#pentecost incident

[a-queer-seminarian]

big ol' worry dump, i promise i'll post something rebloggable soon but i'm still processing everything and have not had time to write it coherently! cw queerphobia from the pulpit, church hurt, verbal violence, and brief csa mention (not a specific case)

SO. for anyone not keeping up, this past Sunday i visited my childhood church in ohio, and was devastated when near the end of his homily (Catholic word for sermon haha) my childhood pastor suddenly switched from celebrating the Spirit who bursts through closed doors to proclaiming that The Church Is Under Attack from people like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. :/

After he finished and sat down, i stood up and got behind the lectern/pulpit to remind him and everyone in the room that queer and trans people have the Holy Spirit too, because his words implied otherwise. And i could not risk that any other person there felt suddenly and utterly alone — i had to make sure they knew that not everyone agreed with our priest's message.

(Here's a place you can watch a clip of the homily — obviously mega content warning for homophobia, please keep yourself safe and remember you are loved!! — as well as my response)

Not long into speaking, I was escorted peacefully out of the building. Two parishioners followed and found me outside, and thanked me for what i said. They were very sweet <3

As we were talking, another parishioner stormed out and got very, very verbally violent. It was scary shit.

Other parishioners eventually came out and led Scary Man away, thankfully. The church's other, younger & newer priest, Father Jim, also came out to apologize profusely to us. Then i went home. My wife and i flew home to Georgia the next morning.

____

and...stuff keeps happening.

i did not expect this to make the news, but it did. the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on it, and so have other papers across the country.

an officer called me to ask if i wanted to press charges on Scary Man. I don't, because i'm just not convinced the results would be helpful to actually stopping him from doing what he did again.

if anyone has resources or someone smart i could talk to for advice on alternatives to cops & court for a situation like this, please hit me up!!!

after agreeing to an interview with the Plain Dealer reporter, which used my first and last name, folks have been finding me on social media to offer their support, which actually has been so uplifting and i plan to post some of the messages later!

my parents are proud of me and support me BUT my mom is worried sick that someone is going to, like, find out where i live and come attack me. i'd be more worried that they find out who my parents are and go attack them, tbh.

i've had more sudden spikes of adrenaline in the past five days than i have in the past like, 2 years lol

i've also talked with more different individuals on the phone in the past five days than i had over the rest of 2023 so far

i was scrolling through twitter last night and randomly came across a tweet featuring a TikTok of a cut-down version of my priest's homily + my response...i really don't like what parts they cut out, or what they titled it. and it's got over a million views. :OOO

there's a lot of confusion in the replies — people who don't realize i'm a former parishioner, not an active one; people not knowing how to gender me which is fine but it's, you know, getting a little grating; and of course, people resorting to saying Father Tim must be "closeted gay" or otherwise have a Sinister Secret himself to say what he said...I hate that kind of rhetoric.

Not every person who spouts homophobia is secretly gay. The Biggest Homophobes are usually, shockingly, straight.

And flippantly suggesting that anyone, even a Catholic priest, is a pedophile without facts to back that accusation up only serves to harm csa victims — because then when there really is a case that needs to be pursued, people may not take it seriously.

one big thing that's bothering me about how everyone on every side of the debate is interpreting Father Tim's homily is they are focusing mostly on his condemnation of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — and while I certainly oppose what he said about them, it's actually the first half of his message that scared me more: the stuff about the church being under attack and how Christians must defend it. He ended with a vague reminder to do so "peacefully," without any examples about how that's even done. And obviously, Scary Man didn't absorb that part of the message.

sigh. i was really hoping that agreeing to an interview with the plain dealer reporter who wrote the first article would give me a chance to explain why i felt i had to interrupt Mass, but unfortunately they didn't include those quotes. i'm really disappointed.

that article's title also says "attendee fired back," using exactly the kind of violence-coded language that I had a problem with in F. Tim's homily. So that's really unfortunate.

which is why i want to write up my perspective. i did send a long ass email to father tim the other night explaining what i did, why his message was hurtful AND fueled his parishioner's violence, and asking if we could talk about alternative ways to hold Scary Man accountable beyond the law. he hasn't responded yet.

anyway. yeah. it's been. a lot. good vibes and prayers are so very appreciated! and seriously, if anyone has resources about alternatives to legal action when we're dealing with someone who got very verbally violent and physically aggressive, i'd love some help figuring out what to do. also any thoughts about like, keeping myself safe? yeah

Anyway, gonna end with the affirmation that God made us Good; human diversity is what it looks like to be in the image of an Infinite creator; and queerness is a holy gift that the Body of Christ can't do without!!

Amen and amen.

[thetrickstersdaughter]

Funniest thing, when my mama confronted my Granny about everything, I distinctly remember her yelling, “I didn’t get knocked up by a god that doesn’t exist Ma!”

🚨 ‼️ Jesus Camp Documentary ‼️🚨

[queenlua]

ugh religion/politics venting

* today i read the latest in the depressingly long series of incidents in the saga of, "the Southern Baptist Convention simping for the goddamn child molesters/enablers in their own church." i know i'm phrasing that in the maximally inflammatory way; i don't care. it's not like there's a whole fucking gross awful history here or anything

anyway i have felt bizarrely emotional about it, for someone who left that church over a decade ago and has no strong attachment to it otherwise. i guess it's like, i read that article and thought to myself "jfc, where are people even going nowadays, like, if your church's senior leadership sucks that much you gotta leave, right." and i was sort of tempted to call up some of my old church-y friends and ask "ok where are you going now," but... (1) hahaha a lot of my church-y friends left all churches whatsoever a long time ago, and (2) the ones who remain, like, i'm not close enough to them to ask, right? if i called them and randomly asked them intrusive questions about their Religious Organization Feelings, they would peg me as the obnoxious chick who left to go become a coastal liberal elite and now is being a dick to them. and i mean i wouldn't be trying to be a dick but i would be being awfully nosy and presumptuous, right

anyway, my wondering about that sent me down a whole rabbithole of "which congregations are actually growing in the US nowadays anyway," and while it's gratifying to see that the SBC shrinking, i don't exactly love the growth of pentecostalism in its place, right, seeing as "pentecostal brainworms" is at least partially responsible for like 50% of my trans friends getting kicked to the fucking curb by their parents the second they Deviated From The Script. so, y'know, fuck that

i did learn that the "free will baptist" denomination skews surprisingly young and, wow, what a kickass name for a denomination. i know nothing else about them but i hope they're as cool as the image in my head

...anyway, all that idle research didn't really do much to assuage how fucking weirdly furious i am over the SBC. like, i sincerely think the SBC mostly sucks and hasn't been redeemable pretty much ever, but it was also a cultural juggernaut in my youth, and one sort of hopes one's cultural juggernauts might find some way to reform into something humane, or at least fade away with grace. it's somehow secondhand humiliating and depressing to see it devolve into what i knew was always there at its core: gross old men power-tripping and protecting their own and never never never coming down on the side of anything that felt good and right in my heart of hearts

* unrelated but since i'm being unvirtuous and Politicsing On Main anyway:

every goddamn thing i've read out of netanyahu's mouth makes me want to punch his stupid face in until his skin is paste and the paste is mush and the mush is fine little bits of organic matter to feed the soil. and still the dude will not have suffered enough. not to be former-southern-baptist or anything but: i hope keeping your precious status & deliberately inflaming the most brainpoisoned rightoids in your nation & all that other shit is worth the fires of hell that await you after buddy!!!!

i don't have a Sophisticated Take on the israel/gaza stuff, but. at the end of the day i have cultivated a caveman's sense of morality, as a reaction to my tendency to over-intellectualize, and that caveman's sense of morality imo has served me pretty well, for instance: when The Big Guy is beating the everloving shit out of The Small Guy, the thing that is happening is fucked and i don't care who started it, it's gotta stop well before, i dunno, "bombing the shit out of a bunch of kids" for fucking starters. this works for an awful lot of Big Guy vs Small Guy scenarios. try it sometime

(i hate that i even remotely feel the urge to caveat it this way but to be clear: bibi & his homicidal campaign != judaism. judsaism rules, antisemitism is bullshit. but no more fucking more kids dying in a stupid campaign, ceasefirenow etc)

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

Jonestown Massacre

The Jonestown massacre was, before 9/11, the largest single incident of intentional civilian death in American history. More than 900 people died, many children. It was also a devastating cultural trauma: the end of the last strains of a certain kind of 1960s idealism and 1970s radicalism. Jonestown’s legacy lives on in the ironic phrase “drink the Kool-Aid”. (In actuality it was Fla-Vor-Aid.)

Although he would later become a symbol of the darker side of the west coast counterculture, Jim Jones was born to a poor family in Indiana. Described as an intelligent and strange child, Jones was instinctively attracted to religion, especially charismatic Christian traditions like Pentecostalism. He cut his teeth as a street preacher, and was, unusually for the time and place, a passionate advocate for racial equality. Jones’s idiosyncratic blend of evangelical Christianity, New Age spirituality and radical social justice attracted an enthusiastic following. He called his burgeoning church the Peoples Temple.

