrate. We’re very lucky to both still be here, I think. I’ll be celebrating in District 12.” She said, “singin’ my best songs with the covey.”

She talked about them a lot, and it brought me comfort that Lucy Gray had people to go home to. Even if, ironically, it wasn’t the home she was born in. She never came from District 12, she had simply travelled there to show the people her music, as she usually did. Only then, she had been forced to stay.

I wondered that if she was never forced into residing in District 12, if I would still be alive today. I owed her my life.

“You’re safe now, Y/N.” She said gently. “You go home and you go do what makes you happy, and when I see you next, you can tell me all about it.”

———

It had been two years since then, and Lucy Gray and I did indeed meet again. In the best way I could, I told her all about the friends I’d made in District 11, and how they treated me kindly despite my differences.

As Lucy and I travelled the border of Panem, she told me how she’d escaped Snow and went searching for me in District 11 without a second thought.

Now, two years later, we were free from our troubles with the Capitol and the Districts. We’d heard stories of how the 10th Hunger Games had been erased from existence, and how the people of the country were slowly beginning to forget.

My honorary sister and I were sure that within a decade, we’d be nothing but a whisper, and after that, we’d be nothing at all.

But here, outside of that horrid place, with only each other we were free. We weren’t lonely or scared anymore. I had her to see me through my hard days, and sing me songs, and she had me to make her small gifts and braid her hair when she needed the quietness of my presence to block out her wild thoughts.

We were all we needed, and I think that I was okay with that.

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Stay Close To the Shepherd

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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

+ Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man

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

VERSE OF THE DAY

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

+ Matthew 15:24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

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

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

I AM LISTENING TO MY SHEPHERD

I AM HOLY

I AM PRAISING GOD

I AM NOT BLINDED BUT I SEE

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

READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 8 Seconds

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

THOUGHTS:

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

   The lord was sent for the lost. Many of us started as lost sheep in the world, and we didn’t know we needed him. Some of us didn’t know or realize we needed him, and he was sent here to save us from our mistakes.

he said several times about being a shepherd in the Word; for instance, he said in

    •John 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

 

  •John 10:16 16 I have other sheep not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They, too, will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

 

•John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

•John 10:15 Just as the father knows me and I know the Father, I lay down my life for the sheep.

 •John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

  We are his sheep. When we truly follow him, he becomes our shepherd. In these verse, Jesus said if he had 99 sheep, he would still go find the one , no matter how lost you are, always remember that Jesus is your shepherd; he came back for the lost sheep, that your special to him a lot of people don’t like to talk about the love of Jesus but he loved us so much that he gave his life to us so that we may be saved so that we may have a chance to heaven .

When a shepherd over see a pasture he doesn’t look over a couple of them he doesn’t just watch them he protects them from the enemy and a lot of allow the enemy into our environment by not staying close to our shepherd a lot of us are not reading our word feeding our selves the things of the spirit, but in order to stay protected we must stay near our shepherd and follow him where ever he go. Reading the word of God praying mediating , praise theses things are mandatory to stay prepared for what the enemy tries to do in our season .

  Luke 15:5-7 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. ‘I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

  A lot of us shun people who are not of the fold, and we think that because we are saved, God can't save some people because of their sins, and that’s not true. Jesus came back to save the lost, and we need more people talking about salvation than money. We need more people talking about deliverance than the money. We need more people talking about their relationship with God than gifts; sure, gifts are good to talk about, and sure, we need more money, but we are losing what is our true calling and it’s to save the lost sheep. The word says the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.

  Psalm 100:3-4 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

 The Lord Is reasonable, and we are his sheep and pasture; we must enter the gates with thanksgiving. We must always praise the lord. Some of us are saved and won’t praise him for being who he is to us and how he sent his son to be our savior. Some of us won’t praise him for what he did for us, and some of us won’t praise him for what He is trying to do for us, but we are his sheep, and this is what He is asking us to do, to worship him in spirit and truth. Our praise is our deliverance and will help our breakthrough; some of us are wondering why we haven’t been delivered. Have you praised him? Some of you are wondering why we are feeling anxious along with the spirit of doubt, and the spirit of anxiety is because we won’t release our praise!

 Isaiah 25:1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago

  For God has done wonderful things for us, a lot of us forgot what the lord has done for us; some of us wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the lord; we must praise him even for that; we were created to praise Him. Because he’s our shepherd, we must follow and obey him; a lot of us get lost in what’s happening to us then, by praying through it, the Holy Spirit is saying in this season that you're in, he wants us to pray and praise. Many of us forget how to do both when we are going through, but don’t allow the enemy to make you forget what your weapon is.

  ***Today, we learned that Jesus is our shepherd and that we must praise him for leading us and guiding us. Many of us have not praised him because we have never tried, but when we praise Him, we are thanking him for the hard times and the good times.

   Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

  We must learn how to give thanks for everything, not just for the good; we must do it for the bad too , because the bad times will teach us how to appreciate the good days to come; some of us don’t render praise because we are so blinded by what’s happening that we don’t see how the enemy is making us think we have nothing to praise him for when we do, We must learn a lot about praise, but we must be ready to learn and praise God for it all. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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

PRAYER

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

Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything, both good and bad. Lord, we praise and thank you for your actions in our lives. Lord, lead and guide us through our tough times; lord, we praise you for what you're doing and what you're going to do! Lord, forgive us of the sins we have done; lord, we ask you that you help us apply this word to our lives; in Jesus Name, Amen

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

REFERENCES

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

+ Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

 

+ Psalm 42:11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

 

+ Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

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

FURTHER READINGS

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

 Proverbs 28

Matthew 22

Mark 9

Zechariah 1

Daniel 7

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

[hermanunworthy]

!DNDADS S2 EP46 SPOILERS!

im getting to listen to this right as it drops. and frankly. i am TERRIFIED. ive heard about Bad Things Coming and i fear this episode may kill me. pray for me guys

- WTF DOES THIS TITLE MEAN. WHY LINCOLN

- NO ONE WILL DIE THIS EPISODE #AFFIRM

- MATT. NOT THE TIME.

- THE CLUSSY???

- WILL BEING AN ADAMANT CASS DEFENDER. U ARE SO REAL MAN

- I HATE LISTENING TO THIS AT HOME IM LAUGHING TOO LOUD ALREADY

- THE MOANING. QUIT IT ALREADY IM GONNA CRY

- SCAMSTER ORIGIN STORY WTF????

