#required reading/watching for average sam girls

[captainamericasbeard]

Empathy Ch. 1

Pairing: Bucky x Empath!Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: None in this first chapter

Summary: Y/N is an empath tasked with helping the Avengers but healing only comes if you want it. 

A/N: I’m incredibly proud and excited to be bringing you this story! If you’d like to be tagged just send an ask and I’d be happy to knock up a list. 

Empathy MASTERLIST ll MASTERLIST 

The sound of your heels clicking on linoleum filled your ears. You smoothed down the front of your skirt and tucked a stray hair behind your ear as you walked briskly down the long hallway. You reached the door to Nick Fury’s office sooner than you would have liked and you took a steadying breath as you raised your hand to knock. Tap tap tap and the door opened immediately. Nick Fury was standing there dressed all in black with his eye patch perfectly in place. You’d seen Fury from afar before, passing through a room, on tv, but you’d never been in close proximity before. He was taller than you expected.

“I’m guessing I shouldn’t shake your hand?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Not unless you want me to know exactly what you’re thinking and feeling.” You reply, a mischievous grin curling your lips.

“Maybe next time,” Fury said inviting you in with a wave of his hand.

“I’m just kidding. I don’t automatically read every person I touch, unless their emotions are running high.” You explain as Fury escorts you to a leather chair across from a small couch.  

“I know a girl who can’t touch anyone. It’s… not a fun way to live,” Fury says as he sits in the chair leaving the couch open for you. You smooth your skirt behind you and sit down crossing your legs.

“I can imagine. When I was a girl my powers were so overwhelming I wasn't able to touch anyone. Years of hard work and practice and I’m a mostly functional member of society. Director Fury, I’ve been with 3P since I was 12. Why are we pretending you don’t already know everything about me.” You drop any naiveté and fix the director with a knowing look. Fury had never taken an interest in your powers before, why now?

“Common courtesy,” Fury said with a shrug.

“Well, thank you. Why don’t we talk about why I’m really here,” you said.

“I’ve got a job for you, if you want it,” Fury offered.  

“I’ve already got a job,” you reply with an arched eyebrow. You had an inkling as to where this was going.

“You do. In my linguists department. Because after being experimented on and tortured you decided to get your PhD in ancient languages and try to contribute some good to society,” Fury said, diving once again into his seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of your life.  

“Yes sir,” you confirmed.

“And as a result of that torture and experimentation you have telempathetic powers and super strength,” Fury said.

“In a nutshell, yes.” Let him think he knows everything, even you didn’t know the true extent of your powers.

Fury leaned back in his seat and fixed you with an inscrutable glare. Penny in the air.

“I have a select group of high functioning people with specific skills I’d like you to work with,” Fury stated. And the penny drops.

“I’m not interested in becoming an Avenger, sir” you said.

“Not becoming one of them, helping them. No field work. I’ve got enough super soldiers.” You smiled at that. It was true, you had no desire to throw yourself into the fray and save the world. But helping, that was something you were good at.

“Helping how?” You asked, your curiosity piqued.

“The team gets themselves into some pretty sticky situations and it’s not always easy for them to bounce back, mentally or emotionally. You would be there to… lighten the load, as only you can,” Fury said

“I’m not a therapist,” you said firmly.  

“I’ve got therapists. The team goes regularly. Requirement for being on the payroll. I’m asking you to take it that step further. Help ‘em sleep at night.” You were beginning to catch on.

“I understand. Help their minds rest a bit so things like therapy can be that much more effective,” you said.

“That’s the idea,” Fury said.

“I think I can be of assistance,” you consent. “What about linguistics?”

“What about it? You keep at it. You’re one of our best and I’d hate to lose you,” Fury stated. It was true, you excelled at languages. You worked twice as hard and with higher accuracy than your counterparts. You took a moment to consider Fury’s offer and what it would mean for your life and career. You had reservations but ultimately the thought of using your powers for good won out.

“When do I start,” you ask.  

“You have dinner with the team at 8:00 tonight,” Fury said as he stood up. You stood too and followed him to the door as he held it open for you.  

“8:00. I’ll be there. Thank you Director,” you said.

“No, thank you,” Fury said as you stepped out of his office. You gave him a smile and started down the hallway.

“Oh and Y/n? Maybe you can do something for Barnes,” Fury called after you.

“Sergeant Barnes? What do you mean,” you ask, turning on your heel. “Let’s just say, he’s a troubled man," Fury said with one last glare. With that he shut the door and you were left to ponder what he meant. You started down the hallway and were met by Fury’s assistant who informed you you would be moving into the Avenger’s quarters.

“Go home and pack a bag for a couple of days and we will come by for the rest of your things,” he said.

…

The Avengers occupied the top 4 levels of the main building of the compound. Sprawling common spaces, private rooms, and a gym made up the bulk of the quarters. Tony had a lab and his own private quarters with Pepper. Natasha, Sam, Bucky, and Steve had their own rooms and shared the common areas.

The elevator carried you up and up and up and as you rose your nerves rose too. You clutched your overnight bag in your hand and your knuckles went white. You took a few deep, steadying breaths as the elevator arrived. The doors opened and there stood Steve Rogers, arms crossed and a neutral look on his face. You could feel the apprehension rolling off him but you knew mentioning that would start you off on the wrong foot. You put on your most winning smile and extended your hand. He glanced at it but made no move to shake it so you let it fall. You were used to it.

“So, you’re Y/N,” Steve stated.

“That’s me,” you replied.

“You can leave your bag here. Kitchen’s this way. Don’t expect a warm welcome.” Steve led you through a tastefully decorated common room to the kitchen where the rest of the team sat chatting quietly. The conversation, clearly about you, died away with your entrance. The team turned to greet you. For those who smiled it didn’t reach their eyes. You could feel fear, panic, judgement. You knew you had some huge walls to scale.

“Don’t worry guys, I don’t bite,” you said holding up your hands defensively.

“Don’t mind them,” Sam said approaching you with a hand extended, “they’re a little wary around people who can read their thoughts.” You gratefully shook Sam’s hand.

“I’m not reading anyone’s thoughts, certainly not without their permission. Though you guys are going to have to calm down if you don’t want me knowing how much you dislike me,” you added with a light chuckle.

“Not dislike. Distrust.” Natasha clarified.

“No, its a bit of dislike too. And that’s ok. We have to start somewhere,” you countered, keeping a charming smile on your lips.  

“Hungry?” Sam asked, “It's spaghetti night. My speciality,” He said with a toothy grin.

“Famished,” you replied and sat down and the team followed. “Let’s hold off the questions until after we’ve eaten though. Interrogation’s not great for my digestion.” A few laughed at that and you soon settled into a conversation lead mostly by Sam with Steve and Nat chiming in here and there. Bucky remained stoic, eyes down picking at his food. You tried to catch his eye at first to give him a reassuring smile but he was actively avoiding your gaze.

As the meal ended the light hearted conversation faded away. One by one the team leaned back in their chairs and fixed you with interrogative stares. You were careful not to adopt a defensive stance, keeping your body open and your mind clear. You knew Steve would want to take the lead so you turned to him with a smile.

“Why are you here, Y/N?” Steve asked abruptly.

“I told you, I’m here to help. No ulterior motive,” you replied simply. Steve and Natasha exchanged a quick glance and that’s when you knew these questions had been rehearsed.

“Are you a spy? You report back to Fury?” Natasha asked.

“Not a spy and I don’t report to anyone. Everything I do stays between us.” You knew you couldn’t lie to Natasha even if you wanted to.

“So what’s your deal,” Sam asks, “Telempathetic? What does that even mean?”

“It means I can read and manipulate emotions. I can make a group of people feel one thing or I can focus on just one person. I can heal emotional damage or cause it. I can tell what you’re feeling and even thinking to an extent.”

“What else you got?” Bucky asked in a gruff voice. This you could see caught the others off guard. Bucky was reading you and he was doing a damn good job.

“My physicality is much like yours and Steve’s,” you answered. Steve’s eyebrow went up at this. You felt like you’d been caught in a lie.  

"How do you mean?” Steve asked.

“Increased strength and agility. Increased healing factor. Longer than average life span. That sort of thing.”

“So you're a super solider?” Bucky stated. He was watching you with arms crossed and brow furrowed. You had your work cut out for you with this one.

“Super without the solider,” you explained.

“Fury doesn’t want you in the field?” Steve questioned.

“No, and I don’t want to be there. I’m not here to be an Avenger. I'm just here to help,” you said.

“Help how?” Natasha asked.

“When a mission is too much, or even life is too much, I can help. I can ease your burdens. It's… hard to explain.”

"Show us. Show us what you’ve got.” Sam challenges.

“I'll need a volunteer from the audience,” you said with a coy smile.  

“You said you could do a group. Do all of us,” you felt fear spike in the group and you didn’t need to ask where it came from.

“Not everyone here is comfortable with what I can do. I’d like a willing volunteer,” you said.  

“I asked so I guess I'll do it. Why not. You’re not gonna mess with my memories or anything, are you?” You catch Bucky visibly squirm in his seat at this question.

“No, no, not at all. Nothing like that. If you feel me going somewhere you don’t want me to simply close that door and I’ll stay out. Can I touch your shoulder?” you ask and Sam nods.

“Do you have to be touching the person?” Steve asks curiously.

“No, but it helps,” you say with a soft smile. You reach out and gently lay a hand on Sam’s shoulder. You feel his tension, and his distrust. Suddenly a giggle erupts from Sam’s lips. He claps his hand over his mouth but more soon follow. Steve and Nat glance at each other and Bucky’s scowl deepens as Sam keeps laughing. He’s roaring now, doubled over with tears streaming down his cheeks. Steve chuckles and shakes his head.

“Alright, alright,” he says. You take your hand off Sam’s shoulder and his laughter slowly abates. He chuckles and wipes the tears from his cheeks.

“That was a trip! I’ve never felt anything like that! How’d you do that?” Sam asked. “That I can’t answer. I don’t know the how behind it.”

“But you were experimented on. I mean, you weren’t born like this.” Bucky asked.

“Come on Buck, she doesn’t have to go into that,” Steve said surprising you.

“No, it’s ok. Yes, I was experimented on. By Hydra. My father, he was a scientist and a genius but his experiments were of the unethical variety. Hydra found him disgraced and gave him a home. They gave him the freedom of human experimentation without consequences. And who better to transform than his own daughter.” A ripple of disgust passed through the group at your revelation. “He thought he was creating a god but I only thought I was a monster. I escaped and sought refuge here at Shield with 3P. I put myself through school, college, all under Shield’s protection.”

“3P?” Sam asked.

“Shield’s Powered Protection Program. They take in people with abilities who for one reason or another aren’t safe out in the world,” Natasha answered for you and you nodded.

“Alright, that’s enough for one day. Let’s let Y/N get settled.” Steve said ending the interview. The team seemed finally satisfied. They didn’t trust you yet but they weren’t going to throw you out of the compound. Steve rose and you followed him to the elevator to pick up your bag and on to a hallway lined with doors. Yours was the second on the right.

“Bucky’s on your right and I’m across the hall,” Steve said waving his hand.

“Thanks Steve.”  

“Is that all you have,” he asked pointing to your small bag.

“For now. Logistics is bringing over the rest of my things in the next few days. I just live on campus,” Steve’s face softened a bit at this.

“You know for most of us, this is the only family we’ve got. We’re just protecting what’s most valuable to us,” he explained apologetically.

“I understand. And I’m not offended. I’m here if any of you need me,” you replied.  

“Well, don’t hold your breath on that. I’ll leave you to settle in,” he said with a small smile and closed your door.

[words-writ-in-starlight]

Some Trans!Danny Thoughts

When this hit its second page, I moved it to a new post.  In no particular order of importance.

When Danny was a year old and learning to talk, he spent two hours getting in a power struggle with his then-three-year-old sister where she pointed to him and said “Danielle” and he said “Dannel” back, and then she told him “Jasmine” and he answered “Jassem”, and it ended with two kids in tears and Maddie having straight-up given up.  This was not so much a gender thing as a “kids getting into a screaming match about nothing of import” thing.  Instead of trying to fight the point, Maddie decided that her kids were now named Dani and Jazz, and that mostly resolved the issue.  It was also extremely convenient later.

Maddie and Jack are not, shall we say, the most attentive parents in the world. Danny was in the third grade before he was required to attend a formal event of any kind (it was Jazz’s elementary school graduation), and while Maddie did manage to wrangle him into a dress, he scowled through the whole thing.  Then Jazz bounced down to them, grinning and bright-eyed, and dropped her robe onto his head, because it was June and too warm for it.  He spent the next hour running around like a wizard and destroyed the lower third of his dress and that was pretty much the ballgame on Danny and formal attire.  He wore jeans to his elementary school graduation.

Jazz started being mostly in charge of making sure Danny had clothes that weren’t, A, full of holes, or B, contaminated around when she was twelve. She decided to do the big sister thing right and took him to Target, whereupon Jazz immediately got decision paralysis. This turned into Danny, ten, and Jazz, twelve, staring at each other in the baby clothes section like they had walked into a parallel dimension, until finally Danny very slowly lifted up a blue newborn onesie covered in elephants and said “I think we’re in the wrong section,” and then they had to sit down on the floor so as not to knock anything over while they lost it.  It was a weird day for the Target employees.  Jazz pulled it together enough to turn Danny loose and tell him that he needed three t-shirts, a jacket, a pair of pants, and underwear, but not enough to actually dictate anything about the clothes he found.  If her sister wanted to run around in block colored t-shirts and a boy’s hoodie, that was between Danny and God.

The ONE dysphoria headcanon I will be including is that Danny was one of those people who went from completely flat chested to a C-cup more or less overnight when he was eleven and suddenly all the mild discomfort he’d ignored through most of his life crystallized.  Jazz offhand said that they should go buy a couple bras, because she needed some more too, and Danny fully blue-screened out for five minutes before Jazz snapped her fingers in his face and went “Hey, Earth to Fenton, are you okay?”

“I don’t want to do that,” Danny said.

“What, go shopping?  Listen, we haven’t gotten lost in a store since--”

“I don’t want to get--” Danny stopped there, because he was suddenly really not prepared to say any of the words that might go at the end of that sentence.  “Can’t I just not?”

“Not—buy a bra?” Jazz asked carefully.

“Yeah.���  And Jazz’s baby sister blinked at her from under the shaggy overgrown pixie cut she’d been getting since she was old enough to have preferences, and Jazz thought, a little idly, well, Dani won’t be able to look like a boy anymore, if she looks anything like me and Mom.  

And then Jazz, budding psychologist, opened her mouth, shut it, and said, “Tell you what, how about we don’t worry about it right now.”  So they didn’t, and watched a movie, and then after Dani went to bed, Jazz hauled one of her secondhand psychology textbooks off a bookshelf and started doing reading.

Three days of intensive research later, she sidled up to Danny and said, “Hey, I have a weird question. Do you even want to be a girl, or what?”

“Sure,” Danny said, distracted by frowning over his summer homework, in the universal tone of I’m really not listening but okay, yeah.  “I—hang on, what?”

“Would you be a girl if you had the option?”

Danny blinked at her, again, and said, like Jazz was an idiot, “Would you?”

“Yeah,” Jazz said.  “I like being a girl.  But I was thinking that maybe you might want to start school as Daniel?”

And then it was Dani’s turn, Danny’s turn, to open his mouth, shut it, and say, “Is that—a thing?”

“Sure,” Jazz said with completely unwarranted confidence.  “I’m sure I can figure it out.”

Danny went over to Tucker’s the same afternoon and said, in a tone of total shock, “Hey, did you know I was a boy?”  And that was pretty much the end of that conversation.  The conversation with Sam also featured Sam’s very earnest attempt to convert Danny to being goth, but that was because Sam was going through a Phase and tried to convert anyone who asked her anything about clothing.

Jazz helps Danny figure out how to explain to their parents.  Since it doesn’t involve ghosts, Maddie and Jack could really give a fuck what pronouns their kid uses, and since it doesn’t really change anything except that Jack starts calling him “Danny-boy” instead of “Dani-girl,” it’s not…remarkable.  

Later, Jazz is going to think about that conversation, and about the way their dad boomed a laugh and said, “From your face, I thought you were going to tell us something awful—like you were a ghost!  Sure thing, Danny-boy, sounds good.”  And she’s going to understand why Danny told them one secret and not the other.

Danny’s pediatrician is just relieved that, at Danny’s pre-school yearly physical, Jazz’s only weird question is “can you prescribe hormone blockers” rather than something like “hey if you eat something contaminated with ectoplasm do you think that’ll have effects or…?”  (Someone please put this woman out of her misery.)

Danny’s wearing his binder during the accident, which is very convenient, don’t get him wrong, but also that was his favorite binder and he’s annoyed about it getting permanently removed from his wardrobe.  It didn’t do that rolly thing at the base of the elastic, it’s hard to find binders that don’t do the rolly thing.  Sam listens to him complain about it twice and then she tries to smother him with a pillow and accidentally slam dunks him through his bed.

Also, he initially has some concerns about whether he can take his binder…off as Phantom?  You’re not supposed to wear a binder while you exercise, Jazz has drilled this into his head, and it’s not until after his first major dustup with a ghost that he remembers, huh, fighting ghosts probably counts.  Some experimenting proves that, while Phantom is a lot more…structured than your average ghost and his suit does come off, it can’t really sustain itself without him for long.  If he leaves a glove or torn clothing behind, eventually it’ll start to crumble, or, more alarmingly, melt.  On the upside, the suit seems to repair itself, and can straight up regrow any pieces that he loses.  A little more experimenting proves that Phantom doesn’t breathe except to talk, and even that seems to be mostly habit, so Operation: Fight Ghosts In A Binder is a go.

Real conversation:

“So…this is Dani,” Danny says, doing kind of a ta-da gesture at the long-haired ghost who, undeniably, looks exactly like him, if a little younger.  “She’s my clone.”

