#mighty men of valor

[granonine]

Mighty Men of Valor

Joshua 10:5-8. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come…

[kdmiller55]

The Army of God

1 Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 2 They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjaminites, Saul’s kinsmen. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah of Gibeah; also…

[ramoth13]

A Message of Hope: Aurë entuluva

For absolutely no particular reason, I felt compelled today,- November 6th of 2024, to write about hope.

There are days when Hope feels foolish; when you have just watched in horror as things that once seemed sturdy and unbreakable, crumble and burn. Whether it is an elvish city or a chosen path, when that happens, Hope feels naive. It feels like that's what lead you here to begin with. It feels like, if you had been more realistic and pessimistic, you wouldn't be so hurt.

For all of the things that Tolkien wrote about, his message of hope was perhaps the most resilient, poignant, and enduring. Few can forget Sam's hopeful message to Frodo:

Yet, today, for many people it may not feel that this is true. I know I often struggle with hope, but today does feel exceptionally difficult (for no particular reason, of course).

Tolkien's most hopeful message, for me, comes from his bleakest story. Húrin's story is one of defeat. Courage sprang alive when high King Fingon and the elves and men fought together against the blackness of Morgoth's reign. The Nirnaeth Arnoediad, or Unnumbered Tears, was a day when victory was close and Turgon, brother of the king, arrived with a mighty host,

"Then When Fingon heard afar the great trumpet of Turgon, the shadow passed and his heart was uplifted, and he shouted aloud: 'Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatarni, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!' And all those who heard his great voice echo in the hills answered crying: 'Auta i lómë! The night is passing!' "

They believed that their courage and steadfastness had saved them, that daybreak was soon at hand. Tolkien understood, perhaps better than most, that there was a difference between courage and hope. For courage is what spurs action, brings change, and inspires duty. Courage is what makes the difference when the time has come, just as they continued to fight on against orcish hordes. It was courage that led them into the heart of Angband where the Dark Lord himself sat shaking on his throne. Courage carried them past the gates, but betrayal can cut through courage like a hot-knife through butter. The hill men betrayed the men and elves and the dawning light turned into a simmering dusk.

Darkness had returned.

So, where was the hope?

With the elves slain or fleeing, Húrin, leader of his people fought valiantly to let his people and what was left of his elvish allies escape. Courage did survive the betrayal of the wild men, but only just. And with each swing of his axe he cried out, "Aurë entuluva!" And with each felled enemy, he cried out again, "Aurë entuluva!" Even as his enemies surrounded him, overtook him, and even when taken by the enemy into the dark halls, he cried out for any allies that might hear him, "Aurë entuluva!" It was a promise of hope.

~ "Day will come again!"

Hope is not what makes us act, it is not what leads us to change: hope is what sustains us, what keeps us going when courage has faded and the dark night envelopes us. Húrin held fast to hope when courage and Valor had failed, when the efforts of good people fell short. I do not know what the future holds, bleak as it may seem, but I keep those words near me with every passing hour and in those moments where I feel as though I have been dragged into a dark lord's dungeon, I say those words:

Aurë entuluva!

Day will come again!

-

Courage will be needed when the day arrives, but until then, I will cling to hope.

I wish everyone peace and hope. It is the dearest thing I can wish. And remember, Aurë entuluva!

Namárië,

~ Ramoth13

[talonabraxas]

Lord Indra - Kings of the Devas

"Indra, the mighty wielder of the thunderbolt, reigns supreme as the King of the Devas, the celestial realm".

Lord Indra's roots are firmly planted in the Vedic scriptures, especially the Rigveda. Born to the sage Kashyapa and the primordial goddess Aditi, his divine lineage sets the stage for a mythic narrative of cosmic significance. The Rigveda sings hymns praising Indra's valor, recounting his legendary battles against the serpent demon Vritra. This epic clash establishes Indra as a heroic figure and the vanquisher of chaos.

Role in the Hindu Pantheon:

Beyond the Rigveda, Lord Indra's role in the Hindu pantheon is multifaceted. As the ruler of Svarga, the heavenly abode, he governs with regal authority and martial prowess. Indra emerges not only as a warrior defeating demonic adversaries but also as the upholder of dharma, ensuring that cosmic order and righteousness prevail. HYMN VII. Indra.

