#please pray that their work will be blessed and that they will SEE their efforts pay off with their own eyes

[eddis-not-eeddis]

Prayer Request 8/25/24

Could I get prayers for Y, the wife of a Christian brother in one of my prayer groups who went overseas recently? She suffered a miscarriage just before they left, and they had to return early because her mother is dying. She is going through so much right now. She was faithful even through the deeply painful circumstances and supported her husband's ministry, but her losses are indescribable. Please pray that the ministry they took part in bears rich fruit, and give thanks that this family continued to serve through everything Satan is throwing at them, and pray that they will continue to persevere, and that these trials won't break them, but will instead refine them and make them stronger.

[instarsandcrime]

Returning the Favor (1/4)

Well well well, look who compromised with my current schedule by doing this story in little chunks! Thank you again to everyone who voted in the poll, and I hope Sick!Husk and Caretaker...everyone? was worth the wait, even if it's going to be spaced out in chapters. First up is Charlie and Vaggie!

I hope you enjoy! 😊

“ET’CHHHH’uh!”

“Bless you again!”

“HET’SHHHH’huh!”

“And again…”

“HET’SCHHHH! HEP’SHHHHUH!”

“Oh dear, that sounded–”

“HEP’CHHHOO!”

“--bad.”

A volley of honking nose blows echoed off slings and shooters as Husk fought another nagging itch, ignoring the way his boss leaned across the mahogany counter, thick brows tied in a worried knot. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can get you? Some medicine? Or blankets? I-I can make you tea–!”

“No need.” Husk interrupted, crumpling his well-worn tissue into a nearby waste bin, “I’ve got– snfff! Ugh, two hours’ve overtime left.”

“Two hours?!” Charlie yelped, pointed ears flattening in return. She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, “S-sorry! Sorry, it’s just. Your schedule didn’t show– it wasn’t exactly brought to my attention–” she took a deep breath, flattening her palms together as if she were praying to God for patience. “that issss…a lot of time.”

“I can handle it.” Her bartender waved a paw, ignoring the way he wobbled as he reached for a clean rag.

“Oh, of course, of course! I have every bit of faith in you!” Painted lips upturned, grin so artificially sweet that sugar laced Husk's tongue. He raised a brow, counting down the seconds for what would inevitably come next.

Three.

“You know your limits, obviously!” Her black fingernails fiddled with a sleeve cuff.

Two.

“A-and really, there’s nothing to worry about! You’re one tough cookie!” They moved to her hair, twirling a blonde lock.

One.

“It’s just,” there it is, “as your manager I can give you some time off for tonight instead? That way you get some rest?”

“That’s a real nice offer you’re giving me, Princess. Tempting, even. But uh. I’m still supposed to be on the clock.” Husk elaborated, scratching the back of his neck.

“But I never ordered you to–”

“No. You didn’t.” Golden eyes flicked to a spot in the corner, at a dusty old radio surrounded by its immaculately cleaned resting place. Untouched, unbothered, unsettling.

“...Oh.” Charlie breathed. Melancholy mood immediately shattered when more gasping hitches filled the air.

“HUP’SHHUH!” A flurry of feathers snapped wide, flapping to keep any semblance of balance. Fangs sucking in a sharp hiss of air when dagger-sharp claws dug into the shiny countertop he just cleaned, neon lights accenting a sparkling mist of contagion.

“Oh! Oh! Maybe we can pass the time until a customer comes in!” It only took a second for his stubborn caretaker to shake off the outburst, patient suppressing a miserable groan in return.

“Don’t you have anything better to do? Like sleep? It’s been a long day.”

“Well yeah, but um. I’ve been practicing a magic trick and I thought you might want to see it?” Despite his better efforts Husk’s ear flicked curiously and, out of pure spite, he wiped and re-wiped and re-wiped the countertop until it was a mirror of its former self. 

Nope. Ignore her. Do not look.

“I’m busy.” He said to the near empty lobby.

“It’ll just take a moment! Please?”

You know what’s gonna happen when you look.

“C’mon Husk! I super duper promise that I’ll do it once! That’s it!”

Not if you paid him for the rest of his fucking afterlife.

“Come on, it’ll take five seconds and then you can go back to work like nothing happened!”

Biting the bullet he turned around and– 

–fought the urge to take off his hat and let loose a blood-curdling scream. He blamed it on the exhaustion that plagued him and definitely not the doe eyes that nearly blinded him with angelic light.

“Fine.” He growled, rounding the corner to pull up a stool. “But I’m givin’ you my spare pack. It's kinda dinky lookin', but it does its job well.”

Charlie wasn’t listening. Charlie was too busy vibrating excitedly, carefully cradling the beat up box like she was handling the deed to Hell. 

“Okay! Get ready…” Sticking out her tongue, she concentrated as she worked her magic. Magic being a loose, loose description considering the fact that she was stuck on the shuffling phase. Well, less of a shuffle and more like a mutation of a shuffle and a card flick. It was almost impressive– a magician’s trick that doubled as a natural force of chaos.

“Whoops!” Her hand scattered, and she hurriedly scooped them up from all corners of the carpet.

“Let me just–” Somehow defying gravity, they flew up into the air and fluttered down like snowflakes. 

“One more time!” The four of spades smacked her square in the face. Peeling the card off to shoot it a sour look, she turned to see her only audience member hunched over the bar, paws locked tight against his muzzle. Heart leaping in her chest, Charlie quickly abandoned her act, rushing over. Her hands hovered above his trembling frame like she was trying to find the right angle to lift a burning box.

“O-oh gosh, are you okay? Do you need to throw up? I could get a trash can but–”

All worries screeched to a grinding halt as loud, raspy laughter echoed through the lobby. Husk slapped a paw on the counter, letting out an exasperated whoop. “You– pff! Ahahaha! Y-you really know how to entertain a guy– kaff kAFF–!” Hysterics spiraled into hacking coughs, feeling comforting circles rub his back.

“You feel warm.” Charlie whispered, but her bartender quickly shook his head, reaching for a tissue to wipe at his nose.

“I’ll live. Now pass me the damb-- snff! Damn cards, I’ll show you how it’s done.” Husk smirked.

Charlie couldn’t help but soften, surrendering her cards to the expert. She watched as he cracked his knuckles. Flexed his claws. Took a deep breath.

“I haven’t seen you like this before. Not since Extermination Day, anyway.” Charlie hummed.

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Husk shot back a rusty grin.

“You're having fun! I'm so happy for you!”

The other froze mid-stretch, eyes widening. Shit.

“I’m just showin’ you how to do a damn magic trick. Don’t read too much into it.” He grumbled, tucking his tail between his legs before it could wag. He took the pack in one heart-shaped paw pad, testing the bend before it leapt to the other side in a blaze of red, black, and gold glory.

Or at least, that was supposed to happen. Instead, a strong tickle feathered his nose. It twitched wildly until–

“ET’CHOO! EP’TSHHOO! HEP’TCCCHH!” An encore of snow fluttered to the ground. He blinked once. Twice. Before Charlie’s wind-chime giggles filled the air. 

“One more time.” Husk said with untapped determination as he plucked the deck one card at a time, unable to swallow the spark of joy that came with it.

But he knows what Charlie is doing. What they’re about to do. 

He won’t let them win.

“Ugh.” Vaggie scoffed.

“Ugh.” Husk echoed the sentiment, shaking his wings free of the storm around them.

It wasn’t too bad of a job. A resident was struggling with their move, and prompted by an exercise to make more friends– aka unstick herself from Charlie’s side– the hotel's guardian offered to help. It was a nice thought…until she saw how many moving vans had piled on the roadside. And with more on the way, Husk was good muscle in any weather, rain or shine.

Because of course he was.

“ESHHHUH! ETCHHH’HUH! Son of a bitch.”

“I think you have a fever–”

“I’m fine. It's just a cold.” Husk snapped, prying Vaggie’s wrist from his forehead. He got an eyeroll for his efforts, and the ex-soldier stared into the horizon with a scowl, watching the downpour that fell from the Heavens. Ignoring the violent shivering and soaked fur that clung to the other like an icy blanket. Husk glanced her way once, twice– betrayed again by the flick of an ear.

“How come you’re not fuckin’ freezing out here?”

At that Vaggie’s hardened glare turned bashful. She scratched her arm, suddenly finding her muddy shoes very interesting. “Angel’s blood, uh, runs a little warmer. Because we live– or I used to– live so high up in the air–”

“HEP’SHHUH!” She jumped, clutching her chest as Husk let loose another near-deafening sneeze. She could almost mistake it for thunder if she wasn’t careful.

“Oh. Uh, bless–”

“HET’CHHH’CHEW!”

“Ble–”

“HET’CHH! HET’tshh! ‘Tshhh! ‘Tchh! ‘Tch! Tch’hhhiew!” His fit spiraled until all that was left were weak, squeaky kitten sneezes. He slapped a paw against his muzzle as he stifled, desperate to get his aching nose under control. “Heh’ntshh! Nt’tchh! ‘Nnt! ‘Nt! Hnt’chxt’hiew! Ghh– goddamnihhHH-! Het’SHHH’HUH!...hHH– HET’SCHHHHHOO! …Guh...” 

Sniffling thickly, Husk felt the nagging itch slow to a stop in time with the storm. Blinking moisture from his eyes, the sickly demon looked up to see a silvery wing hovering over his head, granting him a small, cozy sanctuary.  The fallen angel merely shrugged her free shoulder nonchalantly, “What? I talk your ear off at the bar. Might as well return the favor.”

And, completely unprompted and wholly against his will, another spark of happiness warmed his chest. He threw up his hands in defeat. “Alright, alright, I get it! You assholes want me to rest? Fine! I’m resting!” 

He marched off, ignoring the small smile that he left behind. 

“I didn’t say anything.” Vaggie retorted.

“Fuck you.” His angry growls were anything but, and he resisted the urge to throw his hat into a puddle.

So he caved under the pressure a little. Not his fault he's surrounded by demons dedicating their miserable lives to redemption. 

They’re too good at their job.

[magnoliacharmed]

Godless

(not my gif!)

18+, CM Punk x Fem!Reader one shot

[Also available on Archive of our Own!]

Word count: 1,091

Tags: Referenced alcoholism, Religious imagery/symbolism, blow jobs, come swallowing

Summary:

This was the blessing you worked for. This was the blessing you deserved. To worship at the feet of CM Punk.

Author's note: Inspired by this wonderful fancam & Godless by Banks.

…And so you worshiped at the feet of CM Punk. 

It was a downward spiral and you circled the drain before you’d even known it. Oh, to trade one addiction for another… you hoped God could forgive you. 

The thought brewed in your mind. Dark storm clouds filled your head heavily with an impending sense of horror. When you felt the gentle caress of Punk’s fingertips across your cheekbones, the clouds broke. Tears flooded your eyes and began to roll down your cheeks and over his fingers. 

“Don’t you feel better? Don’t you feel clean? ” Punk whispered. His voice echoed around you like a haunting. You would’ve liked to say that there was no semblance of wickedness in his eyes, but why play God for a fool?