“Hi,” Jazz says gamely, and the ghost waves back.  “What are you two going to do about the name thing?  If you’re both named Daniel it’ll get confusing.”

“My name is Danielle,” the girl says, bemused.  “It’s Dani, with an I.”

“She’s not trans,” Danny says with a shrug.  Jazz feels about four hundred questions hurl themselves at the back of her teeth, and she takes a deep breath, and Danny is already smirking by the time she wrestles down the impulse to never stop talking.  “I told you it would kill her not to be able to write a paper on us,” Danny tells Dani.  Then he turns back to Jazz and says, “So, Vlad gave me a free sister and she literally does not own clothes.  I figured you could take her to Target and have a meltdown in the baby section.”

“Danny!  God, you’re such a brat, that was one time,” Jazz says, flushing, and she grabs Dani by the hand and drags her off while Danny cackles at their back.  “Congratulations on your jerk brother,” Jazz tells Dani.  “He’s giving me grey hair.”

“Don’t worry about it too much,” Dani says.  “You’ll match.”  Jazz narrows her eyes and Dani grins, unapologetic.

It makes Danny grin like an idiot the first time the Amity Times publishes a (nominally complimentary, before shit hits the fan) headline about the ghost boy, and he keeps a copy of the article.

[roskimag]

I Pinned You From Across the Zoom

By Tori Frank

When you have them pinned, that’s how you know it’s real. The anonymous owners of @usc.missedconnections on Instagram discussed zoom romance and the seductive mystery of having an admirer behind the screen.

Imagine Gossip Girl, but make it all horny college students deprived of casual touch. That is the drama of @usc.missedconnections. If you don’t avidly stalk their account, you either have an unheard of self-confidence that doesn’t require any external validation, you deleted your Instagram in a fit of quarantine frenzy, or you haven’t heard of them yet, and you’re very curious about the previously stated analogy.

See the bio of the @usc.missedconnections page: “Have a message for the person whose zoom you always pin or saw from 6 ft away? Anonymously send your missed connection below!” Below sits the google form where all the virtual action happens: the flirts, the cat calls, the compliments, and the subtle roasts. It really is a good time, somewhat making up for the lack of classroom banter that would normally occur.

I sat down with the students who began the account, and we chatted about the new sensation that is dominating everyone’s feed.

Tori: My roommates and I have been following your page pretty actively, as I think a lot of people have been recently.

@usc.missedconnections just surpassed 3000 followers in the few months since their origin on September 30th, 2020

T: It’s definitely very entertaining, especially with Zoom making everything a little bit more boring and separated. It’s been really fun to follow @usc.missedconnections and see what’s the tea! To begin, how did you come up with the idea of creating this account?

Connector 1: I was between USC and another school out on the East coast. Some good friends that I went out and visited there showed me the [Instagram] page at that school, and I was like, “Hey that's a cool idea, that looks like a lot of fun.’ I texted _(Connector 2)_. I was like, “Hey here’s some dumb idea, we’ll get 50 people, we’ll get 2 responses a day. It will be kind of fun to just post them,” and we just grew from there.

T: So how many posts do you guys get a day now?

Connector 2: It’s actually ticked up a lot in what, the past like 2 weeks-ish? For a long time we had a solid 100 just in the bank, and then we slowly [opened them], but it's been 200 plus starting just recently, which is weird. We started posting more frequently to catch up.

Connector 1: Yeah I presume we get about 30-ish on average a day.

Are you intrigued yet? About 30 lucky students across the online campus are being called out for some reason another, be it their sexy voice, their mustache, their wall decorations, or the way they eat their oranges. And on the flip side, about 30 people a day are shooting their anonymous shot through the account. With anonymity of course comes a certain audacity to get real freaky over the submission form. I wondered how freaky it could get.

T: Do you post all of the ones that come, or is there some sort of filtering process?

Connector 1: We’ve had a couple instances where people have been mentioned or certain organizations that have been mentioned have requested for us to take the post down, so we’ve always just respected that if we’re ever asked to take the post down for whatever reason.

Connector 2: I periodically will go through, and I’ll be like, “This one’s weird, I don't think we need to post that,” and then I'll delete it.

_(connector 1)_ idk if you know that I do that, but um…

Connector 1: Oh probably. I mean, I’ve deleted one before.

Connector 2: Yeah, when I’m doing them sometimes I’ll be like ‘this is a little weird how can we phrase this in a way that's not exactly… yeah.

T: Yeah, what’s like the line? Because I think a lot of the time some of the things can be kind of… creepy… I mean the whole thing is like…

Connector 1: (cuts in, chuckling) Kinda creepy 

T: (agreeing) Kinda creepy, right!

There have been submissions such as:

“To ____, Did you know if you rearrange the letters of Coronavirus you get “carnivorous”? Which makes sense because I want to spend the next 14 days of quarantine eating you”

and

“____ in BUAD 497, my only motivation for coming to class is being able to pin your video and look at your beautiful face for two hours”

Connector 1: It’s interesting, um, when we first started it, we talked, and the thing we were worried most about was like cyber bullying, and I personally haven't seen many posts. You get the offhand sarcastic comments, um, which are pretty funny sometimes, but I don’t know if we... we don't really have a set filter. If we feel like something’s over the bar, then we’ll kinda edit it out. Of course a lot of the time too if we’re iffy on something we’ll text the other person and be like ‘hey what do you think of this’ so, it's no distinct line, but our goal is never to make anyone uncomfortable.

T: Yeah, I think generally it's been pretty positive, a lot of affirming things. Even sometimes not romantic, like just positive comments which is pretty cool, and it's good to see that that's been going on. 

Aw so sweet, fellow Trojans getting along so well. But this is a juicy topic. Playing the role as the reporter, I had to get the inside scoop.

T: Do you ever get messages about yourself?

Connector 1: I’ve had 2

Connecter 2: Yeah he’s had 2, I haven’t had any and I’m mad about it. I want one

Connector 1: I gave you one

Connector 2: You gave me one but I knew it was from you so it didn’t mean anything.

T: So you’re not only the owners of the account. You’re sort of participating in the game as well.

Connector 1: Oh, it’s always a blast when like you’re reading through and you know the person who it's getting written about and you’re just waiting. Yeah, that’s like my favorite part of it, and also the guessing games sometimes are a lot of fun too.

Connector 2: For a long time people were scared to tag people that it was about in the comments, but now there’s no hesitation. People will just tag everyone, which I think is really fun.

Its also fun that we don’t give the full last name because then its kinda funny when you get a really generic “Sam B” or “Lucy J” and 6 different Lucy’s get tagged and half the time we know who it really is because we saw the last name and then edited it out.

T: Why don’t you include the full name?

Connector 2: I think it’s more fun. (shyly shrugs) It’s about keeping the mystery, you know? Who could it possibly be about? 

Connector 1: We do get a lot of requests though because of that, where people are like, “Hey, is this me? Can you tell me who sent this in?” and we're like “I don't know.”

Connector 2: Yeah people DM us every day asking for things, and also sometimes people don't understand that we have a forum in our bio and they send it in thru DM, their missed connections, which sort of ruins the anonymity and its sort of embarrassing for them bc we have to be like, “please submit it in our bio,” and they have to be like “oh god now they know”

T: It’s almost like a masquerade. 

Again, I am imagining Jenny Humphrey wearing her golden mask at the Constance Billard School for Girls Masquerade Ball, prancing around Nate Archibald without him having the faintest idea of who he will be kissing. Maybe this is a little different, but the spirit is there!

T: Looking through your posts of course, a lot of them are, “Oh, I have your screen pinned, I watch you all the time in class” Do you guys do that? Do you think that that's like, Zoom behavior now, or is that still cringe?

Connector 2: Idk if I’d pin for a whole class, but I’ve been known to take a look, and based on all the things we’ve gotten sent it I guess people do. If you’re in a lecture thats boring, fair enough. I can't fault you for that. It’s so weird right now, so who knows?

Connector 1: I think it's really fun also, like, people get really creative too. A lot of them are really general but we just posted one today that had a Kanye reference. We get poetry sometimes. I love the poets. It’s a lot of fun for us and I think other people get to read the more fun posts then, like “hey I saw you”, when saying “hey I saw you” does make it, I guess, easier to match, but it’s less exciting for everybody else

T: To match... going off of that, have you heard of any success stores?

Connector 2: I have not but I desperately want to know. I think if people get married we legally have to officiate the wedding. We’ll go public to officiate the wedding. We’ll break anonymity for that.

T: Do a little daft punk moment

Connector 1: Yeah exactly. The [ones] behind the mask.

T: Do you think you want to continue it next year or post COVID in general?

Connector 1: Yeah, I mean I want to.

They talked about potential future: color schemes, contemplating a purple theme or the classic USC colors. I can tell that the account is only growing from here. It’s not like there is any shortage of desperate college students!

T: That’s exciting. I’m excited to see where the account goes!

Connector 1: Us too

T: I’m also looking forward to hopefully getting a post about myself. I have not yet. I know you guys are hiding it

Connector 1: Oh yeah, well with the 200 post back log I’m sure it’ll come out soon...

[stuckonjbbarnes]

Hella Feelings- MTC

Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/65TgiBOzwdTFk6EQ0vfltu?si=Zg7zc5c6RFGkvWAtD_26iA

Meet The Characters:

Holly Walker: Meet Holly, the 22 year old hot mess of a person who thinks salt and vinegar chips are a good breakfast. Holly prides herself in being average. She’s average height, average intelligence and average skill level when it comes to guys. She’s a class A clown and artsy jock attitude has her ready to fight but also ready to talk about the secrets of life depending on her alcohol intake. This short haired brunette would never be caught wearing heels but she will be caught with anything your heart desires. Headache? She’s got you. Sore throat? No problem. Want to get high at pre drinks? She’s got your back. Studying anthropology Holly is obsessed with how the world works and human and society behaviour. She thinks a clean room is a sign of having your life sorted but never has a clean room. Her favourite past time, when it isn’t being an absolute clown with her best friend and roommate, is making cocktails of all different flavours. To earn that sweet dough she works as a dishwasher at the local bakery in the early hours of the morning.

Vanessa Berlin: Vanessa is everything you’d expect from a top-tier, 22 year old, clown... but she’ll absolutely put you in your place if she has to. She’s always thinking, always assessing everything and everyone around her. Which comes in handy with her abnormal psychology degree. Her aesthetic is the smell of campfires, dark stormy nights, and true crime docs. Nessa’s always reading something on top of the required readings for her classes. The girl can’t go anywhere without a book. She keeps her dark brown hair perfectly straight and she prides herself on being very smol at 5’4. She loves wearing fall colors all year round and her fashion sense is trendy chic. She believes you can dress up any outfit with heels. Vanessa tries her hardest to act like she has her shit together but she literally does not. If you think you know a scorpio...think again Vanessa is THE textbook Scorpio, so much so it’s become a personality trait.. Her favorite type of night is one spent watching true crime docs with a bottle of wine... But she’s also into going out and drinking, particularly trying to see if other bartenders can make cocktails like Holly can, fun fact...they can't. She has a part time job at the University’s cafe/bookstore on days that she has class.

Bucky Barnes: James Buchanan Barnes, is the textbook “teen movie” jock, except he’s 23 and in college. You know, the one that’s got it all. The brains, the muscles and the money? But “Bucky” is actually the softest/sweetest man you’ll ever meet. He’s got a heart of gold and he likes helping people, which is why he’s in law school. The guy also lives in a gym, on your RIGHT af, because he’s got to maintain those gainz. He’ll never tell you he’s rich...because he doesn’t think he is. His legal guardian, Uncle Tony, is the billionaire. Bucky just happens to have a black card to use for everything. He can come across as an “I don’t speak poor” douchebag but is totally mostly joking. Ever the sweetheart, he tries to give his best friend and roommate Sam money all the time. But Sam would rather die than use his best friend for a quick buck, pun intended.

Sam Wilson: Sam Wilson...Sammy T...but don’t call him that. Sam’s a trainwreck of a man. He believes that C’s get degrees but tells his mum he gets B’s. He hates the gym but only because Bucky can lift more than him. He’s 24 and still not quite sure what’s going on with his life but heck he’s enjoying his degree in psychology and sociology. Working the night shift at the local supermarket Sam refuses to let his nephew of a billionaire pay for anything unless it’s the power bill. He comes off strong but like Bucky, Sam is a softie and trips at the sight of a gorgeous gal. Though his smooth tongue usually helps him through the fall, he’s a loyal man and will always be there to make fun of friends...just don’t make fun of them for him or he’ll have to throw hands.

[motheatenscarf]

11, 17, 29 and 30 for Aashi, 12, 26, and 36 for Tallia and 27 and 4 for Aerasuni. And 5 for all of them if you feel like it.

Yaaaay, an Aashi ask! :D

I should commission artwork of her so I can make a banner... hmm...

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

Her actual pockets and not the pack of supplies that she carries around? Spare change, maybe a few extra buttons and thread to patch up any new tears she gets while she’s out, maybe a note from her uncle Navin who did her laundry again about how she’s supposed to sort the darks from her lights. Now that she’s trapped on an island probably also lots and lots and LOTS of sand. 

11. In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

In terms of sheer raw fear, probably when she saw Salimpur burning and was too far out to help or do anything other than worry. She finds comfort during hardship by trying to find ways to fix or alleviate what’s wrong. Feeling that helpless but having to watch as the smoke rose and rose was terrifying. In terms of “afraid for her life”, probably when the ship was sinking and she was trapped underneath the fallen mast. Those are all things that were so far beyond her control and the thought of dying at sea before she managed to set her family’s debts aside terrified her.

17. What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

I actually know this one and I’m not making it up on the spot, it was darts! Her uncles had a dart board at the tavern and they taught her how to play whenever her mom was out on a job where she couldn’t take Aashi. Navin always let her win but Bahir never went easy on her and made her work for it- she didn’t beat him until she was twelve. She eventually got so good she started hustling tourists and travelers who didn’t know her reputation just to get some extra money for the bar.

29. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

She always thought she’d be a soldier for a while like her mom and then take over the bar when she was older. But it turned out she didn’t like the type of people mercenary life tends to draw in. People who knew her mother only saw her as Ina’s girl and winked and nudged and drew comparisons, and absolutely everyone made her ears the talking point of all their introductions with the inevitable questions that followed. So she decided it would be better to make her own name and work alone. She’s been working mostly solitary for 7 years now.

30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

Spitting. She hates it. People would spit on the floors of the tavern all the time as she was busing tables and trying to keep the place clean. It got so bad her uncles even tried keeping a spitting jar at every table just so people COULD have someplace to spit if they wanted to but they still just spat on the floor.

This got kinda long, so the rest are under a read more!

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

Her credit chit, probably some treats for Warbles, one time Vette thought it would be funny to drop a plastic slug in there on Prank Day which started an escalating prank war that ended with the ship having to be quarantined for a week and decontaminated with all their food thrown out and a truce built on the promise that this could never happen again.

26. How does your character behave around children?

She used to be very nervous because she is A Dangerous Person and doesn’t want to hurt children who are small and need to be protected so she had no fucking idea how to act around them. Samazu helped her get over the worst of that because she couldn’t avoid her and because Sam was an extremely outspoken kid who wasn’t afraid to talk to Tallia. She got over most of her fears about younger kids thanks to Kiran who is an actual living nightmare of a child but she figured out how to deal with him and is actually... surprisingly comfortable around kids now? She finally gets that they’re just people only smaller and newer so she’s more patient with them.

36. How does your character behave around people they dislike?

If there’s no pressing issue to be civil toward them, she will be overtly hostile (Valkorion, most of her time knowing Arcann). If circumstances don’t require her to speak to them, she won’t (i.e., she went like 10 years without speaking a word to her mother). If she hates them but still has to talk to them and can’t TELL THEM how much she hates them, she’s snide and rude and generally unpleasant to be around (literally every time she sassed Baras).

aaaaaand Aerasuni!

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

I don’t know that I can point to a single moment in her life that had such a profound effect on her. Aerasuni’s life has mostly been a progressive of small lessons amounting up to an affirmation of herself. 

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

Usually some seeds she picks up when she’s out traveling that she might want for her garden, a few rocks for similar reasons, and she’s always got her lucky keychain from Coruscant on her. 

27. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

She desperately tries for peaceful resolutions. She hears people out of they’re willing to talk and does her best to offer apology if one’s needed or make amends if any can be given. She’s never the first one to draw a weapon if a confrontation is particularly hostile and tries to fight as defensively as possible, disarming rather than harming if she can. 

[dickbaggins]

my fave everything @marrieddorks tagged me ♥♥

Nicknames: Jan, snorts

Gender: Female

Star Sign: capricorn on the cusp of aquarius

Height: 5′7′’

Time: 4:10 PM

Birthday: January 20

Favorite Bands: Rasputina, the Smiths, chvrches, BTS, NCT127, the Tragically Hip, Loona, Modest Mouse, the Cure, oh just stop me here ok

Favorite Solo Artists: Amanda Palmer, Ben Nichols

Song stuck in my head: Up the Wolves - Mountain Goats

Last movie I watched: I just watched the Tom Hardy Wuthering Heights which was a mini series but it counts, right? I just DVR’d it from a late night PBS airing and omg Andrew Lincoln was so lovely I had no idea! Otherwise it was pretty lacking, idk.

Last show I watched: I am watching season 3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt

When did I create my blog: a long fucking time ago? Like 2010 or something even longer ago.

What do I post?: Mostly Supernatural crap, side of porn and lesbians and other attractive human beings.

Last thing I googled?: How to cure hiccups bc I had terrible hiccups last night

Do you have other blogs?: I have a personal blog ( @turtlemushroombicep ) and a porn blog ( @peachbottompie ) and I used to have an RP blog but no one wanted to do it haha.