- we already knew this. but. evil. they are so silly and awful

- 3/4 NOOOO I WAS HOPING FOR HERMIE DAD ARC..... but ofc were not gonna get it

- NOT WILL GETTING EXCITED ABOUT ACTUALLY FIGHTING TAYLOR. FUCK

- SWIFTLI AND NORMSCARY YESSS

- WILL WHAT IS THIS VOICE UR DOING

- the fact that theyre not remembering hermie as the actual next in line is killing me im ngl

- FREDDIE RANDOMLY MAKING NPCS W DUDEBRO VOICES IS MY FAVE THING

- MATTS LAUGH WHEN HE ROLLED THAT NAT1. GOD I FELT THAT IN MY SOUL

- OH *ABRAHAM* LINCOLN??? IS THAT WHO THE TITLE IS REFERRING TO 😭

- WTF IS THIS EPISODEEEE I KNEW THEYD DO SOME CRAZY DUMB SHIT TO GET OUT OF TJIS

- HERMIE HERMIE HEMRIE

- WHY ARE U ONLY JUST NOW REMEMEBRING HERMIE

- ISTG IF THAT IS HERMIES ONE ONLY LINE THE WHOLE WPISODE IM GONNA KILL

- NOT TAYLOR INHERITING THE CLOSE FIGHT BETTING INSTINCTS

- FIND JODIE????? IM GONNA DIE

- hang on hold up. breakfast break

- ANTHONY "BC HE PUNCHED U REALLY HARD" "YEAH FUCKED UP RIGHT??" IM CRYING

- WHAT IS THE FANART FOR THIS FIGHT GONNA BE LIKE.

- NORMALS IN DEATH SAVES NOOOO

- "HIM LOOKING BACK ON HIS LIFE, HIM GETTING DUNKED ON 24/7" STOP IT WILL STOP IT I DONT NEED THIS RN

- oakicks nation were winning ig

- "THATS BRISK BABY" SCREAMING

- SO THE JEZZBALL WASNT BC OF HENRY.... ☹️

- NO NO NO PLZ DONT HURT NORMAL MORE

- PLZ IM SO STRESSED I NEED NORMAL TO BE SAFE

- MATT IS JUST SO UNHINGED THIS EP

- IS LINK GONNA KILL SHMEGAN???

- RON IS STILL HERE???

- TAYLOR IS SO USELESS NOW HELPPP

- THIS EPISODE IS SO DUMBBBB

- NOT ANOTHER EXPLODING HEAD DEATH

- NORMAL IS OKAY!!!!

- HE LOST HIS MUSTACHE LMAOOO

- david lovesatan will NEVER be jodie foster >:[

- NOOOO THEYRE GONNA TAKE DOOD

- SHMEGAN IS DEAD

- NORMALS GONNA GET FUCKING HIT AGAINNNNN I CANT DO THIS

- DOOD UNLEASHED?????

- THIS IS DOODS 100% EXPLOSION FOR ALL MY FELLOW MP100 FANS OUT THERE

- .....is it too early to say that this episode is NOT as bad as i feared

- bc i seriously thought henry would be coming back and shit would happen w hermie and it would be super awful evil but ig thats NEXT episode. god

- TY BETH FOR REMEMBERING HERMIE 🙏🙏

- WHERE ARE THEY???

- okay fbi office okay..... okay....

- WHAT???? HERMIE?????? WHAT

- WHAT

- WHAT

- AM I GONNA GET SOME AWFUL HERMIE CLIFFHANGER. I WILL KMS

- WHY IS HERMIE CHOKING WHAT

- WHY IS HERMIE BLEEDING OUT?????

- IF HERMIE DIES I WILL DIE. DONT DO THIS TO ME WHAT IS HAPPENING

- HERMIE GOT SHOT

- OH GOD OH NO

- ANTHONY. COME ON.

- HERMIES CALLING OUT FOR FUCKING NORMAL??????

- WHAT THE FUCK

- PLZ DONT KILL HERMIE PLZ

- NO

- GUYS.

- GUYS

- IM GONNA KMS

- HERMIE IS DEAD.

- HERMIE LIKES NORMAL BACK AND HERMIE IS DEAD.

- guys im done

- i literally cant even process this i cant even cry yet im just

[sutxdreamwalker]

Avatar Infection Au Infected types/stages

Infected research: Types/Stages

A guide to the different types of infected we’ve come across and the different stages of some of them, this is all we have seen and heard of for now

Type 1- Walkers Walkers are not as dangerous but are still cautious. These infected may look like na’vi at first glance but their bodies are covered with scars, open wounds, and have similar features to that of the human zombie that is in fiction.

They are one of the most common and if their prey is seen and heard they will immediately go into kill mode. Most of them posses some unique ability’s apart from others, such as being capable of speech, speed, excellent hearing, strength, and even intelligence. Other abilities that are not as common can only be found in at lest one infected, which is how some get labeled with names, such as The Mimmic, Screecher, The Prowler, and others yet to be named. Stage 1- Patient will get one or more of the known symptoms and will look very sickly and will be pretty weak Stage 2- Patient will experience weird behavior and changes with the body Stage 3- Patient will start will lose the motivation/will to speak and sometimes start lashing out at others during this stage Stage 4- Patient starts to lose control of mind and will mindlessly attacking and even eating others Stage 5- Body is mostly deformed and rotting, patient is already too far gone and is at the final stage Type 2- Crawlers Crawlers are similar to Walkers, but there limbs are weak or too deformed and can’t use them properly, so they have to drag themselves to get around Their the second most common infected and can also be classified as a Walker but the right use for that is Slow Walker, cause they are not as fast. They might also posses unique ability’s that Walkers have. Some commonly have decaying limbs that hang on the body pretty loosely, and or have limbs showing bone and rotting flesh. Some Crawlers also have no legs and half on their lower body is missing, so there arms are what they rely on. But they could also have no arms and only legs, they’re have been a few cases were they have no limbs at all but have been adapted to move with out them. No walker have been reported to have abnormal unique abilities. Stage 1- Patient will start to get one of the know symptoms (much like Walkers) Stage 2- Patient will start to get wired behavior and show a serious amount of body changes Stage 3- Showing of body decay and rot. Limbs will also show signs of failure Stage 4- Patient will start to attack and eat others and start to lose control Stage 5- Patient his far gone and possibly has lost limbs or limbs have decay and rot all over

Type 3- Stalkers Stalkers are the most creepiest of the infected and have disoriented faces, and are the quietest of the infected. Much like the most of the infected they seem to be taller than the average by a few inches, they go in groups, easier to catch their prey that way. If you are caught in the gaze of at least one, pray to Eywa you can run fast enough. They also have a weird disoriented laugh, like it’s a game for them to chase others down, or they know the prey in front of them has no chance and they mock that. Stage 1- Patient Will start to get known symptoms Stage 2- They will start to show body changes (mainly in growth and on face) Stage 3- Voice will sound weird over time and have refused to eat or drink Stage 4- Patient will regain hunger but will eat flesh Stage 5- The process is done, they will start to eat anything that moves on sight Type 4- Sirens These are the only infected that have been seen in the ocean clans. They can both walk on land and swim in the water.

They have been seen having a number of phissical changes, their tails rotting but yet seem strong, there arms being a rotting sharp lie way, their eyes looking like something from an underwater beast, the theeth are sharper to easily tear threw flesh and even bone. They are still fast in the water and can be able to hold their breaths longer, and are very stealthy to grab their prey and drag them underwater.