Although Jones’s followers would later be stereotyped as sinister, brainwashed idiots, the journalist Tim Reiterman argues in his seminal book on the subject that many were “decent, hardworking, socially conscious people, some highly educated”, who “wanted to help their fellow man and serve God, not embrace a self-proclaimed deity on earth”. The Peoples Temple advocated socialism and communitarian living and was racially integrated to an exceptional standard rarely matched since.

In 1965, when Jones was in his mid-30s, he ordered the Peoples Temple moved to California. He drifted away from traditional Christian teachings, describing himself in messianic terms and claiming he was the reincarnation of figures like Christ and Buddha. He also claimed that his goal all along was communism, and, in a twist on the famous dictum that religion is the “opiate of the masses”, that religion was merely his way of making Marxism more palatable.

By the 1970s, the Peoples Temple, now based in San Francisco, had gained significant political influence. Jones’s fierce advocacy for the downtrodden earned him the admiration of left-wing icons like Angela Davis and Harvey Milk and the support of groups like the Black Panthers – a tragically misguided political affinity, given that more than two-thirds of Jonestown’s eventual victims were African American.

There were signs, however, of a sinister undercurrent to the Peoples Temple. Followers were expected to devote themselves completely to the church’s utopian project: they turned over their personal wealth, worked long hours of unpaid labor for the church and often broke contact with their families. They were expected to raise their children within the commune. As a show of commitment, Peoples Temple members were asked to sign false testimonials that they had molested their children, which the church kept for potential blackmail.

In his 1980 study of Jonestown, the writer Shiva Naipaul, younger brother of VS Naipaul, argued that the Peoples Temple was at heart a fundamentalist religious project – “obsessed with sin and images of apocalyptic destruction, authoritarian in its innermost impulses, instinctively thinking in terms of the saved and the damned”.

The result, Naipaul wrote, “was neither racial justice nor socialism but a messianic parody of both”.

Jones, who had long believed the US was in danger of imminent nuclear holocaust, had been searching for a place where his church would be “safe” during an apocalyptic event. A magazine article alleging abuse in the Peoples Temple spurred Jones’s desire to relocate. He chose Guyana, a former British colony in South America whose socialist regime was politically sympathetic.

In 1977 the Peoples Temple moved its headquarters to a remote area of Guyanese wilderness. Here, Jones declared, they could build a utopian society without government or media meddling. Battling an oppressive tropical climate and limited resources, they began to convert the dense jungle into a working agricultural commune, soon known as “Jonestown”.

The church delivered Jones’s rambling monologues to Jonestown’s inhabitants by megaphone as they worked. In the evenings they attended mandatory propaganda classes. Jones’s writ was enforced by armed guards called the “Red Brigade”.

Jonestown had little reason to expect interference from Guyana – a “cooperative republic” whose government happily ignored signs of the cult’s authoritarian and paranoid bent. Back in the US, however, parents of Jonestown inhabitants – concerned by the strange letters, or lack of letters, they received from their children – had been lobbying the government to investigate. After a family in the US won a custody order for a child in Jonestown, paranoia escalated. The commune became an armed camp, ringed by volunteers with guns and machetes, threatening to fight outsiders to the death.

During the siege, Black Panthers Huey Newton and Angela Davis spoke to Jonestown inhabitants by radio patch to voice solidarity. Davis told Jonestown inhabitants that they were at the vanguard of revolution, and right to resist what she called “a profound conspiracy” against them.

Sometime during this period Jonestown began drills called “white nights”, in which inhabitants would practice committing mass suicide.

At the behest of concerned family members in the US, the California congressman Leo Ryan organized a delegation of journalists and others to make a fact-finding mission to Jonestown.

The delegation arrived at Jonestown on 17 November 1978 and received a civil audience from Jones, but the visit was hastily called short on 18 November after a member of the commune tried to stab Ryan. The delegation headed back to the airstrip, accompanied by a dozen Jonestown inhabitants who had asked to leave the commune, and escorted by Jones’s watchful deputies.

The delegates never made it off the ground. As they boarded the planes, their escorts drew guns and opened fire. They shot Ryan dead, combing his body with bullets to make certain, and killed four others – including two photographers who captured footage of the attack before dying. Wounded survivors ran or dragged themselves, bleeding, into the forest. (One of Ryan’s aides, Jackie Speier, survived five gunshots and is now a congresswoman representing California’s 14th district.)

Back at Jonestown, Jones announced that it was time to undertake the final “white night”. To quell disagreement, he told inhabitants that Congressman Ryan had already been murdered, sealing the commune’s fate and making “revolutionary suicide” the only possible outcome.

The people of Jonestown, some acceptant and serene, others probably coerced, queued to receive cups of cyanide punch and syringes. The children – more than 300 – were poisoned first, and can be heard crying and wailing on the commune’s own audio tapes, later recovered by the FBI.

When Guyanese troops reached Jonestown the next morning, they discovered an eerie, silent vista, frozen in time and littered with bodies. A tiny number of survivors, mainly people who had hidden during the poisoning, emerged. One elderly woman, who slept through the entire ordeal, awoke to discover everyone dead. Jones was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot.

[dailyunsolvedmysteries-movedd]

Jonestown Massacre

The Jonestown massacre was, before 9/11, the largest single incident of intentional civilian death in American history. More than 900 people died, many children. It was also a devastating cultural trauma: the end of the last strains of a certain kind of 1960s idealism and 1970s radicalism. Jonestown’s legacy lives on in the ironic phrase “drink the Kool-Aid”. (In actuality it was Fla-Vor-Aid.)

Although he would later become a symbol of the darker side of the west coast counterculture, Jim Jones was born to a poor family in Indiana. Described as an intelligent and strange child, Jones was instinctively attracted to religion, especially charismatic Christian traditions like Pentecostalism. He cut his teeth as a street preacher, and was, unusually for the time and place, a passionate advocate for racial equality. Jones’s idiosyncratic blend of evangelical Christianity, New Age spirituality and radical social justice attracted an enthusiastic following. He called his burgeoning church the Peoples Temple.

Although Jones’s followers would later be stereotyped as sinister, brainwashed idiots, the journalist Tim Reiterman argues in his seminal book on the subject that many were “decent, hardworking, socially conscious people, some highly educated”, who “wanted to help their fellow man and serve God, not embrace a self-proclaimed deity on earth”. The Peoples Temple advocated socialism and communitarian living and was racially integrated to an exceptional standard rarely matched since.

In 1965, when Jones was in his mid-30s, he ordered the Peoples Temple moved to California. He drifted away from traditional Christian teachings, describing himself in messianic terms and claiming he was the reincarnation of figures like Christ and Buddha. He also claimed that his goal all along was communism, and, in a twist on the famous dictum that religion is the “opiate of the masses”, that religion was merely his way of making Marxism more palatable.

By the 1970s, the Peoples Temple, now based in San Francisco, had gained significant political influence. Jones’s fierce advocacy for the downtrodden earned him the admiration of left-wing icons like Angela Davis and Harvey Milk and the support of groups like the Black Panthers – a tragically misguided political affinity, given that more than two-thirds of Jonestown’s eventual victims were African American.

There were signs, however, of a sinister undercurrent to the Peoples Temple. Followers were expected to devote themselves completely to the church’s utopian project: they turned over their personal wealth, worked long hours of unpaid labor for the church and often broke contact with their families. They were expected to raise their children within the commune. As a show of commitment, Peoples Temple members were asked to sign false testimonials that they had molested their children, which the church kept for potential blackmail.

In his 1980 study of Jonestown, the writer Shiva Naipaul, younger brother of VS Naipaul, argued that the Peoples Temple was at heart a fundamentalist religious project – “obsessed with sin and images of apocalyptic destruction, authoritarian in its innermost impulses, instinctively thinking in terms of the saved and the damned”.

The result, Naipaul wrote, “was neither racial justice nor socialism but a messianic parody of both”.

Jones, who had long believed the US was in danger of imminent nuclear holocaust, had been searching for a place where his church would be “safe” during an apocalyptic event. A magazine article alleging abuse in the Peoples Temple spurred Jones’s desire to relocate. He chose Guyana, a former British colony in South America whose socialist regime was politically sympathetic.

In 1977 the Peoples Temple moved its headquarters to a remote area of Guyanese wilderness. Here, Jones declared, they could build a utopian society without government or media meddling. Battling an oppressive tropical climate and limited resources, they began to convert the dense jungle into a working agricultural commune, soon known as “Jonestown”.

The church delivered Jones’s rambling monologues to Jonestown’s inhabitants by megaphone as they worked. In the evenings they attended mandatory propaganda classes. Jones’s writ was enforced by armed guards called the “Red Brigade”.

Jonestown had little reason to expect interference from Guyana – a “cooperative republic” whose government happily ignored signs of the cult’s authoritarian and paranoid bent. Back in the US, however, parents of Jonestown inhabitants – concerned by the strange letters, or lack of letters, they received from their children – had been lobbying the government to investigate. After a family in the US won a custody order for a child in Jonestown, paranoia escalated. The commune became an armed camp, ringed by volunteers with guns and machetes, threatening to fight outsiders to the death.