Do you get asks?: Occasionally. I have a few unanswered in my box but I don’t get that many, really. Like once or twice a week now. I was very popular a few months ago until everyone realized how lame I actually am.

Why did you choose your URL?: I had a poll and this won over a few other wet Sam based URLs. I really want to change it to ‘sammysbutthole’ one day.

Favorite colors?: All of them?

Average hours of sleep?: About seven or eight hours, depending. 

Lucky numbers: I have none?

Instruments: Mediocre piano skills, very long ago clarinet skills, and I can play the guitar and mandolin. 

What am I wearing?: Grey tweed aerie harem lounge pants, a t-shirt from woot that says ‘living on the edge, scissor run 5k’ and my favourite gross oversized green cardigan.

How many blankets I sleep with?: Winter is upon us, so there is a sheet, a fleece Rick Grimes blanket that my husband got when someone donated it to his work (this is how we get most blankets and honestly that thing is like $20 at Target, I saw it) and then a larger faux fur blanket on top of that. And there is also usually a cat on me. 

Dream Job: I would like to get paid for writing professional and also own a yarn store and run knitting and crochet classes.

Dream Trip: Rhode Island, going to Lovecraftian places.

Ethnicity: White Canadian with obligatory indigenous mixed in somewhere, as per an old diary my grandmother found. Further back, we were polish jews on one side, and the generic white UK mix otherwise.

Favorite song right now: I honestly have no idea, I’m really kpop trash right now, we don’t need to talk about it.

Put your music library on shuffle. What are the first 6 songs that popped up?:

Flipside - Lana Del Rey

Don’t U Wait No More - Red Velvet

Neverending Circles - Chvrches

Satisfied - Hamilton soundtrack obv

U-Turn - Tegan & Sara

All the Pretty Girls - Kaleo

Grab a book nearest to you and turn to page 23. What is line 17?: Oh my god I’m so fucking lazy rn, you’re making me get up? The only thing I have nearby is the IKEA catalog. 

Who is your celebrity crush?: I just rewatched the beginning of Fear the Walking Dead, so I’m real back into Alycia Debnam-Carey. Punisher got me going on Ben Barnes, the little shitfuck. Otherwise, the usual suspects.

Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?: I do not know how to drive, I am far too gay, but I am required to learn to get around at all in suburban New Jersey, where public transport is terribly limited. So we’re working on it. 

The last book you read?: I re-read Annemor Sundbo’s book about traditional Norwegian mittens. That’s right.

Worst injury you’ve had?: I am sooo lucky that as clumsy as I am, I haven’t had any terrible injuries. I’ve broken both little toes so many times, and a few fingers. Otherwise that’s it, somehow.

Do you have any obsessions right now?: As always with this time of year, I’m frantically knitting and crocheting so I don’t have to be alone with my thoughts. I’ve made a lot of stuff. Really into Korean cooking too, which is time consuming but delicious and healthy.

Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?: I wish I could say that I don’t but I’m a pretty black and white person when it comes to people doing me wrong or treating me poorly or anything like that. I wouldn’t say I hold grudges but I do cut people out of my life when I have to.

aaah who to tag, just everyone do it

[ladyaragorn13]

Just A Little Sprain

A/N: Hey! I’m super new to writing fanfiction and I thought I would give it a shot. I tried to do a reader insert because these are one of my favourite kind of fics. Please be kind as it is my first time. Hope you guys enjoy!

Also, a special thank you to my beta @winchester-wannabe99 for your help and support. This fic would literally not be here without you.

Summary: A little accident leads to something you’ve only seen in your dreams.

Words: 1520

Pairing: Sam x Reader

Warnings: Injury, low self-esteem, fluff

2 weeks earlier

--Y/N’s p.o.v.--

You had been living at the bunker for almost two years now and had just finished a hunt with Sam and Dean. The werewolf had been easily taken care of and the whole night had gone really well, if you excuse the fact that you had managed to badly sprain both ankles after the hunt was over. You had spectacularly fallen down each and every stair upon entry into the bunker.

You had writhed on the floor, gritting your teeth and clutching at your ankles to stop the pain. Tears were streaming down your face with no sign of stopping. You were just in so much pain.

Luckily, Sam and Dean were both in their rooms, saving you the embarrassment of them seeing you in this state. Who ever heard of a hunter being taken down by a flight of stairs? Nobody. Exactly.

You spent a few minutes trying to control your breathing. Slow and deep, in and out. Eventually, your breathing became as close to normal as it could. Pain violently throbbing in your already swollen ankles. You couldn’t just sit at the bottom of the stairs all day. You had to get to your room.

As slowly and carefully as possible, you rose to your feet, leaning on the wall. You aimed to put as little weight on your ankles as possible. Excruciating pain radiated throughout your entire body. You wanted to scream so badly, but you couldn’t let Sam and Dean find out, so you bit your lip, tasting blood.

Once upright, you slowly began to make your way down the hallway, leaning heavily on the wall and anything else you could find as support. The only sounds heard in the bunker were your harsh breaths and slow, shuffling footsteps.

A sweat had broken out on your body from the pain and exertion. Just the amount of focus required to remain upright was taking a toll. Light-headedness was beginning to set in, you must have hit your head on the stairs or you were going into shock. Either way, you had to hurry up.

You passed Sam’s room, trying to keep as quiet as possible. Suddenly a sneeze erupted from within the room, catching you off guard. Your head snapped towards Sam’s room, scared that he would see you in your state. You instantly became dizzy and lost your footing.

Your ankles erupted in the most intense pain you’ve ever felt and your vision went white. You think you screamed but you weren’t sure of anything anymore. You lost your grip on the wall and felt yourself falling. Your head hit the floor, the world slamming into black as you entered unconsciousness.

--Sam’s p.o.v.--

After arriving back at the bunker after the hunt, I headed to my room to unpack my duffle bag and rest. After unpacking, I decided to relax on my bed and read the lore book I was reading before we left.

It’s one of the oldest books from the library, covered in dust and cobwebs. Flipping through the pages, dust goes flying about the room. I can’t help it when it gets up my nose and I sneeze. Immediately after, I hear Y/N scream before something hits the floor with a thud.

I stealthily move to my door to investigate what happened. Slowly opening the door, I call out “Y/N? You alright?” there’s no response. I’m instantly more concerned.

Moving out of the room, I look left, seeing nothing new. I then look right and see…..Y/N sprawled on the floor, unmoving.

“Hey, Y/N?” I shouted, moving towards her still form. “Hey, Y/N wake up!” I cry, shaking her shoulder. Y/N’s not responding. What the hell happened to Y/N?

Present day

--Y/N’s p.o.v.--

Ever since you had knocked yourself out in the hallway, and been carried to your room, you had been forced to stay in bed to rest and ice your badly sprained ankles. Neither brother would let you walk anywhere, not that you wanted to, because you felt like your ankles would explode, judging by the amount of pain you were in. There was only one pain-free way for you to get around…

Piggyback rides.

Sam surprised you by volunteering to carry you anywhere in the bunker you wanted to go, but you weren’t complaining. It was a great way to spend more time with the man you secretly adored.

“SAAAAMMM! I GOTTA PEEEEEE!” Your scream echoed throughout the halls of the bunker. Sam sighed, shaking his head, lightly calling “Coming Y/N!” with a smile on his face.

Arriving at your door, Sam exaggeratingly bowed and said “My lady?” Putting on your best posh British accent, you acknowledged him “Ah, my chariot has arrived”.

Carefully turning on the bed, you slowly moved to the edge, but left enough room so Sam could sit in-between your legs. Sam made his way into your room, sat down on the bed and carefully lifted your legs over his hips.

You grabbed Sam’s shoulders and scooted closer to Sam’s body. Sam stood up, adjusting your position on his back. Once Sam had made his way out of your room, you pointed past him and still in your British accent announced “To the lavatory!” Sam laughed at your antics.

Upon reaching the bathroom, Sam carefully lowered you down so that you were sitting on the toilet. As Sam turned to leave the room, you grabbed his hand “Don’t go too far please?” you pleaded. “I’ll be just outside the door, ok sweetheart?” You instantly blushed and lowered your face so Sam couldn’t see it. “Thanks Sam,” you said quietly.

During your time in the bathroom, you reflected on all the favours Sam had done for you over the past couple of weeks. Whether it was getting him to carry you to the library so you could pick out a book to read or simply carrying you around the bunker so you could get out of your room for a while.

Sam did it every time you asked, without question or hesitation. It amazed you that he could be so selfless and caring. The realisation of how you had been treating him hit you like a tonne of bricks. Tears began pooling in your eyes. You were taking advantage of Sam and treating him like a slave. You had to put an end to your behaviour, be a big girl and take care of yourself.

You called for Sam to come in. Sam came straight in and began crouching in front of you before you stopped him “Wait, Sam..I..I can’t do this to you anymore,” you said sniffing and wiping away a stray tear.

“Hey, whoa. What are you talking about? What’s going on Y/N?” Sam had spun around, placing his hands on your upper arms. Your eyes were downcast, doing anything to avoid looking at Sam.

“I can’t keep doing this to you anymore,” tears running more freely now “I’m taking advantage of you and I’m sure you don’t want to keep coming to help the gimp get around when you definitely have better things to do,” you were nervously rambling now, “and I treat you like a slave and I know your probably sick of me and I would be sick of me by now an-”

“Y/N stop!” Sam interrupted your incessant rambling. “Do you honestly think I would want to be anywhere but here? Helping you?” Your eyes snapped up to meet Sam’s. Tears still poured as you softly said, “Even I wouldn’t be helping me, I’m not worth it”.

Sam cupped your cheeks and gently wiped away your tears with his thumbs, “Y/N, there is nowhere I’d rather be than with the girl I care about”. You were shocked “W-what?” You couldn’t understand why Sam would care about you. You were just an average girl. “I want to show you how much I care Y/N,” Sam said, slowly closing the distance between the two of you.

Your mind froze, what was happening? Sam was going to kiss you and you instantly starting freaking out about it, something you had only dreamed about for so long. Sam’s soft lips connected with yours and you went rigid with shock. Sam felt you tense, so he moved one hand to rest on your lower back and the other to the back of your neck. Once Sam had moved his hands, you slowly began to relax and enjoy the kiss, leaning into his touch.

After a few moments, Sam pulled away and looked at you. Your eyes were still closed, still caught up in the moment. “Did that really just happen?” you asked, unbelieving. Sam didn’t respond. You tentatively opened your eyes and looked directly at Sam who was watching you with such adoration. “It could happen more often, if you like?” said Sam with a smirk on his face. “I’d like that very much,” you said, your cheeks blushing. Sam grinned in response.

Who would have thought that your first kiss with Sam would happen on a toilet? You guess falling down the stairs really was a happy accident.

Tags: @winchester-wannabe99 @winchesters-favorite-girl @riversong-sam @imamotherfuckingstar-lord @mrspadalackles @obsessivecompulsivespn

[copperbadge]

Hi Sam! I'm curious about your magical time management skills: you have a full-time job, are super active in fandom, answer countless asks, write fanfiction and books, and still have time for jogging and many other stuffs. How do you organize yourself? I feel super overwhelmed due to lack of time and end up not doing what I want do. Do you allot time to do stuff? How does your typical day looks like? And any useful tips for us slackers.

I dunno how helpful it’ll be – I mean, some of it is time management, and some of it is that I have spent a long time working on arranging my life so that I have as much free time to pursue my own interests as possible. This hasn’t consciously meant giving up things like close brickspace friends and romantic relationships but in some ways it has kind of worked out that way. (Not that I couldn’t have those things if I chose to work towards them, in other words, but they don’t come naturally to me and I don’t mind the lack.) 

So, I will give you a rundown of my average day, but before we begin, I will also give you some context! And this will be long so I’ll put it under a readmore. 

I have at present no romantic partner, no children, no pets. This sounds sad, but I’m not complaining; I could work towards those things and choose not to, for a variety of reasons, some good, some not. I would like to have a partner, but honestly at this point in my life it’s as much because it’s cheaper to cohabitate; I am very independent and not, I suspect, built for the kind of daily intimacy that romantic cohabitation requires. 

If I were to get a pet it would probably not be a dog, since when I was dogsitting for R I had real trouble with the concept of properly caring for a creature whose life was so scheduled, who required specific attentions at specific times – I have owned dogs before and love them deeply, but never in an apartment or as a solitary person. I would probably get a cat or an axolotl (axolotls: like being alone, require very specific but easy-to-procure stimulus, look like tiny water dragons, sound like fantasy aliens). 

I have very few close brickspace friends, not by design but just because I’m kind of a private homebody, and my extensive network of online friendships is satisfying in that regard. But online friendships, while not LESS of a time commitment, are a different kind of commitment – you can multitask while hanging out with online friends, you don’t have travel times, if they’re running late you’re not stuck waiting and vice versa. 

I also am not in school, which is much more life-consuming than many jobs. School is a way of life; work can be, but doesn’t have to be. And I am very fortunate (in the literal sense of “it is luck that brought me here”) to have a job where I spend the vast majority of my time a) on a computer and b) in self-directed, non-public-facing work. For most of my day, every day, I guide my own workflow, I choose what to work on and when. Of course I have deadlines, but within the strictures of those deadlines I am free to triage my time as appropriate, and because I’m on a computer with unrestricted internet access, I can take ten minutes to log onto tumblr, read some things, respond to some things, and then go back to my work. 

So I am starting from an advantageous position: few personal commitments, unstructured time throughout the day, and a job where when I leave for the day, work stays at work. 

So here’s what a normal day is like for me. Bear in mind this is for comparison purposes rather than because I think it’s particularly ideal.

I wake up around 4am; if I haven’t slept well or feel like I need it, I may go back to sleep for about an hour. Normally when I get up I either work out from 4-5 (weights, running) or I sit on the couch with my laptop and check out what’s been going on while I was asleep. We’ll circle back to this, but I go to bed quite early, so at this point I have generally had at least seven hours of sleep. Also, I am a morning person, so I go straight from zero to lucid, which is nice. 

I answer email, check tumblr, check my RSS feeds (podcasts, news, fanfic, a couple of NSFW blogs that I can’t have on my tumblr feed because I read it at work). I look at my calendar so that I know what’s on offer for the day – my calendar doesn’t cover work stuff, but primarily anything I want to or need to do after work. My family has a mutual Google Calendar that we all use to schedule stuff the others should see, like whenever I take a vacation, and my parents also use it as their central calendar, so I can see what they’ll be up to on any given day. I’ve been thinking of switching over to a private Google Calendar, but out of habit for years I’ve used a custom-built spreadsheet, now in Google Sheets, that looks like a calendar: 

That’s July. This kind of layout works well for me because it’s easy to go in and change things, and I get a good “high level” view of the month. As you can see I’m traveling quite a bit; I’m tracking new TV shows, peoples’ birthdays, events I may attend (I will probably not be at everything happening in evenings on the week of the 10th), baseball games I have tickets for, and possible plans for camping. Google Calendar would work as well and would have some significant advantages, I just haven’t got off my ass to switch over. 

Around five, I usually get up and fix breakfast; often I’ll put on something to listen to while I cook and/or eat. If I’ve been working out, all the stuff I did – checking email, tumblr, etc – is pushed forward, and I do a bit less of it. But essentially from 4-6 I’m working out, eating breakfast, and getting a start on the personal-life aspect of my day. In terms of social media, this is the time I’m most likely to like something or save it to drafts to deal with later; I don’t spend brainpower on responding this early in the morning, usually. 

I have some fairly…prescriptive routines for the rest of the day, and that works for me, I like structure. Other people may find this sort of thing doesn’t work for them, and that’s okay. This is, again, for comparison purposes, not to dictate how your life should be. 

At six o’clock my alarm goes off, warning me that I have nine minutes before I need to stop what I’m doing and start getting ready for work. This is by design, so that I have a buffer zone in which to shift my mental attitudes from morning routine to something more focused. I hit snooze on the alarm and then at 6:09 I turn the alarm off and get in the shower. I shower, brush my teeth, and get dressed in clothes I laid out over a rail the night before (I have an electric heated towel rail, one of the best random-ass things my mother ever gave me, and in winter I turn the heat on so I come out of the shower and into warm undies; in summer it’s just a convenient place to hang clothes). I dress, grab my bag, take my keys off the doorknob and put them in a pocket of the bag, and I’m out the door around 6:25. I catch the 6:40 express bus to work. I usually read on my tablet on the bus (currently reading The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier after remembering how much I loved her prose in Girl With A Pearl Earring) and I get to work around 7. 

At work I have routines too: I set down my bag, hang up my jacket, and before I do anything else I get my 32oz mug and go to the kitchen to get ice water to sip on throughout the morning. I come back to my desk, turn on my monitors, and log into my computer. 

I check my work email first, to make sure nothing is on fire from yesterday, since I leave work quite a bit earlier than most of my colleagues. If nothing is urgent I delete anything irrelevant to me, respond to anything that needs immediate response, and move on to a quick glance at email and tumblr, then I open my “daily bookmarks” folder. My daily bookmarks folder is mostly stuff that either I can’t or don’t want to put in my RSS reader: a couple of messageboards, a few real estate sites I’m watching for my dream home to show up, a couple of tumblr tags (I don’t follow tags on tumblr because I don’t like seeing shit recur constantly on my dash), and some activism facebook pages because I despise facebook but it’s the only site some of these organizations use. If it’s Monday, I also open my Monday bookmark folder, which is a combination of sites that rarely update and “event” sites (the cinema I’m a member of so I can see what new movies are coming, the calendar of a local band I like, the events page of various cultural centers). I review these quickly, closing most tabs and setting aside anything I need to look at more indepth like an event I’d like to attend. Usually basically I fuck around on the internet until about 8, unless work has something urgent for me. 