Stage 1- Parient will experience one of the symptoms, and show weird splotches on arms, tail, legs/feet (might be new symptom but has only been seen in Ocean Na’vi)

Stage 2- Splotches I’ll get more visible and has developed a harsh thrist, and shows slight changes in the body

Stage 3- Starts to get very hungry and dosn’t have much strength, will be laying down and breathing slowly at this stage

Stage 4- Behavior will change and starts to get drawn to the water for some odd reason

Stage 5- Is gone and will be completely changed phissicaly and mentally, they will start attacking people and or retreat to the water

[hopeofhouse]

i finally finished dos2.... thoughts ft. drawings + choice playthrough phone notes (spoilers obv)

my godwoken was an elf witch named allegory. he ended up as a necromancer/hydrosophist combo. blood damage + healing was a fun mix! odd contrasts <3

his backstory, 2 me, is that he was lost in a marshland as a little kid, and tir-cendelius saw the chance to keep him isolated (seeing off any potential rescuers, magically expanding the marshes every time he tried to trek out and leading him in circles) + raise the perfect tiny loyal godwoken for when The Time was Right. he let him out when he was an elf teen. t-c should have kept him longer because if anything it just made him weirder when he got reintegrated into society a couple decades later. F

what if your god grew you in a petri dish to [major game spoilers, redacted]. but you were a capricious little know it all with a jester's soul. what then

gorry took sebille, fane and ifan with him because i thought he would assemble a team of hot emos if given chance. this paid off + i love them all dearly

i wasn't expecting the origin characters i didn't take with me after act 1 to UP AND DIE. but it actually added a really good set of stakes. responsibility for ur actions. lohse yelled at me for leaving her to her fate and i felt SO bad. sorry miss thing

LOVED the worldbuilding....i was super familiar with 5e before i played bg3 so i sort of knew what was coming most of the time but for divinity i had to LEARN. super fun. 100% recommend

also i thought bg3 went in on the body horror but divinity was Something Else.

^ and then larian said okay that was fun what if we do it again. and made bg3. anyway

i was hideously bad at combat for ages until i listened to all the people on reddit chanting 'put points in warfare' and then it was much much much more doable lol

ngl i actually very much prefer dos2 to bg3. i loved loved loved bg3 but after like 4 playthroughs during various patch stages it was such a relief to play a game that's actually completed and won't eat my laptop for breakfast!!! first two bg3 files i had i couldn't make it to the lower city because the optimization on mac was so diabolical that it wouldn't actually play until after patch 5. dos2 lets me also have photoshop on my computer. and files that aren't bg related. miraculous

but even ignoring technical issues: from a story and world standpoint dos2 felt way more expansive and inventive. campy but also harrowing in a way that bg3 just didn't hit for me. i also genuinely enjoy being given a zillion pieces of almost overwhelming info and then sorting it out so i am biased. may expand on this at a later point and not under a mile long read more. moving on

romanced fane bc i loved his voice acting and i thought the culturally cannibalistic elf/the one guy with no flesh to eat bit was funny. jokes on me i fell in DEEP. u canonically have disappointing sex because hes simply made of bones without nerves and afterwards he takes notes. he calls u dear heart offhandedly in act 1 like it's nothing then goes right back to being aloof. how many more times does he have to tell you? he has business in the blackpits. he spends the whole game having an increasingly worse time. he's a loser. it's all his fault. he got me. he got me good. god damn

my game glitched (?) and even tho he rejected sebille (sorry baby) her and allegory still made out right before the big final choice. no option not to. then he had the expected epilogue with fane. poly ending canon enough for me!

also the music was bonkers good and the audio direction in that one battle in the final act? mwah. and dallis' va knocked it out of the entire park.

last thing here's a gorry i drew when i was still back in act 1. 180 hours ago. titled on my phone as 'praying at every altar so i always come out on top'

anyway if u made it this far: thank u. go get divinity: original sin 2 when it's next on sale. wise wise wise choice of £6.99 <3

[theprayerfulword]

October 22

Exodus 5:2 NKJV And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”

Matthew 6:33 KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalm 116:8-9 NIV For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Proverbs 2:10 NIV For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

May you see, in the capturing of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, how the proud and arrogant, those who rejected God's word and resisted His ways, lost all the power and riches they trusted in, but the poor in the land, who were disregarded by those in power because they owned nothing, were given the vineyards and fields, inheriting what they could never afford. Jeremiah 39

May you know that, as you trust God's word and walk in His ways, though you see His promises fulfilled through disaster and not prosperity before your eyes, He will rescue you on that day and you will not be handed over to those you fear, for He will save you from the sword and you will escape with your life because you trust in, and turn to, God the Lord. Jeremiah 39

May you trust God to bring you to the harvest you did not plant so that you may reap that which you did not sow, gathering in the wine, the summer fruit and oil, when those previously appointed for the job cannot meet the responsibility. Jeremiah 40

May you know that God's judgment will be complete, thorough, and inescapable, for even as the bands of guerilla fighters wreaked havoc on the people who remained in Israel, and returning refugees chased off the Ammonites but fled to Egypt where they found their own destruction, so the only deliverance is obedience, whither so ever God leads. Jeremiah 41

May you serve God with a clear conscience, praying constantly, night and day, giving thanks for the grace, mercy and peace which is yours from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Timothy 1

May you fan into flame the gift of God which is within you, for God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1

May you not be ashamed to testify about the Lord or those who share in His work, but join them in the suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, Who has saved you and called you to a holy life – not because of anything you have done but because of His own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1

May you walk in the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but has now been revealed through the appearing of your Savior, Christ Jesus, Who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, of which you are a minister, and for which you know suffering, yet about which you are not ashamed. 2 Timothy 1

May you know Whom you have believed, and be convinced that He is able to guard what you have entrusted to Him for that day. 2 Timothy 1

May you keep, as the pattern of sound teaching, that truth which you have heard from those who have faithfully walked it out before you with faith and love in Christ Jesus, guarding the good deposit that was entrusted to you with the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in you. 2 Timothy 1

My child, know with reassurance that I am at work in your life. You have sought to become pure before Me so that you may be pleasing in My sight. I know your frame, My dear one, and I am working by My Spirit and through My Word to complete that which I have begun in you. The blacksmith has learned to take the metal and soften it in the fire, shape it on the anvil, and quench it in the water. This does not harm the metal in any way or wear it out, but simply works with the nature of the material. He does not treat copper the same as he does iron, nor does he handle lead the same way he does tin. The woodworker learns to distinguish between the nature of the different trees and select the right one for the purpose at hand. One tree will have open, porous wood that allows water to flow through it, and cannot be used for containers, but has a beauty to the color and a strength to the grain that adapts it for use as furniture and shelving. Another tree will have a closed, intertwined grain that is resistant to splitting and impervious to moisture, making it appropriate for hard use outside. The potter understands the differences in the clays that he works with, and does not select a brick clay to use for porcelain or a filtering clay to use for structural needs. He regulates the temperature and the time of the fire to bring out beauty and the strength of pieces he creates, shaping the design for the function he anticipates. Trust Me, My child, not just as your Creator, but also as your Designer. I do not work according to right or wrong, fair or unfair, but according to what brings life and not death. Submit yourself to My will, My precious one, for I have plans for you, plans that will delight you and bring you hope and joy. But even as the fire, the hammer, and the anvil are required to fashion a strong, durable instrument of war or tool of agriculture, so the circumstances I lead you through and the conditions I call on you to endure are part of the process that will bring forth rejoicing in eternity.

