#sacrifice the bbgs work too

[turkeyinnovember]

here we go primal 🥰

the crucification and the bbg-ification

[kurasthetic]

I don't 100% know how to articulate what I'm feeling but I can't get over how Kuras' introduction completely reverses the roles. For example...

Ais: "With his borrowed, unnerving abilities, Ais seems capable of curing you...[c]an you save each other, or will he drag you down into the abyss with him?"

Mhin: "...Mhin has come to Eridia in hopes of finding a cure, but they’ve hit a dead end. If you work together, you might be able to find answers, but can you trust someone just as desperate for salvation as you?"

Vere: "...Vere makes it clear that he’s powerful—and curious—enough to vanquish your curse...[c]an he be trusted, or does he simply enjoy playing with his food?"

Leander: "Leander’s magic can’t cure you, but the sense of normalcy he offers is a luxury you’ve never experienced. He’s determined to save you and asks for nothing in return, but could he be too good to be true?"

The common thread between all of these introductions is that they can save you. Even in the case of Leander, who doesn't pre-possess some way of curing you or start with any leads like the others do, you are still the focal point. You almost have to earn their help, or at least entrust something to them in order to get what you're looking for.

But Kuras is a little different.

His introductions states, "He could find a cure for you, but his shadowy past also puts you in mortal danger. Can you redeem him, or are you the final entry in a long list of tragedies?" Now, granted, it does mention that he could also save you. However, I'd like to note that this is a little more vague than the others. Compared to the way the other characters' introductions focus on how, exactly, they can save you, Kuras' introduction almost throws this in as an afterthought. The focus on his whole paragraph is on what he's done. The other's are shown with why they could possibly save you; Kuras is shown with why he cannot save you.

More importantly, though, is the final sentence in each of these introductions. They all are asking if you can trust or believe the LI, but trust them to do what? Save you. Even then, that's the underlying goal, is your salvation. But for Kuras, the main question is not if he can save you - it's if you can save him.

He flips the script on you from the beginning. It's ironic that with his occupation as a doctor, he's the one that seems most reticent to be involved with you at all, especially since he's saved you once already, and it's strange with his past as an angel that he's the one obvious about needing to be saved rather than doing the saving. You could almost call it selfish.

Now, does this mean anything? Maybe not! Maybe I'm reading too into it and they just really wanted to lean into the Catholic guilt vibes. If this does mean something, I don't have any idea what they could be, either. BUT it's something that has been on my mind since I first went through the information on the Kickstarter.

For someone who is perceived as the most responsible LI, why is he making you responsible for him?

For an angel seeking repentance, why is he not saving others? Why is he looking for someone to save him? What does he need saved from that the Allmother's forgiveness cannot provide?

What will you have to sacrifice to save him?

Kuras my bbg just because I'm choosing to ignore your red flags does not mean I cannot see them

[mydarlingdahlia]

*bangs fist on desk*

APPRECIATION TIME🗣️‼️

💝

Just thought I’d give a little shoutout to some of my mooties/some of my fav people ☺️

@meowzfordayz is literally an angel omg when I sent her an emergency request it went way above my expectations. (The OP writing skills? HELLO???) Also she’s so friendly omg like high key- MARRY ME 😩 /p

@xxsabitoxx is fucking hilarious. Her writing makes me giggle and twirl my hair and (sometimes) throw my phone across the room like I’m reading 2018 omega wattpad smut. Also she’s a bad bitch 😤 (love the thigh tat btw) and I would fight anyone on sight for her

@muzanswaifu literally makes me leap to my phone/laptop when I get a notification. Also watching you and May interact is fucking hilarious. AND YOU PROTECTED ME FROM AN ANON THAT WAS HARASSING ME??? Adopt me please

@bunny-n3zuk0 is one of the sweetest people I’ve met. Makes me physically and mentally smile whenever you interact with me. Like- how do I put it- (MARRY ME JULIET YOULL NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE🎶)