The one scheduled task I have daily at work is news clipping, where I read several news sites and save off articles of interest to our staff, which need to be turned in by mid-morning. Realistically this could take 15 minutes of focused work, but I like to read the news, too, so from eight to eight forty-five or nine, I’m usually reading a very specifically aimed sort of news, saving off articles, and archiving them appropriately. 

After that, the day is, in many ways, mine to do with as I please.

I organize my life by using Google Tasks, which is a little pop-up to-do list in gmail. I have a to-do list for every day, and anything that doesn’t get done one day gets moved to another day, depending on how urgent it is. So at nine or so, I open Google Tasks and start moving each task around based on how urgent it is or how quickly I can do it. Urgent work and fast tasks go at the top; less urgent work, stuff I’m less enthused about, and stuff I can’t do at my desk (buying a card for Father’s Day, picking up groceries after work, etc) goes at the bottom. Some tasks are recurring – every Monday, for example, Radio Free Monday is at the top of the list because it’s time-sensitive. 

You can see RFM there at the top; I have to email some information about a 5K to a friend, but I need to get his email from another friend first; I have some registration and hotel issues to attend to for an upcoming conference; I have to write up some evaluations, and do some reading for a presentation I’m giving. I should stop by my PO Box after work. Other stuff will no doubt be added when I check my work email (documents to be prepared, research requests) but this is where I start the day. You can also see I have stuff with pushed out deadlines – Credit Cards is a monthly reconciliation for my corporate card, which I will do ON the 26th rather than BEFORE it, and quarterly I check my 401K, so I won’t need to do that until August 7th.

“PRESENTATION: Reading” will probably get pushed to another day, because by the time I get down that far on the list, I won’t have a ton of brainpower left to do a lot of reading and analysis. It’s ok, my presentation’s not due until the 30th.

And then I just work through my to-do list. Some days I’m really good at getting it done. Some (rare) days I spend most of my time reading tumblr and fucking around because I’m not having a good focus day. But again: this is a job in which I have the luxury to do that, and I’m very lucky. 

Rather than take a traditional lunch, I usually eat two small meals, at 11am and 2pm. Usually I bring most of my lunch for the week on Monday and just reheat tupperwares as I go, augmenting them with cheese and crackers; sometimes I’ll throw in a protein bar from a stash I keep in a little box on my desk. Most of my lunches are cooked on the weekends, when my time is a lot less structured. You’ve probably seen my COOKING DAY posts; sometimes I just set aside a day to cook and rest.

I’m gonna tackle fandom and social media here because truthfully my job has enough spare time built into it that this is when I do the majority of my fannish activity, at work, in small chunks. And yes I am very active in fandom but occasionally in very limited ways.

I don’t read a ton of fannish blogs. I have a limit on my tumblr of following 99 people, and I choose those people very carefully. Some are friends, but those who aren’t personally known to me are people who post both low-volume and things that are of interest to me. I do not follow people who flood dashes not because I disapprove but because I don’t have time to wade through ten million gifsets of things that I’m not concerned with. I also follow a few artist or writers, but again, only if they’re of relevance to me. I follow Skottie Young because I really like his art and think he’s a cool dude, and most of what he posts is his art. I don’t follow Matt Fraction because while I think he is also a cool dude and I enjoy his writing, his tumblr wasn’t generally speaking about his writing or him, it was aesthetic stuff I didn’t care for and it was A LOT OF IT. 

I don’t read a ton of fanfic. I have a couple of tags fed to my RSS reader and I subscribe to a couple of fics and fic writers, but even then I skim for interesting summaries and tag combinations I don’t find offputting. I don’t read fanfic at work, full stop; when I find one I want to read, I set it aside for a time when I’m at home and feel like reading fanfic.

Throughout the day I will check in on tumblr, in a very systematic manner: I read my dash, only the posts, and like or queue anything I want to reblog or examine later. I read my inbox and try to respond, but some asks don’t get answers for a really long time, because they require more focus or time or whatnot. I read my Activity page and open any reblogs with commentary; I set comments aside to be responded to en mass. I check my likes and try to clean out anything I’ve liked that could go in drafts or queue; I check my drafts and try to move just one draft into my queue (I constantly have a draft backlog). This all takes about ten minutes, then I go back to work.

I get AO3 comment notifications throughout the week, but generally I set aside a block of time either on Friday (if work is slow) or on Sunday to “clear out” my comments; every week I go through my comments, re-read each one, and either delete it or respond to it and then delete it. I don’t reply to a vast majority of them simply because I don’t have the time to respond to each one (I have tried, it was very stressful) and also because most of them don’t really a require a response. For everyone’s patience in this, I thank you.

So work is a long series of multitasking, breaks, deadline work, procrastination. It’s about average, I’d say, with anyone else in my situation. If I’m doing something after work, I check to make sure I know how to get there and what’s going on; if I don’t have all the info I need, I prepare a “brief” that has maps and directions and anything else I need, print that out, and toss it in my messenger bag. And then around 3:45 I pack up my bag, make sure I have my phone, and I head out to either (usually) catch the 4pm express bus home, or catch transit of my choice to whatever I’m doing after work. 

If I don’t have something I’m doing after work, I come home, take my keys out of the bag pocket, hang them up on the doorknob once I’m inside, and set my bag down. I’m very specific about my keys here, as I was up above, as a way of demonstrating that I live a very habitual life. Stuff like keys, phone, wallet always has a specific place it goes, and it stays there if I’m not using it. I used to lose shit a lot, and rigidly adhering to “if this is not in your hand, it should be in X pocket” is what saves me. 

I change into more comfortable clothes, usually yoga pants and a t-shirt. I make something for dinner and eat it, I unpack anything that needs to come out of my bag and pack anything that needs to go into it, and then usually these days I fuck around on the ukulele for a while. I don’t set a time limit on it, so sometimes I do it for half an hour, sometimes for ninety minutes. It’s a way of unwinding and finding stress relief, so it’s entirely voluntary and anything I do during this time is being done because I want to do it. I think it’s the only thing in my life where there are no external pressures anywhere and I have set no goals for myself. 

I don’t think external pressures and goals are inherently bad. The goals I set for myself in my other hobbies, like writing and running, being in fandom, going to movies and such, are good goals and they help me do well. External pressure is something that exists in every human interaction; that’s just the nature of being a person in society, and likewise isn’t a terrible thing. And not everyone needs a release from those things, or finds that release in the same way. I like a lot of my life; I wouldn’t do things if I didn’t like them. But I have found that it helps to have one thing which only belongs to you and which has no goals or benchmarks. For me that’s currently the ukulele. 

In the later evening – and let’s be clear, I get home at like 4:30 so “later” to me is 6ish – I’ll hop back on tumblr, maybe do a little writing, or attend or host a stream. I’ll chatter with people, respond to emails and posts, read things I had set aside for reading earlier in the day; it’s probably my most socially active time.

When I was in my twenties I did perfectly fine on five hours of sleep a night, but as I got older that stopped being comfortable, and also I started realizing that after a certain point in the day, I not only wasn’t doing anything useful or interesting, I wasn’t having a good time. I was being awake for the sake of not going to bed. So I adjusted my life to going to bed at nine, and when I started getting up earlier to run, I adjusted again. In order to do that, I created an evening routine, because going to bed is easier if you start out by doing other shit BEFORE going to bed. 

Now, generally, I log off between 7 and 7:30. Sometimes I go to bed that early, but that’s when I close down social interaction. Not necessarily turning off the computer, but just gently shutting down on being “around” other people. I log off chats, I stop responding to emails and tumblr posts. I set them aside for the morning. I might continue to read my dash or listen to podcasts or whatnot until eight or so. 

I change into pyjamas, wash my face, brush my teeth, lay out my clothes for tomorrow, and get into bed, usually with my tablet to do a little reading. It’s a very rare evening I go to bed any time past 8:30.  And that’s my day.

I have actually some reasoning about why I go to bed so early, but I think it’s the most important part of a post that is REALLY LONG and otherwise devoted to the boring details of my day, so I’m going to make it a separate post. 

I hope this has helped, Anon! As you can see, what helps me organize and sort out all my time commitments is schedules, lists, and an adherence to several fairly rigid habits – this may not work for you, and I don’t recommend it for everyone. But for me, it’s really the only way I can stay on top of everything, especially in cases where I’m dealing with some particularly intense depression. I’m happy to answer questions, though if people have commentary about the post they should remember to reblog or comment, since I don’t repost asks sent to me about other asks. 

[shakespearerants]

Book Review #1

Blurb: “Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But without them we are nobody.” 

Hattie’s summer isn’t going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to ‘find himself’ and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama about her mum’s wedding. Oh, and she’s also just discovered that she’s pregnant with Reuben’s baby... 

Then Gloria, Hattie’s great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria’s fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery - Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future...

Some stats: first published in 2016. ISBN: 978-1-4711-2031-2. 406 pages in the paperback edition. 32 chapters plus epilogue. First-person narrator with frequent switches in PoV. Written in present tense. Style is standard, lots of dialogue and internal monologue. Took me about five hours to get through, but I read very very fast, so I’d estimate about 10 - 15 hours for the average to slow reader. 

Synopsis: Hattie is a seventeen year old girl who lives in London with her mother, her twin siblings, and her mother’s finance, who is a personal trainer. She works at a diner and despises her boss, Melanie the Manager. Her best friends are Reuben, a ne’er-do-well playboy who comes from a very rich, but also dysfunctional and unloving family, and Kat, an aspiring artist. Reuben is in Europe, having accepted his father’s invite to come live with or at least visit him in France. Kat is in Edinburgh with her girlfriend, who is described as controlling and jealous. Hattie’s family is set to leave for a vacation in Spain while Hattie stays at home alone. Hattie takes a call from a woman claiming to be a friend of her great-aunt Gloria, who she didn’t know existed until then, stating that she is very ill. She decides to visit her and finds a drunk, extravagantly dresses elderly lady, living in a completely cluttered flat, who doesn’t want anything to do with her, though she does confess that she is in the early stages of dementia. Enraged, Hattie flies after telling Gloria she is pregnant in response to Gloria’s allegation that she has no real problems. A few days later she receives a letter from Gloria, in which she apologises and asks to meet up again. Hattie returns to find Gloria and the flat in much better condition, and agrees to go on a road trip with her. They visit places that are in some way significant to the story of Gloria’s life, beginning with her childhood home. Throughout the journey, Gloria reveals more and more about her troubled past, beginning with her traumatising childhood and teenage years, which are dominated by her alcoholic father, a WWII veteran who physically abuses her mother, her older sister’s husband Vinnie, who is also physically abusive and emotionally manipulative towards her sister, and her forbidden relationship to Sam, a young black man. As the two women arrive at the last station of their journey, they find that Hattie’s friend Reuben has arrived at the hotel they booked and passed himself off as Hattie’s husband. Hattie is not amused by this, due to the fact that she and Reuben didn’t part on good terms and she last told him via email to “fuck off, Reuben, and never contact [her] again” in response to an email he sent while he was drunk, which was the last straw to end their already straining relationship. He explains that he couldn’t contact her and missed her, but after some probing it is revealed that the real reasoning behind the surprise visit was, more than anything else, boredom and the end of his fling with a girl he met in France. Hattie tells him that he is the father of her unborn child and then later leaves him to watch a sleeping Gloria as she drives off into the Moor to clear her head. On her way back, she swerves to avoid hitting a rabbit running over the road and crashes into a wall. She awakes four days later in a hospital room to find that her family and Kat have arrived. Reuben left because he had a flight booked to an undisclosed location. Hattie and Gloria complete their journey a few days later, when Hattie is out of hospital, and then drive home with her family. The epilogue is set four years later, at Hattie’s mother’s wedding. 

Personal Opinion: Personally, I think the blurb is rather misleading; Hattie’s situation isn’t really as bad as implied, it’s described as more of a summer slump plus the additional anxiety caused by unexpected pregnancy. Also, the glorious road trip the two women go on is less really a self discovery and more of a revisiting of places with really bad memories associated to them. It’s not as adventurous as it sounds, either: Gloria’s neighbour planned the whole thing, they’ve got places to stay, no camping or sleeping under the stars required, and there aren’t really that many deep conversations about the meaning of life and everything. I’d describe it as the story of two women, one running away from her problems and hoping to finally understand her estranged dead father, one trying to face the traumas in her early life that shaped her before she forgets about them, who both use the other simultaneously as distraction and support. That being said, the book features rather heavy themes, ranging from teenage pregnancy to abortion to social stigma to implied murder, even if (and once you’ve read the book, I guarantee you’ll agree with me on this) the implied victim really had it coming. It is, in a way, also about family and what that really means. What I found refreshing was the way Hattie and Reuben’s relationship was treated. It could easily have been turned into a romantic cliché, two best friends having sex and then the girl realising that she is pregnant and she tells him and he confesses his love (bla bla bla, you get it). Instead it was displayed very realistically: teenage girl gets pregnant accidentally and realises that the father is in no way at all cut out to be a dad, gets no support whatsoever from him, and realises that she has to take matters into her own hands. Also, Gloria’s beginning dementia is always treated as what it is: a terminal disease with no chance of recovery. What I also really liked was the switches in PoV, which were set apart by a slight change in typeface, and the emails, letters and text conversations included. You really get close to the characters that way, and you see the difference between their thoughts and the way they portray themselves to others, especially in Gloria. 

Critique: None, except that I would’ve liked to know a bit more about Gloria’s life and career after the age of 20. Also, those emails Hattie writes are way too thought out and eloquent for a teenage girl. 

Would I recomend this book? If yes for whom? If no why? Yes, I would, for anyone who’s looking for something easy and fun to read that also touches heavier themes. It’s a rather casual read despite everything, so its ideal if you want an interesting story with a few plot twists, but don’t have the time for something that really sucks you in. Can be spaced out over longer stretches of time well, there aren’t enough characters to forget the names of. 

Do not read this book if ... 

...You're looking for something that really deals with all the heavier themes touched (see T/W!). Yes, they are touched, but not much more. 

...You’re looking for a fun, light read without heavier themes or “just” a road trip novel about finding yourself. 

T/W: rape scene (very graphic), emotional manipulation (implied), emotional abuse (implied), physical abuse (graphic), verbal abuse, unhealthy relationships (romantic and platonic; implied and graphic), gradual memory loss (graphic), off-screen character death, murder (implied), blood/pregnancy/complications when giving birth (graphic), period-typical racism, alcoholism, contemplation of suicide, depression (implied)

[theas-bedtime-stories]

Wild Mountain Thyme

Request: "Can you do a part two to A Bedtime Story with Uncle!Dean ? Maybe she gets a nightmare (...)

Summary: Dean and Cas are left to babysit little Odette while Sam and Reader go out of town, there’s Disney, a guitar, and a complication; the average Friday night at the bunker.

Pairing: Sam x Reader, Implied Dean x Castiel

Word Count: 1,703

Warnings: Dean singing!

A/N: There is a song in this, if you would like to listen to the version I used as reference (sung by Jensen Ackles) whilst reading that section then here is the link.

Slowly Dean rises to his knees with Odette perched upon his shoulders, her fingers clutching his hair tight. Sitting back on his heels he imitates a buzzer as he lifted his right index finger beside his ear, “Press the button” he instructed, giggling Odette tapped her finger to his. Her Y/H/C falling in front of her face as Dean wiggles his torso before letting himself fall on his back, throwing Odette to the bed. She lays there for a second, laughing with her hands by her head, before she is begging for him to do it again. Burying his head into the duvet, Dean prepares himself so that his niece can climb aboard once again. On his way up he notices you leaning against the doorframe with your arms crossed and a warmth in your eyes, instead of stopping he once again brings his index finger to be level with his ear. As soon as Odette presses ‘the button’ Dean announces “Going Down” before he flips around, landing on his back.

“Dinner’s ready kids” You declare before heading back to the kitchen, leaving the sounds of your brother-in-law protesting behind you.

Strolling into the kitchen with Odette sat on his left arm, whilst the other is wrapped across her chest to keep her secure, he lifts her up so that she is at eye level with her giant of a father. She promptly proceeds to grab his cheeks in both hands as she kisses him on the nose, squealing as Dean places her in her high chair. As they sit down to eat, Dean begins to Shovel down his steak, taking a swig from his beer with food still in his mouth. You purse your lips out of amusement and disapproval, watching the more civilised of the brothers, your husband, taking sips of water in between bites.

Out of the corner of your eye you notice Odette pushing her miniature meal around the bowl, using her fork to make a small pile of peas and mash up the baby potatoes. “O, don’t play with your food sweetie, it’s bad manners.” She pauses, eyebrows furrowed as she processes what you just said, you can hear the cogs whirring, she truly is her father’s daughter. After looking at her uncle and then her dad, he eyes meet yours, staring steadily at you she picks up her fork again; bringing it down on top of another potato quarter.

“Odette Mary Lucille Winchester. Do not look at your mother that way…” Sam warned.

“But it’s not fair!” Your daughter huffed back, arms across her chest, pouting.

Out of the corner of your eye you could see Dean trying desperately to stifle the laugh which was rising in his throat due to his niece looking identical to her father when he was younger and her mother, you, when you first met the brothers.

As Sam was in the middle of explaining how he knew it wasn’t fair but it was just what society requires and everybody must do it, including adults, when Odette thrust her fork in Dean’s general vicinity.

“But Unca Bean does it!” she accused, cutting Sam off as his explanation became more of a ramble.

The look of utter betrayal in the green eyes that stared back was almost comical, especially as your brother-in-law’s hand flew to his chest; feigning shock. He completed the look with his lips forming a small ‘o’.

After a short pause, he retaliates with one of his famously quick-witted ripostes. “Well… erm… Listen to your mother!”