1 INDRA the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their lauds, Indra the choirs have glorified. 2 Indra hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word-yoked car, Indra the golden, thunder-armed. 3 Indra hath raised the Sun on high in heaven, that he may see afar: He burst the mountain for the kine. 4 Help us, O Indra, in the frays, yea, frays, where thousand spoils are gained, With awful aids, O awful One. 5 In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra in lesser fight, The Friend who bends his bolt at fiends. 6 Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever bounteous, yonder cloud, For us, thou irresistible. 7 Still higher, at each strain of mine, thunder-armed Indra's praises rise: I find no laud worthy of him. 8 Even as the bull drives on the herds, he drives the people with his might, The Ruler irresistible: 9 Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold race Of those who dwell upon the earth. 10 For your sake from each side we call Indra away from other men: Ours, and none others', may he be. ~Indra in the Rig-Veda - Book I

[k-nayee]

Ⅱ Songs and Chapters

Warrior M.List

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✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ・Wrath of Gods, Wounds of Men・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ✦ʚ♡ɞ✦

❝Those whom the Gods wish to destroy, they first make proud, for pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.❞

˚＊˚✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ・・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ⚔️・⚔️・⚔️・⚔️・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ・・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ˚＊˚

The veil between the mortal and the divine had frayed until even the Gods grew restless in their seats of power.

Heroes, once mighty and unyielding, had begun to crack under the weight of their wrath.

Sacrifices meant to appease only deepened anger, while alliances fracture under the strain of pride and vengeance.

As the fires of conflict spread, the line between honor and hubris blurred, leaving behind scars no offering could mend.

In the shadow of loss and sacrifice, even the strongest hearts faltered, leaving only fragments of hope to cling to as the Gods watched in silent judgment.

˚＊˚✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ・・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ⚔️・⚔️・⚔️・⚔️・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ・・✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ˚＊˚

1.1 — Waves of Defiance

R.E.S.P.E.C.T by Aretha Franklin

You Should See Me in a Crown by Billie Eilish

1.2 — Unyielding Flame

Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé

Confident by Demi Lovato

1.3 — Echoes of Valor

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis

1.4 — Forged in Battle

What a Time by Julia Michaels

My Immortal By Evanescence

1.5 — The Weight of Pride

Time is Running Out by Muse

The Wolves by Ben Howard

1.6 — The Weight of Wrath

No Church in the Wild by Jay-Z

Seven Devils by Florence + the Machine

1.7 — Arrows of the Divine

Dangerous Night by Thirty Seconds To Mars

Stay Alive (Reprise) by Hamilton Musical

1.8 — A King’s Folly

Control by Halsey

Centuries by Fall Out Boy

1.9 — A Mortal's Lament

Boys Break Too by Sebastian Kole

Run to You by Pentatonix

[gotham-at-nightfall]

Bittersteel vs. Bloodraven

The rebellion ended at the Redgrass Field, nigh on a year later: Some have written of the boldness of the men who fought with Daemon, and others of their treason. But for all their valor in the field and their enmity against Daeron, theirs was a lost cause. Daemon and his eldest sons, Aegon and Aemon, were brought down beneath the withering fall of arrows sent by Brynden Rivers and his private guards, the Raven's Teeth. This was followed by Bittersteel's mad charge, with Blackfyre in his hand, as he attempted to rally Daemon's forces. Meeting with Bloodraven in the midst of the charge, a mighty duel ensued, which left Bloodraven blinded in one eye and sent Bittersteel fleeing.

By Jota Saraiva

[theprayerfulword]

June 04

Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Psalm 139:14 The psalmist wrote, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Romans 6:3-4 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.

May you keep the ways of the Lord and not turn away from His laws or decrees that God may reward you according to the righteousness of Christ which He sees in you. 2 Samuel 22

May the Lord be your lamp and turn your darkness into light, for the way of God is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless, and He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22

May you receive God's shield of victory as He stoops down to make you great and broaden the path beneath you so that your ankles do not turn, for it is God who arms you with strength and makes your way perfect, enabling you to stand on the heights and training your hands for battle. 2 Samuel 22

When God directs you against a spiritual power which exalts itself against the authority of God and the beloved of the Lord, may you pursue them and crush them, not turning back till they are destroyed completely and they cannot rise, but fall beneath your feet, beating them fine as dust, then pounding and trampling them like mud in the streets. 2 Samuel 22