During the siege, Black Panthers Huey Newton and Angela Davis spoke to Jonestown inhabitants by radio patch to voice solidarity. Davis told Jonestown inhabitants that they were at the vanguard of revolution, and right to resist what she called “a profound conspiracy” against them.

Sometime during this period Jonestown began drills called “white nights”, in which inhabitants would practice committing mass suicide.

At the behest of concerned family members in the US, the California congressman Leo Ryan organized a delegation of journalists and others to make a fact-finding mission to Jonestown.

The delegation arrived at Jonestown on 17 November 1978 and received a civil audience from Jones, but the visit was hastily called short on 18 November after a member of the commune tried to stab Ryan. The delegation headed back to the airstrip, accompanied by a dozen Jonestown inhabitants who had asked to leave the commune, and escorted by Jones’s watchful deputies.

The delegates never made it off the ground. As they boarded the planes, their escorts drew guns and opened fire. They shot Ryan dead, combing his body with bullets to make certain, and killed four others – including two photographers who captured footage of the attack before dying. Wounded survivors ran or dragged themselves, bleeding, into the forest. (One of Ryan’s aides, Jackie Speier, survived five gunshots and is now a congresswoman representing California’s 14th district.)

Back at Jonestown, Jones announced that it was time to undertake the final “white night”. To quell disagreement, he told inhabitants that Congressman Ryan had already been murdered, sealing the commune’s fate and making “revolutionary suicide” the only possible outcome.

The people of Jonestown, some acceptant and serene, others probably coerced, queued to receive cups of cyanide punch and syringes. The children – more than 300 – were poisoned first, and can be heard crying and wailing on the commune’s own audio tapes, later recovered by the FBI.

When Guyanese troops reached Jonestown the next morning, they discovered an eerie, silent vista, frozen in time and littered with bodies. A tiny number of survivors, mainly people who had hidden during the poisoning, emerged. One elderly woman, who slept through the entire ordeal, awoke to discover everyone dead. Jones was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot.

[peppermintquartz]

Don't mind me I'm just imagining an AU of Stacker Pentecost and Hercules Hansen being awkward single dads who meet at their children's graduation from college and think "oh no he's hot"

So in this AU Mako and Chuck (exchange student who decided to stay on) are friendly rivals, the dynamic going from friend to rival depending on the term.

Raleigh is another school's student (he dropped out for three years due to depression and physical injury from a drunk driving incident that killed his brother Yancy but came back to complete his degree).

Herc is a professor whose specialty is in old growth forests; Stacker is military, well-known and decorated enough that he has quite a lot of influence. Through Mako and Chuck they get to know each other, and both dads had to intervene when Chuck and Raleigh get into a scuffle when Chuck insinuated that Mako used her connection to Pentecost to get better postings for her internship.

After all that nonsense the young people end up going off to party on their own while the two dads decide to have a drink at the hotel bar. One drink turns to two turns to eight, and then they're upstairs in Pentecost's suite on his bed really getting to know each other

Cue Mako's horror when she gets back the next morning having spent the night outside with the guys and a bunch of friends they pick up along the way (Tendo is the only sober person; three brothers in the basketball team and two doctors from the science faculty were dragged into the festivities last evening, culminating in drinking contest in a bar run by a Russian couple)

Anyway she enters the suite to see Stacker and Herc both shirtless and for Herc pantsless (he's wrapped a towel around his hips) happily chatting over their room service breakfast

Mako calls Chuck, who screeches when he come inside the suite, and starts shouting stuff about his dead mom etc, a rant which Hercules stops by kissing Stacker full on the mouth.

It's all very romantic

[hermannsprecursors]

Hey guys I'm insane (makes a Pacific Rim/Star Trek au with a full story that I can explain and character designs that feature my interpretations/redesigns of canon Star Trek alien races)

This is a long post. Because I have over thought this. Oops

Anyways let me show you guys some stuuuuuff :)

First of course is the Becket brothers. Well, Ch'borliath brothers in this world, I guess, since Raleigh and Yancy are Andorians. I don't know, I just thought the race fit them.

Andorians are more accustomed to dark spaces, and live in a low-oxygen space, causing them to have a lower body temperature. That, mixed with the chemical compounds in their bodies, makes their skin blue, which then reflects onto the thin layer of fur they have. Each family has a specific fur pattern, so if I were to compare these two to two different Andorians, they wouldn't look the same at all :). Andorians have a concentration of sulfur in their blood, which makes it appear black, as well as making it highly flammable. There have been cases of Andorians lighting their hands on fire after cutting them to wield the flame. Also, they have poor eyesight but aren't blind, so their antennae are sort of like feelers. It's like having extra eyes. Their tails tend to act in a similar fashion. Despite their physical challenges, Andorians tend to act almost lion-like in nature, being passive but territorial, going so far as to have genuinely developed a deep roar when frustrated, or to stake a claim over something.

Also WOAH YANCY ISN'T DEAD! They were raised by a Starfleet family, and preferred human nicknames over their proper given names, which is why they go by Yancy and Raleigh. Raleigh is extra protective over his brother, especially considering the incident that occurred (andyes. I will get to the incident), which can cause some issues, since Yancy is literally a security officer, and needs to be able to be self sufficient. But they're attached at the hip. It works well, considering their small space, at least!

Second, Captain Pentecost and his chief of security, Commander Mori.

Romulans have thin skin, causing one to see lines of green, their blood appearing through the skin, across their bodies in the light. These are often referred to as "sun lines", since they are only visible in the light. Romulans also have two pairs of eyelids, a flatter nose, and sharper ears than their cousin species, Vulcans. Their weird posture comes from the fact that full-blood Romulans, as well as Vulcans, have higher ankles, like the legs of a dog. Due to chemical compounds in their blood vessels, when oxygenized, Romulan blood turns acidic. It takes up to 2 weeks for the reaction to stop.

Mori was a young Romulan whom he ended up saving during Romulus' destruction, and has since taken care of as if she were his own daughter. Of course, she joined Starfleet of her own accord, but Pentecost requested that she be stationed with him. They've served together ever since, and it looks like they will be serving together for a long time after. Recently, Mori has taken a liking to Pentecost's new second in command, who she has drinks with every Friday night, after they engage together in combat training (Raleigh insisted upon it, as he, upon first meeting her, said he's never met, nor fought, a Romulan before. That was ten minutes before she nearly knocked him out) Pentecost is just glad she's making friends. He thinks she'll need them, considering how precarious the current situation is turning to be.

Ah yes, the two we all were waiting for. Hermann and Newt. They've become my favorite half Vulcan and ex-Borg.

Vulcans, like their cousin species Romulans, have digitigrade legs. That trait, however, gets lost in human genus, so half Vulcans, like Hermann, and half Romulans don't have that. Their blood is copper based, which makes it appear green. Vulcans also have thinner skin, but it appears in more of a radiant glow than it does in distinct lines like it does on their Romulan cousins. Vulcans have developed almost feline features, including their eyes, pads on their fingertips and on their feet, and exceptional strength, especially in their legs. Due to their thin skin, they scar more easily. I don't have much to say about the Borg, but honestly, who does?

The two met in the academy, Newton taking an immediate interest in Hermann being half-Vulcan, since Newton was raised in a sheltered family where seeing aliens wasn't exactly common. Hermann, however, had hardly any information to give him, as he was raised surrounded by humans as well, and knew little of his Vulcan culture. They eventually split apart, though still communicated occasionally, be it through letters or through chats on rare occasions where their paths crossed, until being assigned together to the same station only weeks before service was discontinued there. Hermann's been particularly anxious as of lately, considering what happened to Newt. Newt has no idea why, but the voices in his head are telling him not to worry about it.

And then there's these three. Faithful comms officer, Lt. Choi, Pentecost's retired second in command, Hercules Hansen, and his son, Chuck. Herc is the only human (loser), while his son is half Bajoran and Choi is Betazoid.

Bajorans are, as best described to humans, deerlike in nature. They're an agile race, with thin builds, but they tire easily. Their facial features are flatter, while still being slightly exaggerated (full-blooded Bajorans have big, almost doe-like eyes and digitigrade legs, improving their eyesight and agility, after adapting to being hunted for centuries). They also have better hearing than most races. The markings on their skin are unique to each Bajoran, but their are common patterns. Religious families and sects tend to have more similar patterns to one another than an average citizen would. These marking are less prominent, but still present, in half Bajorans.

Betazoids, on the other hand, are mothlike in nature. The antennae on their head act in part as feelers due to poor eyesight, but also emotional feelers. They pick up a person's emotions like wavelengths and reflect that physically. In neutrality, a Betazoid's eyes are white, however, if they were to pick up a wave of joy, their eyes would turn yellow for as long as that wave resonates within them like sound resonates in a guitar. Due to their bug-like physiology, they're more drawn toward lights. The pads of their fingers have glands beneath them that develop an adhesive, slightly toxic substance for reasons still unknown.

Yeah these guys are just kind of there I'm still figuring out how they line up in the grand scope of things.

Doodle as a page break for STORY TIME

Starfleet needed to cut down on resource distribution. They shut down 13 stations throughout the the outer edges of the Beta quadrant, hoping to save resources, and potentially have less outreach for danger.