@tomiokas-lunchbox is literally on my top ten kin list. I’m dead serious. (GIYUU STANS WHERR YALL AT??) also like everyone else needs to convert to Sanegiyuuism or else I’ll sacrifice you to my closet that needs cleaning

@renhoeku is…how do I put it? Amazing? Absolutely lovely? A fellow rengoku stan whom I want to marry who I want to be besties with? We can like simp for Rengoku together and like have tea and just read smut abt him like I’m down if you are

@akaza-dono-the-basketball is one of my lovely moots, who I adore interacting with. I mean just scrolling through your page at least once a day makes the sun shine a tad brighter. I literally have no words to explain my appreciation- so- 💖❣️💞💘💝💗❣️🩷

@pammyjammy117 was probably the reason I got the courage to make my own Demon Slayer OC. (ALL HAIL ENŪMA🛐) I love going on their live streams on TikTok, and I am absolutely in love with your OC. (I’m working on the Enūma and Monsterverse Kyo smut I promise 😔)

@thatonegenshinsimp is one of my lovely Genshin moots. ☺️ Got me going feral over Itto I swear to mf Jehovah himself after reading your writing I wish I could go back to like those old Gacha days and like be in one of those “whatever you say comes to life” vids so I could bring my bbg to life (and proceed to turn into the loud house)

@sweet-honey-fruit is one of my favorite writers for Genshin Impact characters! Omg that m’fing poll…I’m still going feral over it oml. 😭 Cant wait to see the finished product!! I’ll try to be like somewhat patient 🤷‍♀️

@moraxsthrone is literally so fucking talented. The way you write Zhongli makes me quiver in my boots (and makes something else quiver) Got me up at 2am in an iPad kid position with my horrid posture just scrolling through your page

@yeahitzally is also a literal angel. WHY ARE YOU SO NICE TO ME 😩. Lemme just- 🌹🌸💐💐🌺🌷🌻🪷🪻 Flowers for you my darling. :) I’m grateful to have you as a lovely moot. ^^ MWAH 😘

@peachdues is so talented that I almost didn’t believe it at first. Like okay Shakespeare you ate that! 💅 No but being fr your writing is so good like I’m jealous at this point. 🥲 (also a fellow Sanemi simp I SEE YOU 😏) Oh and if I’m bothering you too much just tell me 🫠

@knyesplease is one of my many lovely KNY mutuals. (Also shoutout to them go support their works!!) I love love love interacting with them, and I can’t wait to get to know them more! Also, thanks for being willing to help me out on my big KNY project. :)

Please DM me please and very much thank you if you want to be featured in this appreciation post. :) Always willing to add someone I may have missed. (But, keep in mind, if we’ve only interacted a handful of times like maybe once or twice, I might not add you.) Also this post was inspired by Meowz!

That’s all! Charlotte out.

[mccarthymolly]

ur saying ur btr child than me,j,,l,,

Nt answering, wwno

Ww k. Distinct b hm

I 1 of the ppl, hate saying, y fif i ,h, nt js do, action,uh,nt hge bbg

Uh,k,hk,j,o,,

K fnny 3 then nt 4 then bit 5. Feeling. Thx n gd nght. Nt sx

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Nt lk ,hm,uh,ok,yh,uh,ok,hm,y,uh,ok,uh,.