“Yes… but…”

Pain radiated through your nerves. Every muscle in your head twisted and stretched with exhaustion. You’d do anything for another sip of liquor. You’d do anything for Punk’s admiration. 

“But what?”

“For how long will this go on?”

His hand came to rest on the back of your head. It scared you how much you needed his touch. It calmed you down almost immediately. Now you knew it was okay to relax. Your body bit back at your now rested weight pushing down on your knees. Let them get scraped.  

“What if I told you I could make it all more bearable?”

The fluorescent lighting seemed to brighten behind his head, an aura of yellow-white glistening through strands of dark hair. If you reached out to touch him would he really be there? Was he not a trick of your mind, an illusion to sink you further into despair?

“I’ll do anything.”

“Anything… anything. Close your eyes for me.”

You squeezed your lids shut. The darkness behind them was well needed. The light from Punk was getting to be overwhelming. You wondered just what he could do for you to make all the pain go away. 

“Will you bless me?”

Punk paused at your words. He didn’t expect the desperation in your voice. If anything, it only spurred him on. Made him more comfortable with what he wanted to do. 

“Yes.”

Things were all a blur. There was no point in thinking about the circumstances that led you to this point. The only thing that was worth focusing on was how to please. And to please was to pray. There was more than one way to pray, not only through the act of speaking. Your mouth opened as if to sing a hymn and slowly became filled with him. 

It was a slow affair. There was no need to make the act more obscene than it already was. Punk knew what this was. It was more about the means to the end, the journey of it all. To see you so pliable below him was more pleasurable than the act itself he realized. A contented sigh escaped from his lips. The warmth of your mouth was slightly overbearing. 

“I look down at you now and see a saint. My saint.”

The bobbing of your head came to an abrupt stop to look up at him with a red rimmed wet sparkle in your eye. A saint. You couldn’t believe it. Yes, this made all of your former suffering worth it. Doing anything for this man, this— 

Prophet?

When he pushed deeper down into your throat, you thought that was it. You’d reached your end. Breathing was still possible but wasn’t even a priority in your lust soaked brain. You wondered why a sinful act made you feel so holy. Perhaps it was due to the sounds Punk made above you. Deep breaths and strained moans healed your tainted spirit. You were on your way to true salvation. 

The thrusts of his hips began to pick up pace. He was ready to give you what you needed. Out of all his followers, you were his favorite. You were the one who had put in the most effort and the one who’d suffered the greatest. You’d walked the straight and narrow path to a clean life. Now it was time to show you just how proud he was of you. 

“You’re perfect. I’ve always believed in you.”

All of his words had sent you careening towards the edge too. You were sure that if you reached down to pleasure yourself you’d be reprimanded and punished, and there would be nothing worse than that. Restraint was difficult but much better than the alternative. Your mind conjured images of reaching down to touch yourself and show Punk just how much you respected him. All you wanted to do was chant his name, over and over in the throes of ecstasy. Maybe one day after you continued to prove yourself. 

“Here it comes—“

Warm fluid filled your mouth in a rush. It was bitter tasting but no more bitter than any liquor you’d ever consumed. Even though you’d been down on your knees for what felt like hours, the peak was reached so soon. Punk’s nails dug into your scalp as he pushed your head to the base of himself. He knew he was choking you. It took him a few seconds to actually care. He slowly dragged himself out of your mouth, like he was in pain to leave. The saintliness you emitted had faded from his vision. You were once again just you. In that moment, just you was good enough.

The deep breath you took made you feel alive like you’d never felt before. It was amazing— your muscles no longer ached. Your memory must have played a trick on you… you weren’t even sure if you were truly feeling real pain before he entered you.

That very special light glowed behind Punk again when he held his hand out to help you raise off of your knees. His lips planted a loving kiss on your forehead, the metal of his lip ring feeling alien on your overheated skin. Your body flooded with affection and desire for him. 

“Let’s go. It’s time to spread the good word.” His smile was easy, yet mocking. Most likely because of how absolutely wrecked you looked with smudged mascara and a wet chin. It was easy to ignore his expression when he kept his grip on your hand, fingers wrapping around yours. You were his best disciple. The people had to see just how devoted you were. 

This was the blessing you worked for. This was the blessing you deserved. To worship at the feet of CM Punk. 

[honey-crypt]

for your write a thon, would you do a drabble that female farmer is infertile? Characters are Sam, Alex and Elliott!

a/n: request #6 of my write a thon and it's gonna be a heavy one, i hope this helps y'all get a glimpse into the reality and struggles of infertile people

warning: pregnancy & pregnancy related topics

★ baby blues - alex x farmer / elliott x farmer / sam x farmer ★

alex

The thin paper sheet that covered the exam table scratched at your bare skin. You tapped your fingers rhythmically against your thigh, the air conditioner in the exam room humming lowly. Alex sat in the chair beside you and rubbed his eyes, “It’s too bright in here,” he grumbled.

“Agreed,” you mused. This exam room had become a second home for the two of you for the past few months with a multitude of doctor visits and procedures conducted there. Yet, today could be the last time you two had to make the trek up to ZuZu City Municipal Hospital’s Fertility Assistance Wing. Today was the day, the day that would make or break you, the day you and Alex would learn if the embryo transfer was a success.

A nurse in a crisp uniform entered the room, “Mr. and Mrs. Mullner?” she asked. Alex rose from his seat and held your hand, “That’s us.”

“Dr. Hargrove will be with you shortly,” the nurse informed you before exiting the exam room. You locked eyes with Alex, “What if it doesn’t work?”

“What if it does work?” he retorted, earning a small laugh from you.

“I’m serious, though,” you elaborated, “We’ve been through the ringer for almost two years, baby. The drugs, the artificial insemination… I’m just scared that this will all be for nothing.”

Alex held up your hand and kissed it, “It’s okay to be scared, babe. I’m scared, too… I’m scared for you,” you raised your eyebrows at his response, “You’ve been such a trooper, (Y/N). Doing the injections, taking the medicine, having that weird medieval torture device shoved up your pussy for the embryo transfer!” Alex sniffled,”It don’t know what Yoba’s plan is for us, but I pray to him that he grants us this blessing because you have fought tooth and nail to make it happen.”

“Oh, Alex,” you pecked him on the lips, “I love you. Thank you for being my rock through this,” your husband smiled cheekily, “Anything for you.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Mullner?” the familiar voice of Dr. Hargrove called out to you, as she walked into the exam room, “How are you two doing today?”

“I know you have to ask us that but,” Alex squeezed your hand, “Can you rip the bandaid off, please? For my wife’s sake.”

Dr. Hargrove nodded, “Of course. I understand your anxieties about the embryo transfer,” the doctor approached the exam room’s tablet and opened up your medical record, “The blood test result should come in any moment now.”

Alex held his breath while you began to sweat, as you both and your doctor waited for the results. The tablet suddenly dinged and Dr. Hargrove smiled, “Okay, the results are in.”

You grabbed onto Alex, your legs shaking with nerves. Dr. Hargrove scanned over the results, “Well, this is what I expected,” she hummed, “You two are going to be wonderful parents.”

“I’m pregnant?” you gawked.

“She’s pregnant?!” shouted Alex.

Dr. Hargrove laughed, “You’re pregnant, (Y/N). Congratulations on your successful transfer,” she set the tablet down, “I’ll get your referral set up for your OBGYN, Dr. Hawkins. She’s a wonderful doctor with lots of experience with twins.”

“Thank you, doctor!” Alex cried out, tears running down his cheeks. He embraced you tightly, as you cried joyously in one another’s arms.

“We’re gonna be parents, Alex!”

“We are! We are… wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Did she say twins?”

“Oh my god… she did say twins.”

elliott

You had gotten used to seeing the single line on your monthly pregnancy test. Time after time, that single line taunted you, mocking you and your husband’s tireless efforts to start your family. Yet, today was going to be different, you knew that it would be different. The past three days, you experienced bouts of morning time nausea and vomiting, your period was late, and you were craving smoked herring, despite being a vegetarian. I’m having a baby! you declared to yourself, I’m having a baby! I’m definitely having a baby!

Despite no nausea or vomiting this morning, you flung yourself out of bed and into the bathroom, much to your poor husband’s concern. Opening the mirror cabinet above your sink, you plucked a pregnancy test out of the bulk box you purchased from Joja Mart. Of course, you preferred to shop at Pierre’s, but the idea of requesting pregnancy tests from the father of one of your closest friends made your morning sickness flare up.

“Darling?” your husband’s voice rang from outside the bathroom, “Is everything alright? Do you need me to get the ginger ale?”

“No, not yet!” you exclaimed, setting the used pregnancy test on the counter next to you, “Come inside, duckie! I think this might be the moment.”

Elliott poked his head inside the bathroom, “Oh my goodness!” his eyes twinkled with the same light as before, eager but nervous to hear the result. He grasped your hands and gave them a gentle squeeze, “How are you feeling, my dear? Are you excited?”

“Absolutely,” you answered, “We’re going to be parents, Elliott. I just know it, we’re gonna have our baby.”

Elliott tried his best to smile, but his quivering lip betrayed his outward hopefulness, “I want you to know that no matter what the result is, everything will be alright, okay?” he pressed a kiss against your temple, “It will be alright.”

“It will because it’s gonna be positive,” you chuckled dryly. It was almost a year since you and Elliott started your attempts to conceive. This was your last chance, it had to be positive.

The alarm on your phone went off, signalling that the results were ready. You reached for the pregnancy test and informed Elliott, “Close your eyes. I want to read it first.”

Your husband obliged and covered his eyes with his large hands, the ink stains from his late night writing session still evident. Taking a deep breath, you flipped over the pregnancy test and read the result.

One single line.

Your heart sank.

Not pregnant.

Your chest tightened, as tears swelled up in your eyes, “It- It’s negative,” you announced to Elliott, “I failed.”

Elliott removed his hands from his face and embraced you, rubbing your back while you sobbed your heart out, “You’re not a failure, my love, we’ll try again. Please don’t get discouraged, it will be okay.”

You held onto him for dear life, chest heaving and cheeks stained, “I can’t, I can’t. I don’t wanna try again.”

Elliott pulled away and cupped your cheeks in his hands, “That’s okay, (Y/N). I’ll follow your lead, okay?” he kissed your lips tenderly, stroking your cheeks with his thumbs.

“It will be okay, no matter what.”

sam

You wiped sweat from your forehead and stretched your back out, as you stood before the field of ripe melons and blueberries ready for the picking. Summer crops were the most abundant and popular among the residents of Pelican Town with numerous orders, so you had your work cut out for you this season. With wicker basket in face, you got on your knees and plucked a few blueberries off their stems.

“(Y/N)!” your husband Sam called out to you from the porch. You peered from above the blueberry bushes, “Yes, love?” you shouted back.

“There’s a letter for us!” he exclaimed, “It’s from the ZuZu City Orphanage!”