The deep space station Shatterdome had just received its newest arrivals from Starfleet. Unfortunately, their comms haven't been receiving any signals from the Alpha quadrant for four years, so they have no idea that they've been completely isolated from their home.

The Shatterdome is now a station lost in space, with all of its inhabitants stuck for the foreseeable future, considering they hardly have any transports, and what they do have couldn't possibly make the trip back to Earth. What is also unfortunate for them is the fact that they border Borg ship hubs on several sides, and stations are... well, stationary. They can't call for backup, due to the cutbacks, there are no longer any ships running missions through their part of the Beta Quadrant, and if they're wiped out, there's hardly anything stopping the Borg from launching an all-out attack on Earth. Suddenly, Raleigh and Yancy have been thrown onto the last stand between life and potential assimilation.

I can't believe I created an entire au and STORY to go with it on a whim. Anyways let me know if you guys want like comics/more art/minifics of it because I know there's a Star Trek fandom in the pacific rim fandom. Yall are out there right????

[jedi-kat-18]

ANOTHER: can you expand on the thought Stacker wanted his kids away from the front lines? Because Jake was going to be a jaeger pilot, was already training with his co-pilot, which is further than mako went. Do you think Jake's story about Stacker saying he didn't deserve to be in a jaeger is in character? Cuz I always thought, seeing how he told Mako that *he* was the one at fault for putting her in a jaeger, it was an ooc thing to say but I'd love to hear how u interpret it?

I'll be honest, I Do Not Vibe with that part of Uprising. I agree with you that it seems out of character for Stacker, so I have a different idea for what went down, and why Jake left the PPDC. Pentecost may not have been eager for his kids to join the fighting, but they both really, really, really wanted to be Jaeger pilots. So he let them join the Academy. Their training went well, for the most part. They were a great team, and everybody was sure they'd be full Jaeger pilots in no time. And then came their first Drift. It went bad. Really bad. Mako chased the RABIT, Jake tried to pilot the Jaeger without her, and they both had to be pulled out of the Drift. After the incident, Mako tried even harder to prove herself, but Jake decided he never wanted to get in a Jaeger again and quit the PPDC<

[voidselfshipp]

Cartoons and family reunions

Cw: Chuck has a bad relationshipp with his dad, not bad bad, they dont know how to communicate (And both are emotionally constipated)

Summary: Chuck and Herc mend their relationshipp a little bit thanks to cartoons.

A/n: this idea was based off a post made by @/Christian-latte-anon.

Taglist: @tex-treasures @malewifepatrickbateman @mercuryships

Chuck was returning from a long day of working on striker eureka, tired, sweaty and mildly cranky he walks towards his girlfriend's room.

"As soon as I get to her room ill greet her...give her a kiss...shower and cu-- what the hell?" From outside her room, he could hear a voice with an ustralian accent "dad?" Chuck thought "no. Its too high pitched to be his..."

He opened the door carefully and found his girlfriend curled up with Ice cream watching a cartoon on her laptop

He chuckles and leans on the doorframe with his elbow, one hand on his hip-- 'Ello luv, what're ya watchin'

Jerico turns to him and smiles-- hey handsome, im watching a cartoon of australian dogs

--Aussie dogs? Now im interested-- he said closing the door behind him-- excuse me -- he sits besides her and leans in.

--Chuck! You smell like oil and sweat! Go shower!-- jeri whined pushing him away a little.

--Oi! This is a kiddies cartoon-- Chuck had heard about it what was the name of the show-- seems famliar..bunley? Buley?

--Bluey, Chuck

--Ah right, Bluey-- he agreed-- I have no issue with you watchin' em, they arent my cup of tea

--im not gonna stop watching them, just so you know, go shower-- she cupped his cheeks and kissed him briefly.

He kissed back, a tired smile on his face-- you always know what I need, dontcha

She giggles, kissing his forehead-- cmon, go shower

--Yes ma'am

Chuck left for the shower, and once she heard him get in, she bundles up in her blankets and keeps watching the show.

Chuck could hear her giggle and laugh, besides cooing at the show. Maybe he could give it a chance. If only for her.

So, with a towel around his hips he lays down with her and steals a couple of bites of her Icecream-- how did you even get these past pentecost?

Jerico shrugged-- he likes strawberry icrecream

--The upstanding citizen pentecost acceptin' bribes? Talk about end of the world omens -- he joked.

He cuddled up besides her and watched the show.

Charkes had to admit, it was really cute, but he couldnt help but notice something

The main character, bluey, has a great relationshipp with her dad. It reminded him of the kind of relationshipp he wanted to have with his own dad.

He cleared his throat and Gently said-- can you turn it off? -- to then turn away.

Jerico closed the laptop and looked at him-- ey, everything okay? -- she asked putting a hand on his bicep.

--Its nothin' its just uh..-- he sighed-- the main character reminded me of somethin'

--You wanna talk about it?

He shakes his head and just lays ontop of her a little, her arms wrapping around his neck and her head ontop of his.

--maybe ill go for some fresh air..I dont want to interrupt yer marathon -- Chuck said quietly.

--its okay, Chuck -- jeri reassured him-- I can always watch it later

She held him tight,murmuring sweet things and pressing kisses to the top of his head until he felt better.

Now every time he was around she'd watch the show later, to avoid any more incidents Like that.

Chuck was defenetly done with the show, but the show with him? Not so much.

Pentecost announced him and his dad would be doing a VA Gig for funding, neither of them were going to argue with the marshall so off they went to Australia for a couple of days.

--The marshall refused to tell us what we are supposed to do-- Chuck told his dad on the airplane-- we couldnt bring jerico over either, what the hell is up with that?

--Apparently we are goin' to participate on a special for a kid cartoon-- his father explained-- Bluey I think its called?

--Bloody 'ell-- he muttered holding the bridge of his nose.

--Isnt that the show Jerico likes so much?-- herc asked.

--You know it?-- the younger hansen asks.

--yeah? Sort of? I watched a couple of episodes with Jer -- the older hansen admitted.

--How did you Sit through 'em?

--Ah theyre not that bad,son

Chuck only huffs and looks away. If there was something Chuck Hansen hated, was to experience emotions.

Once there, they are soon taken to the studio and the recording starts.

With some voice coaching lessons and various takes, they Get it done, they dont do a great job but its passable.

Both were given a copy of the episode and decided to watch it.

Chuck couldnt really stand it so after ten minutes he stood up-- I dont watch kiddie cartoons -- he growled,already heading for the door.

Herc finished watching it And ended up silently crying.

The Next day, Jerico was going to marathon the New Bluey special.

She felt incredibly excited, she had heard some famous people were going to be guest stars and she couldnt wait to see who were they.

For the first five minutes nothing seemed out of the ordinary, then three bulldogs appeared, the father was named Herc, the oldest son Chuck and the youngest was Max.

Jerico had to do a double take when she heard Hercules' voice. How come they didnt tell her they were in the show? Maybe they wanted to Keep it a surprise?

the special was about how the oldest of the two kids joined the military, following in the steps of his dad, and making him very proud.

Jerico could now understand why Chuck hadnt mentioned anything to her.

"Mum and Daddy have eachother! Do you have someone like they do?" Bluey had asked dog Chuck.

"I do" Chuck had taken out his phone to show bluey, it was a picture of what seemed to be a female Manchester terrier, that oddly resembled jeri a lot" this is my girlfriend and shes the best, shes always lookin' out for me and my dad, shes always up to help me with anything...shes the greatest!" And jerico could tell when the Real life Chuck said it, he felt it with all his being.

The episode ended with a heartfelt speech about how the dad was proud of his son regardless of what he did with his life. Which had jerico shedding a couple of tears.

She closed the laptop and went to find her boyfriends, finding Chuck working on Striker Eureka with rock music Blasting at full volume.

She sneaked up behind him and tapped his shoulder-- fuck off-- he replied angrily.

--and who took a shit on your breakfast this morning?-- she teased.

The Man turns around the instant he recognizes the voice-- babe! Im so sorry I didnt mean it!

Jeri laughed playfully pushing him-- its fine

He hugged her waist pulling her closer --Well, now that you scared me, did something happen?

--Nothing, but I did wanna ask you something, nothing bad dont worry-- her arms hugged his hips and looked up to meet his beautiful green eyes-- I swear every time I see you you just get more and more beautiful

He chuckled--ah well im just trying to match your Beauty , watcha wanted to ask me?

She giggled and nuzzled his chest-- what I wanted to ask, you smooth fuck, was if you worked on the New Bluey special!

The color drains from his face and he looks away-- uhm..yeah...sorry I didnt tell you...ya know how I get

--Its alright!, it was a pleaseant surprise, you did miss my dumbfoded face

--Aww Man! What a shame-- he teased.

--But it was really cute!-- jeri reassured him-- two of my favorite things mixed toghether, you and my current favorite show

Chuck smiled and kissed her Gently, squeezing her a little.