As soon as your back is turned Dean proceeds to stick his tongue out at Odette as she gives in and attempts to correct her poor manners. As though he were waiting for the conflict to resolve, Castiel appears beside Dean with a hand on his shoulder making the poor man jump; smacking his knee on the table. Throughout the rest of dinner, you focus on feeding Odette as she loses interest in using her cutlery – having the epiphany that to use one’s hands with one’s food allows one to not only eat more at once – Sam and Castiel discuss babysitting plans and instructions whilst Dean remains worryingly quiet; you remain ignorant to the faces he is pulling behind your back to make his niece laugh. Every time you turn to look at him, certain that he is guilty of sending Odette into fits of giggles, he puts on his poker face as he nods along to what his brother is saying.

Soon it was nearing 6 o’clock. “Come give Daddy a kiss, me and Mummy need to go see Nanna and Grampa” Sam says, crouching till he is eye level with Odette. Throwing her arms around his neck, she shakes her head, begging him not to go.

“I need you to do something for me O” He says prying her arms of him so that he can hold her tiny hands in one of his. “I need you to be good for Uncle Dean and Uncle Cas. I need you to look after them and make sure Dean goes to bed on time.”

“Do you think you can do that for me?” He asks, searching her eyes.

As she nods determinedly tears begin to fall from her eyes. “That’s my girl” he hums whilst he uses his thumb to wipe away a stray teardrop that is slowly sliding down her cheek.

Standing back up he rustles her hair with a smile before allowing you to say your goodbyes. Holding her tight your whisper into her ear that age old promise to be there when she wakes up in the morning, even though it will only be a phone call you will still be ‘right there’. Resting your hand on her heart, she places her hand on top of it so that she can remember your touch in the morning.

The only light to be seen in the bunker was the soft glow of Odette’s nightlight which Dean had forgotten to turn off after he had tucked her in bed. The poor girl had been so determined to stay up till midnight watching movies with her uncles but she had fallen asleep, somewhere between the end of Tangled and the middle of The Little Mermaid, her head on Deans chest. He had picked her up and carried her to her room, she only stirred once to place a gentle kiss on his chin as he placed her on the pillow. In his state of fatigue, he had forgotten to turn the angel shaped lamp of before heading to his own room due to the seductive call of his dreams.

Arms and legs thrash around, tangling themselves in the warm material that was attempting to restrain them, blonde hair stuck to the drenched forehead of its owner, Odette’s once ‘Pink Champagne’ pyjamas were now a deep crimson. Waking with such a start that she ends up knocking her head on the edge of her bedside table, breathing heavily she runs to Dean’s room, rubbing the top of her head, bursting through the door which shocks him enough to warrant a gun being whipped out from under his pillow and pointed at the dishevelled four-year-old.

“Jesus O! I could have shot you! Don’t you know how dangerous it is to sneak up on me?!” He lectures between deep breaths, hands on his hips. Unable to hold up the strong façade, she bursts into tears.

“Crap” Dean mutters as he pulls her onto the bed beside him. “I’m sorry O, I didn’t mean to sound angry, I promise I am not angry with you I was just scared.” Tears continue to pour down her cheeks as she buries herself under his arm. “Oh baby. What’s wrong?” He asks as he begins to stroke her hair.

“Nightmare” She squeezes out with a sniffle.

“Want Uncle Dean to sing you a song?” He suggests, picking up his guitar pre-emptively.

She nods furiously, drawing the duvet over her tiny frame, the tears still falling but at a slightly slower rate. Tugging at her Uncles sleeve to make sure he is paying attention; she gently asks him to sing “the mountain song”. Smiling he begins to strum.

Oh, the summer time is coming

And the trees are sweetly blooming

And the wild mountain thyme

Grows around the blooming heather

Will you go, lassie, go

And we’ll all go together

And the wild mountain thyme

Blows around the blooming heather

Will you go lassie, go

Odette’s ragged breathing softens as she shuts her eyes tight, clenching her fist around the material of Dean’s shirt.

I will build my love a bower

On yon clear and crystal fountain

And on it I would place

All the colours of the mountain

Will you go lassie, go

And we’ll all fall together

And the wild mountain thyme

Blows around the blooming heather

Castiel, who had been sat in the kitchen due to his niece’s instructions, appeared in the doorway after hearing the unmistakable dulcet tones emanating from the oldest Winchester’s room. Scooping the doe-eyed child into his arms before sitting beside Dean, leaning against the headboard.

If my true love were gone

I would surely find another

And to her I would sing

Things that make her know I want her

Noticing the dried salt tracks which ran down his niece’s face Castiel kisses the top of her forehead as Odette struggles to stop her eyes from fluttering shut and staying that way.

Would you go, lassie, go?

And we’ll all go together

Where the wild mountain thyme

Grows around that blooming heather.

Enveloping Odette in his wings, Castiel begins to gently rock her, fully aware that the song is coming to an end. Dean’s voice is becoming softer, his chords becoming lighter, as he prepares to make a silent exit to go sleep in his brother’s room for the night.

Would you, go, lassie, go?

Drawing out the final note, carefully removing his weight from the bed, Cas nods to Dean ‘yes I am okay to stay like this tonight’. Grateful, Dean takes one last look at the gentle rise of the now dreaming toddler, whispering the family promise before heading out.

Tags: @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid, @aiaranradnay, @rosey-persephone, @the-petite-lion, @fairy-kill3r

[wherever-i-look-blog]

Atypical can and should become a hit for Netflix. If only because it isn’t trying to be a hit and reminds you why Netflix used to be on such a pedestal. For this is a story you can’t imagine network, cable, or the premium stations offering. It is the type of program you can only imagine on Netflix.

The Introduction

Being 18 and on the spectrum has made life a bit difficult for Sam (Keir Gilchrist). However, thanks to his overbearing mom Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), bodyguard/sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), and doctor Julia (Amy Okuda), he is able to handle daily life tasks. Of which include going to work and school. However, Sam wants more than that at this point – he wants to date.

Julia (Amy Okuda)

Something which maybe a struggle since Sam, while high functioning, is still autistic. So between him being highly literal, not fond of soft touching but preferring pressure, and a slew of other things, patience will be highly important with any girl who comes near. But, from what it seems, he found ways around other things which made him uncomfortable so it is just a matter of time before Sam can be part of the 9% [note]We are told only 9% of those on the spectrum marry and it is mostly because they don’t know how or have been given the tools to date.[/note].

Collected Quote(s)

I’m always mean to people I like. I think it’s ‘cause I expect so much.

Possible Storylines

Elsa having an affair.

Casey and Sam finding love and having their first time.

Sam’s first real “I love you” rejection coming from Julia.

Sam’s dad Doug (Michael Rapaport) having a breakthrough with Sam and them finding something to truly bond over.

What it is like to have an autistic child who you want and wish was average.

Showing the capabilities of autistic people if they are given the tools for autonomy.

Seeing discrimination against autistic people.

Noteworthy Moments

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Highlights

So Cringey in a Good Way

Sam is literal to a fault, does and says weird things to maintain a certain level of comfort and on top of that is very specific about how he is touched. With all that in play, he has quite a few obstacles in front of him. However, he is shown as someone girls both online and in person could be comfortable with. Problem is, things start off good then nose dive.

One prime, and very cringey, example is how he was about to have his first time with this college girl. Someone who liked his quirkiness, but as she was caressing him he got so comfortable he pushed her off her own bed. Though maybe that is not cringey enough? How about him going on a coffee date with ear cancelling headphones and using weird pick up lines and trying to insult the girl into liking him? Even asking if she’d be willing to get rid of her cat for him?

Maybe reading it you might not help you see how cringey it is, but watching it may lead you to mute the scene. Heck, you might even feel the need to turn your head away. #Triggered

The Chemistry Between Characters

Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine)

Doug (Michael Rappaport)

I can’t recall a show on Netflix in which every character clicked as well with each other as they potentially could for the viewer. Just to bring up some examples, unlike many parents in media, I can fathom why Doug and Elsa now only got together, had kids, and got married, but why they are still together despite their struggles. I can understand Casey and Sam’s relationship and appreciate how she doesn’t baby him like their mom does and just treats him like a normal person. She picks on him, defends him, and openly rolls her eyes at him when he says something asinine.

And even outside of Sam’s family, you see quite the lovely combinations. Sam’s relationship with work friend Zahid (Nik Dodani) and Julia are truly astounding. Zahid, as Casey, doesn’t talk down or seem to really modify themselves because of Sam being on the spectrum. He treats him like he would any other dude, especially one he has invested his time in. So watching him, alongside Doug to a lesser extent, give Sam love advice was cute. Touching even.

Then with Julia, what I love about her scenes with Sam is just getting the idea of how Sam processes things. Much less showing the importance of therapy. Plus, she really helps battle against the type of characters you usually see when we witness people like Sam. She isn’t like Elsa who underestimates Sam’s capabilities and puts a “one-day” label on all his goals. Julia encourages him and is written in such a way that I’m sure if a parent has an autistic child or maybe someone with autism watches this, not only will they possibly identify with Sam but want someone like Julia in their life.

Meaningful Diversity

While the diversity in this show doesn’t necessarily mean we get some of Zahid and Julia’s culture, at least in the premiere, it is nice to see two important people in Sam’s life having real purpose. Julia is a rock in Sam’s life and isn’t presented as some sort of token. Then with Zahid, on top of him repping for Indian folk, he shows it isn’t just family which see Sam as a regular, everyday kind of guy. Those outside that inner circle too can learn to adapt to him and make him feel like he isn’t an outsider.

On The Fence

The Affair Possibilities

  Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh)

  Part of my worry for this show is being that Jennifer Jason Leigh is the producer and one of the stars, she isn’t going to let this show revolve around Sam’s character alone. Likely, Elsa is going to be given a storyline that hopefully is enough to show she has a life outside of Sam but isn’t necessarily trying to compete with it. You know what I mean?

For while you can understand how perhaps Sam puts a strain on her marriage, alongside other things, watching her flirt with the idea of having an affair isn’t that interesting. Especially to become something which competes with the main plot. So I just hope she stays in the lane of a supporting character who has her own life. That is, versus trying to share the starring role with Gilchrist.

Initial Impression: Positive (Watch This)

I think I truly am going to love this show. Gilchrist presents Sam as the type of character you are likely to laugh with, admittedly sometimes at, cry with, and also make you cringe. Then, in terms of the supporting characters, as long as Leigh doesn’t try to push her character to be side by side with Gilchrist, I can’t see anything here going wrong. From Sam’s family to friends, and associates, they are shown just enough in his world so that we get their important. Something which is matched by us being told and shown they have their own lives outside of Sam.

But what really leads to the initial impression this will be rated positive, when the season review is done, is this show has no peers really. It reminds you of why Netflix has become such a huge platform. For there once was a time where you couldn’t imagine their shows being anywhere else. You couldn’t imagine Orange is the New Black or Sense8 on HBO, The Get Down on BET, One Day At a Time on ABC, or even something like Girlboss on MTV. Netflix had a brand all of its own and seemed to be looking for stories that its “competitors” didn’t put the time and have faith to invest in. For they truly were willing to take risks. The kind which was more about presenting quality stories, and hoping they got subscribers in the process than trying to always aim for big hits to see spikes in their subscriptions.

#Atypical: Season 1/ Episode 1 "Antarctica" [Series Premiere] - Summary/ Review (with Spoilers) Atypical can and should become a hit for Netflix. If only because it isn’t trying to be a hit and reminds you why Netflix used to be on such a pedestal.

[ethanalter]

5 Shows We Don’t Want to See Revived

(Photo Credit: NBC)

2016 was a banner year for TV revivals, as such beloved series as Full House, Gilmore Girls, and The X-Files climbed out of the cancellation graveyard to once more consume their fans’ brains and eyeballs. Don’t expect that trend to slow down during the next calendar year; mere weeks into 2017, NBC has already announced the next big TV resurrection: Will and Grace, the Debra Messing/Eric McCormack sitcom that ran for eight lucrative years between 1998 and 2003. The 10-episode revival will reunite the entire original cast, including Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, along with legendary director, James Burrows. It’s hard not to be tickled at the thought of catching up with Will and Grace after 17 years, in the same way that spending time with Mulder and Scully and Lorelei and Rory tickled the nostalgia bone. Even so, there are some shows we hope remain untouched by this wave of revivals. Here are five series that deserve to remain undisturbed, as well as the worst-case scenario for each should they return.

Family Ties (NBC, 1982-1989)

(Photo Credit: NBCU Photo Bank)

Why We Love the Original: While the oh-so-‘80s clothes, hairstyles, and attitudes make Family Ties seem as much of a period piece as Downton Abbey these days, the Keaton clan remains the portrait-perfect model of a sitcom family. Even when they couldn’t stand each other, their mutual admiration and affection gave us all something to aspire to. What would we do baby, without them? (Sha la la la.)

Worst Case Scenario for the Revival: Twenty-five years after securing his first Wall Street gig, Alex P. Keaton is one of Tom Wolfe’s Masters of the Universe. But his single-minded pursuit of wealth has routinely short-circuited any attempts at starting a family like the one he grew up in. One divorce and a string of exes later, there’s a knock at his door: One of his girlfriends gave birth to a daughter sixteen years ago, and now she’s come to get to know her father. And we know she’s a chip off the old Keaton block, because she’s already a political dynamo… but for the left. While that thrills her hippie grandparents, who drop by on a recurring basis, it completely flummoxes Alex — still a staunch Republican after all these years and presidential administrations. As her Bernie Sanders merchandise competes with his Reagan memorabilia for wall space, father and daughter have to find common ground. Wait for the Very Special Episode that tackles both the Occupy movement and teenage sexting.

Cheers (NBC, 1982-1993)

(Photo Credit: Everett Collection)

Why We Love the Original: Watching Cheers gave us all the pleasures of hanging out at our local watering hole — joshing around with the regulars, bantering with the staff — without having to leave the couch. We still miss our weekly visits to the place where everybody knows your name.

Worst Case Scenario for the Revival: Unable to keep up with steadily escalating Boston rents, Sam Malone sold Cheers to ESPN in the late ‘90s and the homespun bar was transformed into a gleaming ESPN Zone. Looking to appeal to a younger clientele, the lifers were strongly encouraged to find other places to congregate, although Norm and Cliff kept coming back even as their usual place at the bar was replaced by a bank of televisions. When the Zone franchise went under, Coach’s grandson, Eli (David Walton) — a minor league washout — used his inheritance to acquire the property and bring it back to its roots. But as a former Brooklynite and recently AA-approved teetotaler, Eli decides that the new, improved Cheers can’t be your average, ordinary sports bar. It’s gotta be an artisanal coffee shop with an organic, gluten-free brunch menu. And if you thought Carla was cranky before, just wait until you see her serving granola waffles to whiny hipsters.

Murphy Brown (CBS, 1988-1998)

(Photo Credit: Everett Collection)

Why We Love the Original: An ahead-of-its-time portrait of an ambitious woman in the workplace, Murphy Brown mixed topical humor with terrific characters. Even a noticeable dip in quality towards the end of the show’s lifespan couldn’t diminish the title character’s pop culture relevance. Here’s how you know Murphy Brown mattered: Murphy’s decision to be a single mother had real-world consequences, when Vice President Dan Quayle took the tone deaf step of condemning a fictional character.

Worst Case Scenario for the Revival: Having survived a breast cancer scare in the final season, Murphy made the decision to add to her one-child brood by adopting a daughter. Following their strong-willed mom into the broadcasting game, the grown-up Avery (Hayley Joel Osment, reprising his role) and Eliza Brown (Meagan Good) co-anchor a “He Said, She Said” opinion show on a struggling 24-hour cable news channel. Network president Miles Silverberg plays the role of neurotic father figure in the executive’s office, while the ghost of Jim Dial regularly appears in their dressing rooms, offering pointers and rolling his eyes at what passes for “news” these days.

Fraggle Rock (HBO, 1983-1987)

(Photo Credit: HBO)

Why We Love the Original: Jim Henson’s flair of fantasy was given free reign in this nostalgic favorite, which imagined an underground universe teeming with fun-loving Fraggles, dogged Doozers, and giant Gorgs. It was the perfect series for kids who were a little too old for Sesame Street and a little too freaked out by The Dark Crystal.

Worst Case Scenario for the Revival: Three letters: CGI! Since live action puppetry is often a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, Fraggle Rock is transformed into a digital playground courtesy of high-powered computers. Naturally, all the characters get modern makeovers, too. Gobo (voiced by Justin Bieber) sings pop songs while popping wheelies on his skateboard, while Wembley (Josh Gad) finds solace from his crippling anxiety in EDM DJing and Red (Kylie Jenner) is a literally underground vlogger who posts her videos on FraggleTube. As for the Gorg family, they’ve stopped growing radishes and are now all about kale.

My So-Called Life (ABC, 1994-1995)

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Why We Love the Original: The TV equivalent of revisiting our old high school poetry, My So-Called Life perfectly captures that awkward period of adolescence when you and your love life (or lack thereof) are the center of a very, very unfair universe.

Worst Case Scenario for the Revival: After painfully pining for Angela all through high school, geek-turned-hottie Brian Krakow leapt at the chance to become Mr. Angela Chase after they reconnected after college. With his wife’s demanding job requiring frequent travel, stay-at-home dad Brian raises their 14-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son with help from Uncle Rickie. Heading into her freshman year at Liberty High, who should Jordanna Krakow immediately lock eyes with but Zach Catalano, estranged son of Angela’s one-time flame. Everyone but Zach can read the writing on the wall because, you know, Catalanos can’t read. (Midseason spoiler alert! That illiteracy is due to an ancient family curse, as Three Rivers happens to be over another Hellmouth.)

[brasenosearts]

The alchemical power of college-sponsored wine: Arts Week 2017, half-remembered.

Arts Week came upon us in the third week of Trinity 2017, glittering and glistening through our college colours of black and gold to reveal itself through this year’s theme of Alchemy. 