You nearly dropped your basket, “What?!” you jogged up to the porch, seeing Sam wave a sealed envelope in his hand. The two of you wanted to be parents ever since your engagement, but a year or so of failed conception attempts left you discouraged. Dr. Harvey had recommended a fertility specialist to you to assist with the procedure, but the idea of subjecting yourself to injections and procedures left a queasy feeling in your stomach. Nonetheless, it didn’t matter a lot to Sam and you on how you became parents, thus the pursuit of adoption.

“I didn’t think they would get to us so quickly,” you commented to Sam, as the two of you entered the kitchen. The blonde hummed in agreement, “I’m surprised, too. Hopefully, it’s good news.”

“Me too,” you answered and hugged your husband’s arm, “I’d be heartbroken otherwise. I fell in love with Cordelia and Conrad the moment we saw them.”

You remembered the day you and Sam visited the orphanage, nervous but excited. You had some qualms about adoption, you believed it best to keep the child with their family unless it wasn’t an option. Yet, at the orphanage, these children had no family and if you could, you would’ve adopted them all.

After meeting with the caretaker and filling out the necessary paperwork, you and Sam were allowed to visit the children on the orphanage’s playground. A warm, fuzzy feeling grew in your chest at the sight of happy children running about, “I wish we could take them all home with us,” you muttered to Sam, “I want them all to have loving, safe home.”

“Me too, sweetheart, me too,” replied Sam, rubbing your back, “It feels cruel to choose, you know?”

“Yeah,” you pouted, “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

Suddenly, a little girl who eerily resembled you and Sam ran past you, “Jamie, give it back!” she screamed at the boy she was chasing after. You watched the little girl tackle the boy to the ground and tussle about in the dirt, soon emerging victorious with a notebook in hand, “Meanie!” she chastised Jamie.

“Cordelia!” the orphanage caretaker yelled, “What did I say about tackling people?”

The girl Cordelia looked back at the caretaker, “He stole my songbook!”

Your chest tightened, “Sam,” you whispered to your husband, “That’s our kid.”

Sam grinned ear to ear, “That’s our kid.”

The caretaker shooed Cordelia back to the playground and guided Jamie to the other side before returning to the two of you, “I’m sorry about that,” she apologized, “Cordelia’s very… headstrong and protective of her belongings.”

“That’s okay!” you answered, “Can you tell us more about her?”

The caretaker obliged and rehashed Cordelia’s background. She was a recent addition to the orphanage, having lost her parents in the ongoing war with the Gotoro Empire. You could feel Sam’s expression darken at the mention of the Gotoro Empire, it was a sensitive subject for him because of his father’s past involvement and POW status.

“I would advise against only adopting her,” explained the caretaker, “She has a baby brother, Conrad. We try not to separate siblings.”

“Then we’ll adopt them both,” responded Sam. The caretaker grinned widely, “That’s wonderful! I’m sure the two of you will be great parents for them,” she gestured to the door, “Let’s go inside and we can get the paperwork done for the next step.”

Back in the present, you held on the enevelope addressed to you and Sam from the orphanage, “What if we were denied?” you asked with a frown.

“Then that caretaker and those reviewers are idiots,” your husband laughed, “Can you do the honors, baby?”

“As long as you hold me,” you replied.

With Sam’s arms wrapped around your body, you carefully opened up the envelope and removed the neatly folded letter out of it. You read through the contents of the letter, your eyes widening.

“Sam?”

“Yes, sweets?”

“We got approved.”

“WE GOT APPROVED!” your husband screamed, pulling you into a passionate kiss. You kissed him back joylously and set the letter down on the dining room table, overcome with the purest form of happiness. Attached to the letter, there was a photo of Cordelia and Conrad smiling with Cordelia holding up a small sign with the words We’re Cordelia and Conrad Duffy! on it, becoming the first memento of your newfound family.

[lillysilvermoon]

Messages from your guardians

Pile 1

Signs: mentors, spiritual guides, ancestors (old woman), dragons (I heard "dragon soul" but I don't know much about dragons so,,,, takes what resonates), guardian angel, Archangel Raphael, green color, rivers, 1111 (I heard that you should read about this number's meaning and also to pay attention to how you feel when you see this number, it's important because has some kind of message in this and will be different for everyone!).

I feel like some of you has been through some kind of "spiritual awakening", it's like something has happened and now you understood what was necessary and a change of some kind is coming. Wait this is the message of someone: yes you understood and yes the change will happen - well, actually already is lol - and that's your confirmation. Also: there will be a "crisis" of some kind, or happened already, it's to remind you what YOU truly want and what's need to let go, it's kin the way of the Universe test you (I know it's sucks, believe I know......... but, this kind of situation teaches A LOT so me EXTREMELY aware, try to take notes because I swear to you, helps!).

Humm, some of you need to do little adjustments here and there and have a moment of rest, you know when we start our spiritual journey and we read about so many things, we wanna try it all but at some moment just feels like you are stuck? That's it here, it's like you are a vessel and you have been filled more and more and some of this was good but some wasn't and you need some time to "take the trash out", you need to stop and look at all this and see what servers you and what not.

If you are going through some hardships your guardians want you to know that first: you are not alone (please call upon them when you need, I promise they will help. But you need to ask guys😭💗) and you need to have trust to move forward of this situation.

"What you believe it's true becomes true, kid. You are halfway of your goal but you need to be more disciplined and put effort. Commit yourself to what you wants and don't give up." Alright for you all I need to say this: remember the thing about the universe test us? It do this to see if we have learned our lesson, so any dramas that may happen you need to see just as a stepping stone to where you want to be/your goals.

This is now just my own advice: call them, talk to them. It can be ANYTHING. Light a candle, write a letter to them and read out loud, pray, meditation. Can whatever y'all want to be. They are with you and really want to help.

You shall receive good news because abundance is coming at waterfalls to you, give abundantly and you accept with gratitude if you are given (I feel there is people here that just don't know how to accept things, either material or emotional help and your guardian wants you to learn this).

For anyone trying a business: it's gonna be blessed!! Expect thing to work really well because I can tell you: wealth is on its away to you.

Please have more faith in yourself Pile 1, seriously you guardians see you like someone SO capable (king of Wands) you can do it! (Whatever this "it" means to y'all, know that YES U CAN! and I believe in you👽🙌)

Last but not least: When was the last time you heard your feelings? You give them some kind of, you know, attention?..... pretend you are fine, you are strong, a warrior blablabla it's needed sometimes, but if this is your normal it's bad, blocks your heart center and the energy which can make you feel sick and warm you hole body. You need more balance when related to your emotional and self-care. Take more care of your spiritual body. (People who likes crystals: rose quartz it's good for you!)

Pile 2

Signs: green color (pile one had this too lmao maybe y'all need to work on your heart chakra just saying 🤷‍♀️), leo, fire signs and fire placements at your big three (so weird when I receive this things because it's very specific and because I don't even know too much about astrology so I was be like "damn... its really specific" lmao never mind ignore me), aquamarine (loved this because the picture of this Pile is a mermaid🤭🥺), color pink, pisces, 111, 444

Humm okay, first of all your guardians want you to know that some things need to comes to a end because teaches you what was supposed to teach and now it's just time to end, and you don't need to be sad about that because ends also means create space for new things, people, experiences. I feel like this is Love matters, well there is 2 options here: the first one it's all that I said, and the second one is that you are ending this to meet your "special someone" (since there a increase of Twin Flames on earth this time, maybe you are ending this relationship because you gonna meet them soon and you learned the lesson with this person). But for some of you is a friendship. Yeah, it's right, nothing will come of this situation (its literally what the card says), meditation, time out and you know, just be a little contemplative will help you. Surrender to the Divine (whatever The Divine are for you) will help, believe that you will get what you need (I thought this were for the people that are working on there skills but your guardian was like "NO! IT'S NOT!!!!!!) and I came back here and yes it is for you really).

If you are into mantras I recommend "Om Namo Narayani" which basically means I surrender to the Divine.

(I think this is for a really small group: don't let your pride get in your away okay? You need to work in group and balance your needs with the needs of others. Its important and you need to work on this!)

The other message here is that: you are doing SO GREAT at your job/craft. Really, your guardians are proud of you for better your skills and know that you are doing a really good job!

And you need to hear you on thoughts, someone here has been anxious as and your guardian wants you to calm down, repeat to yourself "this thought isn't mine" and start to calm yourself, your guardian wants you to know that you are not alone, but you need to take better care of yourself especially related to your anxiety!

Pile 3

Signs: male guide, trans men (fo explain: someone here reading this are and this is the sign that yes, this is your Pile Hello😙💗), seashells, collect rocks (I don't who you are but you have such a good and fun energy lmao you know this person who just looks like a really good friend and person? It's you), color read, Divine Feminine path (or something related to the topic), life path number 3? (You got FIVE number 3), 666, number 9, pink hearts, Grenade and red jasper (it's more likely you should try to use them, will help you have more energy)

This pile have STRONG feminine energy and also priestess energy (which means that you can be one, become one in the future, was one in some important past life or just have the characteristics of one!)

Okay, some of you has Mother Mary as one of you main guardian (She and Archangel Mary are not the same! I can talk more about this if y'all be interested♡) and I feel a lot of you are working on something new and she wants you to know that: it's worth, this project is important, the world deserves to see the incredible person you are. And also to know that you are entering a knew phase and will bee FULL of good things and blessings, omg I can't calm myself its SO AMAZING really there us so many blessings, so many good moments. Okay I need to calm myself down or things gonna be all messy lol sorry I get really excited with this messages, your faith will be renewed, you are entering a peaceful loving phase, filled with calm energy and personal growth. Your belief that your dreams can manifest are working well, there us a big "yes" coming your away (I'M SO HAPOY FOY YOU, HERE, TAKE MY HUG). Whatever situation this is: is blessed, if you chose this pile probably you are starting all over again in some away, can be on a new/better course or just feeling more positive about archiving your goals.

(Very small group who are feeling stagnant: life goes on cycles and you are going enter a new one now! Likely our friend Pile 3 it's a moment to you to trust in the Divine (again: whatever the Divine is for you). Your guardians want you to trust your feelings and intuition (because logic won't work right now) and speak positively because "your words have power. Say what you want will work, and believe in it" (someone guide said and it's a man).

I need y'all to take care of yourself, your guardians want you to be more in touch with your intuition, your body (dance, yoga and stretching can help) and on do creative things, also try to just go more with the flow, be less controlled (some here are control freaks help) and just... take better care of you, u know?

Oh, I almost forgot: Its time to spread your wings and fly, universe is supporting u right now (your guardians want you to know that because apparently you don't have much physical support so ita important to you to know that). Youe hard work will pay off, I promise you (and for anyone who was wanting to travel: can happen soon)

Pile 4

Signs: aries, pisces, waterfalls, Mexico, ireland, 333, 6666, Angel's, Saint Mary (it's a place in Jamaica).