--Will you come by so we can watch the special toghether? -- jeri asked-- I know how you feel about it but...its something worth sharing with your dad!, And its a good way of connecting with him.., ill be with you there for support

He sighed--...I.. alright, once im done with the repairs ill swing by

--Thank you Chuck.. I know its hard for you and I appreciate it-- she pressed a soft kiss to his lips and he kissed back.

-- its all worth it if its for you-- Chuck whispered, allowing himself to be vulnerable for once.

--That means a lot-- jeri mutters back-- any idea where your dad is?

--Neck deep in paperwork probably, check his room maybe?

She nodded and gave him a final quick kiss before leaving-- love you!-- she yelled as she left.

--love ya too-- he said under his breath with a small smile , waving at her.

Jerico soon reached herc's bedroom, knocking on the heavy metal door-- herc? Honey?can I come in?

--Come in!-- opened the door and let herself in, seeing herc hunched over some papers with a cup of coffee that has Turned cold a while ago.

--ey-- she said softly.

He looks up from his paperwork and smiles-- 'ello,what brings ya here?

--Wanted to ask somethings-- she replied closing the door, sitting on the edge of his desk-- I heard you on the New Bluey special, that made me really happy!

Hercules smiles and his cheeks turn a little bit pink-- ah right! I was going to tell you but then stacker gave me all this bloody paperwork and--

--Alright alright, before you get a stress ulcer- old man, how about I make you some coffee

--first, dont call me that, second youre a life saver-- he replied kissing her knuckles.

Her face feels warmer all of the sudden, but jerico cant help but laugh and kiss the top of his head-- and one more thing, Will you swing by in a couple of hours to watch the special with me and Chuck?

-- thought Chuck didnt like that show?

--He doesnt but hes doing it for me, and itd be really nice if you could come, I think its a good way of connecting with Chuck...

--Ill go, dont worry your pretty little head

--Thanks herc, I love you-- jeri says, kissing him briefly and grabbing the cold cup of coffee.

Before she leaves he grabs her by the wrist and playfully tugs her on his lap.

--Hey!-- jeri exclaims light heartedly.

--You call that a kiss? -- he teased, before kissing her again. This time it lasts a little bit longer, he holds her a little bit tighter, melting into her arms.-- if the kaijus dont do me in, this bloody paperwork sure Will

Jeri laughed, playfully slapping his bicep-- dont say that!

He let her go and smiled-- this paperwork is a nightmare

--Youll get through it-- she promised kissing the top of his head and ruffling his hair-- be right back

After a quick coffee run, jeri left to her room to get it all set up.

Comfy pillows, blankets and both of the hansen's favorite snacks.

After some hours they arrived, Chuck was visibly unconfortable but it eased up once he was in bed with some coffee and Lamingtons.

He leaned his head on hers and herc held jerico with his arms around her waist, Chuck held on her left arm with his free hand.

As the episode progressed, both hansens couldnt help but cringe a little bit, did they really do that bad of a job?.

But jerico didnt seem to mind,she was too busy giggling and smiling at the computer's screen. And for them it was worth sitting through it if that meant they'd see their lovely partner happy.

The episode ended, and herc had to look away, Chuck copying him

--Thanks for watching it with me!-- jeri squealed.

Chuck smiled and hugged her a bit tightly-- youre welcome, babe

--I know its difficult for you two to sit through it but I appreciate it, I love you both

--We love you too-- herc said kissing the top of her head, to then turn to Chuck as if to say "I also love you".

The younger hansen can only reply with an acknowledgement nodd.

--as much as I would love to stay here and cuddle-- the older hansen said-- I gotta get back to that awfull paperwork

-- ill make some tea-- Chuck piped up, to then remember hes a hardass and add-- I guess I could make some for you

--I could use a tea, thank you son

After saying goodbye, and kissing her, Jerico saw both hansens go out of her room, but not before Herc side hugged Chuck and whispered something to him.

Chuck froze but hugged back, still trying to Keep that hardass persona of his, and leave.

Both of them still had a long way to go, but eventually they would find one another, and best of all they didnt have to do it alone, jerico would make sure of it.

[shammah8]

You will notice that when Ananias came into that house he called the one-time enemy of the gospel “Brother Saul.” The Lord Jesus has sent Ananias to that house to put his hands upon this newly saved brother that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Y ou say, “But it does not say that he spoke in tongues.” We know that Paul did speak in tongues; that he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthians. In those early days they were so near the time of that first Pentecostal outpouring that they would never have been satisfied with anyone receiving the Baptism unless they received it according to the original pattern given on the Day of Pentecost. When Peter was relating what took place in the house of Cornelius at Caesarea he said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.”

Later, speaking of this incident, he said, “God, which knoweth the hearts, bear them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” And we know from the account of what took place at Cornelius’ household that when the Holy Ghost fell “they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” Many people think that God does make a difference between us and those at the beginning. But they have no Scripture for this. When anyone receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, there will assuredly be no difference between his experience today and that which was given on the Day of Pentecost. And I cannot believe that, when Saul was filled with the Holy Ghost the Lord made any difference in the experience that He gave him from the experience that He had given to Peter and the rest a short while before.d the rest a short while before.

It was about thirty-one years ago that a man came to me and said,It was about thirty-one years ago that a man came to me and said, “Wigglesworth, do you know what is happening in Sunderland? People are being baptized in the Holy Ghost exactly the same way as the disciples were on the Day of Pentecost.” I said, “I would like to go.” I immediately took train and went to Sunderland. I went to the meetings and said, “I want to hear these tongues.” I was told, “When you receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, you will speak in tongues.” I said, “I have the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.” One man said, “Brother, when I received the Baptism I spoke in tongues.” I said, “Let’s hear you.” He could not speak in tongues to order, he could only speak as the Spirit gave him utterance and so my curiosity was not satisfied.

I saw these people were very earnest and I became quite hungry. I was anxious to see this new manifestation of the Spirit and I would be questioning all the time and spoiling a lot of the meetings. One man said to me, “I am a missionary and I have come here to seek the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. I am waiting on the Lord, but you have come in and are spoiling everything with your questions.” I began to argue with him and our love became so hot that when we walked home he walked on one side of the road and I on the other.

That night there was to be a tarrying meeting and I purposed to go. I changed my clothes and left my key in the clothes I had taken off. As we came from the meeting in the middle of the night I found I did not have my key upon me and this missionary brother said, “Y ou will have to come and sleep with me.” But do you think we went to bed that night? Oh, no, we spent the night in prayer. We received a precious shower from above. The breakfast bell rang, but that was nothing to me. For four days I wanted nothing but God. If you only knew the unspeakably wonderful blessings of being filled with the Third Person of the Trinity, you would set aside everything else to tarry for this infilling.👏SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

[freebiblestudyhub]

Why Did Jesus Breathe on the Disciples?

The act of Jesus breathing on His disciples is a profound moment recorded in the Gospel of John. It carries deep theological significance and offers insight into the relationship between Jesus and His followers. This moment is often overlooked, yet it holds critical importance for understanding the nature of Jesus’ mission, the empowerment of the disciples, and the work of the Holy Spirit. In this article, we will explore the context, meaning, and implications of Jesus breathing on His disciples.

The Context of the Event

The incident occurs after the resurrection of Jesus. He appears to His disciples while they are gathered together in a locked room, fearful and uncertain about their future. The resurrection had changed everything, yet the disciples were still grappling with the implications of what had happened. Jesus, knowing their fears and doubts, comes to them and speaks words of peace. He reassures them and offers them a mission that would extend beyond their previous understanding.

In John 20:21-22, we read, “Again, Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” This moment is significant for several reasons. It marks the transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the ongoing work of the disciples. It also highlights the empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit, which is central to the mission of the church.

Understanding the Act of Breathing

Breath is a powerful symbol in Scripture. In Genesis, God breathed life into Adam, making him a living being. This act signified the intimate relationship between God and humanity. Similarly, when Jesus breathes on His disciples, He is imparting spiritual life and empowerment to them. The act signifies a transfer of authority and a new beginning for the disciples.

In biblical terms, breath often symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for spirit, “ruach,” means breath or wind. In the New Testament, the Greek word “pneuma” also means spirit and is closely associated with breath. By breathing on the disciples, Jesus was not only giving them a new mission but also filling them with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to carry out that mission.

The Significance of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of a believer. After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The act of breathing on the disciples is a prelude to the fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would occur at Pentecost (Acts 2). At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in a powerful way, enabling them to speak in different languages and boldly proclaim the gospel. This moment marked the birth of the church and empowered the disciples to spread the message of Jesus to all nations.

Empowerment for Ministry

When Jesus breathed on His disciples, He equipped them for the ministry ahead. The disciples were not merely followers; they were called to be leaders and proclaimers of the Good News. By receiving the Holy Spirit, they gained the necessary strength, wisdom, and courage to face the challenges of their mission.

The disciples had previously struggled with doubts and fears. They had abandoned Jesus during His crucifixion, yet in this moment, Jesus restores them. He breathes life into their ministry and assures them of His presence through the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not limited to the apostles; it extends to all believers. Every Christian is called to be a witness and share the love of Christ with others.