Whilst maybe a little loosely connected in places (is pole dancing alchemical? It’s certainly a form of magic to watch students stiff from the library attempt to haul their limbs into something resembling elegance) the general theme of transformation and states of change was an apt one for a year that could be described as nothing short of tumultuous. 

It was also perhaps fitting seeing as Arts Week this year fell the day after the biennial Brasenose Ball, and thus required a great deal of shape shifting from sleepy attendees to muster the arm strength to put together a new stage in the remnants of the Ball’s ruins. 

Fittingly, Monday started with a very gentle bang as Tian, a third year artist, ran a workshop on the art of Qigong (literally: "Life Energy Cultivation") - a remarkably well attended workshop given that most attendees had had a grand total of 5 hours sleep all weekend in the aftermath of the Ball. Morning workshops continued all week - from life drawing to bark horn crash courses to gold leafing and even the appearance of a VIP guest. 

Life drawing took place on Tuesday morning, with a twist. The twist in this case came in the form of the long muscular bodies of the models - and their many thousand legs. The chance to draw millipedes and snakes (real snakes, not the kind that always steal your milk and never wait for you in the Hall queue) drew a crowd keen to get up close. Masterpieces were made, with biologists turning out in droves to correctly identify the muscular sections and also correct my erroneous assumption that millipedes have a thousand legs. 

I had tricked scientists into drawing, and thus alchemy was underway.

Wednesday morning heralded the arrival of the mysterious “Celtic Chris” as he descended upon us with multiple horns and flutes in tow, carved by his own hands and foraged from woodland. Nobody knew quite what to expect from the ‘bark horns’ he promised: horns that barked? Horns from sheep? Celtic Chris played some lovely melodies on a carved instrument that raised hopes for everyone’s own creative endeavours. 

Unfortunately it so happened that this instrument was not a bark horn, nor even close to it in output. 

As it turned out, the process involved a great deal of scraping and twisting of sticks, with the end result being strangely, if not intentionally, reminiscent of a dog barking. Or at least that’s how it sounded when played by me. These howls rang out across the quad for the afternoon, goading those who had sworn to be distracted by neither art nor sunshine out of their study lairs - then forcing them back in when it appeared that people would not cease in attempting to achieve the elusive singular note that the horn could allegedly produce. 

One such horn, rumoured to be Sam Quinn’s, was left overnight and discovered to much delight the next morning at the gold leafing workshop. It reemerged far shinier and possibly less usable, alongside a variety of glimmering items such as lighters, water bottles, glasses and even a laptop. The theme of “Alchemy” that the week loosely abided to was truly in action, as objects went from practical to gold but glued shut; a small price to pay for glamour.

Friday’s morning workshop brought with it more star power than those shiny leaves and the celebrity draw of Celtic Chris combined: the author of Maisy Mouse, Lucy Cousins. Everyone learnt how to recreate the iconic character and how you might draw subfusc on cartoon animals with no arms. The final product was a painting as wide as Lecture Room XI. Whilst it currently lies dormant in the JCR, there have been rumours of getting Joe Organ to incorporate it into Open Days to show just how talented Brasenose students can be when armed with only a kids paintbrush, a mild hangover and a determination to remember what colours go into a cartoon peacock’s tail.

In the afternoons, events ranged from a capella (so much a capella) to plays and pole dancing, with great excitement arriving midweek with the appearance of a BBC One camera crew in college. The news started to spread in both whispers and college-wide emails, prompting the appearance of the entire development office in Deer Quad to watch Brasenose’s own Daniele and Hiba do some beautifully spontaneous leaps from the chapel stairs for the sixth time that morning. 

After a tense start involving a well timed exchange of boxes containing furry spiders to those with film equipment occurring on Old Parlour staircase (see “Life” Drawing, above), the Alternotives took to the stage.

Whilst the eventual screen time of Old Library and Deer Quad was limited due to them only lasting one episode on Pitch Battle, the memory of John Bowers (QC) sat cross legged at the front of the marquee, entranced by a capella, will remain in our hearts forever. 

Not to be overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of a BBC camera, we also had noted Oxford groups the Gargoyles and The Oxford Belles - whilst it seems like every group seems to claim the role as Oxford’s original all-singing, some-dancing troupe, the Belles at least had star power in the way of internet reach, with noted fan Ashton Kutcher sadly declining to turn up on the day despite his Facebook post-based enthusiasm. We’ve all been there, Ashton.

We also had not one but two plays running this year: one imagining the late and great William Shakespeare in the context of fresher’s week as a mechanical engineering student disillusioned with both flirting and the sciences, and a dynamic rehearsed reading of Pygmalion. 

Dynamic in that it was meant to be a traditional reading that somehow wandered off the rails and all the way up the staircase 10 at one point. 

Both were enthusiastically received by large crowds composed of friends and family members and even some paying guests, and feedback on both was great, with one very anonymous audience member remarking that Cal Demby-Harris pulled off the red officer’s jacket better than anyone else in college. He is, thus far, the only person in college to have worn this garment.

On Friday afternoon, following the debut of Pygmalion on the quad, Medieval Kitchen was transformed with poles and hoops for what was technically our most popular event of the week - according to Facebook’s algorithms. “Pole Dancing Workshop” reached 45k people on Facebook, something Brasenose Arts would love to claim as representative of the average enthusiasm for the week but unfortunately should probably note down as due to an irresistibly amusing combination of Oxford’s hallowed halls and the Wikihow-esque illustration on the cover photo, amplified by the Facebook reach of our treasured Stanford exchange students and their friends in Palo Alto. 

As it happens, a solid 20 or so people attended each session, and it was a sight to behold to see students hanging from the beams of MK (or rather, suspended close to - I can confidently assure you that no actual climbing of the architecture occurred in case you are reading this, Matt Hill Domestic Bursar). 

Following the excitement of our viral success story on Friday afternoon was the Arts Week Formal, an event eerily free of senior staff, which meant that the gavel ended up in my not entirely capable hands. 

Whilst I can’t vouch for much of what I said, it has been reported that I gave a speech - all I can recall is that the food was wonderful and I was probably a rather soppy and exhausted shell of a human by this point. I can also recall that the Northern Soul night that followed the dinner was a roaring success. Playing off of Brasenose’s fondness for ceilidhs, and retaining the joy and mandated dancing of a ceilidh but with a name one can spell without googling, the night involved much moving of tables and some unexpected cameos from a porter or two. Again, Matt Hill, if you see any photos where we appear to be standing on tables, it is merely an illusion and we are in fact levitating from the sheer fun of it all. 

Saturday morning was naturally a quieter affair, with the final performance of ‘Willy Shakes’ taking centre stage both on the quad and in the timetable. In the afternoon came a panel on Inequality in Film, boasting speakers from the BFI, Girls in Film and Another Gaze Journal as well as Jendella, an independent filmmaker and photographer.

Following the panel, after deliberation between Brasenose’s thriving and warring FilmSocs, came an open air screening of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet. The air was warm with the promise of the great summer heatwave yet to come, and the fairy lights we had swiped from the wreckage of the ball and haphazardly strung across the marquee’s frameworks glimmered in reflection with the candles of the film. 3DIMAX eat your heart out. 

The next morning the early summer sun rose on the same marquee, only slightly dampened by overnight showers that cleared to a blazing brightness by the time the annual celebration of Jazz on The Quad dawned. Our Music Rep and Organ Scholar, the multitalented Sarah Hughes, had managed to gather us together an impromptu band from her bursting contacts list. As they played, strawberries and (maybe a little too much) Pimms were handed round liberally, leaving everyone in a fruit flavoured midday daze to round off the week. 

The fact that we had well and truly trampled the quad to pieces and broken several pieces of expensive IT equipment is merely a blip among these heady memories, and one I feel no fear in admitting here, as I know a certain IT rep never reads my notices to the end, regardless of content. Sweet, guiltless bliss. 

[johnchiarello]

2nd Samuel 13-15

MATT. 23- 2ND SAMUEL 13-14 [and The Owl] 2Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. https://youtu.be/R2EldYeZljo Matt.23- 2nd Sam13-14. https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/1-29-17-matt-23-2nd-sam-13-14.zip Isaiah 50:9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. Isaiah 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. NOTE- At night- I have about 6 different bible books I’m reading thru right now [Samuel- Acts- Matthew- Psalms- Proverbs- James- Isaiah]. I try and rotate a wisdom chapter- along with my regular reading. So- I just prayed ‘which 2 chapters should I read tonight?’ One of them happened to be James 5- where we find- James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. James 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are MOTHEATEN. Just thought it fit [Watch videos] I’m not sure how many times we read about the MOTH judgment in scripture- but it’s definitely not in every chapter of the bible. https://youtu.be/-J__2ZGpxzo The owl ON VIDEOS [Dateline comments on Strickland case below] .Jesus ‘Sunday sermon’ .’You hypocrites- sons of murderers’! .’You testify that your fathers have shed innocent blood’! .’You don’t even see your identifying with and calling those killers your fathers’! .’You will kill me too’! .’This group will be held accountable for all the innocent blood shed’ .’You claim to be preachers- quoting the bible- yet you left something out’ .’Where’s the judgment- justice’? . ‘Do you think you will escape the damnation of hell’? . The story of the Black couple- murdered in cold blood .’Your temple [the courthouse of their day] is going to be judged’ .’And it will never be re-built again’ .Wow- have you lost your mind Jesus- you’re offending everybody? .‘Let them be offended- God will root them up’ .Samuel too .David’s 2 sons .1 son raped the sister .The brother takes vengeance .The woman gives David a parable .Life is like water spilled .Hurricane story .Kingdom come .See the rainbow .Mothman prophecies? .The owl was here! .David Strickland case .Testimony from the Black man who did 7 years for rape .She said she was a church lady- sweet and innocent .The prosecution made her look that way .After 7 years- they tested the DNA .They found the semen- of 4 men in her- none of it was his .Some ‘church lady’ NEW- [Dateline notes below- Strickland case] Matt. 23- 2nd Sam [Owl comments below] Today I talked about one of the sermons of Jesus- after all he was the premier preacher of his day. Let’s see what he says- ‘You hypocrites- you love your ministries- yet you overlook the important stuff- like Judgment- faith- mercy’. Wow- Jesus said that? What else did he say? ‘You say if you lived in the days of your fathers- you would have never killed the prophets like they did’. ‘You hypocrites- you testify that you’re the sons of those murderers by your own words’! Wow Jesus- your too strong. But wait ‘And on this generation will the judgment come for all the innocent blood that your so called fathers have shed’. Well- you get a taste of his ‘sermon’ on this day. Jesus was even warned by his men once- ‘don’t go so hard- your offending people’. He said ‘let them get offended- every tree that my father did not plant will be rooted up’. He rebuked them for leaving out the important matters. Faith- Mercy- and Judgment. We often see faith and mercy as a part of ministry. But we overlook judgment- justice- true righteousness. We often view ministry as some sort of calling to speak ‘bible words’. Yet Jesus saw right thru it- he said their indifference to the innocent blood shed would come back on them- even this very generation. His words were indeed fulfilled within a generation- when the Romans wiped out their city and destroyed the temple- their ‘courthouse’ of the day. Their seat of law and authority. We often read the gospels [I hope] but seem to miss the things- and way- Jesus was saying stuff. Jesus had righteous indignation- he spoke about God requiring justice- and how judgment was indeed coming. He told them ‘you will not escape the damnation of hell’! Jesus was preaching to the very people who will eventually kill him- hang him on a Cross and cheer. Yet it was thru this radical act- that he would some day redeem them. Redeem them from their indifference to the injustices going on around them. Redeem them from the mindset that ‘ministry’ was about them. And yes- redeem them from the hell that he spoke about. His singular act of obedience to the Father would ‘collect’ all the injustices of men- the sin and indifference that they were not aware of. Their hatred for him- and desire to see him strung on a Cross- yet- it was in that very act- That he would save the world. And the blood of the prophets who ‘we’ killed- and the coming judgment for it would be overcome by the Blood that poured down from him on the Cross that day. Yes- Jesus was radical in what he said- the way he said it- and in his embracing of death. His cause was just- it was right- and in the end- it would right all the wrongs ever done. There is a redeemer- Jesus God’s own Son- precious Lamb of God Messiah- Holy one. THE OWL- I made this video ‘off the cuff’- but thought it would fit- why? Ahh- you will have to watch [sorry]. In short- I talked about Judgment in the bible. At times it is indeed a scary thing. There have been times in history- where people have seen things- and are not sure of what they mean. We don’t go ‘by signs’ per se’- but they did happen in the bible- and in human events. I shared the story- because of the way it happened. I spoke about a few cases- a cop who was framed- went to prison- When he finally got out- well- he said something of interest. And the tragic case of the Black man- who was framed. There are many more cases like them- and when the system admits they were wrong- like the prosecutor in the cop’s case- that’s good- that’s restoration. But in other cases these men are arrogant- and never admit guilt- and would prefer the innocent to stay in prison- or in some death penalty cases- to even die. In these cases- it is sin- or murder. NOTE- below are some links to cases I discussed on video- couldn’t find the exact one- but these fit- http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-exonerated/ http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-exonerated/ NOTE ON DATELINE- I watched the dateline show last night- fell asleep the last 10 minutes. But I have read on the case before. Few questions- The original suspect denied being at the spot where the girls were shot. He lied. DNA tests on the can and cigarette butts showed he was there. His face fit the sketch of the suspect. And when cops told him this- he seemed ready to ‘cop a plea’. Strange. Strickland- who denies doing it- was tied to the case by the letter sent to the family. And they tested the gun he owned- and said it ‘matched’ the bullets. Last year I read an article on how the ‘testing’ of bullets- and matching them to guns- is considered ‘junk science’. In the article they said in reality it is not an exact science- and many in the legal community [both sides] want to throw this ‘evidence’ out. It was sort of like matching ‘bite’ marks on victims with the teeth of suspects. This too is considered junk science. But the article said they decided [courts] for now not to completely throw out the ‘evidence’ of matching bullets to guns. Look- it is not DNA type evidence. They simply fire a bullet from a gun- and then it gets marks from the barrel. They make it sound like each gun has a distinct ‘mark’ it leaves on each bullet- that’s simply a lie. Remember- guns are not snowflakes- or fingerprints. But the average public thinks its good evidence. All in all- It is questionable that the man tied to the scene by DNA evidence [if the DNA is true] denied being at the spot. And he matched the sketch the girl gave. But he was a foot shorter then the original profile. That does leave questions in my mind. During an attack it is common to get the height of the attacker wrong- It’s a traumatic event- and it is not uncommon to say ‘he was about 6 feet tall’- and then later you find out he was taller [or shorter]. The dateline show did not bring out the fact that the local prosecutor [or D.A.?] was not licensed to practice law at the time of the trial [yes- sad- but true]. This made it to our local media- and Strickland’s legal team filed an appeal on this- but were turned down. The prosecutor/D.A. did not pay his annual fees to be a lawyer- and at the time of the trial he was ‘not licensed’ [more of a commentary on Nueces county and the surrounding area than anything else]. Either way- if Strickland did it- then he deserves what he got. But the show actually made the case that the other man might be guilty- because of what I said above. They even ‘played’ it up on Dateline in a way to add intrigue to the show. Sort of like- ‘aha- see- the other suspect had no answers for the evidence against him- and he was ready to cop a plea’ ‘He was in another crime in the past- where they referred to themselves by numbers- just like this murder case’ ‘He denied being at the spot the girls were killed- but we sent the cigarette butts and can to be tested- bang- he lied’! ‘When we revealed we had the goods on him- he was ready to cop a plea’. Ok- does sound like you have the right man- he even matches the sketch of the suspect- yeah- you got him! ‘But then…’ Yes- that indeed is questionable. We often hear ‘the suspect had information about the crime- THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC’! I read an article on the case that said Strickland was at the crime scene the following days- along with others- and people were talking- looking around- asking questions. Is it possible that other people had information about a murder- that took place in public- who were found by other people- in public? Of course- it’s possible that many people knew about the duct tape- and other stuff. Is it also possible that Strickland did send the letter- to set up his ex- friend? Yes. Is it possible that other people would do stuff to set other people up- to have info about a case that was never ‘made public’- To have gathered that information from other people in the area- and to then use that information to set up an ex friend? Yes- all of this is possible. If the legal system has people in it- that have not been shown to lie- retaliate against their own prosecutors- suborn perjury from witnesses- have medical examiners change their testimony. If the legal system in the area does not have a track record of open criminality- exposed by judges in the area – exposed by the local media- and made it to national news for its corruption. Then yes- we can trust the system to do what’s right. But in our area of the country- ALL of the above has happened. So it leaves serious doubts in my mind. Ok- Below are my regular comments and post- just wanted to add this because I mentioned it on the video. NOTE- I was not going to add this caveat- but I’m waiting for the video to upload. The Police department in the Strickland case has made it into the local media before. I commented on why in the past. One case was where they have a policy of placing ‘free’ ice coolers in front of bait stands. Yes- they put them outside all day long. They wait for some unsuspecting fisherman to take them. The coolers have tracking devices in them. One unsuspecting ‘criminal’ spent the day fishing off the beautiful shores of Port A- After a long day of fishing- he went to the local bait stand [Aransas county] and saw that darn ‘free’ cooler- he asked the girl inside who it belonged to- you know- someone might have left it there- and left town. She said she did not know- it’s been there all day. So- being it was outside- on the street- by a trash can [Like maybe someone threw it out and it didn’t fit in the can]. He took it. Lo and behold the local cops tracked this thief! Arrested him and charged him with theft. It’s happened many times- and made it to the local news as entrapment. The Police defend this action- and as far as I know – still do it. If you saw a 20 dollar bill on the ground- would you take it? Better not if you’re in south Texas. There’s another more serious case I covered about that county in the past. But the video is uploaded- so I’ll stop now. LAST NOTE- In the coverage of this whole case- I have never heard whether or not the cops did the most basic thing any good law enforcement would do in a multiple rape case. Collect actual DNA from the 2 victims. The standard procedure- before anything else- is for the victims to be checked at the hospital for this. This would solve the entire mystery. If they did not do this- why?