"You need to take a break" that's what I heard, for some of you I feel like you have to much energy, and you are doing to much things and it's time to get inwards and have some time of to chill, I think you don't like to open up to others because what I'm feeling is that you guided are talking but I just can't understand (like you didn't want help from other person, or that anyone no one knew what going on...) okay I assume its related to your job, or group you live with, looks very...heavy, a sense of hostility and conflicts. Your guardians want you to know that: first isnt your fault! Sencond: try to find common ground and focus on mutual collaboration rather then the competition. You need to focus in maintai you inner peace and don't let the environment you are get the best of you.

For other group here: your guardians always you to take action, to do you best and BE HAPPY (and proud) WITH THAT! (My perfectionist group, maybe?). I think there is something you want and this is a huge YES, but you need determination (and probably a long term plan).

And our last group (but I think this applies to the one before) you need to balance spirituality and practicality (I feel you, same boat here 🤡) WAIT A MINUTE BECAUSE I'M A HOPELESS ROMANTIC SIR, the card says "a new male is coming into your life" nd the other one (the one about balance) SAYS THAT THE PERSON CAN BE A SOULMATE OMG GUYS THE CARDS COMPLEMENTS EACH OTHER THIS IS SO CUTE I CAN'T I'M SORRY-

I couldn't help myself to freak out sorry Pile 4, getting back to what I was saying: Your intuition won't let you down and you need to trust it, and your guardians also wants you to know that you need to take more practical steps and be with your head in the clouds less, they ask you to find balance between your responsibilities and your dreams (maybe you have to work but are trying or want to try your new business, stop dream about it and think "what can I do NOW to make my dream happen?" Or "What step can I do NOW with what I already have to start my business?" Questions like this will help!.

This is coming so strong omg: Your soulmate is coming guys, I mean really appeared 3 times in 2 cards (besides you got The Emperor which can means Divine Masculine depends on the topic. Anyhow just takes what resonates).

COME HERE: When things get hard you have emotional balance? Your guardians want you to work on this, because sometimes the solution is right in front of you but you are to angry, sad or agitated to realize.

I hope this message reaches everyone who needs. Bye bye from me and your guardians 🤣🤭 see y'all soon.

- Lia

[apricot-blossomss]

Hi, I love your writings a lot. I have another Apollo idea don’t know if you like it but I wanna share it: So, Reader is a deeply devoted follower of Apollo; loyal, loving, kind and compassionate but very insecure, has many self-deprecating thoughts, still, very determined to learn something in his honour. So, she tries to learn the lyre but she is bad in it not talented at all. She is determined though and willing to sacrifice time and effort into practice.

I imagine this plays out in Ancient Greece, the reader is very poor but determined to learn it and then to try her best on the Pythian Games. Apollo is already so smitten with her; he follows her journey from far but doesn’t wanna bless her bc he wants her to success on her own. One night he shows up to her while she’s praying. First, she is afraid he is here to take away her lyre as she is not worthy of it but instead, he is super kind and supportive tells her this effort and hard work is far greater and more meaningful sacrifice than any of the treasures the kings offer to him.

So, he offers her to be her teacher from now on as she can’t afford a good teacher like the others. They have romantic moments, kisses as he continues to teach her. Of course she wins the Games, he has taught her things no human knows about the lyre. At the end of the Games, he shows up to the people and in front of everyone he offers her to go with him and play with the Muses.

This is long I know, so, please do with it whatever you want. Use parts of it if it is too long, I just wanted to share it with someone.

☛ apollo teaching mortal! fem! reader to play the lyre

☛ sfw; fluff; cw: self-doubt, stage fright; not proofread oops

"Just stop already!"

"Why do you keep trying?"

"You have no talent."

It wasn't like you didn't know they were right. A lack of self-awareness is wasn't the problem for you. It was, however, the unexplainable love you felt for the instrument in your hands. It washed out of the gentle wood of the olive tree- you heard that the high lords and ladies sometimes owned gilded or golden lyres, which you could hardly imagine. And it was your most prized possession.

You had given a lot to be able to afford it, since your family wasn't ready to pay for a endeavor as fruitless as your attempts to learn to play it. At night, you dreamt of being able to elicit beautiful tunes out of the instrument, but during the day, reality hit you like a hammer in the head as you awkwardly plucked the strings, sounding more like a dying cat than the musician you dreamed of becoming.

It wasn't fair, you thought, in moments were your frustration overwhelmed you. It wasn't fair that some people had such talent that they could effortlessly handle the instrument while someone as in love with the art of it as you struggled without seeing any results. Many times, you had prayed to Apollo, but the god had never blessed your attempts and by now, you figured it might be some sort of subliminal messaging.

But you didn't care. Well, you did, but none of it could deter you. No matter how many people shook their heads or laughed or told you to stop, you sat down for hours on end, trying to figure out the beautiful instrument. When you walked on the market or the town square, you would stop at street musicians demonstrating their craft, watching their fingers, trying to learn, but you never managed to replicate it.

Your family wanted you to learn some other craft to attract suitors and impress them, but you would not relent. You would practice, you would watch, you would pray. All in the hopes of getting the hang of the lyre someday. And no matter how many times you failed or screamed at your fingers to just do it right, resting them on top of the strings and running them along them always calmed you.

Carefully, you let your hands run up and down, simply tugging one string after the other. And somehow, you still managed to mess it up. It sounded stale and squeaky, no matter how much you tried to soften your movements. Not willing to let that deter you, you tried to play a melody you had heard one off the street musicians play yesterday on the market.

Unbeknownst to you, you had an audience you couldn't have dreamed of. Way above, golden eyes followed the movement of your fingers, listening intently, intrigued. Forearms leaned on the railing of his balcony, he had been watching you practice frequently over the course of the last months. In the beginning , it had been for his amusement. Now, it had become a part of his routine to see how you were doing.

"Brother!"

Apollo looked up from the sight of you practicing in your room to find Hermes sitting on the railing. After a short, distracted greeting, his eyes wandered down once more, as if they were attracted by a magnetic force. And, truly, you were magnetizing. Your unrelenting determination, your love for his holy instrument, the fact that you had set yourself a goal and were working so hard towards it: competing in his Pythian games.

"So, what's got you this distracted lately?" Hermes asked, letting his legs dangle. When he was denied an answer, his attentive eyes followed Apollo's gaze and found you. "Oh, so that's-"

Apollo hushed him to listen to your best efforts, a small smile gracing his lips when he realized with what care you had listened to the mysterious lyre player on the street yesterday that had conveniently played a song more fit for beginners to pick up on.

"Wow, that sounds bad," Hermes exclaimed, whistling under his breath. Curling over in laughter, he missed the pointed stare by his brother. "Planning on punishing her or why are you enduring this?"

"Shut your mouth, brother," Apollo shot back and the sharpness of his tone surprised Hermes. As he looked down once more, he watched Apollos face soften visibly as you stubbornly plucked at your strings. A small smile graced his lips and he propped his head up on his arms as he watched you intently. "She can do it, she just needs a little bit of help."

☀️

Taking a deep breath, your knees met the hard stone floor and you kneeled before Apollo's altar, bowing your head until your hair formed a curtain around your face. After all the unanswered prayers and fruitless attempts, you were still filled with admiration and wonder looking at his statue. Closing your eyes, your lips formed a hushed prayer, as every afternoon in his temple. One that always went unanswered, but if you were one thing, it was persistent.

But today, something was different. Your mind couldn't help but wonder to the humiliating exchange you had had with your mother this morning. Scoffing over your clumsy playing, she had laughed at you, telling you to the face to no longer make her and the world suffer the sound of your lyre play, that you were dishonoring Apollo himself by eliciting such horrid sounds from his holy instrument.

You couldn't help the tremble of your lip, nor the traitorous stinging of your eyes and took a long breath to calm yourself. "Great lord Apollo," you whispered into the ground, your voice laced with shame and doubt, "Please, if you wish for me to stop my attempts, if I am dishonoring you, if I am angering you, give me a sign!"

"Well, hello there."

You shot around, finding yourself face to face with a blond man in a simple but fine tunic and piercing eyes. Eyes that you knew, because you knew this man, and you had spent a full hour watching his fingers handle the lyre so gracefully. It was one of the street artists you had seen on the market, more specifically, the one you had spent your forenoon studying. Was this a divine sign or a simple coincidence?

Realizing that you still hadn't answered the greeting, you scrambled to your feet clumsily and bowed lightly, since you saw first-glance he was of higher social rank than you. Granted, the majority of people was of higher rank than you, but your eyes had picked up on the gold laced into his tunic, his jewelry and most importantly, the intricate craftsmanship of his lyre. Hidden give-aways of a wealthy pocket. "Excuse me," you said softly, smiling while bowing once more, "I'll be leaving." A musician as skilled as him was far more deserving of this temple's glory.

Hurrying past him, the sound of his voice had you stop dead in your tracks. "Do you know what talent is, m'lady?"

Several things in that sentence made you pause and turn around once more, finding the man already looking at you with those magnetic eyes. "I'm not a lady, m'lord," you said abashedly, but his smile only widened. "Sure you are. And you know the answer to my question, don't you?"

"Yes," you answered, wondering what he could possibly want out of this conversation. "It's a gift by the gods that they give to the deserving." The young man hummed with a smile on his lips. "I couldn't help but notice you look a little troubled. What did you entrust your god with, sweet lady?"

If it had been any other man, you would have retreated, excused yourself, exited the temple as fast as possible. But he radiated a feeling of safety and grace that you couldn't help but feel attracted to him, and not just in the physical sense. Even though you had no idea why a man like that would spare a girl like you just a glance. Maybe he was one of those men who took advantage of poor girls like you, but somehow, your gut told you that you could trust him.

"I-," you hesitated, but then, the words broke out of you like a waterfall as you told him about your troubles. Maybe it was because no one listened to you, ever, but you trusted this man with everything. "It sounds horrible," you ended your ramblings, trying to conceal your damp eyes. "Everyone keeps telling me to stop trying, but I want to learn. But, what if I'm disgracing god Apollo himself with how horrible I am?"

"You aren't," the man said with an enigmatic smile and you wrung your hands. "You haven't heard me play, I'm atrocious!"

"Hey," he answered soothingly, taking a step towards you. "You aren't. You just need a teacher. I could teach you," he offered kindly, but you shook your head in protest. "No, m'lord, I have no means to afford it. See, I am a poor woman, I don't have any money of my own and my family would never come up for it. I don't have the financial means to compensate you."

His smile only widened and looking up at him, it left you quite breathless. You couldn't explain it, but there was something about it that made you feel as if warmed up by the sun itself. This man had to be blessed by Apollo. "I don't ask for compensation. I'd give you lessons for free."

Now, that was really suspicious. You weren't stupid, there was a good chance this was a ploy to take advantage of you in some way, because the offer sounded too good to be true. Such a talented artist simply stumbling over you in a temple and offering free lessons? At the same time, you were also desperate. And this man was really talented. If he was being genuine, were you throwing out the opportunity of your life? After a short silence, you looked back up at him. "Why would you do that? Offer to teach me for free, I mean."