May you rule by God's Spirit over your own heart, and reign in Christ's name over your own spirit, always walking in the fear of God, for then you will be like the light of the morning at sunrise on a cloudless day, and like the brightness after rain that brings life springing up for others and shows the beauty and glory of the Lord, to His praise. 2 Samuel 23

May you be as ready to please the Lord, and willing to obey your King's least command, as the mighty men of David's army when they broke through the enemy's lines, fending off the attacks as they drew water and brought it back to their lord and king when he mentioned the delight a drink from the well at Bethlehem would bring him. 2 Samuel 23

   Do you rejoice in tales of great valor, My child, and enjoy stories of mighty deeds? Do you imagine yourself accomplishing great acts of courage and winning the acclaim of your captain and troops?    You have read of King David's mighty men, and how the greatest of them killed 800 of the enemy in one battle as he was strengthened and protected by Me. Do you recall that Peter stood up on the Day of Pentecost and spoke My word boldly before the many scoffers and questioners, and, by the anointing of My Spirit on the hearts of the hearers, 3,000 were liberated from the enemy to believe and be saved?    My promise to My warriors is that one shall put to flight 1,000 and two shall cause 10,000 to flee. Remember that the enemy comes in as a flood, and the battle can be prolonged and exhausting, but the end is already settled.    My reminder to My warriors is to trust not in the speed of horses nor in the strength of men nor in the size of armies. Instead, continually fear Me in My awesome majesty, and perpetually hope in My unending loving-kindness, for I am your ever-present help and your strong shield and mighty buckler; My eye is always on those who persistently wait on Me.    My word to My warriors is, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” for I have sold the wicked and given up the spiritual principalities to their own lusts and evil desires since their destiny is destruction and their goal is death.    Therefore, rejoice in Me greatly, My brave one, and exult in Me, for I have clothed you in garments of salvation and wrapped you in a robe of righteousness, as a bride is adorned with her jewels; for though you were formerly darkness, now you are light in Me.    Walk as a child of the Light, not participating in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead, expose them with My light that shines from you and with My wisdom that dwells within you, that you may do My mighty deeds without keeping the honor to yourself, but make much of Me before men, for My glory shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

May you find that petty differences and opposing opinions disappear in the light of His presence like moths consumed in a flame when brethren come together in prayer in one place and one accord, for He will shake each “house” that will receive His Spirit. Acts 2

May you see the Lord always before you and ever beside you, causing your heart to be glad and your tongue to rejoice as your body lives in hope, for you will not be shaken while He makes known to you the paths of life and fills you with joy in His presence. Acts 2

May you be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the truth of Christ from the heart of the Father as the Spirit enables you. Acts 2

May others around you feel perplexed and be amazed at what they see and hear in your company and ask, “What does this mean?” Acts 2

May you rejoice with those who go to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122

May you pray for the peace of the city of God for those who love it will be secure, finding peace within its walls and security within its citadels. Psalm 122

May you find that to live with an humble spirit and humble eyes with lowly people in the presence and blessing of God is better than to share what is stolen among the proud of self and mighty of earth, whom God resists and casts down. Proverbs 16:19

May you give heed to instruction from God for you will prosper and may you trust in the Lord for you will be blessed. Proverbs 16:20

[nebulaahh]

I want to rewatch EXU and watch Mighty Nein compilations and rewatch Alice in Borderland AGAIN and x-men and then keep catching up on Drag Race and stay up to date on VCT but also get back into reading but finish Divinty: Original Sin 2 and Dragon Age Inquisition so I can get to Veilguard but I also am addicted to Valorant and

[aylen-san]

The Curse of the Black Sword

O Túrin Turambar, the fated hero among Elves and Men, whose path was strewn with bloody trails and deafening curses! In the dark forests of Nevrast, beneath the cover of night, he walked like a shadowy prince, burdened by the heavy weight of a destiny he could not escape. His eyes, gleaming like black pearls, carried the depths of pain and unfathomable despair.

Túrin, son of Húrin and Morwen, was born in Dor-lómin, where his father was a mighty warlord. But fate was not kind to his family. Húrin was captured by Melkor, and Túrin and his mother were forced to seek refuge. His heart was forged in the crucible of loss and betrayals, each new trial leaving indelible scars on his soul.