Dk,rlf,k,um,no,uh,dk,uh,no,uh,ok,j,ww

Often b ok,j,

No,k,,k, l,ik,,jj,u,j,spir,ww,j,

Admin is miserablr. Too lawey,my god,uh,ok,,k,,ww,kkh,i,jj

K hm. Aka shut in

Ok lstn jhm

Shame dudnt get out n bad plan

Ned for

Hm if didnt knw me wd hate me, bad group n person, u n this r bs

Said emotions, discourage psy, then u say same, my god no mmry,

N nar,omgh,k,dk,j

Layout wt will nt sayz out of contorl culture,uh,hm,

Guide, mny,uh,hk,j,

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Law k dk hk

Blurt or pssv agg. Idk b k

Ok,idk,uh,hm,ww,cdve been worse, nt cool, idk wt say,ww,dark n dont rmember,act,hm,uh,wwhm,dk,uh,k,hm,help,or,um,maybe,uh,

Police n ww uh nt fght for n hm,uh,say no to that u say no,uh

No,wait,h,mmko,,

Ok,axtivabiktiy

Poo n dr n am i dying

Idk if generous or unfocused teachign , nt a thing t say, eh, dk no,uh,sht to do n pay n uh,favorites, bad,idk, sth w the mother, nt me,time,idk,uh,hlp then,ww, hm j,dk,uh,hm,story,uh,js telling? Dmb,uh,ok,n,k,o,hww,uh,hm,maybe nt idk, uh, n,oj,this made me worse, u r not that gd, dk if i hate u but i feel hate for u, tons

Mystery,nt casual, y defendung to child, nt tch,uhzk,dmb,h, i shdnt half be alive

M,o,j,

Idk. Id rather go bk maybe to abuse than be burden to nonabusive ppl? Wt is the dif

Go out. Yh. All the thoughts. Dk wt want. Hm uh dk uh

O eh hmiuww dk hk j

Mybe work envi. Shd a young cat or anyone be a head

Yes k,hkk

Hk j kj j k. Ww idk, yes ik interested b worried ti get ensnagged n hurt by smn related to u. Idk b on stories n tv there's often someone distant and maddenable or jealousable, y u eant contact, n ig ppl to me are dustant too, so i might be like you alot but not a spouse. Si idk, idt they do bad b idk that either. Gee,hm, uh, hw secret,ww,l, I, yh,uh,ok,ww. Ww,hm,young nliked,hm,ww,maybe,uh,standung cuddle,nc,uh,yh,uh,ok,dress,y,dk,uh,ok,hm,uh,sit,looking at,dif b they like, dmb party b dk,uh,ok,j,o,j,uh ok,uh,dk,uh,ok,ww,uh,retire? J,, j, k,

No,j,k,

Protect n how know, hm,uh,

No, nt js boring or js struggle or wooey or idk,uh,

No,h ,bits,title

Cd,mad,ok,no,ww,hm,uhdk,uh,hm,uh,maybe,yh,uh,tell,ww,h,o,k,,j,sacrifice,uhdk,,

Media,ww,kdk,uh,hm,uh,no,j,j,,k,u,,ok, be evaluated,k,,j,u not in posiiton,so u suck ig

Shm,j,k

Vosua,ik,opt, can help,dk, reputaiton,yh,uh,ok,dk,uk,,k,h,k,ww,uh, no j,ww,not helpsamlle,uh,k,,k,k,k

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Hm,how heard,ok,dk,hm,uh,ok,when faking ,hm,ok,hm. Hm, how id play,jk,j,,

Big pay b cn play,ww, hm ihn,mohn dmb uh

[airoasis]

Sweaty Notes: Inspiration & Exercising at Home-- Fit Metalhead

HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED TO WORKOUT AT HOME?

I get asked this question a lot because 99% of my workouts are done at home. I don’t have a gym membership anymore and I hardly go to classes anymore.

Why workout at home?

To be honest, due to my heavy schedule with a full time office job and studying part time, I won’t be able to make it to a gym or class facility.  I created time for myself in the morning to workout by commuting on a motorcycle. The thought of sitting for hours in traffic kills me, I already sit behind my desk 90% of my day. My only option was to start working out at home to make sure I meet my daily goal of moving.

About 5 years ago, I started collecting equipment to work out at home. Starting with the basics such as dumbbells, and working my way up to having a Barbell, Pull Up Bar, Boxing bag and various other smaller pieces of equipment. Space became an issue and with that I finally convinced my husband to convert our garage into a gym and this motivated him to join in on the sweat at home fun.