A sudden breeze disheveled the man's golden locks, his charming smile unwavering. "Ah, you see... It's because I'm Apollo." Because you had any chance to register the words, the light seemed to explode before your eyes and a reflex brought your hand up to shield them. When you removed it, the man had changed. His robes were of pure gold, as were his shoes, equally golden marks extended over his body like tattoos and his hair was crowned by a shining halo. You were looking at divinity, and it was nearly scorching your eyes.

Shit.

Thankfully, your body showed an above average response time as you dropped to your knees so fast they met the stone floor in a way that had a sharp pain shoot up your legs. The thrumming of your racing heart was louder than any thought you might have had. Bowing down so far you were covering before the god, you pressed your forehead into the marble and raised your hands in a pleading fashion. "Forgive me, great lord Apollo, for dishonoring you by attempting so many times to learn your holy instrument when you had clearly not blessed my endeavors. Please, punish me to any extent you see fit but have mercy on-"

The god interrupted your terrified rambling by placing a hand on your shoulder, rendering you speechless just as effectively as a slap in the face might have. When he spoke your name, you looked up at him tentatively. Looking at Apollo was like looking at the sun itself, and if the man had been handsome before, in this form, he was the most beautiful thing you had ever laid your mortal eyes on.

"Loving the lyre as much as you do is not dishonoring me," the god said and his voice was so smooth and beautiful it wiped your head clean of thought. "Quite the opposite, actually. Your dedication to my instrument is admirable. Hence the reason my offer is still awaiting an answer."

"But-" you squeaked in response and tried suppress the trembling of your nervously wringing hands. "Why would you do that? Why would you teach me?"

You wouldn't get an answer to that question for some time, but it didn't need a lot of convincing for you to agree to let him be your tutor. To avoid your parent's suspicion, you let him in a grove just outside the city gates where he first taught you the basics, gave you theoretical lessons on the functioning of the lyre and showed you the best way to handle it, which you continuously had problems with. But Apollo was incredibly patient, and your nervousness around him subsided quickly.

Over the course of the next weeks and months, he would show you how to approach the instrument, give you practice and help you improve your lyre play. And after some time, you found yourself looking forward to the lessons not only because of the lessons themselves but for the pleasure of his company. You couldn't deny that Apollo's charming wits had done a number on you, and the way you were ogling his hands as he so masterfully demonstrated it in his instrument would have been shameless if it hadn't been for educational purposes (along others).

There were moments when you yourself wondered if the god may reciprocate your romantic interest, as silly as that thought was. The way he lightened up seeing you approach him, the way he was always waiting for you and the way you caught him glancing at you instead of your lyre from time to time. But you stocked it up to your silly mortal delusions. Why would a god be interested in you?

At the same time, said god found himself falling head over heels for you. He had been smitten with you before meeting you, but being around you, seeing you come out of your shell and starting to feel comfortable around him, showing him your true colors- he was so done for. If he hadn't been his fathers favorite son (he was still working on that favorite child title but Athena was hard to beat) he would have earned a few stern talks by now for slaking off, as he procrastinated or full on ignored divine duties in favor of your lessons.

Your humor and laugh pulled him in, your dedication was unmatched and seeing your eyes light up when you succeeded in something did something to him. A blooming feeling in his chest that consumed his thoughts, sending him into the sweetest daydreams. And it was only fueled every time he got to be with you, be around you, enjoy your company. He tended to get caught up in it, and sometimes you caught him staring at you and he always wondered wether you knew what you did to him with those little glances and witty comments of yours.

Nothing excited you more than the progress you were starting to make. The strings were no longer squeaky and you had even managed to play some easy melodies that got more complex as time went on. You were astonished by your own progress, which was of course thanks to the fact that you had the best teacher anyone could dream of, but also hours upon hours of sleepless nights, practicing diligently.

When Apollo found out about those, he was surprisingly worried and you couldn't help but be giddy that he cared. But you listened and got your sleep that he insisted on, if only fleckig praise, seeing the showdowns under your eyes disappear. Also, you were convinced his presence in your life was some sort of good-luck-charm, because there had been no fourth year old suitors asking for your hand in marriage ever since you were a few weeks into your lessons.

But your strumming technique still wasn't as smooth as could be. "You need to feel the music flow through your fingers," Apollo told you, making it look criminally easy as he demonstrated it. "They need to move with the music, as smooth as the music. You are tugging, but you need to caress." His eyes met yours in a silent request to try it for yourselves.

Touched stuck in between your teeth, you tried to imagine the music flowing into your body down to your fingertips, trying to move them naturally along the strings. But still, it didn't sound quite right. To your surprise, Apollo smiled empathetically and leaned over, covering your small hand with his larger one and mimicking the correct movement.

You tried to concentrate, you really did, but it was hard when Apollo sat closer to you on the grass, settling behind you so that his arms almost caged you in, his breath fanning over your neck. Luckily, he couldn't see the redness on your cheeks like this. "Relax," he told you and a light chuckle left his lips. "Are you still scared of me, sunshine?"

Sunshine. It was his nickname for you, and the way he said it made it sound like a melody in itself. "I'm not," you answered truthfully, letting him gently guide your movements. "But I don't think you realize what divine proximity does to a mortal."

Because of your proximity, you felt his head shift as his gaze wandered to you. You didn't return it, because you knew you would get lost in it if you did. "What does it do to you?" the god asked in a hushed voice, and the teasing undertone had your lips twitch. "It feels weird when you touch me," you explained, your fingers taking a little more initiative in running over the strings. "Like you're too real and not at all at the same time. I can't really explain it, but it's like touching raw might. That would feel weird, right?"

"You always manage to surprise me, sunshine," Apollo said and you could hear the smile in his voice. "It looks like there is a poet in you." He let go of you, letting your fingers act on their own and it sounded much better than before. Nothing the difference, you smiled triumphantly. "Don't flatter me, I might get too much of the hubris, m'lord."

"It isn't hubris when it's true," his voice spoke softly as you started to play the tune from before. It sounded much more graceful now and Apollo's adoring gaze, hidden from your view, traced the movement of your fingers, up your arms to your face. When your fingers had become more sure, you turned to him, no doubt with a smart reply on the tip of your tongue, but you fell silent when you found yourself mere breaths away from the god, who seemed just as taken aback by the sudden proximity.

But he didn't pull away, and neither did you. Fingers slowing down, you couldn't rip your eyes away from the mesmerizing gold of his eyes. Apollo smelled of honey and flowers, a smell so sweet it made sense paired with his smile. Though he wasn't smiling now. His lips were parted lightly as he stared at you just as intensely as you watched him.

Slowly but steadily, the tension in the tight little space between you two got too much for you. Your breathing picked up and you had to avert your eyes when his fell down onto your heaving chest and snapped back up at yours with a new hunger. Coughing under your breath, you moved away from him by a few inches, trying to hide how flustered you were. But if you had turned around, you would have caught a rare sight: the god of music looking at you with heart eyes, his cheeks painted by a pink hue.

Little moments like these only pulled you in deeper. Embarrassingly, you had begun dreaming of Apollo, about his smile, his lyre-play, his voice. It was the most prevalent in your dreams, as if he was singing you a lullaby every night. You found yourself thinking about him every time of the day, getting caught up in vivid daydreams as you completed your chores, feeling as though he was with you every time you practiced.

Though that may have not been an entirely unfounded feeling. Sometimes, Apollo would say things during your lessons that had you suspect he was listening in on you practicing- at least sometimes. Why he occupied himself with something he could have so often, you didn't know. But you did feel honored.

Progress was coming, you were getting better, though there were also setbacks. As before, you didn't have natural talent, and sometimes you struggled to a point of frustration that had your movements grow sloppy and disjointed, gnawing on your bottom lip in dissatisfaction. "Hey." You looked up at Apollo who had picked up on your growing annoyance and sighed. "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," he answered, gently prying the instrument from your hands. "I think you could use a break." And before you could protest, he added: "How about I play something just for you for a change?" Now, that shut you up real quick and you let him put your lyre aside. Apollo would demonstrate bits of songs or movements for you, but never whole songs, and the prospect of witnessing the god perform one made you giddy with excitement.

Under your curious gaze, Apollo propped up his instrument with great flair and began playing. The melody was unlike anything you had heard before. It was so interacted and beautiful, so masterfully crafted it brought tears to your eyes as you sat there and listened. But none of it could have prepared you for when Apollo started to sing. You had to close your eyes, because looking at him and listening to his singing at the same time was simply too much. You were pretty sure you could get addicted to the sound of his singing.

Apollo sing of pine trees, of secret meetings, of soft lyre tunes, the sounds of two instruments mingling. It was that last part that had you perk up. Could it be? Your grove who dusted of pine trees, you met him in secret- was he singing a sound about your lessons? Or were you just being delusional, thinking the god apollo would write a song- about you. Because now, he was singing about a girl under the pine trees with a lyre. Your heart was thrumming loudly in your chest, and it was the only sound resonating in your ears when Apollo ended the song.

You had to work up the strength to open your eyes, and when you did, he was watching you already, his eyes boring themselves into yours. With the melody still filling your head, you reached for your lyre, but Apollo didn't even register your movement. All he could see was you, as he desperately tried to gauge your reaction. Did you like the song? You had to, he had poured his heart into it. But he would write more. His heart was overflowing with memories as he watched the concentrated furrow of your brows.

And then, you started playing the song.

At once, Apollo snapped out of his trance as his insides roared with another form of adoration. You were playing his song, your song, the song he had written just for you. As if you were answering him. Sure, it sounded a little hesitant, but he was surprised about how masterful it sounded. You had become an expert player, in spite of your setbacks. And it looked like you had the same realization, because you looked up from the instrument and up at him with a glowing expression that said 'I did it!' and he could only nod in astonishment.

As the date of the Pythian games grew closer, so did Apollo and you, developing your inside jokes and becoming more comfortable with physical affection. It was safe to say you were friends with a god, which was something you could have never dreamed about. But as the date approached, your nerves were a little- tense, so to speak.

You cursed when suddenly, something snapped and a string of the lyre broke off, flinging your hand and marking it with a long red line. "Ow," you exclaimed and immediately, Apollo was all over you, taking your hurting hand into his. "Can you fix the string?" you asked nervously and earned a raised eyebrow from Apollo. "What do you think? And your hand is the priority here, sunshine."

"Right," you nodded, nibbling on your lip. "I need it to perform well." A long sigh left the gods lips as they ghosted over the palm of your hand. You jumped when they pressed down on your sore skin and an unfamiliar sensation, a warm prickling, emerged from the spot where he had bestowed a kiss upon you, rushing to your tummy where it exploded into a million golden butterflies, rummaging against your ribcage.

"Sunshine?"

"Huh?" you said, startled, and he showed you your hand, completely untouched, not a trace of the injury. You turned it around as if you were to find the mark, but it had vanished completely. "Thank you!" you smiled, picking up the lyre and holding it to his chest. "Now the string!"

Apollo sighed once more. Youn knew he could have easily fixed it, but for some reason, he opted to do it manually, pulling a spare string out of his tunic and getting to work removing the broken one. "Why are you doing it like this?" you found yourself asking, watching his graceful fingers as the expertly worked on the lyre.