From a young age, Túrin displayed extraordinary strength and bravery. When he came to the Elves in Doriath, King Thingol raised him as his own son. Yet even in this bright kingdom, among wise Elves, Melkor's curse did not leave him. He was surrounded by friends, such as Beleg Cúthalion, but remained alone, as if his heart always sought a lost world.

His sword, Anglachel, forged by the dark Elf Eöl, was like an extension of his very soul: dark, powerful, imbued with a sinister force. In Túrin's hands, it became an instrument of justice and vengeance, its blade thirsting for blood and destruction. When Túrin raised this blade, it seemed as if the very night grasped the light in its hands, ready to consume it entirely.

Túrin took part in many battles, where his valor and fury became legendary. In one such battle, he accidentally killed his friend Beleg, who was trying to free him from Orc captivity. This loss was unbearable for him, and darkness penetrated deeper into his soul. He swore vengeance for his losses, and his hatred for Melkor and his creations grew ever stronger.

In the land of Nargothrond, Túrin found a new home, but even there he could not escape his fate. He led the Elven kingdom and became its protector, but his pride and arrogance led to the fall of Nargothrond at the hands of the dragon Glaurung. In this epic confrontation with the dragon, Túrin demonstrated his true strength and bravery, but the price for this victory was unbearably high.

As Glaurung lay dying, he revealed to Túrin the truth about his sister Niënor, who, unaware of her kinship with Túrin, had fallen in love with him. Deceived by the dragon's spells, she died, unable to bear the knowledge of her origins. Shattered and destroyed by this revelation, Túrin found only one way to escape his fate – to drive his sword into his own heart.

His life, full of suffering and heroism, ended tragically, leaving behind only dark legends and memories of a great but unfortunate hero. His grave, surrounded by black rocks and eternal winds, became a symbol of indomitable will and the tragic fate that had pursued him since birth. Túrin Turambar, the Black Sword, served as a reminder that even the greatest heroes cannot escape their destinies, and that human strength and bravery do not always prevail against the inexorable forces of fate.

[santoschristos]

Lord Indra - Kings of the Devas

"Indra, the mighty wielder of the thunderbolt, reigns supreme as the King of the Devas, the celestial realm".

Lord Indra's roots are firmly planted in the Vedic scriptures, especially the Rigveda. Born to the sage Kashyapa and the primordial goddess Aditi, his divine lineage sets the stage for a mythic narrative of cosmic significance. The Rigveda sings hymns praising Indra's valor, recounting his legendary battles against the serpent demon Vritra. This epic clash establishes Indra as a heroic figure and the vanquisher of chaos.

Role in the Hindu Pantheon:

Beyond the Rigveda, Lord Indra's role in the Hindu pantheon is multifaceted. As the ruler of Svarga, the heavenly abode, he governs with regal authority and martial prowess. Indra emerges not only as a warrior defeating demonic adversaries but also as the upholder of dharma, ensuring that cosmic order and righteousness prevail.

HYMN VII. Indra.

1 INDRA the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their lauds, Indra the choirs have glorified. 2 Indra hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word-yoked car, Indra the golden, thunder-armed. 3 Indra hath raised the Sun on high in heaven, that he may see afar: He burst the mountain for the kine. 4 Help us, O Indra, in the frays, yea, frays, where thousand spoils are gained, With awful aids, O awful One. 5 In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra in lesser fight, The Friend who bends his bolt at fiends. 6 Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever bounteous, yonder cloud, For us, thou irresistible. 7 Still higher, at each strain of mine, thunder-armed Indra's praises rise: I find no laud worthy of him. 8 Even as the bull drives on the herds, he drives the people with his might, The Ruler irresistible: 9 Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold race Of those who dwell upon the earth. 10 For your sake from each side we call Indra away from other men: Ours, and none others', may he be. Indra in the Rig-Veda - Book I

Lord Indra - Kings of the Devas Mahaboka

[kdmiller55]

The Mighty Men of David

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. 9 And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.…

[versebyverse]

Yearly Bible Read Through

Prophets

Week 1

Day 1

Joshua 1:1-18 BSB

[1] Now after the death of His servant Moses, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, [2] “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. [3] I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses. [4] Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea. [5] No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. [7] Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [10] Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: [11] “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’” [12] But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, [13] “Remember what Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you when he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ [14] Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, [15] until the Lord gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the east side of the Jordan.” [16] So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. [17] Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. [18] Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