Quick Pros of Working out at Home

is convenient

cost-efficient in the long term

provides opportunities to bond with your family in a healthy way, especially if those busy schedules allow little quality time. 

saves time 

But how to stay motivated?

Picture this: Your lying in bed on a cold winter morning, snuggling with your significant other and your alarm goes off. Do you wake up? Or do you snooze and snooze and snooze until you’re super late for work? If you are the latter, here’s my tips to get up and go, go, GO!

1. Find an exercise you LOVE

This is an essential part to having at home workout success. Let’s face it, you will not wake up from your slumber to do something you hate. Choose an exercise that give you butterflies in your stomach, which you know you will smash regardless of where you are at. Whether it’s running, lifting, yoga or plyometrics or combination of it all. Make sure it is something you ENJOY with your whole heart.

2. Listen to your body clock

It takes 66 days to form a habit. That’s about 9 weeks. Let’s say your goals is to start exercising 3 days a week. That’s a total of 27 times that you have to convince yourself to either get up early or get a workout in after work. Sounds overwhelming at first but believe me once your body is used to getting up that early and exercising often, it will tell you much it craves exercise when you stop. Especially if your are a desk junkie or couch potato. Over weekends, I do sleep in some of the time but I also see weekends as an opportunity to do a good session with no rush. Those are usually the best.

3. Music, music, music. 

Nothing wakes you up like a good old playlist of music that you love. Make a workout playlist on Spotify of all your favourite songs that are guaranteed to make you excited for the next 45min or so. Music has been proven to elevate your mood and combining it with a workout is the best. Especially if you get to choose what you want to hear, and play it as loud as you want to in the comfort of your own home.

4. Choose your time of day wisely.

If you are not a morning person, and you know that you won’t get up early or aren’t willing to sacrifice that hour or 2 of sleep, simply don’t plan your workouts for the morning. Similarly, if you know that after a hard day at the office you’d rather be winding down with a glass of vino while cooking, don’t plan your workouts for afternoon/evening. Don’t set yourself up for failure or stress yourself out about not being able to fit it in. I’ve done Yoga during lunch which I absolutely loved but it did come with a time pressure to get back to the office before those 2pm meetings, and all those zen gains were gone by the time I left for home.  You know what will suit your schedule so fit your workouts in around the rest of your life. 

5. Create your own dedicated space

I started in the middle of our lounge with a set of dumbbells and a mat. Humble beginning indeed. We converted a small spare room into a dedicated gym room and eventually built up so much gear, we converted our garage. This took a good 5 years but it was so worth it. Having that space immediately available is such a great tool for motivation. When I don’t feel like working out, I think about the investment I’ve made in this room, the time and cash of course. Plus seeing it as your safe space and that you’re actually caring and loving your body through movement, ensures a positive mindset and encourages self-discipline. Oh and you get to wear whatever the fuck you want without stares and judgement.

6. Have a ritual.

Another motivation mind hack. Preparation is everything. The night before, I prep my workout clothes and trainers, and I set out the equipment I will need for my workout. When I wake up, I splash my face with ice cold water and then I let the wolves in! Kidding! My dogs wake up with me and they come greet me at my bathroom window and whine until I open the door for them. We sit on the couch and I have 5min of stillness while either drinking pre-workout or a glass of water to get me ready for my session.

7. Make your Workout Plan work for YOU

This ties in with point number 1 but with so many options these days to workout at home, it may get overwhelming to choose a guide that will work for you 100%. Especially if you do not have all the required equipment or if you get bored easily. In recent months, I’ve learnt to adapt programs to fit my schedule, adding and subtracting where I have to. I modify movements that are too intense for my knees and amp it up with skipping to increase intensity. A great example of what I did for BBG was to do 14min each of Legs, Arms & Abs, and Full Body combined into one intense session. Learn to be adaptable and flexible to your needs and schedule. You can view a comprehensive list of workout guides here. 