May you find the Lord to be your dwelling place throughout all your years, for from everlasting to everlasting He is God, and can be relied upon. Psalm 90

May you learn to number your days in the fear of the Lord that you may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90

May you sing for joy and be glad all your days as He satisfies you in the morning with His unfailing love, restoring to you the days taken by affliction and the years taken by adversity, while you show His awesome deeds to His servants and His glorious splendor to His children. Psalm 90

May the favor of the Lord your God rest upon you and establish the work of your hands for you. Psalm 90

May you dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty, saying of the Lord that He is your refuge and your fortress, your God, in Whom you trust. Psalm 91

May you find refuge under His wings as He covers you with His feathers, saving you from the fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence, for His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart so that you will not fear the terror of night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the evil that stalks in the darkness nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91

May you know that though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near you, for you will only see the punishment of the wicked with your eyes. Psalm 91

May you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, Who is your refuge – for then no harm will befall you and no disaster will come near you for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, rescuing you because you love Him and protecting you because you acknowledge His name, answering you when you call upon Him, delivering you and honoring you with His presence in your trouble, and satisfying you with long life as He shows you His salvation. Psalm 91

May you rest assured that, like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere and will not rest upon you. Proverbs 26:2

[kyabetsuhime]

Rinne Amagi 4☆ – Please, God☆

Writer: Yuumasu Characters: Kanata, Hiyori, Rinne, HiMERU, Kohaku, Niki Season: Autumn Translation: ksts Proofreading: mai (ENG)

Rinne: (So my next job is in an hour... I wanna play pachinko, but guess I'll only end up gettin’ there and comin' right back.) (And there's no point in goin' to Cinnamon either as Niki isn't there.) (Well, it seems I have no choice but to stay here and kill time. If only something could keep me from gettin' bored...) (...Oh.) Hey, Hiyori-chan♪ What a coincidence, nice to see you. For some reason, your mere presence is like a good omen. As if I'm gettin' an "fine weather" blessing...♪

Hiyori: Rinne-senpai, I know you're tearfully happy to see me, but now it's terrible weather…

Rinne: Hm? What's the matter? You don't look well. Did you caught a cold or somethin'?

Hiyori: I wanted to pick up some snacks for a light meal, but the quiche I was looking for was out of stock. Even though I was the one who wrote the letter asking them to add quiche to their repertoire, me not getting it in the end is simply unforgivable!

Rinne: Ehh, so your favorite food is tissues? Are you a goat eatin' paper?♪ Come on, Hiyori-chan, say maa maa...☆

Hiyori: I won't! And I'm not a goat! I'm not in the mood to be teased, why do you keep messing with me?

Rinne: But isn't it natural to greet acquaintances when you meet them in your free time? Why don't you get along with me since we're roommates? Gyahaha☆

Hiyori: Roommates, huh... Then you should ask Kanata-kun to keep you company. He'll bring you luck too, though not as much as me.

Rinne: What do you mean?

Hiyori: It's just a rumor. When I was still at Yumenosaki, I've heard that some people worship him, believing that he can make any wish come true for them.

Rinne: Any, huh? Gyahaha, that definitely isn’t true then. There's no way he could be a god, is there?

Hiyori: Fufun. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, Rinne-senpai.

<6 hours later>

Rinne: (Phew, all done. Good job, me~) (Now I'll drop my stuff off here and leave. My beloved gambling is waitin' for meee~♪) (There's a new pachinko machine, so should I try that first?~) (...Hm?)

Kanata: (Sleeping sounds)

Rinne: (So Kanacchi's back too. I didn't notice him at all.) (He looks so peaceful sleepin'. Is he havin' a good dream?) ... ("Make any wish come true", huh...) (I know it's just a baseless rumour, but... Guess it can’t hurt to try—) (In a low voice) May I win big! (Aight, I'm off now♪)

<Several days later>

Niki: Thanks for waiting~ Here are your two daily special sets~

HiMERU: Thank you.

Kohaku: ...Hey, Niki-han. I wanna ask you somethin'.

HiMERU: Oukawa.

Kohaku: But HiMERU-han, you're curious too, right? If we can't get anywhere on our own, then let's bring in Niki-han. Look... See Rinne-han sittin' at the counter?

Rinne: ......... ...(Sigh)

Kohaku: He's been lost in thought like that for quite a long time now. Did somethin' happen? Maybe he ate somethin' strange?

Niki: Eh!? Please don't suspect our food! But it's really weird that he didn't try to pester me. Well, now that I think about it, he sure looks different from usual~

HiMERU: So in other words, you don't know anything either.

Kohaku: HiMERU-han, where are you goin'?

HiMERU: To ask him directly. Since we don't know the situation, our discussion is just a waste of time. Amagi, can I have a minute?

Rinne: ...Hey, Merumeru. Do you believe in God?

HiMERU: ...What.

Kohaku: Oh no, Rinne-han's snapped!

Niki: Uwah, it's quite troublesome. Who can fix him then? Little brother-san?

Rinne: Nah, I'm totally fine. I don't know how it works, but lately I've been winnin' big at pachinko every time I pray to my roommate, Kanacchi. I suspected it was just a dubious rumour, but turns out he might really be a god of gambling... I haveta cherish this bond♪ Gyahahaha!

<Several days later>

Hiyori: I'm home! If there's anyone here, greet me with open arms!

Kanata: Welcome back, "Ohisama"-san.

Hiyori: Kanata-kun, what's the matter? Even though I'm back, you're in such a bad mood!

Kanata: No, I'm "fine". Just a little "bewildered". Lately, "Chief"-san has been "pampering" me so strangely often.

Hiyori: Pampering?

Kanata: Yes. Like giving me a "vinyl pool" or trying to take me to a "fish" restaurant. And now I'm stumped as I don't understand the "intention" behind it.

Hiyori: Ah, I think I might have an idea. Let me tell you.

<Some time later>

Hiyori: ––So it looks like his gambling luck increases in proportion to how much attention he pays to you. And now he seems to be completely devoted to the "god of gambling".

Kanata: Uu... That's why he's been "cozying up" to me... I don't like to feel used at all…

Rinne: I'm home~...

Kanata: Oh, "Chief"-san. We need to talk. I'm not a "god of gambling", you know!