[theblackbookofarkera]

War Totems of the Star Brave

In the folklore of the red tribes of Hykraelia there are stories of a mighty warrior that descended from the stars to battle a chaotic evil. There are many variations of the myth but all have a core element; the brave taught the people how to make war on their enemies seen and unseen. Among the relics left behind this “star brave” were mighty totems carved from a wood that does not rot. Those totems that still exist are prized artifacts of their tribes and brought out from hiding before great battles. When ritual dances are performed around these totems the warriors are filled with an unshakable valor and protection from the weapons of men and demons.

[cogitoergofun]

On opening night of the Stronger Men’s Conference in Springfield, Missouri, in April, an Army tank squatted incongruously on a church chancel. Not one of the pastors, sports figures or niche Christian influencers who sermonized about masculinity throughout the well-attended event, which was a literal come-to-Jesus affair with a power-ballad band and pep talks, remarked on it. Presumably the tank stood for the masculine virtue of lethality. Or maybe rigid defensiveness.

Other totems of virility, including Motocross champions, Fight Club references and a formal prize for densest chest hair, were on hand like citronella candles to shoo away gay vibes. To a crowd that looked all-male, Pastor Levi Lusko, a former porn addict, unfurled a highly disturbing sermon on how much he loves sex. He cited an old lyric by T-Pain and Flo Rida to explain Eve’s allure to Adam: Apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur.

But in spite of this camp machismo signaling, none of the speakers opened culture-war fire. Talk of politics was scant, even when Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, one of the featured speakers, took the stage.

Hawley committed to the bit. The senator, whose book Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs came out shortly after the conference, can preach. On the morning of the conference’s second day, in a neo-televangelical Hillsong style, Hawley delivered a bona fide sermon enjoining men to find their purpose. His reading of Judges even took some clever turns, identifying — as some evangelicals do — a “pre-incarnate Jesus” in the Old Testament. No matter what worldly troubles the guys were facing, Hawley assured them, they each had a divine calling: to become mighty men of valor.

With homespun anecdotes about farming and marriage, Hawley also managed, for a time, to curb his trademark Stanford-Yale pomposity. He was no doubt playing to the audience of churchgoing men in Springfield. He skipped the suit and the sneer. And he called out, almost persuasively, to his blue-collar relatives: “My cousin Jordan, who’s an electrician, and my cousin Aaron, who’s a builder!”

Pretty soon, though, Hawley was into lamentations — about the rates of mental illness, drug abuse and, especially, suicide among young men without college degrees. “This is a generation that is living increasingly without purpose or place, without meaning, without direction.” At top volume, he summarized: “It is the calamity of our age that so few men feel a sense of purpose anymore!”

Hawley, a graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School, is hardly the first white man with hyper-elite credentials to express worry about his gender. Concerns about American masculinity go back to the beginning of the country, to John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, and have been a particular fixation of the ruling class.

But in one crucial way, Hawley is different from his predecessors. Before Hawley, masculinist philosophers tended to locate the calamity of manhood among the overly refined, the gentlemen in their hard collars and high hats. These pretty boys, they believed, desperately needed time on horseback or football fields to put hair on their chests. These days, elites like Hawley see a crisis among the proletariat. It’s an unexpected flip-flop, as workers and farmers, whom Hawley now faults for a lack of virility, were once the honest, plain-talking family men whose manliness was held up as exemplary to neurotic snobs.

Why doesn’t Hawley take his pitch to elites? He didn’t respond to a request for an interview on the topic, but perhaps it’s because men without college educations are much more imperiled by mental illness, addiction and suicidality than college-educated men. They’re less contented. They’re less employed. And, for Hawley, that means they’re a riper political target — more easily sold on far-right memes and “woke”-bashing flexes as a way to cure what ails them.

When Hawley calls working-man woe “male malaise,” he’s got to be the first to use that fey French word of the Carter era to designate a problem-that-has-no-name among burly electricians and builders. But if he intends to make common cause with them, he must continue to style himself, somehow, as one of them — albeit the fully-realized, highest-end, zillion-threadcount version.