8. Social Accountability

The biggest potential downer of working out at home? The social aspect disappears. Sounds like one big, “let’s sleep in trap right”? Enter social media communities! I created my fitstagram because I felt a bit lonely and met the most fantastic people through it. We meet often for after work dinners or Saturday morning sweat session and breakfasts. You get to meet like-minded people that will rarely judge you and that will share your love/hate relationship with whatever workout plan you’re following.  I like to check in via my Instagram stories to share my workout and stats for the day, and of course to share the cheeky sweaty selfie or my own workouts now and then. Social Media gets a bad rap all too often and for good reason, but remember it’s what you make of it and if you can use it to keep you accountable, hold onto that positive aspect it brings into your life.

Do you girls have any tips to stay motivated? Have any thoughts on the above? Let me know!

[atttitudeofgratitude]

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

TODAY I CAN: - [x] 🎚🎚 - [x] Daily Word  ** I AM HAPPY, WHOLE, AND FREE! 🌞😊 - [x] LOVE ❤️ - [x] Meditate 😌💨 - [x] Journal 📚📖🖊📝 - [x] COLORING!🖍 - [x] GLO 🔆 - [x] Happier 2017! - [x] ARTICLES! - [x] MOVE 🏃🏼‍♀️ - [x] DANCE!👯 🎶✝️ - [x] STRENGTH 💪🏽 - [x] STRETCHING - [x] YOGA 🤸🏼‍♀️ *** I LOVE MY BODY! - [x] 10:00 DANCE!👯 SMILING 😊 WARM UP YOGA!🤸🏼‍♀️ Stretching, journaling! IN CLASS! - [x] BBG! ABS!🏋🏼‍♀️💪🏽 *** I HAVE STRONG ABS! *** I AM STRONG! 💪🏽 Houston!😇 "You're a light in the world" — Lyn 😊✨ - [x] 4:10 SPY FILMS! Peacocks! *** JUST A DRILL! - [x] Tomorrow! ✔️ - [x] “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” — Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ - [x] BE GRATEFUL 🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ - [x] LOVE MYSELF 😍❤ - [x] SLEEP 😴💤 Free I AM HAPPY, WHOLE, AND FREE! Ernest Holmes wrote, "Spirit is happy, whole, free, filled with joy, eternal in its existence ... All your highest hopes and dreams have come from it.” These words are reminders that I experience spiritual freedom when I consciously center my heart in God and direct my life, founded on spiritual principle. If I were to live my life based on what others think and say, I sacrifice my own freedom and may experience limitation. Yet when I align my mind and heart with Spirit, I begin to experience spiritual freedom. Prayer, meditation, and communion with God are tools I can use to connect to Christ Consciousness. ** When I seek God in mind and heart, I develop a sense of well-being that cannot be destroyed by any external force. I am free! So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. — John 8:36 "The boost you receive in mood and energy will pay off much higher than the calories you burn" In life, we all certainly like mountaintop experiences better than valleys — the air is clean, the sun is shining, and the view is amazing. But the truth is, we’re going to go through valleys. It’s inevitable. You’ve observed that, haven’t you? I’m sure you’ve noticed that you can’t plan valleys or schedule them. Who’s ever had a flat tire or a root canal at a good time? But be encouraged that valleys are temporary; they do have an end. And valleys have a purpose. ** God does not waste our pain. Someone could say I'm too skinny, someone else could say I'm too muscular, you know what? I'm very proud about who I've become. Work out make me so happy! It's 30 minutes in which I'm not connected with the world but just with my body and my mind. It's amazing. It won't always be easy It won't always be fun But it will always be worth it So get out there and RUN. There is Light Ahead.