A New Creation

The act of breathing on the disciples signifies the beginning of a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” The disciples were transformed by their encounter with the risen Christ. They moved from being fearful and uncertain to being bold proclaimers of the gospel.

When Jesus breathed on them, He was initiating a new chapter in their lives. They were no longer just fishermen or tax collectors; they were now ambassadors of Christ. This transformation reflects the heart of the Christian faith—being made new in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that reflects His love and grace.

The Importance of Peace

Before breathing on the disciples, Jesus speaks the words, “Peace be with you.” This greeting is significant. The disciples were in a state of fear and confusion. They had witnessed the traumatic events of the crucifixion and were unsure of their future. Jesus offers them peace, a peace that transcends their circumstances.

In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The peace of Christ is not dependent on external factors but is rooted in His presence. When Jesus breathes on His disciples, He not only empowers them with the Holy Spirit but also fills them with His peace, preparing them for the mission ahead.

The Call to Forgiveness

Following the act of breathing on the disciples, Jesus gives them a significant command regarding forgiveness. In John 20:23, He says, “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This statement emphasizes the authority given to the disciples to declare forgiveness.

Forgiveness is central to the Christian message. Through Christ’s sacrifice, humanity is offered reconciliation with God. The disciples are called to extend this message of forgiveness to others. By receiving the Holy Spirit, they are empowered to carry out this ministry of reconciliation, urging others to embrace the forgiveness available through Christ.

The Implications for Believers Today

The act of Jesus breathing on the disciples has profound implications for Christians today. First, it reminds us of our identity in Christ. We are called to be witnesses and ambassadors of His love and grace. Just as the disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit, we too have access to the same power through our relationship with Christ.

Secondly, it underscores the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, and guide. He equips us for ministry and empowers us to live out our faith. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we can experience transformation and be effective witnesses for Christ.

Finally, the message of peace and forgiveness remains relevant. In a world filled with fear and uncertainty, believers are called to embody the peace of Christ. We are to extend forgiveness to others, reflecting the heart of God. The breathing of Jesus on His disciples serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Christ in our lives and the mission we are called to fulfill.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the act of Jesus breathing on His disciples is a moment rich with meaning and significance. It marks the transition from His earthly ministry to the empowering of the disciples for their mission. The breathing signifies the impartation of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to carry forth the message of Christ.

Through this act, Jesus offers peace, empowerment, and a call to forgiveness. It reminds us of our identity as followers of Christ and the authority we have to share the gospel. As we reflect on this moment, may we embrace our calling to be witnesses of His love, filled with His Spirit, and empowered to transform the world around us.

[a-queer-seminarian]

cw religious transphobia, Catholic trauma, plus a weird dream involving violence and bombs lol

had another of my dreams about my childhood church last night — probably prompted by the latest shitty Vatican publication condemning "gender theory" :/

...the document doesn't have much new in it, just more of the Roman Catholic Church's usual bullshit with slightly different language. but God i'd take fundamentalism's look-even-slightly-closer-and-it-falls-apart cognitive dissonance any day to the very carefully ordered logic of Catholic bigotry. i always feel physically ill reading through these Vatican documents because the language is so "loving" and "reasonable" — at least for me as someone who was raised into the Catholic logic system; some deep core of me resonates to this specific pitch and aches.

It's like they know exactly what language to use to shatter me — this time it's language about the Infinite Dignity of human beings, which is something i deeply believe in! It's heart-language for me. Tell me queer folk are "intrinsically disordered" or "demonic" and i can mostly scoff it off as outdated unscientific bullshit. But tell me queerness is on par with fucking WAR and POVERTY and XENOPHOBIA in attacking human dignity and that hurts.

...but they also, of course :/, bring in abortion — but also, in a surprising twist, surrogacy??? — as attacking human dignity, and that thankfully snaps me out of my spiral a little bit. Like seriously?? you think all forms of surrogacy violate the *checks notes* child's "right to have a fully human (and not artificially induced) origin..." and the recognition of "every dimension of the dignity of the conjugal union and of human procreation."

It reminds me that the Catholic condemnation of queer sex is like, one level in a house of cards where you take out one piece and it all collapses: the logic they follow to condemn queer sex and extramarital sex requires that they also condemn contraceptives, and priests getting married, and yes, surrogacy and IVF too. To become lax about any one would send the whole logic tower tumbling --

Okay now i'm just ranting incoherently lol. the dream:

my dream was actually kind of interesting? it's the first one where instead of me being scared about my own safety when suddenly finding myself back in my childhood church, i was scared for everyone else —

i was running home trying to escape some kind of violent attack unfolding in a city center (idk the details don't worry about it lol), and realized i had to cut through saint raphael for the fastest route home. so i entered, only to realize the sanctuary was packed full with people in the middle of Mass. (it's the old sanctuary, the one i grew up with, rather than the new bigger one built back in like 2014)

so i'm trying to slink behind the pews so they won't notice me -- and then i suddenly realize someone is up in the choir loft with a bomb. everyone is clueless except for me. i don't want to alert the person with the bomb that i've seen them in case it prompts them to attack, so i start speaking urgently to people in the pews nearest me. some listen, some tell me to shut up, Mass is more important than whatever danger i think is there. very few get up to hurry out the nearest exit. but i keep trying, going pew to pew to warn people, getting closer to the front.

and there is father tim, about to begin eucharistic liturgy at the altar. i'm about to race up to him, to warn him, to beg him to tell everyone to flee, when the person in the choir loft finally speaks. i don't remember what he says, but he hurls the bomb. finally everyone is running for the exits, but it's too late to get everyone out. they'd ignored the violence in their midst far too long.

i don't remember what happens after that except that i get out, get across the street, and turn back to look upon the crumbled mess of my childhood church, one side entirely exploded outward, people soot-streaked and bleeding hobbling from a smoking doorway, shouting.

idk, it just feels symbolic somehow. Catholics who are either very happy with the queerphobic poison the Roman Catholic Church espouses, or who at least shrug and ignore it so as not to rock the boat and cause discomfort / risk their own standing in the church, seem to think they won't be harmed by that poison too. Very "i didn't think the tigers would eat my face" meme-esque. They are happy to let it seep into every crack and crevice in their churches, to swallow it with their Communion wine, to spread it among their children.

But it is poisoning them, all the same. We are just the canaries in the coal mine, dropping first. The queerphobia, the misogyny, the scandals buried under the rug — these warp their ability to experience the Divine, to recognize God's activity in their midst.

The bomb is already activated. Some of them applaud it, almost worship it. Others ignore its quiet, patient tick. And they push out all the queers, all the survivors of church abuse, all the people with pregnancies that will literally kill them, who are desperately trying to help them shut off the damn bomb before it's too late.

[yhwhrulz]

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for October 25

Morning

“Declare His glory among the heathen.”

Psalms 96

The spread of the gospel among men of all nations had been the theme of sacred song in the days of the psalmist. We shall read two of the psalms which refer thereto.

Psalms 96:1

Not Israel only, as in the olden times, but all mankind.

Psalms 96:2 , Psalms 96:3

This was the business of Pentecost, and is the duty of all the saints at all times.

Psalms 96:5

idols or nothings

Psalms 96:8

Prayers and praises are to be presented by all mankind; the sacrifice of Jesus has ended all other offerings.

Psalms 96:11-13

The reign of Jesus ends oppression, war, and crime, hence it is the cause of joy to all mankind.

Psalms 97

Psalms 97:2

Our Lord’s birth was obscure, and his doctrine was to the world’s judgment mysterious as though wrapt in cloud; yet is it perfect holiness.

Psalms 97:3

The fire of his Spirit destroyed idols and false philosophies.

Psalms 97:4

The truth lit up the nations, and amazed all people.

Psalms 97:5

All difficulties vanished, all enemies were subdued, the gospel triumphed over all.

Psalms 97:6

Under the whole heaven the gospel was published: it was as well known as if written across the skies.

Psalms 97:11

Glad times are in store for us, the seed which shall produce them is already sown and will soon yield its harvest.

Psalms 97:12

Joy is the privilege and the duty of a Christian, and he cannot have too much of it if it be of the right kind. Never let us give way to repining, rather let our holy cheerfulness cause others to inquire, “Whence comes their happiness?”

All that remains for me

Is but to love and sing,

And wait until the angels come

To bear me to the King.

Evening

“God hath given him a name which is above every name.”

Acts 3:1-21

Acts 3:1-3

They were interrupted on their way to their devotions, but it was a blessed interruption, for in the end they themselves were able to worship all the more fervently, and another was added to the number of those who praised the Lord. May we have grace to turn every incident we meet with to good account for promoting the glory of God. A beggar’s cry would not annoy us if we were looking out for opportunities of doing good.

Acts 3:6

Oh, the power of that name! If we did but believe in it as Peter did, we also should bless poor sinners, and be enriched ourselves with something better than silver and gold.

Acts 3:8

His joy was too great for him to go at an ordinary pace. When souls are healed by grace they overflow with enthusiasm. If we remembered our obligations to the Lord Jesus for making us whole, we also should often tread his courts with rapture, and feel as if we must dance for joy.