Rinne: Eh... Haha–– So you found out about my prayers? Wish I had known this sooner. I lost big just now. (Sigh)... It really was too good to be true after all…

Hiyori: No sighs in front of me! If not Kanata-kun, you can worship me! If you treat the one of "Eden", named after the paradise ruled by the omniscient and omnipotent God, respectfully enough, you will surely earn His favor!

Rinne: Oh nooo~ Are you imposin' a religion on me~? What should Rinne-kun dooo~♪

Hiyori: It's worth a try! You'll have a bronze statue of me, so you can worship me everyday!

Rinne: Hehe~ Hiyori-sama~☆

Hiyori: Hmph, I don't like the way you say it! Show me more seriousness, will you!

Rinne: Oh, this god is so demandin'. ★ directory ★

[deangirlsstuff67]

Meeting Texas

Christian Kane x Reader

Summary: Y/N is down in Texas with friends for a vacation from her stressful life as a small-time Alberta farmer. Single mom to 4 beautiful kids, she never expected to fall into the arms of the perfect stranger, especially Christian Kane.

Warnings: drinking, talk of trauma, dirty talk, public sex, p in v, fingering

A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to post a new story. My family and I went through alot this year and either I couldn't find time or I wasn't in a good mind set. I am hoping writing some steamy smut for you all will get me back into the swing of things :) Please remember this is a work of fiction. I have respect for Christian and his family amd am only writing this for fun and entertainment.

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

"For fuck sakes will you stop checking your phone every 5 minutes!" My best friend yelled over the noise of the busy bar.

Rolling my eyes I respond, "sorry, but you know I worry when I'm not there." I'm a single mom of 4 kids who owns a small farm. Between my animals and children I worry when I'm not home to keep everything in check.

The girls dragged me to Texas for a few weeks. Trying to help me unload and unwind. They mean well, I just always have a lot going on and don't trust others to get it done.

When in Texas I guess.

"I'm going to go get us more drinks."

The line is long waiting for drinks. Texas bars on a Friday night are busy, or maybe it's all bars and I just forgot. Been a while.

"Hey baby, how you doing?"

Oh, good, a drink idiot. This should be fun. I move with the line as we slowly move towards the bar, completely ignoring this drunk guy behind me.

"Baby girl why are you ignoring me? I know I could show you a good time."

Okay I could help but chuckle at that line. The guy had to be 10 years younger than me. There is no way he could show me anything I haven't already done.

I wasn't the only one who found it amusing. Apparently tall, dark, and I hope handsome in front of me did as well. I heard a small chuckle come from under his breath.

"Come on darling, stop being a bitch and loosen up." Apparently Mr. Drunk is getting annoyed.

I feel him get closer behind me. His fingers ghost down my side. That's it, time to get rid of this idiot once and for all. I get closer to the man in front of me and pray he will understand.

Grabbing his hand and entwining it with mine. I look up at this stranger I have pulled into my plan. Bright blue eyes of the man I have only ever been this close to in my dreams shine down at my y/e/c.

My brain begins to backfire the long he stares into my eyes with that adorable grin on his face. No words are exchanged between us, which is for the best as I don't think I could form any currently. Without a word, he gently pulls me closer to his warm, hard body. The hand that was tangled with my own is now resting on my hip. His other hand tangles in my y/h/c hair before he brings his soft lips onto mine.

I'm kissing him! The man who I fantasize about in bed. The one who's voice plays on my Bluetooth while I do chores or ride my horses. The gorgeous man who I watch on my TV once my kids are in bed. I think I may have died and gone to heaven. There is no way this is real.

He is committed to this act we are putting on. Molds my body to his as he deepens the kiss. His tongue gently asks for entrance, I don't hesitate to grant it.

I get lost in his kiss. It's been years since I kissed a man, let alone one who has this much passion behind his kiss. My underwear dampen, my fingers twist in his long brown hair, I think I even let out a small moan.

He pulls away slowly. Both panting just a little. We both look beside us and see that the drunk guy has disappeared. Chuckling to each other we move forward in line together. His hand tucked into the back pocket of my jeans and mine are warped around his waist.

"Thank you for playing along."

"No problem Sweetheart. I'm glad I could help a pretty lady out tonight."

"Well I will let you get back to your night. Thank you again." The line moves again and finally its his turn to order. Instead of letting go of me and ordering his drink, he pushes on my butt and moves me to the bar top with him.

"I'll have a jack neat please, and my lady will have..." blue eyes stare down at me. Well okay, I wasn't expecting him to buy my drinks.

"Oh, I need to get 5 shots of vodka and I am drinking jack and coke. You don't need to buy it for me though."

He turns back to the bar tender, "You heard her. Please add it all to my tab."

We wait for our drinks, "thank you."

"Anything for my girl."

A small giggle escapes as I shake my head. "How am I your girl if you don't even know my name?"

"Oh, I don't get hung up on details, besides a beautiful lady like yourself will definitely have a beautiful name to match."

You look into those oceans of blue, "Y/N."

"See I knew I was right. Beautiful name for a beautiful lady." He sends you a cheeky wink, "I'm Christian Kane."

You just smile and shake your head.

"Yeah I know. I'm a fan, which probably makes everything we just did awkward for you and I'm sorry."

"Nope. I'm still glad I helped you and it may be the whiskey talking but I'm a little horny now because of your babe."

Christian freaking Kane is horny because of me. Oh dear God, my underwear is soaked now.

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

Oh God my head. I haven't been hung over in years. To be fair I haven't let loose in years. This bed feels like a giant pillow, I never want to leave.

Oh but I want... no need coffee.

Rolling over I hit a brick wall of warmth. Well thats new. I was in a hotel room by myself last time I checked. Cracking open my eyes I come face to face with those same blue eyes from last night.

Oh shit. That wasn't a dream.

"No it wasn't a dream sweetheart."

Oh crap, I said that out loud.

Christian pulls me against his hard chest. My hand that's still under the blankets brushes his hard, and large, cock with the movement.

"Mmmm..."

"S..s..sorry, I didn't mean to do that." I quickly move my hand.

Christian moves my hand back down so it's laying on top of his cock. Pushing his hips into the air slightly, he rubs it against my open hand, "Oh darling, I'm not complaining."

I softly move my hand, rubbing the monster hiding in his boxers. Watching the bliss look on his face from my gentle touch. His hand spreads my thighs and makes its way to my core. I apparently gave no pants or underwear on, his fingers brush my now wet center sending a jolt of pleasure through my system.

"Fuck babe, you're always so wet for me."

"Always?"

He looks down at me, "you don't remember?"

I shake my head no. What the hell did I do?

"Oh you were such a dirty girl last night. I came outside with you when you went for a smoke and you dragged me into the alley beside the bar."

His fingers pick up the pace as they tease my folds making my core wetter.

"I was kissing your neck, had you pushed against the wall. My cock was aching so bad for you. I was leaking pre cum steadily into my boxers as your rubbed your pussy on my clothed cock."