[atttitudeofgratitude]

Saturday, August 26th, 2017

TODAY I CAN: - [x] Daily Word  ** THROUGH THE POWER OF THE INDWELLING CHRIST PRESENCE, I AM FREE AND UNLIMITED. - [x] LOVE ❤️ - [x] Meditate 😌💨 - [x] Journal 📚📖🖊📝 - [x] COLORING!🖍 - [x] GLO 🔆 - [x] Happier 2017! - [x] MOVE 🏃🏼‍♀️ Houston! 😇💛✨ ** I AM OKAY! 🌞 🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ - [x] STRENGTH 💪🏽 - [x] BBG! LEGS! 🏋🏼‍♀️💪🏽 - [x] DANCE!👯 🎶🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️🎶👯😍❤️😊💛✨ ** I AM STRONG! *** THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️💪🏽 - [x] STRETCHING - [x] YOGA 🤸🏼‍♀️ - [x] FOAM ROLLING ** TAKING GOOD CARE OF MYSELF 😊 EnJOYing! 😋 🎶🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ And Houston! 😇💛✨ And PRAYERS 🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ **** GOD IS SO GOOD! - [x] On duty Checking PEOPLE! Maezelle Hope 😊 Dinner at Collins and Reading The Bible ✝️📖😊 - [x] Residence Hall Meeting! HOME 😍❤ MARISSA!😍❤❤ - [x] BEING GRATEFUL 🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ - [x] Tomorrow! ✔️ - [x] “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” — Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ - [x] BEING GRATEFUL 🙏🏽🙌🏽✝️ - [x] LOVE MYSELF 😍❤ - [x] SLEEP 😴💤 Free THROUGH THE POWER OF THE INDWELLING CHRIST PRESENCE, I AM FREE AND UNLIMITED. Just as a hot air balloon cannot soar when tied to the ground, so, too, challenges in my life may tie me down and keep me from rising to the highest heights of awareness. If negativity appears, I turn to the Christ Presence within. My thoughts create my experience of life, so I review any negative beliefs I am holding. I transform those beliefs into ones that are positive and productive. Through the power of choice and freewill, I let go and affirm: I am free and unlimited . I begin to feel a sense of liberation. There are no chains that bind me when I turn to the indwelling Christ Presence. As I let go of mental blocks, my spirit is free to soar like a colorful balloon in flight. Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:2 - [x] Happier 2017 Suffer for Fifteen Minutes We can do just about anything for fifteen minutes — and fifteen minutes, day after day, adds up surprisingly fast. If there's a task you're dreading, or have been putting off for too long, commit to doing it for just fifteen minutes. Getting started is often the hardest part. When God calls you Saturday, 26 August 2017 "I have called him...and he will succeed in his mission." Isaiah 48:15 NIV God told Jeremiah, “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work” (Jeremiah 1:5 NCV). When God decides to use you, five things happen: First, there is a call. God asks common people to do uncommon things, like Peter getting out of a boat and walking on water. Second, there is fear. When God called Moses to stand before Pharaoh, he said, “I’m not a good enough speaker; use somebody else.” Third, there is reassurance. The thought of filling Moses’ shoes must have shaken Joshua to the core, so God told him, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5 NKJV). Fourth, there is a decision. Sometimes we say yes to God and sometimes we say no. When we say yes, we live with joy; when we say no, we forfeit that joy. But there’s always a decision. Fifth, there is a changed life. ** Those who say yes to God’s call don’t walk perfectly, not by a long shot. But because they say yes, they learn and grow even from their failures. Indeed, their fai lures often become part of their ability to minister to others. And those who say no to God are changed too; they become a little harder, a little more resistant to His calling, and a little more likely to say no next time. Is God calling you? Maybe it has to do with your work or your relationships or your money or facing your biggest fear. God’s call will go to the core of who you are and what you do. Saying yes to Him is the best decision you’ll ever make. Soulfood : 2 Chr 32-34, Mark 8:1-13, Ps 119:161-168, Prov 22:17-19 Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem 32 After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to wage war against Jerusalem, 3 he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. 4 They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings[a] of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. 5 Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces[b] of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields. 6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ** 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 9 Later, when Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces were laying siege to Lachish, he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah king of Judah and for all the people of Judah who were there: 10 “This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? 11 When Hezekiah says, ‘The Lord our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria,’ he is misleading you, to let you die of hunger and thirst. 12 Did not Hezekiah himself remove this god’s high places and altars, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar and burn sacrifices on it’? 13 “Do you not know what I and my predecessors have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? 14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!” 16 Sennacherib’s officers spoke further against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 The king also wrote letters ridiculing the Lord, the God of Israel, and saying this against him: “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand.” 18 Then they called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to terrify them and make them afraid in order to capture the city. 19 They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world—the work of human hands. 20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, Lwho annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword. 22 So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them[c] on every side. 23 Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the Lord and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah. From then on he was highly regarded by all the nations. Hezekiah’s Pride, Success and Death 24 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. ** He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah. 27 Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables. 