PAST POSTS- [past teaching I did that relates to today’s video ‘Matt. 23’- verses below] I quoted from John’s gospel- here’s my complete study- https://ccoutreach87.com/john-complete-links-added/ These as well- https://ccoutreach87.com/james-2015/ https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/

(929)2ND SAMUEL 13- In this chapter David begins reaping the judgment on his household. Amnon, David’s son, falls for Tamar. Tamar is the sister of Absalom, another son of David. David had kids from various wives, so you had sons and sisters who were not from the same mother. Amnon devises a scheme and sleeps with Tamar. Then he rejects her. Absalom is incensed over this. David hears about it but doesn’t deal with the problem. Two years go by and Absalom gets even. He tricks Amnon and his other brothers to come to his territory. Then he kills Amnon. Word gets back to David ‘all your sons have been slain by Amnon’. David thinks ‘surely, this is my punishment’. He mourns and is shaken to the core. Now, the report was false. It really wasn’t as bad as David thought. Leaders, don’t always believe the initial report. The first intuition might be wrong. It’s difficult for leaders to recognize that something needs to happen, and then to wait on the Lord for clear directives. Leaders often want action, so they will respond and act based on the initial report. It’s better to sleep on it for a few days. David finds out that all the sons are not dead, just Amnon. Absalom flees to another king and is gone for a few years. David is distraught over the loss of one son and the reality that the other son is estranged from him. Could David have prevented this whole scenario? Maybe not, we do know the Lord said a sword would be in his family. A division and fighting would arise from within. But David also failed in that when he heard of the situation he never dealt with it. Sort of like Samuel and Eli. Eli let his boys run wild and they ruined Gods house. Though the Lord ‘promised’ David would reap what he sowed earlier on, yet the reaping was not as severe as he initially thought. Absalom could have very well killed all the brothers, but the Lord only allowed a limited judgment. Sometimes we mess up and make wrong choices, remember; God is for us. He is on our side. All chastening and discipline are for our ultimate benefit. What good what it have done for David to have been totally wiped out? God was disciplining David and his family, but God was still on David’s side.

(930)2nd SAMUEL 14- David is broken over the estrangement of his son. Joab realizes that the kingdom can’t function to its full potential under this strain. But he knows he can’t confront David himself. Why? Maybe it’s because of the nature of leaders. It’s a very rare thing for one leader to confront another leader over an issue. The natural response is to look for ways to justify ourselves. So instead Joab finds a ‘wise woman’ and gets her to put on this act for the king. She tells him this sob story about one of her sons killing the other one. She is a widow and is left with only one son, but all the other relatives want justice! They can’t forgive the only heir. Well David falls for this scenario again! He did this with Nathan and Bathsheba. So he tells the woman ‘God forbid that someone takes vengeance on the only son. Over my dead body…. on and on’. Now the woman says ‘can I say one last thing’? Knowing David’s history of getting trumped at the end of these things, I would have said ‘no maam, you’ve said enough already’. But David says ‘go ahead’. She tells him ‘you’re the man!’ [Ouch! I wonder if this woman was the wife of Nathan?:-)] So David realizes he’s been duped again. The woman says ‘O, you are so wise and smart and….’ Gee, for someone who is so swift, he sure falls for these stories a lot. David sends Joab to get Absalom and Absalom returns to Jerusalem but the king avoids him for 2 years. Finally he sees his son. All is not well, Absalom resents the fact that his father called him home but never really made things right. Joab is glad that David gave it a shot. And the nameless wise woman gives us a quote worth remembering ‘For we must needs die, and are as water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means [the Cross], that his banished [humanity] be not expelled from him [reconciliation]’. Couldn’t have said it better myself. NOTE- I mentioned this chapter on ‘the owl’ video- (931)2ND SAMUEL 15- Absalom sits daily at the city gate and when the people come to the king, Absalom ‘steels their hearts’. He says ‘o, if I were the king I could do such a good job. I am better than the one God appointed’. Avoid trying to gain peoples acceptance by comparing yourself with others. God might use you to be an example in some way, but this is a matter of grace. Paul said he excelled more than the other apostles who were ‘in Christ’ before him, but nevertheless it was Gods grace that caused this to happen. Absalom slowly wins the hearts of the people and stages a takeover. Some men go willingly, others followed ‘out of simplicity’. They were led astray like sheep. Remember, when dealing with followers of groups who have ‘rebelled’ [classic cults] some have been raised innocently with their beliefs. Try and honestly talk to them and treat them courteously. God can give you an open door with them if you see them as people who have value and worth. We see David as a type of Christ in this chapter. He is forsaken by the city of Jerusalem and loses his following. He even ascends the Mount of Olives while weeping! He says ‘If God chooses to forsake me, so be it. But if he brings me back again [resurrection!] and allows me to see the Ark in Jerusalem, then let his will be done’. Jesus said ‘not my will, but thine be done’. The Father, who forsook his Son, did delight in him and ‘brought him back again’ to see ‘the Ark in the city of Jerusalem’. Jesus saw the tabernacle of God [Gods people, the dwelling of God] in ‘the city of God’ [the church is called the city of God that comes down from God out of heaven] and he was restored to his former place of exaltation at the fathers right-hand. David is reaping some stuff here. He makes some plans for a future return to leadership, but recognizes when it’s time to retreat. Now, I realize that God wants us to move forward and ‘take the kingdom by force’. But Jesus also gave us a principle; he said ‘when one king is facing another king. He sends out messengers to check out the opponent. If word comes back that you are really out of your league in this battle, then try and come to terms of peace if possible’. In essence there are times where taking a step back and re-evaluating is a wise thing. David plants a few spies in Jerusalem who will report back to him every now and then. David also finds out who his true friends are. Some follow him instead of Absalom, even though Absalom is the ‘hot ticket item’ at the time. These brothers who stick with you till the end are true friends, but they aren’t always the most encouraging. Thomas [one of Jesus disciples] says at one point ‘Lets go, we might as well follow him all the way to our deaths’. Thanks for the willingness to follow Thomas, but you think you could change the attitude a little! So David is doing the best with what he has, Gods people are surviving, but they are being used as pawns on Absalom’s chess board. Absalom looked good at the start, but he will not finish well.

VERSES- Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Matthew 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? Matthew 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Matthew 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Matthew 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. Matthew 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. Matthew 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Matthew 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Matthew 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? John 6 Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. Deuteronomy 21:1 If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: Deuteronomy 21:2 Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: Deuteronomy 21:3 And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; Deuteronomy 21:4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley: Deuteronomy 21:5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: Deuteronomy 21:6 And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: Deuteronomy 21:7 And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. Deuteronomy 21:9 So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD. Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 2Samuel 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her. 2Samuel 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 2Samuel 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. 2Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. 2Samuel 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. 2Samuel 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. 2Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 2Samuel 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. 2Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 2Samuel 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 2Samuel 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. 2Samuel 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. 2Samuel 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 2Samuel 13:15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. 2Samuel 13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. 2Samuel 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 2Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. 2Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. 2Samuel 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 2Samuel 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 2Samuel 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 2Samuel 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 2Samuel 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 2Samuel 13:25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 2Samuel 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 2Samuel 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 2Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 2Samuel 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled. 2Samuel 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. 2Samuel 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 2Samuel 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 2Samuel 13:33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. 2Samuel 13:34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. 2Samuel 13:35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. 2Samuel 13:36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. 2Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 2Samuel 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 2Samuel 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. ________________________________________ 2Samuel 14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. 2Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 2Samuel 14:3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. 2Samuel 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. 2Samuel 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead. 2Samuel 14:6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. 2Samuel 14:7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. 2Samuel 14:8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee. 2Samuel 14:9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless. 2Samuel 14:10 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. 2Samuel 14:11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. 2Samuel 14:12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. 2Samuel 14:13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. 2Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 2Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid. 2Samuel 14:16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 2Samuel 14:17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. 2Samuel 14:18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 2Samuel 14:19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 2Samuel 14:20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. 2Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. 2Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. 2Samuel 14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 2Samuel 14:24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face. 2Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 2Samuel 14:26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight. 2Samuel 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. 2Samuel 14:28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face. 2Samuel 14:29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 2Samuel 14:30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 2Samuel 14:31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? 2Samuel 14:32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. 2Samuel 14:33 So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom. ________________________________________ 2Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 2Samuel 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 2Samuel 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 2Samuel 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 2Samuel 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2Samuel 15:7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 2Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 2Samuel 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 2Samuel 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 2Samuel 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 2Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 2Samuel 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 2Samuel 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 2Samuel 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 2Samuel 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 2Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 2Samuel 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 2Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 2Samuel 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 2Samuel 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 2Samuel 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 2Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 2Samuel 15:24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 2Samuel 15:25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 2Samuel 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 2Samuel 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 2Samuel 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 2Samuel 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. 2Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 2Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 2Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: 2Samuel 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: 2Samuel 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. 2Samuel 15:35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 2Samuel 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. 2Samuel 15:37 So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. New International Version When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

New Living Translation For the LORD will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

English Standard Version For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

New American Standard Bible “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

King James Bible For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible When the LORD passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.”

International Standard Version because the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the doorway, and won’t allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.

NET Bible For the LORD will pass through to strike Egypt, and when he sees the blood on the top of the doorframe and the two side posts, then the LORD will pass over the door, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

New Heart English Bible For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.

GOD’S WORD® Translation The LORD will go throughout Egypt to kill the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, he will pass over that doorway, and he will not let the destroyer come into your home to kill you.

JPS Tanakh 1917 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

http://www.corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5?ref=bookmarks https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg https://twitter.com/ccoutreach87 https://plus.google.com/108013627259688810902/posts https://vimeo.com/user37400385 john chiarelloFollow On https://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_logo http://johnchiarello.tumblr.com/ http://johnchiarello.thoughts.com/ http://ccoutreach.over-blog.com/ Note- Please do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read them on- Thanks- John.#

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Sunday sermon

Kings 12

Sunday sermon 10-28-18

[footyplusau]

Daisy Pearce: ‘I’m looking forward to this like Dangerfield v Fyfe’

Having fallen agonisingly short of a berth in Saturday’s AFLW grand final, I’ve been restlessly churning through all the moments when we might have made up the 16.3 percentage points that would have got us there.

For the past six months, I have dedicated most of my waking hours, and a more than healthy amount of non-waking hours, to winning the premiership, but regret is a precarious emotion.

Twin towers: marquee forwards Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Traub hold the key for the Lions. Photo: AFL Media

So with the pinnacle of AFLW-1 upon us, and in an attempt to pull myself out of my flat spot, here are my highlights from the inaugural season, and my prediction for the decider.

Opening night

The season opener between Collingwood and Carlton could not have been scripted any better. The capacity crowd of 24,568 was captivated from start to finish, 720,000 viewers tuned in nationally and tongues were wagging about the intense physicality and competitiveness of the game. I have many fond memories from the night but none more gratifying than the image of AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan wading through the thousands of people locked out of Ikon Park as he went outside to inform waiting fans that the stadium was full. It was a nice touch from the boss and a powerful endorsement. I had people tell me in the days following how it felt like women’s football had finally taken off, but to me it felt more like it had landed. It was here to stay.

Face in the crowd: AFL boss Gillon McLachlan at the AFLW season opener Photo: AFL Media

Goal of the year

One of the more gutsy goals I’ve seen in football anywhere, was Collingwood midfielder Alicia Eva’s effort in Round 5 against Fremantle. In isolation, the goal itself seemed nothing more than an opportunistic soccer off the ground from inside the goal square, but her repeat efforts up-field were outstanding. She runs hard off half-back to win a contested ground ball smack bang in the middle of the centre circle. In one motion, following the silky pick-up, she shrugs off a tackle from behind then side-steps oncoming traffic. Running at full tilt she pinpoints a pass to teammate Jasmine Garner on the flank then starts the 100m sprint towards goal, willing herself past two Fremantle defenders to end up on the end of the Garner kick inside 50. Two words; work rate.

Darcy’s distinctive style

Darcy Vescio lit up AFLW with her perfectly timed contested marks, athleticism at ground level and uncanny knack of finding the goals. She bagged four majors in Round 1, became a Carlton cult figure and has won the league goalkicking award. What I love about Darce is that she brings her own distinct rubber-man – or should I say rubber-girl – style. Her kicking action is uniquely hunched but works a treat and quite often it looks as if she has jumped way too early in marking contests but almost always manages to drag in the ball. Footy fans will come to know her distinctive style like they do Marcus Bontempelli’s over-the-shoulder-handball, Dusty’s “don’t argue” or “Buddy’s arc”.

Darcy Vescio kicks around her body. Photo: AFL Media

Who will win the grand final and why?

It is hard to find a statistical explanation for Brisbane’s dominance. Based on the traditional formulas we’ve adopted from men’s AFL they are a bit of an enigma – underwhelming in many of the categories that we have learnt to trust as reliable determinants of outcome. The Lions are eighth in clearances, fifth in contested possession, seventh for tackles, fifth for inside-50s and in the bottom three for goals kicked. And yet, they haven’t lost a game.

Maybe this is simply evidence that AFLW is different. My early suspicion was that contested marks would be invaluable, and they were. Only six times across the 28-game season did a team win the contested marks statistic but lose the match. The Lions were one of the masters at it, with their twin towers, marquee pair Tayla Harris and Sabrina Fredrick-Traub amassing 25 contested marks between them. The next best pairing was Collingwood’s Jess Cameron and Nicola Steven, who combined for 17. Brisbane are also very good defensively, conceding on average fewer than three goals a game with a rebound 50 rate of 84 per cent.

Adelaide will put that defence to the test. The Crows lead the competition in contested possessions, inside-50s, long kicks, metres gained and have kicked the most goals this season. Co-captain Erin Phillips is largely responsible and leads the Crows in most of those stats. She has stepped into AFLW as a rookie and made football look like an easy game. It’s not, which makes her immediate impact, in her first season of football since her junior career was cut short by a lack of opportunities, all the more impressive.

If Brisbane get the Phillips and Perkins match-ups right they win.

Daisy Pearce

Erin would have learnt a thing or two about elite sport through a basketball career that includes an Olympic medal and two WNBA titles, but that doesn’t explain her her incredible goal sense and marking. Maybe you really do learn everything you need to know in the backyard with your dad.

Erin Phillips (left) and Sarah Perkins belt out the Crows song. Photo: Getty Images

Sarah Perkins is another great story and a key to Adelaide’s fate. Overlooked in the Victorian draft, she has kicked more than a quarter of the Crows’ goals and has thrived on her chance to prove people wrong. When Adelaide go inside 50, 43 per cent of the time “Tex” is their target. If Brisbane get the Phillips and Perkins match-ups right they win. The Perkins assignment requires a very strong, physical defender, then a smart, athletic compatriot somewhere nearby who can read the play, come off their own opponent and help out. The Lions would probably back in their uncompromising full back Leah Kaslar to do the direct job while Tahlia Randall and Sam Virgo are good enough to be her assistants.

In Round 5, Chelsea Randall went to Tayla Harris, and it was one of the most intriguing match-ups of the year. If you enjoy a good old-fashioned contest, watch this game to see how bout number two unfolds. I’m looking forward to it as much Dangerfield versus Fyfe on Sunday.

My prediction: Brisbane by 5 points.

The post Daisy Pearce: ‘I’m looking forward to this like Dangerfield v Fyfe’ appeared first on Footy Plus.

from Footy Plus http://ift.tt/2ndrNOM via http://footyplus.net

[johnchiarello]

Matt. 23- 2nd Sam. 13-15

MATT. 23- 2ND SAMUEL 13-14 [and The Owl]

2Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

 https://youtu.be/R2EldYeZljo     Matt.23- 2nd Sam13-14.

https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/1-29-17-matt-23-2nd-sam-13-14.zip

Isaiah 50:9

Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Isaiah 51:8

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

NOTE- At night- I have about 6 different bible books I’m reading thru right now [Samuel- Acts- Matthew- Psalms- Proverbs- James- Isaiah]. I try and rotate a wisdom chapter- along with my regular reading. So- I just prayed ‘which 2 chapters should I read tonight?’ One of them happened to be James 5- where we find-

James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

James 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are MOTHEATEN.

Just thought it fit [Watch videos] I’m not sure how many times we read about the MOTH judgment in scripture- but it’s definitely not in every chapter of the bible.

     https://youtu.be/-J__2ZGpxzo      The owl

ON VIDEOS [Dateline comments on Strickland case below]

.Jesus ‘Sunday sermon’

.’You hypocrites- sons of murderers’!

.’You testify that your fathers have shed innocent blood’!

.’You don’t even see your identifying with and calling those killers your fathers’!

.’You will kill me too’!

.’This group will be held accountable for all the innocent blood shed’

.’You claim to be preachers- quoting the bible- yet you left something out’

.’Where’s the judgment- justice’?

. ‘Do you think you will escape the damnation of hell’?

. The story of the Black couple- murdered in cold blood

.’Your temple [the courthouse of their day] is going to be judged’

.’And it will never be re-built again’

.Wow- have you lost your mind Jesus- you’re offending everybody?

.‘Let them be offended- God will root them up’

.Samuel too

.David’s 2 sons

.1 son raped the sister

.The brother takes vengeance

.The woman gives David a parable

.Life is like water spilled

.Hurricane story

.Kingdom come

.See the rainbow

.Mothman prophecies?

.The owl was here!

.David Strickland case

.Testimony from the Black man who did 7 years for rape

.She said she was a church lady- sweet and innocent

.The prosecution made her look that way

.After 7 years- they tested the DNA

.They found the semen- of 4 men in her- none of it was his

.Some ‘church lady’

NEW- [Dateline notes below- Strickland case]

Matt. 23- 2nd Sam [Owl comments below]

Today I talked about one of the sermons of Jesus- after all he was the premier preacher of his day.