Acts 3:13

He points them away from himself and John to the Lord Jesus. This is very different from those Popish priests who bid us look to saints, and even urge us to seek blessings from their poor sinful selves.

Acts 3:14 , Acts 3:15

He charges them with their sin. As the sharp needle makes way for the silken thread, so does conviction of sin prepare men for the glorious gospel.

Acts 3:16-18

See how he woos them, as a mother does her child, and interprets their wicked conduct as kindly as he can.

Acts 3:21

Jesus will come again to restore this fallen earth; till then he reigns above.

Copyright Statement This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".

[baga24]

The Crossroads Part 6

I continue to introduce you, dear readers, in text format to the speech of esteemed Egon Cholakian in his landmark video address “The Crossroads”.

So: “ESCALATION IN RUSSIA

A troubling trend of growing anti-Islamic sentiments is also being observed in Russia, where this process is likewise catalyzed by the forces of "global anti-cultism." The horrific terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22, carried out by individuals from Tajikistan, a Muslim-majority country, served as a catalyst for the tightening of immigration policies in Russia and a surge of xenophobic sentiments within Russian society. This event sparked a wave of negative attitudes towards Muslims and persecution by law enforcement agencies.

ESCALATION IN DAGESTAN

Particular attention should be paid to the incident in Dagestan, which occurred three months after the Crocus tragedy. On June 23, an important holiday for Orthodox Christians, that is to say Trinity Day or Pentecost—militants carried out attacks in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent. They set fire to churches and a synagogue, killing 22 people, including an Orthodox priest. 

The timing of the attack, on a significant Christian holiday, and the presence of deliberately left inscriptions pointing to ayats from the Quran at the crime scenes, all point to a targeted and intentional provocation to incite inter-religious strife and fuel hatred towards Islam. 

This provocation led to even harsher treatment of Muslims and migrants by Russian law enforcement and the introduction of stricter legislative measures. Consequently, security forces began conducting raids in mosques, including during Friday prayers, deeply offending Russian Muslims.

The provided examples of events, statements, and anti-Islamic provocations in Russia, Europe, and the USA are just part of the troubling trends observed worldwide. All these events should be seen as links in a chain aimed at creating the conditions for a more significant conflict—a civilizational war between Islam and the rest of the world. Another clear fact further indicates this.

Amid the escalation of interfaith tensions globally and the rise in anti-Islamic sentiments, we have observed in recent years the deliberate stimulation of migration flows from Muslim countries to Europe. At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive to the national security logic of the receiving countries. However, a deeper analysis of the geopolitical situation reveals that this is part of a larger plan. It is no coincidence that among the migrants from Muslim countries, there is a disproportionately high percentage of strong young men of working age, many of whom have military training. 

It is no coincidence that there is a deliberate lack of effective integration of these groups into European society. And it is no coincidence that there is a parallel rise in anti-Islamic sentiments in the host countries.

These factors collectively create the prerequisites for a large-scale civilizational conflict between the Islamic and non-Islamic worlds. In this conflict, Muslim migrants within the host countries will play a pivotal role. 

It is important to note that the migrants themselves may not currently be aware of their role in the potential conflict. Still, they will be mobilized under certain conditions. Currently, they represent a "sleeper force" that will be activated at a critical moment by those who originally conceived and planned this migration strategy - the very scriptwriters of this migration - global anti-cultism.”

## TO BE CONTINUED…

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[buggie-hagen]

Sermon for Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (7/14/24)

Primary Text | Mark 6:14-29

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Dear People of God,

             To put it mildly, things did not end well for St. John the Baptist. After being put in prison, he would end up with his head removed from his body and slapped on a platter. How did this come to be? John might still have his head fastened on his shoulders had he not ruffled some feathers. You see, John meddled with Herod’s personal life. King Herod didn’t think anything of it when he had married his brother’s wife. Her name was Herodias. King Herod knew he was king, so he thought to himself he can do whatever he wants. But, John the Baptist had the gumption to tell him it is not lawful for him to take his brother’s wife. They should not be together. But it was really his brother’s wife, also his wife, Herodias who had a problem with what John said, and she held a grudge against him. She tried to kill him for it, but she could not because Herod feared John the Baptist, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, so Herod protected John. However, as we shall hear, the moment Herodias could get John killed, she pounced at the opportunity. We have John’s headless body in a tomb. With all believers in Christ, he now awaits the resurrection where his head will be properly attached to his body, never to die again.

            This incident teaches us a few things. It tells us something about the institution of marriage. It is a divine institution. Meaning, marriage is not a human creation. It is not our plaything that we may do whatever we want with. With this regard, in the Small Catechism we have a brief explanation of the Sixth Commandment, it says, “You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We are to fear and love God, so that we lead pure and decent lives in word and deed, and each of us loves and honors his or her spouse” (SC 1:11-12). So marriage is God’s gift. Through it God gives us a person to love and be loved by. This stands in stark contrast to the common mindset of our day, where most think, “Surely, it is no one else’s business what I do with my relationships, especially in my sexual relationships. As long as there are consenting parties, that’s all that matters.” Turns out there is right and wrong that goes much deeper when it comes to relationships. Marriage, as God has put together, is a lifelong promise between two people. It is a divine gift. Whatever God unites in this way must not be separated. God fashioned marriage since the beginning of creation. When God created Adam he saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone. So, as it is said, God put him in a deep sleep and took a rib out of Adam—not a bare and dry rib bone alone, but one covered in the messiness of human flesh, and with it he created Eve. And when Adam awoke and saw Eve, he said, “Finally, someone who is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” And the two became one.

            In marrying King Herod in addition to already being married to his brother, Herodias had not honored her spouse. Nor did King Herod honor his brother or Herodias in marrying her. Now, in our minds, we might think, “It’s a little weird to marry your brother’s wife, but come on, brother John, it’s a private matter. No one should tell them they are wrong to do this, it’s between them and God.” But John the Baptist was obligated to tell the truth. God has two words. And in this case, God used the mouth of John to speak the word of the law—the word of judgment that condemns unrighteousness. (pause) There are times when we must speak up for the truth even when its unpopular. Even if we lose friends. Even if we create enemies by spekaing. Even if it means we lose the comforts of this life. Like the prophet Jeremiah, there will be times God calls you to speak and if you do not speak it will be like your bones are on fire until you do. The life of a Christian is not an easy life, dear people. I’m sure when John approached the king, someone who had power over him, that he found his body trembling, at least, most people would. To confront someone in their wrong is tough as it is, but especially if they have any sort of power over you. Then you must speak and trust God with your life and face the consequences, as John did. John ruffled Herodias’ feathers. And it would cost him his life. Head chopped and served on a platter.

            What is interesting in this Gospel lesson is that Herod did not initially have John killed for opposing him. He knew his brother’s wife, also his wife, wanted to murder John. And yet, out of fear of John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, Herod protected him. What John would say confused the heck out of him, but he kept on listening to the things John had to say. So when Herod heard of this Jesus guy going around with his disciples curing the sick and casting out demons and teaching in the synagogues he was afraid, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” You could tell he had a guilty conscious about killing John because he thought Jesus was actually John the Baptist. Maybe Herod thought that John had come back to haunt him or to get revenge. We are not told for sure. Here’s what we know about John. He was the last of the prophets before Jesus. John the Baptist is the bridge prophet between the Old and New Testaments—showing they are united in their witness of Jesus Christ as Son of God. John is actually Jesus’ cousin, six months older than Jesus. John would be the one to baptize Jesus. And John would make his ministry not about himself—but he would point to Jesus saying, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

That is also our ministry—shining the light on Jesus Christ. And ultimately, the ministry is not the work of our hands, but God speaking the gospel. Remember, God has two words within his word. We spoke of the first word of God—the law. That which condemns sin and judges unrighteousness. It is necessary that God gives this first word of the law, that condemns sin. This way we do not pretend we’re essentially good people and can go it on our own without any need of correction from others. But more importantly, the law is meant to take away any righteousness of our own. So you and I stand empty handed and must despair of our own rightness. Only then can you and I truly hear God’s other word within the word—that is the gospel. God’s comfort and consolation that our sin is forgiven in Jesus Christ. Dear people. You and I are not righteous. We are each of us rot got sinners. So, we are not better than anyone else. For example, we are not better than the people high on weed standing in line at the dispensary downtown. We are not better than the people sitting in the Warren County Correctional Center. We are not better than the homeless guy down the street. Your only boast is this, in Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven. You have this not because it is fair. Not because you proved yourself. You have it by grace alone, before the world began, before you had any opportunity to do good or bad. You have been made a child of God in holy baptism—cleansed and washed and given new life. Your hope in life and in death is not in your own goodness. Your hope is in Christ Jesus who in his good pleasure died and was raised for you.

[johnhardinsawyer]

More or Less

John Sawyer

Bedford Presbyterian Church

7 / 7 / 24 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost[1]

Mark 6:1-13

Psalm 123

“More or Less”

(When Less is More)

Years ago, some friends of mine and I went on a weekend backpacking trip.  We were hiking on the part of the Appalachian Trail that goes through Northern New Jersey (yes, the AT does go through New Jersey but, no, it does not pass any chemical plants, or Bruce Springsteen denim and bandana boutiques, or Jon Bon Jovi’s Singing School and Hair Salon).  Anyway, out in the wilds of New Jersey, we met several through-hikers – those intrepid people who commit to hiking the Appalachian Trail all the way from Georgia to Maine.  