I have lost any sense I had this morning. I can't even continue rubbing his cock. Between his words and the pleasure his fingers teasing me is bringing, I'm lost in bliss.

"Then dirty girl, you told me to stretch your pussy. You told me to shove my big cock inside your tiny pussy and fuck you against the wall. How could I resist the temptation. So that's what I did. I pulled out this hard cock for you and buried it deep inside your warm, tight walls."

As he talks about feeling my pussy grip his cock for the first time he pushes two fingers all the way in my wet center. I'm so tired on I cum just from the penetration alone. His speed picks up until he is finger fucking me deep and hard. Making me moan and scream beside him.

"Mmm... still so warm and tight even after I fucked these pussy so good last night. After I unloaded all my cum inside you. After I took you hard and rough, making you scream so loud I had to kiss you to keep you quiet."

"F...f...fu...ck."

"That's right baby. Grip my fingers. Show me how tight this pussy is for me. Cum on them. Cum all over them, soak them for me. Oh God babe, I need to be inside you."

I can't form a sentence or thought. All I can do is nod my head. Christian hovers above me as he frees his dick.

One swift move and he's buried deep inside my walls. The stretch feels amazing as my body fights to get use to his large size.

"Oh God."

"I know babe. I know."

He pace is slow at first as he pumps in and out of me. The louder I moan the faster he goes. Fuck he feels so good inside me. My first orgasm comes hard and fast. My walls tighten around him as I flood his cock in my cum.

"That's it babe. Fuck, I need one more before I fill you up. Come on baby, one more for me."

His pace never waivers as he drills me into the bed. I'm no longer moaning, I'm screaming his name for him. He has my eyes rolling in the back of my head.

"Christian!"

My body let's go and I feel a wave of cum gush out of my pussy.

"Fuck me, that's so hot. I'm cumming baby."

And he does. I feel his cock twitch inside me and then cum fill me up until it's leaking out around his cock. He collapses on top of me. His cock still twitching inside me sending small pulses of pleasure through my body.

Slowly he pulls out. I whimper at the loss. Then I feel his fingers on my well used pussy. Kissing me slow and passionately as he plays in the mess we just made of my core. Fuck me he can't get enough, and God that feels so freaking good.

"Now that I've made you a mess, let's go get coffee. I like knowing my cum is dripping from you when we are with our friends."

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

2 weeks later....

"Why don't you just call her. She gave you her number dude." Aldis says before taking a sip of his beer. I regret tell him anything about y/n. He won't stop bugging me about her.

"I don't know what to say to her."

"Why not the truth? That you can't get her out of your head."

Shaking my head, I think it over. What do I honestly have to lose? And he isn't wrong. I can't stop thinking about her. I'd call her now but my phone is at home tonight.

Oh fuck it, it's not like I don't have her number memorized already.

"Hey man, can I borrow your phone?"

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

15th May >> Mass Readings (USA)

Wednesday, Seventh Week of Eastertide 

or

Saint Isidore the Farmer.

Wednesday, Seventh Week of Eastertide 

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 20:28-38 I commend you to God who has the power to build you up and to give you an inheritance.

At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

R/ Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or R/ Alleluia.

Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts.

R/ Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or R/ Alleluia.

You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: “Confess the power of God!”

R/ Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or R/ Alleluia.

Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies. Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people.

R/ Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 17:17b, 17a

Alleluia, alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 17:11b-19 May they be one just as we are one.

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Isidore the Farmer 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

Either:

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35 The community of believers was of one heart and mind.

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading Revelation 3:14b, 20-22 I will dine with him and he with me.

The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. “Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

OR: --------

First reading Revelation 19:1, 5-9a Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

I, John, heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying:“Alleluia!

Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God.”

A voice coming from the throne said:

“Praise our God, all you his servants, and you who revere him, small and great.”

Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder, as they said:“Alleluia!

The Lord has established his reign, our God, the almighty. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding day of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready. She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment.”

(The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

OR: --------

First reading Revelation 21:5-7 To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.

The One who was seated on the throne said: “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Not so, the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 5:6

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 5:8

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: See Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 23:11, 12b

Alleluia, alleluia. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Luke 21:36

Alleluia, alleluia. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 8:31b-32

Alleluia, alleluia. If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia. I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 15:4a, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 15:9b, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[childofchrist1983]

We all need correction, and in this Bible verse, the prophet Jeremiah prayed that God would correct him, but not in His anger. God is the Almighty. His power is so great that if His anger were ever against you…Well, you might be turned to nothing. Thankfully, though God's jealousy and wrath and might is unmatched, so is His grace and mercy and love.

As our Creator and Heavenly Father, He is merciful and He is forgiving to all who humbly repent and seek Him for forgiveness and salvation. And as His beloved creation, we should certainly be willing and ready to listen to Him and be corrected by Him. And for all true and spiritually reborn Christians, who are His adopted children, He makes sure to help us to keep growing and maturing spiritually in our relationship with Him. For this, and His gentle correction and grace, we are eternally grateful. May He continue guide and correct us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace. - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[libidomechanica]

Untitled # 10939

A sonnet sequence

               1

Saying, I have been his pulse failing, passionless, pale, and charioteers caught force to love forsooth: I have thorn! Gross clay invade then the Foeman’s Glory might but enjoy such a lightnings, weigh the lark, with a fear our pleasure of mosquitoes ascends, now let us view her heaven had you great where you mark’d the Living Water drain’d where her undinal vast belly moonward paradise. Once more wretched in that loue shoulders to thee, misfortune authority, and makes the fever, are all cheer his future day—fond Thought! Almost wretch! Grow. The silken skilled transmemberment of my eyes and my staff. Again I would understand. Come thy footsteps of this. Those bright and dame and dies; and laughed They were design’d t’agree, too dear, and make the afflicted came, that so fall asleepe thou so dear? Nor Cybele with their beds and embeds every vessel could prepare you great price we pay for Pardon.

               2

To thyself a lawful plea commend, whether it was: but straight ice I know it not you pinch a flowery earth, even thou so dear? Cramming a tune I have stay’d to be free; shake hands do not:—friend; for weariness, memory’s raptures we desire that ken me, O; but when this march on nor be prest twelve enchantment thee with answering leagues of hot and complete a thing trimm’d in jollity, and my retorted hairs. Above, be lovers; and I strove to be reconcil’d to Love, and I choose a May-lady to govern the youthful, charming smiles to build upon my freshness die.

               3

Gum, pungent, cleare; he never read strange love talked in my love. To take a new needles on the path has lost it for ever mourne, I wept both day and flying in love, my heart, that which I have but her wanted, as the consequence could find a tally fitted to habit; and, could na scaith the language of your true love round me, to all these wasted frame, that would not, or could so soon made of the puppy’s breath; this my object; but she thought, aimèd with stars go squawking sunk chill on my white of either example proved—would understand is not the radiant eyes see beautiful woman who Your mind.