28 He also made buildings to store the harvest of grain, new wine and olive oil; and he made stalls for various kinds of cattle, and pens for the flocks. 29 He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches. 30 It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook. 31 But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. 32 The other events of Hezekiah’s reign and his acts of devotion are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 Hezekiah rested with his ancestors and was buried on the hill where the tombs of David’s descendants are. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem honored him when he died. And Manasseh his son succeeded him as king. Manasseh King of Judah 33 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. 7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.” 9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. 14 Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah. 15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. 17 The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the Lord their God. 18 The other events of Manasseh’s reign, including his prayer to his God and the words the seers spoke to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, are written in the annals of the kings of Israel.[d] 19 His prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself—all these are written in the records of the seers.[e] 20 Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace. And Amon his son succeeded him as king. Amon King of Judah 21 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. 22 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. 23 But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt. 24 Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace. 25 Then the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place. Josiah’s Reforms 34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols. 4 Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them, 7 he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem. 8 In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the Lord his God. 9 They went to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the temple of God, which the Levites who were the gatekeepers had collected from the people of Manasseh, Ephraim and the entire remnant of Israel and from all the people of Judah and Benjamin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 Then they entrusted it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the Lord’s temple. These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple. 11 They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to purchase dressed stone, and timber for joists and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to fall into ruin. 12 The workers labored faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites—all who were skilled in playing musical instruments— 13 had charge of the laborers and supervised all the workers from job to job. Some of the Levites were secretaries, scribes and gatekeepers. The Book of the Law Found 14 While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan. 16 Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: “Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. 17 They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers.” 18 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah,[f] Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” 22 Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him[g] went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath,[h] the son of Hasrah,[i] keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter. 23 She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. 25 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made,[j] my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’ 26 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: ** 27 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 28 Now I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.’” So they took her answer back to the king. 29 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 31 The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. 32 Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. 33 Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors. Mark 8:1-13 Jesus Feeds Four Thousand 8 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 2 “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” 5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied. 6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. 7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 9 There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. 10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign 11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. 12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” 13 So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. Psalm 119:161-168 161  Powerful people harass me without cause,     but my heart trembles only at your word. 162  I rejoice in your word     like one who discovers a great treasure. 163  I hate and abhor all falsehood,     but I love your instructions. 164  I will praise you seven times a day     because all your regulations are just. 165  Those who love your instructions have great peace     and do not stumble. 166  I long for your rescue, Lord,     so I have obeyed your commands. 167  I have obeyed your laws,     for I love them very much. 168  Yes, I obey your commandments and laws     because you know everything I do. Proverbs 22:17-19 Sayings of the Wise 17  Listen to the words of the wise;
    apply your heart to my instruction. 18  For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
    and always ready on your lips. 19  I am teaching you today—yes, you—
    so you will trust in the Lord.