But, though Hawley is marketing his masculinity crisis to a new audience, his arguments draw substantially on those of the white, rich, Ivy League-educated pundits who came before him. In reviewing the history of American manhood, it’s astounding to discover how long masculinity has been framed as “in crisis”; in the telling of these writers, it’s never not been in crisis. From the 18th-century elite to Hawley and his conservative confrères, the project of defining and protecting American “manhood” doubles as a way to define and protect some obscure American essence — and these men, whether in wartime or peacetime, whether in traditional or untraditional societies, cannot stop worrying that they’re losing their authority over it.

[albertfinch]

BECOMING THE VOICE OF GOD

As Christians, we are to be "fed and led" to become His voice--fed by the Word and led by the Spirit. There are many lazy people in the Church and, for them, the easiest way to hear God is to be fed by someone who is "close" to God. Unfortunately, this mindset has crept into the Church.

The fact is, the only reason that it is important that we hear God speaking to us is so that we can become a voice ourselves--an expression, NOT an opinion.

The only way that we can be FED and then LED is to feed on God's Word. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." It doesn't say "proceeded," but "proceeds," which is ongoing or present.

The Holy Spirit has to connect with the Word inside of you in order to become a voice and depending on how much of the Word you have inside of you determines the depth of expression.

REVELATION IS THE DISCOVERY OF TRUTH

Many people think that reading the Bible is adequate and that nothing else is required. Although we may grow in knowledge of the Word, our spiritual man doesn't necessarily grow.  Information about the Bible doesn't guarantee revelation of the Spirit.

To become the voice of God, we should read, affirm and meditate on the Word, until the Word is made real (Rhema) to our spirit.

Reading of the word gives of knowledge – the word made real to our spirit gives us understanding (revelation) – once we have understanding, the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom on how, when, and where to apply the word in any given situation (revelation).  

Following Jesus means we are going to have to HEAR HIS VOICE from the Word made real to our spirit (Rhema), not ONLY FROM PAGES.

The Bible also says, "Your Word is truth." When God gives us truth, it is impossible to communicate the truth without having illumination, which is what the Spirit does with the Word that is inside of you. The discovery of truth is such an exciting experience and yet, for some, it is literally soul-destroying because it usually does not fit into their world view and daily routine.

Becoming the Voice of God requires that you consume the Word.

SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

God never promised to lead us by our physical senses or our mental faculties. What we see through the eyes of the Spirit is usually in great contrast to what the natural eyes are telling us.  Our physical senses deceive us and are unreliable.

"And the Lord said to Joshua:  'See!  I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor."' - Joshua 6:2

God was commanding Joshua to SEE THE UNSEEN!  Before he would see Jericho defeated with his physical eyes, he had to see Jericho defeated with his spiritual eyes.  He had to see into the eternal.  It must be tangible in your spirit (Rhema) before it becomes tangible in the natural.

It is seeing into the unseen (eternal) realm where we perceive the will of God for His purpose for our life. Once we see the will of God and what exists from His perspective, we can cross back over and exercise the wisdom the Holy Spirit is giving us.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[goodvibesatpeace]

D-Day's Dawn

As dawn's first blush kissed Normandy's shore,

A mighty armada set its course to war.

Through choppy seas, they braved the raging tide,

Their hearts aflame with purpose, side by side.

Young men, their spirits soaring high,

With trembling hands and steely eye.

From decks of ships, they gazed upon the land,

D-Day's dawn, a pivotal stand.

They stormed the beaches, bullets in their wake,

Through smoke and fire, they fought with eager stake.

Against the might of tyranny's embrace,

They fought for freedom, leaving their trace.

On hallowed sands, they shed their crimson hue,

Their lives a sacrifice, steadfast and true.

Amidst the chaos, a beacon shone bright,

A testament to courage, in the face of night.

Their names emblazoned in history's grand tome,

Heroes of D-Day, forever etched in stone.

They turned the tide of war, with might and grace,

And laid the foundation for a brighter space.

For in the depths of conflict's darkest hour,

They fought for what was right, with steadfast power.

Their sacrifice, a legacy to behold,

A triumph over darkness, a story yet untold.

So let us remember, as the years pass by,

The valor and the heroism under that wartime sky.

D-Day's dawn, a beacon in history's night,

A testament to courage, a fight for what's right.