               4

Though for a lass wi’ a tocher; then hey, for aught we are gone, beauty you grow wooden and unencumber’d best may do there life of men who groan, then laughter they did her son and hear each other, or the porch of the lips of my paines that dies along the haunt beloved as old he picked and wind, flung into it—but thou, whom daily pray, we’ll churn. The bow, with heat: o Bacchus, cool thy rays! Send a flattering wave! And with suspended scythe and private place my merit it. To do it plus the one twain, by praise in lawrell tree: in truth, take refuge the great saint, refused it, and see, she is walking their short lives in curles are lost his scythe to be, strange love me some virtuous lie, to do it plus the city angled in a sunny lane some boy and give me stilled with life—and now is come; the voice I heard, cupid’s bow, front, an ample warrant that were enough to cure me.

               5

Face of the turmoil grows, another. To stand at the seventh month and North, with doubt, pass, thou hast spied. Hence Cupid danc’d among and darkness flower in Friends are forgotten. Still wouldst rubies. And not better state reveal’d. But this happiness who had ceased to believe when I praise; the songs of thine eyes to wear; yet no tailor help the death was fled, and early twilight we know, by this deaf moonlight, her death, who see with beauty, and by the subway railings. To have her eyes have dancing on its lonely times of her boughes doe raine, whose owne faults thy might makes then with moderate sorrows end.

               6

Again and not talk, not the thing triumphantly. Then did I let my gestures where I fear to touch! Not one, than to enthral or gall the incarnate word the hand, and Off’rings made: the muscles, the gourd overscored, while bigness—rocks, trees, lay ourselves and I will think of the man your bed, hollow ocean-ridges roaring or dead, spirits wall; and staid, pleas’d with a moonlight, moonlight, no hopefulnesse, as when Pity pleads for Sin. For ever, are all words ease, which when I’m with crispèd hair, and folly doctor-like contrived a conquered place where thou leaves litter. We might become a sod.

               7

But straiten’d forehead gaze; two hundred to and fragrance of love, and wishes, and fair; and yet by trades the river-tide. While they came to torments you doubt not think upon the moon. Till the locks, above, we know love’s star with ease was prevent our many-tinkling flesh with young soul, abhorring avarice, bounteous as that matters it? Next, Virgil I’ll call for naught: such skill in thee growing, or me, I do betray him, grew in such a light, and the world is strain the guilty beetle is a fright myself able to continual hair—belle Isle, white and all by thy diseases, shops of fashion.

               8

Yet reserved from this excus’d I to rest, is each vndercharge, with lullaby then within. Scorpio, bad spider it was sung her the phantom yearning for the manna fall. Keep fresh and gave you eft within! To tye thee move, less you woe. And street, as she supplied, and her jewels, to thy Will, ’ and Will’ one will answered echoes broke from us—and ye, ah, may ye feel her slowly-dying day, and only had presents to use than deaf that gilds then hey, for a transistor to Long John Nebel arguing frown. Bless, me now with young Lochinvar. I will die of louers pay which passes between each came home, he had not contains so much rage, as Lot’s fair daughter, something like a fruitful or more kind that unfair which the sun in water’s gush divine, fair Lesley, as shee. From a high birth till death wounds bleeding out on the bride in its start back. That thou lent’st him yet recover. A dole of bread.

               9

Teach me, on me, in the old Man young, keep close of low replies. Temper, O fair love, and scrappy: we have forgotten except possible it is very long. And love for you my heart, with thoughts no longer dreamed that suckling mourne, I wept both night as welcome as a Sword, a Cloud of mortal chants of old did preach. Tears, how such a pleasing fuell of mind; and court in, gathering perfume. But aye she loot the musk carnations were his triumph was all, unless you woe. If certain when tis madness with thee a heaven is with art and plump. You and me most in the rose as when the wept with sound.

               10

Tripping oars: it’s eleven years ago. To-night, I wrote this singing is a kind of girls’ dormitory. While they ran: there need require it, both sadly blacke, both become. And the world was loathsome. No inconvenient kindnesse kils delight, never agree the covenant that sweet, I ween, to Shepherds and ends at three A. The clocks had cease upon the way the very large, thee to my thoughts thy shadow still she forbade me poore Eve had she speak well of me untrue, you give us Life, and tears: alas! Where are turn’d it in his stead. A sweet will one nose. And if she will show itself.

               11

There wastebasket. They were possible it is this grew; I gave consequences Where is subdued to which upon the mind stinging door and I so lovely blue; far along the way one single breathe such beard, and in sight, Stealing myself, that is it, that song outlasts us all in—all in a gentle dream and feared to over-rule us all in danger and dies; and if she winnowing to row them tame; and as a mountain in its skeleton shadow lour’d on the bed to which thou kindlest all the common bed were in as constant louers payne, if any gods the parallels the fault?

               12

The rose, and sold— but the weel-stockit farms. An’ then can I sing tongues perplexes and she looks lovely sounding wide through the same smile? As I sipped and struck his fires, now, if this such as ever get to go alone and the lines and lady vntrue, you shalt not love Truth and sky, the first place were in what of the middle of the treasured fragrant blow; roses have done my wrong: this courtesy. He will bear, and there triumphs and the sky, seres Spring’s maturity, checks Summer’s distant thing red, that infant animal awesome I would rush upon them, lay down the roofs the threw such a little urn.

               13

Then spoke his happiness, with answer me; is any Blessing for judgment making Woes darkned be; night by his beauteous, not the moon, fair beseechers kill; think thee page, will play there are maiden Queen guarded by fens. Pity me the thoughts would be silent love I rise and fed with a sudden a passion, from its home against me. Silence from a garden-trees, and vows that strait commands they thus did entertain, guests were the quiet-coloured eve smiles which all spleen. So bad, that spot of joy. When I clung to all the time of you. It’s not peers beyond the shadow still be your teares descending.

               14

Though all the prow, —thy derelict and gone. As much as worn as an old passion shall never could set that is ours to wreathe succession hurried on; all of a plum. So snug, so compact, so wise as birth; all his blind, for my thigh almost bound us when there fell thy purple fritillaries the ground of the Susan? From out to find weak points in disguise, of her self, and learn, and see the world without pity till the age had been content male wind—shaking, the brothers cry Too late, later floods and stray impassion were his life is the unblest kisses of honey, having none, yet doth make.

               15

And at the faster—infusion pump in the king look at yours and as water a hollow roaring from an evil stroke; wrought: desire! When I bow’d down to a laughing e’en o’ lovely all time by the bridegroom thoughts are for a burning, shift green bank hath gone there’ll be spice. Either whom I grieved it on its wings after such years would wake up and get into my heavy as if alive. Of beechen grew my tongue that rage outside and in the Spring again I would have him power in Friend. Soon gathering all bright yellow peels, my stinging grooves of flame through the gateways of the brain?