Let’s see what he says-

‘You hypocrites- you love your ministries- yet you overlook the important stuff- like Judgment- faith- mercy’.

Wow- Jesus said that?

What else did he say?

‘You say if you lived in the days of your fathers- you would have never killed the prophets like they did’.

‘You hypocrites- you testify that you’re the sons of those murderers by your own words’!

Wow Jesus- your too strong.

But wait

‘And on this generation will the judgment come for all the innocent blood that your so called fathers have shed’.

Well- you get a taste of his ‘sermon’ on this day.

Jesus was even warned by his men once- ‘don’t go so hard- your offending people’.

He said ‘let them get offended- every tree that my father did not plant will be rooted up’.

He rebuked them for leaving out the important matters.

Faith- Mercy- and Judgment.

We often see faith and mercy as a part of ministry.

But we overlook judgment- justice- true righteousness.

We often view ministry as some sort of calling to speak ‘bible words’.

Yet Jesus saw right thru it- he said their indifference to the innocent blood shed would come back on them- even this very generation.

His words were indeed fulfilled within a generation- when the Romans wiped out their city and destroyed the temple- their ‘courthouse’ of the day.

Their seat of law and authority.

We often read the gospels [I hope] but seem to miss the things- and way- Jesus was saying stuff.

Jesus had righteous indignation- he spoke about God requiring justice- and how judgment was indeed coming.

He told them ‘you will not escape the damnation of hell’!

Jesus was preaching to the very people who will eventually kill him- hang him on a Cross and cheer.

Yet it was thru this radical act- that he would some day redeem them.

Redeem them from their indifference to the injustices going on around them.

Redeem them from the mindset that ‘ministry’ was about them.

And yes- redeem them from the hell that he spoke about.

His singular act of obedience to the Father would ‘collect’ all the injustices of men- the sin and indifference that they were not aware of.

Their hatred for him- and desire to see him strung on a Cross- yet- it was in that very act-

That he would save the world.

And the blood of the prophets who ‘we’ killed- and the coming judgment for it

would be overcome by the Blood that poured down from him on the Cross that day.

Yes- Jesus was radical in what he said- the way he said it- and in his embracing of death.

His cause was just- it was right- and in the end- it would right all the wrongs ever done.

There is a redeemer- Jesus God’s own Son- precious Lamb of God Messiah- Holy one.

THE OWL-

I made this video ‘off the cuff’- but thought it would fit- why?

Ahh- you will have to watch [sorry].

In short- I talked about Judgment in the bible.

At times it is indeed a scary thing.

There have been times in history- where people have seen things- and are not sure of what they mean.

We don’t go ‘by signs’ per se’- but they did happen in the bible- and in human events.

I shared the story- because of the way it happened.

I spoke about a few cases- a cop who was framed- went to prison-

When he finally got out- well- he said something of interest.

And the tragic case of the Black man- who was framed.

There are many more cases like them- and when the system admits they were wrong- like the prosecutor in the cop's case- that’s good- that’s restoration.

But in other cases these men are arrogant- and never admit guilt- and would prefer the innocent to stay in prison- or in some death penalty cases- to even die.

In these cases- it is sin- or murder.

NOTE- below are some links to cases I discussed on video- couldn’t find the exact one- but these fit-

http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-exonerated/

http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-exonerated/

NOTE ON DATELINE- I watched the dateline show last night- fell asleep the last 10 minutes.

But I have read on the case before.

Few questions- The original suspect denied being at the spot where the girls were shot.

He lied.

DNA tests on the can and cigarette butts showed he was there.

His face fit the sketch  of the suspect.

And when cops told him this- he seemed ready to ‘cop a plea’.

Strange.

Strickland- who denies doing it- was tied to the case by the letter sent to the family.

And they tested the gun he owned- and said it ‘matched’ the bullets.

Last year I read an article on how the ‘testing’ of bullets- and matching them to guns- is considered ‘junk science’.

In the article they said in reality it is not an exact science- and many in the legal community [both sides] want to throw this ‘evidence’ out.

It was sort of like matching ‘bite’ marks on victims with the teeth of suspects.

This too is considered junk science.

But the article said they decided [courts] for now not to completely throw out the ‘evidence’ of matching bullets to guns.

Look- it is not DNA type evidence.

They simply fire a bullet from a gun- and then it gets marks from the barrel.

They make it sound like each gun has a distinct ‘mark’ it leaves on each bullet- that’s simply a lie.

Remember- guns are not snowflakes- or fingerprints.

But the average public thinks its good evidence.

All in all-

It is questionable that the man tied to the scene by DNA evidence [if the DNA is true] denied being at the spot.

And he matched the sketch the girl gave.

But he was a foot shorter then the original profile.

That does leave questions in my mind.

During an attack it is common to get the height of the attacker wrong-

It’s a traumatic event- and it is not uncommon to say ‘he was about 6 feet tall’- and then later you find out he was taller [or shorter].

The dateline show did not bring out the fact that the local prosecutor [or D.A.?] was not licensed to practice law at the time of the trial [yes- sad- but true].

This made it to our local media- and Strickland’s legal team filed an appeal on this- but were turned down.

The prosecutor/D.A. did not pay his annual fees to be a lawyer- and at the time of the trial he was ‘not licensed’ [more of a commentary on Nueces county and the surrounding area than anything else].

Either way- if Strickland did it- then he deserves what he got.

But the show actually made the case that the other man might be guilty- because of what I said above.

They even ‘played’ it up on Dateline in a way to add intrigue to the show.

Sort of like-

‘aha- see- the other suspect had no answers for the evidence against him- and he was ready to cop a plea’

‘He was in another crime in the past- where they referred to themselves by numbers- just like this murder case’

‘He denied being at the spot the girls were killed- but we sent the cigarette butts and can to be tested- bang- he lied’!

‘When we revealed we had the goods on him- he was ready to cop a plea’.

Ok- does sound like you have the right man- he even matches the sketch of the suspect- yeah- you got him!

‘But then…’

Yes- that indeed is questionable.

We often hear ‘the suspect had information about the crime- THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC’!

I read an article on the case that said Strickland was at the crime scene the following days- along with others- and people were talking- looking around- asking questions.

Is it possible that other people had information about a murder- that took place in public- who were found by other people- in public?

Of course- it’s possible that many people knew about the duct tape- and other stuff.

Is it also possible that Strickland did send the letter- to set up his ex- friend?

Yes.

Is it possible that other people would do stuff to set other people up- to have info about a case that was never ‘made public’-

To have gathered that information from other people in the area- and to then use that information to set up an ex friend?

Yes- all of this is possible.

If the legal system has people in it- that have not been shown to lie- retaliate against their own prosecutors- suborn perjury from witnesses- have medical examiners change their testimony.

If the legal system in the area does not have a track record of open criminality- exposed by judges in the area – exposed by the local media- and made it to national news for its corruption.

Then yes- we can trust the system to do what’s right.

But in our area of the country- ALL of the above has happened.

So it leaves serious doubts in my mind.

Ok- Below are my regular comments and post- just wanted to add this because I mentioned it on the video.

NOTE- I was not going to add this caveat- but I’m waiting for the video to upload.

The Police department in the Strickland case has made it into the local media before.

I commented on why in the past.

One case was where they have a policy of placing ‘free’ ice coolers in front of bait stands.

Yes- they put them outside all day long.

They wait for some unsuspecting fisherman to take them.

The coolers have tracking devices in them.

One unsuspecting ‘criminal’ spent the day fishing off the beautiful shores of Port A-

After a long day of fishing- he went to the local bait stand [Aransas county] and saw that darn ‘free’ cooler- he asked the girl inside who it belonged to- you know- someone might have left it there- and left town.

She said she did not know- it’s been there all day.

So- being it was outside- on the street- by a trash can [Like maybe someone threw it out and it didn’t fit in the can].

He took it.

Lo and behold the local cops tracked this thief!

Arrested him and charged him with theft.

It’s happened many times- and made it to the local news as entrapment.

The Police defend this action- and as far as I know – still do it.

If you saw a 20 dollar bill on the ground- would you take it?

Better not if you’re in south Texas.

There’s another more serious case I covered about that county in the past.

But the video is uploaded- so I’ll stop now.

LAST NOTE- In the coverage of this whole case- I have never heard whether or not the cops did the most basic thing any good law enforcement would do in a multiple rape case.

Collect actual DNA from the 2 victims.

The standard procedure- before anything else- is for the victims to be checked at the hospital for this.

This would solve the entire mystery.

If they did not do this- why?

 PAST POSTS- [past teaching I did that relates to today’s video ‘Matt. 23’- verses below]

I quoted from John’s gospel- here’s my complete study-

https://ccoutreach87.com/john-complete-links-added/

These as well-

https://ccoutreach87.com/james-2015/

https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/

 (929)2ND SAMUEL 13- In this chapter David begins reaping the judgment on his household. Amnon, David’s son, falls for Tamar. Tamar is the sister of Absalom, another son of David. David had kids from various wives, so you had sons and sisters who were not from the same mother. Amnon devises a scheme and sleeps with Tamar. Then he rejects her. Absalom is incensed over this. David hears about it but doesn’t deal with the problem. Two years go by and Absalom gets even. He tricks Amnon and his other brothers to come to his territory. Then he kills Amnon. Word gets back to David ‘all your sons have been slain by Amnon’. David thinks ‘surely, this is my punishment’. He mourns and is shaken to the core. Now, the report was false. It really wasn’t as bad as David thought. Leaders, don’t always believe the initial report. The first intuition might be wrong. It’s difficult for leaders to recognize that something needs to happen, and then to wait on the Lord for clear directives. Leaders often want action, so they will respond and act based on the initial report. It’s better to sleep on it for a few days. David finds out that all the sons are not dead, just Amnon. Absalom flees to another king and is gone for a few years. David is distraught over the loss of one son and the reality that the other son is estranged from him. Could David have prevented this whole scenario? Maybe not, we do know the Lord said a sword would be in his family. A division and fighting would arise from within. But David also failed in that when he heard of the situation he never dealt with it. Sort of like Samuel and Eli. Eli let his boys run wild and they ruined Gods house. Though the Lord ‘promised’ David would reap what he sowed earlier on, yet the reaping was not as severe as he initially thought. Absalom could have very well killed all the brothers, but the Lord only allowed a limited judgment. Sometimes we mess up and make wrong choices, remember; God is for us. He is on our side. All chastening and discipline are for our ultimate benefit. What good what it have done for David to have been totally wiped out? God was disciplining David and his family, but God was still on David’s side.

 (930)2nd SAMUEL 14- David is broken over the estrangement of his son. Joab realizes that the kingdom can’t function to its full potential under this strain. But he knows he can’t confront David himself. Why? Maybe it’s because of the nature of leaders. It’s a very rare thing for one leader to confront another leader over an issue. The natural response is to look for ways to justify ourselves. So instead Joab finds a ‘wise woman’ and gets her to put on this act for the king. She tells him this sob story about one of her sons killing the other one. She is a widow and is left with only one son, but all the other relatives want justice! They can’t forgive the only heir. Well David falls for this scenario again! He did this with Nathan and Bathsheba. So he tells the woman ‘God forbid that someone takes vengeance on the only son. Over my dead body…. on and on’. Now the woman says ‘can I say one last thing’? Knowing David’s history of getting trumped at the end of these things, I would have said ‘no maam, you’ve said enough already’. But David says ‘go ahead’. She tells him ‘you’re the man!’ [Ouch! I wonder if this woman was the wife of Nathan?:-)] So David realizes he’s been duped again. The woman says ‘O, you are so wise and smart and….’ Gee, for someone who is so swift, he sure falls for these stories a lot. David sends Joab to get Absalom and Absalom returns to Jerusalem but the king avoids him for 2 years. Finally he sees his son. All is not well, Absalom resents the fact that his father called him home but never really made things right. Joab is glad that David gave it a shot. And the nameless wise woman gives us a quote worth remembering ‘For we must needs die, and are as water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means [the Cross], that his banished [humanity] be not expelled from him [reconciliation]’. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

NOTE- I mentioned this chapter on ‘the owl’ video-

(931)2ND SAMUEL 15- Absalom sits daily at the city gate and when the people come to the king, Absalom ‘steels their hearts’. He says ‘o, if I were the king I could do such a good job. I am better than the one God appointed’. Avoid trying to gain peoples acceptance by comparing yourself with others. God might use you to be an example in some way, but this is a matter of grace. Paul said he excelled more than the other apostles who were ‘in Christ’ before him, but nevertheless it was Gods grace that caused this to happen. Absalom slowly wins the hearts of the people and stages a takeover. Some men go willingly, others followed ‘out of simplicity’. They were led astray like sheep. Remember, when dealing with followers of groups who have ‘rebelled’ [classic cults] some have been raised innocently with their beliefs. Try and honestly talk to them and treat them courteously. God can give you an open door with them if you see them as people who have value and worth. We see David as a type of Christ in this chapter. He is forsaken by the city of Jerusalem and loses his following. He even ascends the Mount of Olives while weeping! He says ‘If God chooses to forsake me, so be it. But if he brings me back again [resurrection!] and allows me to see the Ark in Jerusalem, then let his will be done’. Jesus said ‘not my will, but thine be done’. The Father, who forsook his Son, did delight in him and ‘brought him back again’ to see ‘the Ark in the city of Jerusalem’. Jesus saw the tabernacle of God [Gods people, the dwelling of God] in ‘the city of God’ [the church is called the city of God that comes down from God out of heaven] and he was restored to his former place of exaltation at the fathers right-hand. David is reaping some stuff here. He makes some plans for a future return to leadership, but recognizes when it’s time to retreat. Now, I realize that God wants us to move forward and ‘take the kingdom by force’. But Jesus also gave us a principle; he said ‘when one king is facing another king. He sends out messengers to check out the opponent. If word comes back that you are really out of your league in this battle, then try and come to terms of peace if possible’. In essence there are times where taking a step back and re-evaluating is a wise thing. David plants a few spies in Jerusalem who will report back to him every now and then. David also finds out who his true friends are. Some follow him instead of Absalom, even though Absalom is the ‘hot ticket item’ at the time. These brothers who stick with you till the end are true friends, but they aren’t always the most encouraging. Thomas [one of Jesus disciples] says at one point ‘Lets go, we might as well follow him all the way to our deaths’. Thanks for the willingness to follow Thomas, but you think you could change the attitude a little! So David is doing the best with what he has, Gods people are surviving, but they are being used as pawns on Absalom’s chess board. Absalom looked good at the start, but he will not finish well.

 VERSES-

Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Matthew 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Matthew 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Matthew 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

Matthew 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Matthew 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

Matthew 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Matthew 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Matthew 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Matthew 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Matthew 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

John 6

Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Deuteronomy 21:1 If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:

Deuteronomy 21:2 Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:

Deuteronomy 21:3 And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;

Deuteronomy 21:4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:

Deuteronomy 21:5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:

Deuteronomy 21:6 And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

Deuteronomy 21:7 And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.

Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Deuteronomy 21:9 So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

2Samuel 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

2Samuel 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

2Samuel 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

2Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

2Samuel 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

2Samuel 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

2Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

2Samuel 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

2Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

2Samuel 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

2Samuel 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

2Samuel 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

2Samuel 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

2Samuel 13:15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

2Samuel 13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

2Samuel 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

2Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

2Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

2Samuel 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

2Samuel 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

2Samuel 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

2Samuel 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

2Samuel 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

2Samuel 13:25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

2Samuel 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

2Samuel 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

2Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

2Samuel 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

2Samuel 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

2Samuel 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

2Samuel 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

2Samuel 13:33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

2Samuel 13:34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

2Samuel 13:35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

2Samuel 13:36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.

2Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

2Samuel 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

2Samuel 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

2Samuel 14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.

2Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

2Samuel 14:3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.

2Samuel 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.

2Samuel 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

2Samuel 14:6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

2Samuel 14:7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

2Samuel 14:8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

2Samuel 14:9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

2Samuel 14:10 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

2Samuel 14:11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

2Samuel 14:12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

2Samuel 14:13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

2Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

2Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

2Samuel 14:16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

2Samuel 14:17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

2Samuel 14:18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

2Samuel 14:19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

2Samuel 14:20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

2Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

2Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

2Samuel 14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

2Samuel 14:24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

2Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

2Samuel 14:26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

2Samuel 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

2Samuel 14:28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.

2Samuel 14:29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

2Samuel 14:30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

2Samuel 14:31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

2Samuel 14:32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

2Samuel 14:33 So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

2Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

2Samuel 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

2Samuel 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

2Samuel 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

2Samuel 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2Samuel 15:7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

2Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

2Samuel 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

2Samuel 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

2Samuel 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

2Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

2Samuel 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

2Samuel 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

2Samuel 15:15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

2Samuel 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

2Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

2Samuel 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

2Samuel 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

2Samuel 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

2Samuel 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

2Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

2Samuel 15:24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

2Samuel 15:25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

2Samuel 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

2Samuel 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

2Samuel 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

2Samuel 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

2Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

2Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

2Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

2Samuel 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

2Samuel 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

2Samuel 15:35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

2Samuel 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

2Samuel 15:37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

New International Version When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. New Living Translation For the LORD will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down. English Standard Version For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. New American Standard Bible  "For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. King James Bible For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Holman Christian Standard Bible When the LORD passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you."  International Standard Version because the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the doorway, and won't allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.  NET Bible For the LORD will pass through to strike Egypt, and when he sees the blood on the top of the doorframe and the two side posts, then the LORD will pass over the door, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. New Heart English Bible For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD will go throughout Egypt to kill the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, he will pass over that doorway, and he will not let the destroyer come into your home to kill you. JPS Tanakh 1917 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

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