"If you don't struggle from time to time, what's the point to life?" Apollo asked in a light-hearted tone, though you detected something heavier in the statement.

You hummed, thinking about that. "If you don't struggle, you can't succeed." Apollo looked up at you and nodded before returning his attention to the lyre. "That makes sense," you lamented, watching him intently. "But you don't seem like that kind of god to me." When he raised his brows, you attempted to explain yourself. "Of course, I don't know many gods, I only know you, but you don't seem very... human. You seem very content with being larger than life and divine."

The god hummed, inserting the new string. "You made me realize some things, sunshine. You have struggled so much, and have still persistent. Believe it or not, I think you're much stronger than I am. If I were you, I'd have given up a long time ago, because of what you said precisely: I don't need to struggle as much as you do."

Laughing to yourself, you shook your head in disbelief. "You're right, I don't believe you, but still, thank you. And I didn't know being untouchable could get to you like that."

"Oh, I'm far from untouchable," Apollo reassured you as he handed you back your lyre. "I have been touched and I am touched right now. Do you know why I take so many mortal lovers?" You shook your head and Apollo flopped down on his back, resting his head on his arm as he looked up at the sky above. "I love being touched by you mortals. It's an unimaginable thrill. To be a part of a life that is so fragile and so hardened at the same time is a privilege. Humanity is not a weakness but an unimaginable strength."

When he closed his eyes, yours were free to roam his resting body undetected, running over his golden marks and getting caught up on his face, as always. "I always thought... the fact that I had to struggle so much was because I was weak."

Apollo opened his eyes to look at you, and they were so heavy with emotion you had to avert yours. "Weak? Sunshine, you are so strong."

☀️

Delphi was an unsurprisingly beautiful city. As your travel companion, Apollo had disguised himself as a mortal once more and escorted you safely there, even arranging for your stay. During the religious ceremonies in his honor, he had been giggling in your ear in a way that had some priests give him pointed stares for interrupting the process and you jabbing your elbow into his side, making him whine at you being mean.

Then came the actual contest. The other performances flew by you as you had a hard time concealing your nerves, but Apollos calling presence helped. His hand squeezed you every once in a while, and when it was nearly your turn, he guided you to a spot next to the arena from which the performers entered the stage. His bigger hands engulfed your shaking once as he pressed them to his chest. You were surprised to find his heart drumming in a high frequency and widened your eyes at him.

"I can't help it, I'm nervous, too," he smiled cheekily and you bit down on your bottom lip. "Well, it's not you who is about to perform in front of hundreds of people. What if I mess up? What if I'm bad? I don't even have any real talent."

"Do you remember our first conversation?" the god interrupted your ramblings, pulling you closer to him. When you shook your head, he smiled softly and stuck a strand of hair behind your ear. "You said that you mortals get your talents from us gods. Well, it's true. I didn't bless you with talent. Do you know why?" You shook your head and he continued.

"Because you tried anyway, and you would not give up. Because of the devotion and love you hold for the lyre. You fought and you struggled, and you made great progress, without any advantages. I never answered your prayers I didn't want you to lose that. You are greater than any of the other artists assembled because of it. I have rarely seen such determination. And I knew you could do it." The god took a long breath. "And it was what made me start to fall in love with you."

Your head snapped up once you processed the words. "You... what?" Apollo delayed the answer by bringing your hands up to his lips and kissing each of your fingertips, making a warmth flood through them that ended their shaking. "I love you. So much. If that song wasn't enough to tell you."

"So it was for me?" you asked, mesmerized, deaf to the announcement of your name. Apollo smiled down at you, leaning in to kiss your temple, your cheek, and finally, his lips met yours. As if they had been waiting for it all along, your arms flew up to wrap themselves around his neck, pulling him closer as his hands dug into your sides.

Suddenly, you felt something on the top of your head and broke from the kiss to feel it. It was a laurel wreath. It was Apollo's laurel wreath. Your eyes were as wide as plates, you were sure, and Apollo chuckled, pointing to it with his chin. "You have my favor, sunshine. Now go and show them what real prowess is."

When you stepped onto the stage, you were overwhelmed by the cheers of the audience. As it was tradition, you recounted a prayer to Apollo, who you spotted in the front row, holding onto your lyre like your lifeline. Then, the crowd fell silence and it was your turn to play.

☀️

In retrospect, you could have anticipated it, as you knew things about the lyre no other mortal could know, thanks to Apollo. But it still blew you away when the pronounced winner of the Pythian games was you. As if in a trance, your ears drowned out the cheers of the audience as you kneeled before the priest who placed the winner's laurel wreath- you had taken off Apollo's, of course - on your head, congratulating you on your outstanding performance.

But even as you barely registered the noise of the crowd, it did catch your attention when it suddenly subsided at once, giving away to a deadly silence. The priest gasped, he was the first one to fall to his knees. Because at the top of the arena's stairs stood Apollo in all his glory, emitting pure power and might. When he met your eye, he winked at you.

As Apollo walked down the stairs, all of the spectators covered, falling to their knees and throwing themselves at his feet. But Apollo didn't take notice of them, his eyes were locked on you as he approached you. A tugging at your skirt made you look down, where the priest made a motion, urging you to kneel as well. When Apollo spoke, his voice filled the whole arena.

"This woman will kneel for no one." His smile was so radiant it took your breath away. So magnetizing you almost missed the hand he was stretching out, waiting for you to take it. Apollo called your name. "I shall invite you to put your skill to good use. Take my hand and play with me and the muses, sunshine."

Gasped echoed all around you, but all you could see and hear and feel was him. Without hesitation, you placed your hand in his and it closed firmly around your hand. Urging you closer softly, the god put his free arm around your waist. "Ready to go home, sunshine?"

Your nod was all he needed before he raised you up into the clouds, leaving all bystanders speechless- but not for long. Soon, your story would spread through all of Greece, your name immortalized next to the muses, and held in prayers because it was realized how much more benevolent Apollo was to those who praised your name alongside his.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

[asbestieos]

hm... lemme see what i can do thinking face emoji... SORRY IF THIS IS BAD BTW i am running on. 4 hours of sleep thumbs up emoji. PLEASE ENJOY UR ASTATATSUS <3 !!

all things considered, you might be one of the only few people who can get tatsumi to stop working and relax.

it's something that is so ingrained into his being–the need to be useful, to not be a burden–that he is willing to neglect himself to the point of exhaustion just to make sure he isn't putting extra pressure on others. it may be a byproduct of his experiences overall, and reimei did nothing to help that awful habit.

it may have even exacerbated it, honestly.

he needs to be productive, lest he falls into a vice of his–overthinking.

he knows, theoretically, that trusting his own thoughts is a mistake. because no matter what direction his thoughts lead, he will always, always be the villain in the end.

oh, he knows what people see him as. kazehaya tatsumi, the idol. kazehaya tatsumi, who is a genius. kazehaya tatsumi, who people can look up to. kazehaya tatsumi, kazehaya tatsumi, kazehaya tatsumi. and he feels like a fraud, because that's not who he is. he wishes he could give up all pretenses and simply be the tatsumi seem to love so much.

asta's tatsumi, he thinks sometimes, in his most desperate moments. that's who i want to be. asta's tatsumi.

it's why he puts so much effort into your dates.

a time when he can just be himself. a time when he can be with you. his asta. he needs it to be perfect.

of course, you're bound to pick up on his anxiety and that moment when you take his hands in yours, that beautiful smile on your face–one that he's come to cherish–as you tell him, i'll love anywhere we go, anywhere you take me. because it's you who's with me, tatsumi swears his heart stops.

he doesn't need to be perfect, is what you're telling him. he just needs to be himself.

and so those outings are born.

outings where, if you're seeming too stressed or exhausted for his liking, tatsumi drags you out to do something. window-shopping dates, café dates, library dates–you name it. it might be with the rest of alkaloid, or it might just be with you two, but no matter what, you can guarantee that he's always by your side.

you come to adore these moments of fun.

he would follow you to the ends of the earth, tatsumi thinks, but it's nice to be the one leading sometimes.

and when tatsumi's mind keeps spinning and spinning and spinning and he's near either a breakthrough or a breakdown, seeing you smile and offer him a hand as you tell him, let's go do something fun, okay? is a blessing.

he thanks whatever deity was lucky enough to give him you, and prays he's never foolish enough to let you go.

now that its valentines day, i will post this for everyone to see how slay rezes writing is GRHRGRHRGEHRHR DO YOU SEE THE ATSAYTASUYS THEYVE WRITTEN FOR ME . DO TOU KNOW HOW MUCH THIS HAS SAVED ME FROM THE BRINK OF TEARS WITHIN THE PAST WEEK 💞💝💖💕💖💝💗💖💞💕💖🥹🥹🥹

[by-kilian]

Hi KW! I just wanted to wish you a happy holidays, and also wish you a Happy Birthday as well! I haven’t forgotten. :) I also wanted to message my thoughts about the lack of engagement on fics and my own personal responsibility as a reader. I have to admit that I am VERY guilty of my lack of engagement. You are absolutely one of my FAVORITE authors (and people - you’ve been absolutely so nice and kind!!), but you wouldn’t know it based on my lack of engagement with your beautiful works. I can make excuses for that—the pandemic, social isolation, having social anxiety, etc—but it’s not an excuse for negligence or laziness. I’ve been really negligent as a reader, and there’s no excuse for it. Of course, we’re not obligated to write comments, but at the same time, how will authors ever know that people have liked or even read what they’ve written?? So, it goes both ways. If we want to see more fics being written and authors not quitting due to lack of engagement, we do have to do our part to show interest and show that we care. I apologize profusely for that, and I will definitely make more of an effort because I care! And I love your stories!! They're healing and provide so much happiness to my heart. I just have to reciprocate that love back to you. Please forgive me, and I hope you have a happy new year with lots of blessings and love! ❤️

HI MY LOVE!! First off, I am so sorry for taking so long to respond to you. I wasn't feeling well for a long while and today is the first day I've felt better and had more energy to type out a thoughtful response to your lovely message. Thank you so much for the well wishes and for your happy birthday message too 🥺, I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebration and are well.

Also thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding engagement! I think the things you listed are totally valid excuses! Regarding my own engagement post, I should've been more clear when I wrote it because I was more so referring to newer readers who often jump in to possibly like a bunch of stuff and then that's kind of the last of it (the last you ever get and or hear from them). I really wasn't referring to readers who already do or did engage a lot because no one understands more than me that life gets in the way. I appreciate your sentiments though, and thank you very much for sharing.

You really have nothing to apologize for, but thank you for sending me a message. I appreciate you and I hope you have an equally happy and healthy new year. I pray the new year will be very kind to all of us ❤️, I feel like everyone needs it. Sending you all my love! Ty for dropping by :3

[blackjackkent]

All right, we're gonna go ahead and dive straight into whatever Halsin wants us to do, because after experiencing Reithwin Village, Hector wants this shadow curse big-time gone.