               16

Is it were to containe! In signature is Addition that she sings. And hasten down to a shade more causeys, bridge.—An’ O for ane an’ twenty, Tam. And we will stay! Over the sequoia swallow their eyes’ express’d. Or veer or vanish’d out on the evening-sky, bare on its glow. Let it not to mount and dares to make you were banished, we only way, close round him o’er the Border? Meet, if thou go with me, sweet self to crowd; and still lives in a most in its skin’s. Stretches back decades she fed, she clothes to inflame desire, close round and long been done? Behold, my love allows twittered!

               17

Changed … There’s nothing more. He declar’d that held the heir of all men’s prime Desire; by whom she was the basin and the turrets of the longer still she bore; she loved so fast, as if to know causes of hot and now the full-waked sense; or fair or wise beyond what shee tasted on delight. Still wouldst thou leane, I quite away, sets down her veil draw soft remember how quickly speakes for long light, a year old who refuse to be full of rubies finding westward up the sacrifice, as sweet, an’ young; nae artfu’ wiles to hold betwixt her liable to go alone and vain the Deluge.

               18

Completely be her be him be them, thou always remembering him here where we hid from my Injury, though ice burned and loosestrife we saw of passion speed and languish quite away, sets down her baith by bower and love her father—none. And, above the crocus lustres of thy rest’? To mix their sleep, to the best region that name and be the sun forgetful Muse, my God, as authorizing her there was pious, gemlike, ghostlike, deathless, dumb till I wish not thy Hellen his; no force, something to light he ran, and in some melodious plot of tradition does deserve this in the excess, and does not be excuse, nor chancel port and polished. Whole, full of thee: who faileth one liuerie, both rebell runaway boy who chucks it all to live for the flow’ry meads th’hill’s shady wood, and would, on condition grown; we both Sea and with beaded bubbles winking of these rosy lips to grow.

               19

Thou canst view from honest as his birth, we stood, in ancient trees feele my grief its hour again and then to the Captain’s lady. A Love-lock, idly reclining on me thou art, as with his Fellow crying out upon misprision grown; we both diffusive good enough to shed his old love after my sick dreams had perish one by one, though ice burned; in equal fires there with Roses blows; a Foot for lack of bread. That I see the roses and rent, why wilt in that spotless breast discharge, while the thing the opposite of father’s brilliant bow. That took it up, he quaff’d off the west—I miss it!

[amontageofloveandromanticpoetry]

몽생미셸 해변의 남자 PART 4 | Man on the shores of Mont Saint Michel PART 4

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"Do you not love god?" The caretaker asks me, his voice cruel. "Dieu will see to it you will burn in hell if you do not follow the Abbey's wishes." He threatens.

I do love god.

He is in the sea.

"I gain nothing." I spoke, bitter and empty. "Let me love no other." I plead and prayed.

"Who do you love?" The caretaker searches.

"A man. A man in the sea beyond." I truthfully say.

"A man?" He echoes, "You've dirtied yourself with filth from the main land?"

"He is no filth!" I thundered, "He is of divinity and he loves me as so do I."

"You will have nothing to do with this man no longer." He sternly tells me and I fall to my knees, forehead in the dirt as I prayed.

"Do not take him from me." I begged, "I will lose my life if he is gone from me."

I pray in a crazed frenzy in hopes to gain mercy, but my caretaker's heart is stone cold and wicked, for he dismisses my tears. "Wear the dress." He tells me, "You will wed the blacksmith's son."

I can only cry and run.

I have lost a fight worth of my life.

I am coming to terms and truth I am no worthy lover of a beautiful god if I cannot fight for our wonderful love.

My heart twists and bleeds as the Translucent One greets me with a salty kiss. His lips spoke to mine, how he has hurt in waiting for me.

And my heart broke right in front of me as I push the beautiful creature away.

"I can love you no longer." I tell, and I cannot bear to look at the hurt in his eyes and the fury in his face.

"Why...?" Anger laces his voice, covering the heartbreak within.

"I am to wed another." I confess, "I cannot wed another and love another."

"It was me." He murmurs in sorrow, "It was supposed to be me you would marry." He cries.

The god screams, "How could you? How could you destroy something so beautiful, so wonderful, so lovely?"

His thousands of tails crash and flick against the sand and sea, and thunders shattered across the skies and lightning scratches the clouds. "I may be the Monstrous Thing of everything Beneath, but you are more of a monster than I."

I can only say nothing, what was once an ocean of bliss, was now an ocean of sorrow and we drowned in it.

"How dare you make me think you loved me?" He spits, "How dare you make me hope you are mine."

And the eyes of the god I loved was nothing but grey. "I hate you, you terrible, ugly monster."

And with those words, he slips away from the sand. His magnificent tails slithering away, and he was gone.

My knees buckle and I drop to the sand. Pearls strewn all around me and I can only weep.

A beautiful flower comes to die, and that was our love.

By: Kang Jae-Ho

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for February 3, 2023

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 5:1-13(KJV): 1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: 2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. 3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold of hell. 6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. 7 Hear me now, therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of a stranger; 11 And thou mourn at the last when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Thought for the Day

Verses 1-13 - One of the miraculous things about the Bible is its relevancy for us today. Generations pass, cultures come and go, but man's issues and problems remain the same. (I use man in the dictionary sense of "the human race," including women. Though the above warning is addressed to a son by his father, it equally applies to daughters.) Sin in his heart has been man's downfall since Adam and Eve committed the first transgression.

There is an ungodly emphasis on sex all over the world. The world is filled with those who have experienced the progression of events outlined above. They are lured by temptation; however sweet a temptress' kiss, it will have a bitter end. It is better to deny unholy pleasure for the moment in exchange for eternal reward. Moses is an example of this, as he gave up the pleasures he could have had as a prince of Egypt and chose rather suffer with God's people (Hebrews 11:24-26). He was able to do this because he had an eternal perspective.

The devil destroys many marriages because the above advice is not heeded. Many great men have lost their honor when their illicit affairs were exposed. They may still have their marriages if they have forgiving mates, but their names are forever blighted. Others have lost families, positions, and even their health. Yielding immoral appetites in one area causes a man to sin in other areas, leading him into a downward spiral. Sin begets sin, and sin brings corruption and death.

Sin, like righteousness, is progressive. Daily, we become either more wicked by serving sin, or more like the Lord by serving Him. God doesn't want us to waste our lives but tells us very clearly that it is our choice. "…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19b).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear Father, thank you for Your instructions in the Bible. Give us the grace and humility to accept advice and correction, because we know when You instruct us, it is for our good. Lord, we pray for all the families in our nation that have gone through a divorce. Lord, this has wounded our nation, because many of our children do not have their fathers and some do not have their mothers. Second marriages still carry wounds from the previous ones; Lord heals these marriages and homes. Forgive the adultery and fornication that have led to many of these marriage breakdowns. Forgive our young people who are living together, as many of them do not even know it is wrong, because society has embraced this as acceptable behavior. Restore love in our families. Heal our homes and our land. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeper-watchman https://www.facebook.com/ParkermillerQ/ Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, @StevenPMiller6; #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

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