On the last morning of our hiking weekend, we realized that we had packed waaaay too much food and we offered it to one of these through-hikers.  “No, thank you,” he said, politely, shaking his head.  “That stuff just weighs too much for me.”  I remember looking at this guy’s backpack and observing that it wasn’t anywhere close to full.  In fact, it looked only half-full of stuff.  Somewhere between Georgia and New Jersey, he had gotten rid of everything that he didn’t truly need.   

Whenever I read the story of Jesus’ first disciples and how Jesus instructs them to carry basically nothing with them, I think about that guy – and how swiftly he moved along the trail – hiking north – unencumbered by the weight of things. How could he go so far with so little? 

When it comes to certain things, if given a choice, I imagine that most people would tend to choose more over less – more money, more stuff, more activity, more power, more influence, more time. . . you get the idea.  But in today’s passage, we see Jesus telling his disciples that they can do – and will do – more with less.  

Now, before we get to that part of the story, we should probably look at a “more-or-less” incident that takes place in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth.  You might remember that last week – in the verses leading up to today’s passage – Jesus has been teaching and healing on both sides of the Sea of Galilee – spending time with both Jews and Gentiles.  He has been attracting crowds of people and word about him has spread. . . all the way to his hometown, Nazareth.

Nazareth is about a full-day’s hike up from the Sea of Galilee.  It’s an interesting place – kind of an out-of-the-way place that, according to one scholar, “did not participate in the major rhythms of Galilean commerce.”[2]  Needless to say, it wasn’t a popular destination.  And, I don’t want to speak for the Nazoreans, but I get the sense that they might have had a little chip on their shoulders back in Jesus’ day.  

If you read the Gospel of John, there is a person named Nathanael, who – upon hearing that Jesus is from Nazareth – asks, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46)  It’s kind of like how people who have never been north of Boston might wonder, “Can anything good come out of New Hampshire?”  Or, as one Southerner, who didn’t know better once said to me:  “New Hampshire?  Isn’t that the Alabama of New England?”

Now, with all due respect to Alabama, which is a little warm this time of year but is still a lovely place to be from, imagine being from a place that is often cast in a negative or “less-than” light.  And then, imagine taking some of the less-than attitudes and feelings that have been put on you and then putting them on someone else.  Sometimes it just feels good to do this – even though it’s not the right thing to do.

So, you have a town with a reputation of being thought of as less-than.  And then, when Jesus comes back home, they give him grief.  As Eugene Peterson translates, in one breath they are saying, 

“We had no idea he was this good! . . . How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”  But in the next breath they [are] cutting him down:  “He’s just a carpenter – Mary’s boy.  We’ve known him since he was a kid.  We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters.  Who does he think he is?”[3]

I mean, the nerve of this uppity hometown boy – drawing crowds like that, teaching with wisdom and insight as if he wasn’t raised a mere carpenter’s son.  Has he forgotten who he is and where he’s from?  As the text tells us, “they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:3)  In the original language, the Greek verb is literally skandalitzo – scandalous! –  which can be translated, “to be caused to sin or be repelled by someone.”[4]  Can you imagine Jesus’ presence being repellent?  Causing someone else to sin?  

For me, the most curious line in today’s passage comes next.  Because of the bad attitude of the Nazoreans, Jesus “. . . [can] do no deed of power there.” (6:5)  Now, Jesus is not Superman, but it almost reads like the negative feelings of his hometown people are miracle-working kryptonite.  

When John Calvin writes about this, he implies that it is no so much that Jesus is unable to do any deeds of power – just that the people “do not permit him to display his power.”[5]  It’s almost like they say, “No, no, no!” and point to a sign that reads, “No deeds of power here,” like it’s some town ordinance.  Jesus goes away, amazed at their unbelief.  It’s important to note, though, that as he goes, he does lay his hands on a few sick people and he cures them.  As we said last week, God’s grace and healing power are so great that they cannot be contained.  Or, as Calvin puts it,   

“What an amazing contest, that while we are endeavoring by every possible method to hinder the grace of God coming to us, [God’s grace] rises victorious, and displays its efficacy in spite of all our exertions.”[6]  

It would seem that God’s grace shows up whether we want it to or not.  And, this grace can change the lives of those who are open to receiving it.

In the stories of Jesus and his disciples, there are plenty of examples of God’s grace at work by the power of the Holy Spirit.  But there are also plenty of examples of the disciples having some doubts and some questions along the way.  I find it interesting that in today’s story from Mark there are no questions from the disciples.  Granted, they have just witnessed Jesus calming storms and healing people.  And now, Jesus gives the disciples authority over the unclean spirits, and sends them out among all the surrounding villages, and orders them “to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts” (6:8) –not even an extra pair of shoes or a clean outfit.  

This is reminiscent of the Israelite ancestors of the disciples, who were instructed to leave Egypt with little more than the clothes on their backs.[7]  God would end up providing everything the Israelites needed.  It is the same for the disciples.  When John Calvin writes about Jesus’ instructions, he says that they carry very little with them so that they can travel with great speed – traversing all of the countryside within a few days.  “[H]e orders them to leave every thing that would be burdensome.”[8]

When it comes to what we carry through the world, I imagine that you and I have plenty of things that weigh us down – from the literal things we hold onto and the stuff we think we’ll need along the way to the attitudes and opinions and feelings and fears that we just can’t let go of.  

I wonder – if Jesus were to send us out, to share a word of grace, to work a deed of power – what you and I would need to leave behind that is burdensome – burdensome either to us or to those who would receive us.  Religion can have plenty of baggage – especially in this day and age.  Lord knows the interesting faces that people make when they hear that I’m a pastor, as if I might suddenly sprout horns on my head.  I don’t know what baggage they’re bringing with them to the conversation, but if Jesus is about anything, he is about unburdening people from that which they do not need – be it the baggage of sin, or guilt, or judgment – and giving them the grace that they do need.  

Now, as Jesus says in today’s passage, if we seek to share God’s grace, there are some who will receive it from us and others who will not.  In today’s story, we have a prime example of those folks in Nazareth who do not, by their own choosing, receive God’s grace.  

But, Jesus says, there will be those who do receive the disciples – and receive us – as humble vessels of grace.  As Mark’s Gospel tells us, the twelve disciples go out – with little more than the clothes on their backs, armed only with a walking stick and the good news of God’s grace – and they proclaim that all should turn toward the God who has turned toward them in Jesus Christ.  And, apparently, this gospel-spreading mission is a success.  As the text tells us, miraculously, “. . . they cast out many unclean spirits, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” (6:13)

Might you and I – little old us – be capable of doing such great things?  God can do so much more with us and through us than we, or the world around us, could ever suspect.  Very often, even small acts of love and peace, justice and healing make a big impact.  God takes what we humbly offer and does more than we can imagine with it.  We might feel so ill-equipped for the world in which we live.  There are wars and rumors of wars, there are neighbors turned against neighbors – even turned against us.  There are big events beyond our control, there is so much that causes us to feel helpless and hopeless – empty-handed to offer the world anything for God.  And yet, even if our hands are empty and we have little more than a prayer on our lips, “Lord Jesus, use me in this moment to be your hands and feet, your voice and your heart,” God has a way of hearing this prayer and using us.  God’s grace shows up – surprising even us, at times.  

God has a way of working through the humble things of this earth and of our lives and breathes new life, and forgiveness, and strength, and unity, and peace, and a new way of being into us.  At this Table, we taste and see God doing as much with something as simple and small as a piece of bread and a cup of juice.  God strengthens us here and sends us out, giving us just what we need when we need it.

When today’s story from Mark is told in Luke’s Gospel,[9] it is followed up, about a chapter later, by another story in which Jesus sends out seventy disciples who go out into the world and see God’s power at work in their own lives.  The text tells us that the seventy return with joy and share this good news with Jesus and among themselves.[10]  

When you leave worship today, I wonder where – and to whom – God is leading you this week.  God can – and will – lead us so far on what we might feel is so little.  And yet, God can – and will – give us just what we need and use us for good. . . for healing, for peace, for justice, for hope, for love.  May we be open to what God will do to us and through us.  And may we, too, return, full of joy.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

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[1] Year B. Proper 9.

[2] Watson E. Mills, ed. Mercer Dictionary of the Bible (Macon: Mercer University Press, 1990) 605. “Nazareth,” by Jerry Wallace Lee.

[3] Eugene Peterson, The Message: Numbered Edition (Colorado Springs: NAV Press, 2002) 1384. Mark 6:2-3.

[4] Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979) 752

[5] John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries – Vol. XVI: Harmony of Matthew, Mark, Luke (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2009) ii. 216.

[6] Calvin, ii. 216.

[7] See Exodus 12 – the story of the first Passover Meal.

[8] John Calvin, i. 444.

[9] See Luke 9:1-6.

[10] See Luke 10:1-20.