On some level, perhaps it would be more reasonable to bring Lae'zel or Astarion instead of Shadowheart for this, since the corruption we're trying to cleanse is fundamentally Sharran in nature (at least theoretically), but I want the drama. >:)

Halsin is waiting for them on a plateau of rock overlooking the water, just beyond the barrier of safety Isobel maintains around Last Light.

"You're here. Good. Now we can begin."

Hector comes to a halt near him, watching his face curiously. Halsin is pretty unreadable most of the time, extremely stoic, not given to wearing his heart particularly on his sleeve. But here, now, it's obvious that the elf is frightened -- and determined.

"First, I want to know what to expect." He resists the urge to shiver as the unending dark swirls around them.

"Thaniel is trapped within the Shadowfell," Halsin says gravely. "But thanks to your efforts, I know where to look. Now I must go there - alone."

Hector casts his mind back, back to the library at the monastery, to a particular book that spoke of the Shadowfell and the Feywild. Two sides of the same coin, they were described - two realms existing in parallel to the material plane, but where the Feywild swarms with light, emotion, magic, the Shadowfell is a plane of dark, the most pure incarnation of Shar's power.

If Halsin is right, this is where the shadow curse now bleeding across the land originates from - from the fey boy whose soul is tied to this place being trapped in that world of endless dark.

He nods slowly. "What am I to do?" he asks.

"With the Oak Father's blessing, I can infiltrate the Shadowfell, but doing so will sap my strength. I'll need your help if I am to return," Halsin answers.

Hector frowns. Guard duty. They're well suited to it, and he would much rather be out here, dark though it is, than to travel directly into Shar's domain - but for Halsin to take on this journey by himself seems ill-advised at best. "Going in alone is suicide," he says, forcing the words out of himself in what he hopes seems something like bravery. "I'll come with you."

Halsin smiles slightly; no doubt he can see Hector's fear as clearly as he sees his face. But he has the good grace not to comment on it. "No," he says firmly. "If there's any interference with the portal, then our one chance is lost forever. And so am I." His smile flickers and he looks away. "I'd rather have you by my side...but this is the only way."

He looks over his shoulder at the empty stretch of rock leading towards the edge of the cliff. "It took me years of study, of seeking the Oak Father's favor, to find a way to part the veil. Pray that this works."

With all my heart. Hector watches Halsin turn away from him, and in his mind begins a litany of all the cries to Selune he has ever uttered or heard uttered. Lady of Moonlight...see through this shield of dark and lay the path bare before him. Let him see the way and let it be clear for him, and let the boy be brought back safely. You have seen through my eyes the horrors that were wrought here. No more...

Please...no more...

"Oak Father...hear me...aid me..." Halsin whispers, his ritual intertwining with the words of prayer streaming through Hector's mind. "Force open the jaws of Darkness. Make passage for your vessel of Light..."

The portal bursts open like a moonbeam lancing through the gloom. Hector squints into it; past the gleaming boundary, he can just glimpse the landscape of the Shadowfell - a grey, mountainous region of colorless rock and emptiness.

"It's ready," Halsin says gruffly. Hector can hear the fear in his voice too, now, unmistakably. But the druid is mastering it, his broad shoulders square and unbowed staring into the alien place. "I'll return with Thaniel as soon as possible. Stay close to the portal. Buy me what time you can."

Before Hector can speak, he is gone - disappeared into that endless darkness. And around them, as if called by the incursion into their realm, the shadows begin to rise...

[whoredmode]

i already posted a bunch of doodles of him but here’s an actual introduction post

Anteros Prince

September 9, 1982; 24-25 (SR1), 30 (SR2), 33-34 (SRTT/present)

Bisexual

Born and raised in Stilwater.

Before joining the Saints, Anteros was a male stripper just getting by. He always had dreams of making it big and finding his true calling, whatever it may be. Unfortunately for a young Anteros, fate had some interesting plans in mind, and the next thing he knew he was thrown into a new life with the Saints. Though scared out of his mind initially, Anteros eventually came to see his newfound allegiance as a blessing—now, he can’t imagine life any other way.

Still, that dramatic showmanship he was always known for (both in his everyday life and at work at the club) never went away, and he’s always looking for ways to make his next moves bigger and better. These feelings of exuberance (or perhaps bloodlust) only increased after a particularly harrowing, coma-inducing incident on a yacht…but thankfully there’s usually someone around to bring him back down to Earth.

Relationship talks under the cut. Note that I’m kinda following my own canon here so some things may not seem entirely canon. I have my own little rewrite/AU that combines SRTT and SR4 in one bigger, more grounded story.

In the beginning, while still terrified, Anteros found comfort in Dex. He was the one person who made him feel safest, all things considered, and the two confided in each other. There were some developing feelings, but Anteros went comatose before anything could really happen. He’s genuinely heartbroken over how things turned out, and to this day he’s still haunted by his lingering feelings. He still thinks of him often—haunted by his desire to see him again, faintly wondering how things could’ve turned out differently, yet also praying to be the one to put a bullet in his skull. In a way, he considers him dead already: the Dex he knew has been gone a long, long time. Still, this motivation to find Dex again drives a lot of what he does.

Anteros considers Johnny his best friend, as well as Shaundi and Pierce, though that should be obvious. He loves hyping Shaundi up, and though he’s not the best at comforting people, he does make an effort to try to understand her whenever she’s clearly going through it. Anteros and Pierce do end up together eventually, but it takes awhile for them to get to that point. They’d been kinda stepping around the fact for awhile, both a little unsure how a relationship would effect their friendship. Before Anteros and Pierce actually got together, though, Anteros and Johnny had a sorta friends-with-benefits thing going on. It started awhile after Aisha died, but both eventually came to the conclusion that it was better if they just remained friends. After that ended, Anteros and Kinzie were an item for awhile. Quite the power couple, in fact. Though they called it quits eventually, Anteros still considers Kinzie someone very dear to him.

Anteros is still haunted by the death of Carlos, and in response (whether he fully realizes or not) he has become a lot more concerned about younger gang members. This is why he didn’t kill Matt Miller, even if he knows he probably should have. He’s kinda endeared to the kid now, and looks out for him when he can. He still makes fun of him a lot, though. Can’t help it.

Anyway I'm really tired so I'll just end it here. Thanks if you read all this, and by all means please feel free to ask me about Anteros; whether about just him specifically or his relationships with other characters. I'd love to talk about him :]

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

7th November >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Tuesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Saint Willibrord, Bishop and Missionary. 

Tuesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Romans 12:5-16 Use the gifts you have been given.

All of us, in union with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other. Our gifts differ according to the grace given us. If your gift is prophecy, then use it as your faith suggests; if administration, then use it for administration; if teaching, then use it for teaching. Let the preachers deliver sermons, the almsgivers give freely, the officials be diligent, and those who do works of mercy do them cheerfully.

Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.

Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130(131)

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Lord, my heart is not proud nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great nor marvels beyond me.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace. A weaned child on its mother’s breast, even so is my soul.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

O Israel, hope in the Lord both now and forever.

R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Ephesians 1:17,18

Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!

Or: Matthew 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia! Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 14:15-24 'Not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet'.

One of those gathered round the table said to Jesus, ‘Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.” But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.” Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come.”

‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir” said the servant “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.” Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.”’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Willibrord, Bishop and Missionary

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

Either:

First Reading Exodus 32:7-14 Moses pleads with the Lord his God to spare Israel.

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

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

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

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading Deuteronomy 10:8-9 The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to do him service

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand in the presence of the Lord, to do him service and in his name to pronounce blessing as they still do today. Levi therefore has no share or inheritance with his brothers: the Lord is his inheritance, as the Lord your God told him.’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Samuel 16:1,6-13 David is anointed by Samuel

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there before him’, but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse then called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse then presented Shammah, but Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8 'Here I am: send me'

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings. And they cried out to one another in this way,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:

‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:

‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’

I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 52:7-10 Rejoice, for the Lord is consoling his people

How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is king!’

Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together, for they see the Lord face to face, as he returns to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord is consoling his people, redeeming Jerusalem.

The Lord bares his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 61:1-3 He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken;

to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord, a day of vengeance for our God,

to comfort all those who mourn and to give them for ashes a garland; for mourning robe the oil of gladness, for despondency, praise.

OR: --------

First reading Jeremiah 1:4-9 Go and say whatever I command you and do not fear

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.’

I said, ‘Ah, Lord; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!’

But the Lord replied, ‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me:

‘There! I am putting my words into your mouth.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 3:17-21 Warn the wicked man, and you will live

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from me, warn them in my Name. If I say to a wicked man, “You are to die,” and you do not warn him; if you do not speak and warn him to renounce his evil ways and so live, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man and he does not renounce his wickedness and his evil ways, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life. When the upright man renounces his integrity to do evil and I set a trap for him, he too shall die; since you failed to warn him, he shall die for his sin and the integrity he practised will no longer be remembered; but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you warn the upright man not to sin and he abstains from sinning, he shall live, thanks to your warning, and you too will have saved your life.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 34:11-16 I will look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view

The Lord God says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I shall bring them out of the countries where they are; I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land. I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

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

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

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

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

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

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

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

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

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

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

Gospel Acclamation Mt23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia! You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ. Alleluia!

Or: Mt28:19,20

Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!

Or: Mk1:17

Alleluia, alleluia! Follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you into fishers of men. Alleluia!

Or: Lk4:18

Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. Alleluia!

Or: Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!

Or: Jn15:5

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: 2Co5:19

Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 9:35-37 The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 23:8-12 The greatest among you must be your servant

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will exalted.’

OR: --------

Gospel Matthew 28:16-20 Go and make disciples of all nations

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 1:14-20 I will make you into fishers of men

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 16:15-20 Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’ And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 5:1-11 They left everything and followed him

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 10:1-9 Your peace will rest on that man

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 22:24-30 I confer a kingdom on you, just as the Father conferred one on me

A dispute arose between the disciples about which should be reckoned the greatest, but Jesus said to them: ‘Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves! ‘You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 10:11-16 The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep

Jesus said:

‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.’

OR: --------

Gospel John 15:9-17 You are my friends if you do what I command you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’

Or:

Gospel John 21:15-17 Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[letjoelightshine]

Let "JOELIGHT" Shine

I've always been one of those wanna-be bloggers. You know, keep thinking about starting one and never getting started. Finally, after a men's Bible study, I think I found my path to what I want to start.

Before getting into what this blog will be all about, let me share how the title originated.

The church I attend has a wonderful neighborhood outreach. Most of the people living near the church are at or below the poverty level. One of their missions is a Community Night. On Community Night you can bring your entire family to have a hot meal, and these meals are prepared by volunteers guided by the chef of the church. Then you can stay for a time to worship and hear a powerful message, while the children are upstairs having fun and learning about Jesus.

Now, not to pass up a meal, I attend and support Community Night. I usually get there an hour early and read or maybe have a conversation or two with a volunteer before things get busy. Since I'm a creature of habit, I usually set at the same table each and every week. It's angled perfectly to where I can see the entire room. I am one of those that do enjoy a good round of people-watching. Of course, after some time of doing the same routine, I started getting a regular group that has come and joined me. I'm not bragging, but it has grown to two tables now.

This church has been truly blessed within the last year. It has a wonderful set of pastors with one being brand new to the congregation. The new pastor and I have made a really good connection since his arrival. We have talked on several occasions and he has made an effort to really get to know me. A few of those stories will arise in future writings. However, on a Community Night, at the table I normally sit at, he approached me and told me that there is a light that he sees at my table each and every week. A light that he has noticed has gotten bigger and bigger as each week passes. "Let Joe Light Shine", is what he spoke.

The more I thought about it the better I liked it. The more I thought about it the more I saw God working through this new pastor to get to me. After that particular Men's Bible study, I mentioned earlier. Where we talked about our own pain and suffering and how God uses that to benefit not only us but to minister to others. I see the pathway to where I need to at least get started.

Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

It's not just my light, it's your light too. Let your light shine and put your name in where mine is at. I'm going to let mine shine by sharing all my pain. Romans 8:17 tells us, "And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." I have a ton of pain, some that have been building up over years and years of suffering. Most of it is being used by the enemy to tear me down and to tell me things that are not true.

After finally using Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." The men's Bible study showed me a pathway for many things to come. What is it? Where is it going? Only God has those answers. He has told me what I need to do for now and to hold on to what will be coming next.

Feel free to comment here or please drop me a message at letjoelightshine@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you and would also equally enjoy praying for you as well. "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16.

[albertfinch]

POSSESSING A SPIRITUAL MIND

To walk in overcoming victory we need a spiritual "brainwashing" to repent of "ungodly thinking." Our minds need to be thoroughly cleansed of the lies and filth of the world so we can put on the mind of Christ, learning to think as He thinks and to see as He sees. A cleansed and renewed mind will completely change our perception of life and the world around us.

The Spirit of God is calling each of us to a higher standard:

"...walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10).

This is not a season to be apathetic and loose about our lifestyles. We must pursue our destiny in Christ and God's purpose for our lives.

God calls all His people to a life of fruitfulness, which is the path to DISCIPLESHIP of others. As Paul writes: "Mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong."  - Hebrews 12:13 (Living Bible)

It is time for us to lay everything on the altar and embrace the holy fire of God's presence! We must present a mind that is wholly consecrated to Him. Like David, our cry must be: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). When we do, we will discover that the Lord transforms our worldly mind into a spiritual mind—His mind.

THE SPIRITUAL MIND

The apostle Paul contrasts the natural mind with the spiritual mind.

The natural mind, corrupted by sin, is dulled and darkened to spiritual things, however brilliant it may be in its own natural sphere. There are many intellectually brilliant people who haven't a clue regarding spiritual realities. They are "...always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7).

It takes a spiritual mind to comprehend spiritual truths. Paul goes so far as to say that it is impossible for the natural mind to comprehend the things of the Spirit:

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

As contradictory as it may seem, many true children of God remain dominated, for the most part, by the laws of their natural or carnal minds.

One reason the Church struggles so much today, is because many Christians still think like the world, and thoughts give birth to actions.

BELIEVING IS SEEING

For example, some say, "I won't believe it until I see it." This is the exact opposite of a spiritual mindset.

The natural mind says, "If I see, I will believe." The spiritual mind says, "If I believe, I will see." Paul clearly recognized our desperate need for a Spirit-enlightened mind, praying:

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." (Ephesians 1:17–19)

Only in His light can we see light (Psalm 36:9). We should cry out to God for spiritual eyes to see what we believe even as we seek each day to walk in the light of His revealed Word (Psalm 119:105).

No matter how intellectually brilliant we may be, we cannot understand even the simplest concepts of God without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). The knowledge of spiritual things does not come by intellectual effort. Rather, it comes only by divine revelation. This is why, when Peter declared to Jesus, "'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven'" (Matthew 16:16–17).

WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST

God's desire is for all His children to possess a spiritual mind and He has given us the capacity through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20). What Jesus said to His disciples applies also to us: "Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear" (Matthew 13:16).

Do you want to cultivate your spiritual mind? Then immerse yourself in God's Word (Psalm 119:9). Pray for revelation and ask the Spirit of God to open your eyes to behold awesome things from heavenly realms (2 Kings 6:17). There is nothing wrong with intellectual knowledge and pursuit. God gave us our mind and expects us to use it. However, we should never depend upon mere human intellectual wisdom to advance us in the realm of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[childofchrist1983]

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? - Isaiah 58:6-7 KJV

Do these Bible verses sound familiar? If so, you remember that Jesus Christ said much the same in the Gospel Book of Matthew, in His parable of the Last Judgment and the separation of the sheep and the goats. If anyone thinks that God's teachings concerning justice begin in the New Testament, this is just one of the passages from Isaiah that would disprove that.

It's kind of interesting to me, but Lent and Advent seem to be the two seasons of the year that turn people's hearts to God. During Advent, we see a spirit of generosity that extends to those who have less, particularly to children. Although it's easy to think that all the talk about Santa Claus, or whatever name is given to him in different traditions, people are more willing to serve in soup kitchens, or knit for the homeless, or donate toys to community organizations. Lent brings out another spirit, that of increased introspection that encourages us to see where we have failed and where we can do better. Churches often add services because they know that more people will make the time to attend them or that people are more willing to think about Jesus' sacrifice and look for ways of helping the less fortunate.

God Almighty and Jesus Christ showed us how to live and He showed us the way to work for justice and peace in our world. How will you "fast" this Lent? You can give up time to help someone who might need a visit, or a phone call to let them know someone is thinking about them. Maybe, there's a community issue that can use your support. Maybe it's just taking more time to pray for peace in this world or for an end to violence in the home. Whatever we choose, may all that we do be pleasing to God. May He be with us during these forty days as we renew our efforts to live as we should in Him and His Holy Word and will for all our lives.

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

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

[platosshadowpuppet]

Lord Shrivening stood, entranced, talons loosely resting on the shoulder of the pianist. The pianist played on, with tears running down her cheeks. She was a consummate professional; even while shaking with fear and despair, the liquid trills and runs of Chopin's nocturne in e flat minor continued to flow from her fingers. All around, Edinburgh's Elfborn knelt on the hard stone flags in silent obeisance to their patron.

Edinburgh's Elfborn have always depended on their ancestors at the Seelie Court for prestige and power. Their ancestors are powerful, immortal and - crucially - somewhere far away from here.

So the news that the patron of Edinburgh's most powerful clan was to visit the city sent every Elfborn into paroxysms of desperate preparation.

While the Elfborn would never admit it, they are much closer to their human ancestors than to the Fae. The workings and machinations of the Seelie Court are impenetrable to outsiders. The Elves themselves are known to be unpredictable, powerful, and obsessed with beauty. They are also severe and unflinching in their punishments.

Three hours after Lord Shrivening stepped from a portal and into a cavernous wine cellar in New Town they had already killed two people - one human one Elfborn - blessed another, and cursed three more for some unparsable breach of etiquette.

The local Elfborn had been frantically working, bringing forth original art, fantastic foods, ancient wines and whiskies, musicians and poets. Anything to please their Lord and keep them from venturing out and finding that the Elfborn were but a hidden underclass in a human world.

Until the pianist, all their efforts had been met with indifference or death. Now, for the first time, their Lord appeared pleased.

As far as that appellation could be applied to such an alien creature, anyway. Lord Shrivening stood some seven feet tall. A lean, inhuman figure of androgynous beauty. Their every move was fluid and beautiful. Their skin like porcelain and their limbs long and elegant. But there was no recognisable emotion behind the eyes like roiling storm clouds. No words of praise or understanding came from those exquisite lips. And the cat like talons at the end of those tapered fingers were sharp and unmerciful.

All around the vaults the Elfborn knelt and prayed. Prayed that soon their god would return to heaven and leave them in peace. The thing the pious fear most of all is to see in the flesh the object of their reverence. To have their prayers answered and miracles showered upon them. To have to live with the holy and see how inimical it is to the stuff of life.

So it was with bowel loosening relief that the Elfborn watched their Lord pluck the pianist from her stool and stride back to the portal.

Before even her screams had ceased echoing from the vaulted ceiling, they were already composing their subtle boasts and sly retellings; how lucky they had been to have been graced with the presence of a full Elf, and how sad that your family was not so honoured.

Of the poor human pianist, no word was ever heard again.

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for September 25, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 25:12 (KJV): 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. Proverbs 25:12 (NIV): 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Thought for the Day

A wise man's reproof to one who heeds it is likened to a costly earring, and he will regard it as precious gold. If a young scientist were to begin a line of experimentation to prove a theory, he would consider any correction to his work from an established scientist invaluable. The wise among God's children value the corrections of other saints, knowing that heeding their reproofs will make their character more Christ-like. Most precious of all are the Holy Spirit's corrections, who alone brings to light hidden sin. God's reproof frees us from death and leads us to abundant life and fellowship with Him.

Obedience is a necessary element of wisdom and faith. Faith, without works produced by obedience, is dead (James 2:17-18). The works spoken of here are inspired and empowered by God; the result of walking with Him in faith and obedience. When we obey God, we do the works of the Spirit, which alone are acceptable to Him. We can do many good works that do not please God. Teaching a children's Sunday school class is a good work, but not if God is telling us to teach the adult class instead. We must beware of expecting God to accept our way of doing things, as Cain and Abel's story in Genesis 4 shows. When each brought an offering to God, God accepted Abel's but rejected Cain's. Abel came to God God's way, offering a blood sacrifice in faith and obedience (Hebrews 11:4). Rebellion was in Cain's heart. He did not do what God required but came to God in his own way, bringing an offering he thought should be accepted.

Many see no answers to their prayers because they refuse to obey when the Lord speaks to them. The Lord does not always require it of us, but we must be willing to be used by God to answer every prayer we pray. If we ask God to meet someone's financial needs, we must be willing to be the one through whom He does so. If we ask God to provide someone with a place to stay, we must be ready to open our house. Whatever our request, if God can provide it through us, we must be willing to let Him do so. We must determine to follow God regardless of the cost, and obey even if our flesh resists His ways.

Our own efforts produce only the futile works of the flesh. Praying long hours, fasting, and sacrificing in many ways is vain if we do not obey. "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Disobedience is rebellion and rebellion is the same as witchcraft so that is why we must obey. God's ways are higher than our ways. Our precious Lord would never ask us to do anything that would not bless us, though the blessing may not immediately be seen. If we hold fast and continue to obey Him, we will discover that His plans for us are more fulfilling, exciting, and beautiful than anything we could imagine.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all of the things You are doing in my life. Lord, I do want to have a listening and obedient ear to all You are speaking to me. Lord, help me to obey quickly when You speak to me to do something. Lord, I do want to overcome my flesh and walk in the spirit and always have faith and trust in You. I choose to do it Your way and not mine, no matter what the cost, as I want to go all the way with You. Remove anything from my heart that would hinder my walk in You. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.