#so ​don���t take take this as gospel truth or anything

[the13thduke]

Best Rap 2018

This year has been probably the most packed year of all time in terms of the sheer volume of decent rap releases. Due to the huge quantity of releases it’s easy to miss out on a lot of great music and get lost in the mix. With that in mind, I wanted to create a long list that can be bookmarked and returned to for those who slept.

I could have easily created a top 300 and still felt bad about leaving a few good albums out. That said, I've managed to cut it down to a slightly more definitive (but hardly concise) top 150 so this doesn't read like too much of a phone book.

As in previous years, ‘Rap’ is on the banner, but the list is made up of hip-hop, UK road rap, grime, and anything that can adequately be categorised as a rap sub-genre in my mind.

Finally, as usual, don’t get too hung up on the order. The top albums are at the top and the still-quality-but-not-quite-elite albums are towards the lower end, but there’s no use getting too hung up about what appears as, say, my 57th and 61st favourite albums. This is designed and published primarily for myself to look back on in years to come and reflect on the year, but also for anyone who reads it to see it as recommended listening that should keep you very busy.

I would write a blurb for each and every album to explain why I love them, but no-one would pay me and my time is valuable, so instead I’ve linked each album to their Spotify stream…Enjoy, and feel free to let me know if I've missed anything!

Here’s my top 150 rap albums of 2018. Happy new year!

CHILDREN OF ZEUS — Travel Light

GHETTS — Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament

RAE SREMMURD — SR3MM

NOVELIST — Novelist Guy

BARNEY ARTIST — Home is Where The Art Is

EVIDENCE — Weather or Not

OCEAN WISDOM — Wizville

PHONTE — No News is Good News

ROC MARCIANO — RR2: The Bitter Dose / Behold A Dark Horse / KAOS (with DJ Muggs)

PUSHA T — DAYTONA

FREDDIE GIBBS — Freddie / Fetti (with Alchemist & Curren$y)

MAXSTA — Maxtape 2

BENNY — Tana Talk 3 / A Friend of Ours

ARMAND HAMMER — Paraffin

DJ MUGGS — Soul Asssassins: Dia del Asesinato

HERMIT & THE RECLUSE — Orpheus vs The Sirens

MANGA ST. HILAIRE — Outsiders Live Forever

MASTA ACE & MARCO POLO — A Breukelen Story

WESTSIDE GUNN — Supreme Blientele

SABA — Care For Me

DABRYE — Three/Three

D DOUBLE E — Jackuum

KOOL G RAP & 38 SPESH — Son of G Rap

LOJII — lofeye

SLOWTHAI — RUNT

TRAE THA TRUTH — Hometown Hero / 48 Hours Later

JPEGMAFIA — Veteran

JAM BAXTER — Touching Scenes

JERICHO JACKSON (KHRYSIS & ELZHI) — Jericho Jackson

ANKHLEJOHN — The Red Room / Van Ghost / The Yellow House / Ankh Nasty

OCTAVIAN — Spaceman

NONAME — Room 25

ELCAMINO — Elcamino / Walk on Water

JEAN GRAE & QUELLE CHRIS — Everything’s Fine

SHOWBIZ — A-Room Therapy

MILO — budding ornithologists are weary of tired analogies

KEY & KENNY BEATS — 777

SHIRT — Pure Beauty

PLAYBOI CARTI — Die Lit

THA GOD FAHIM — Dump Gawd: Dream Killer / Breaking Through The Van Allen Belts (with C-Lance) / Dump Truck: Think Again / Dumpacolypse Now (with Left Lane Didon) etc etc (stop dropping so much Fahim!)

2U4U — Butter

NIPSEY HUSSLE — Victory Lap

TROUBLE & MIKE-WILL-MADE-IT — Edgewood

21 SAVAGE — I am > I was

TRAVIS SCOTT — ASTROWORLD

FLATBUSH ZOMBIES — Vacation in Hell

MOZZY — Gangland Landlord / Spiritual Conversations

WORLD’S FAIR — New Low

FOREIGN BEGGARS — 2 2 Karma

KIDS SEE GHOSTS — KIDS SEE GHOSTS

ROYCE DA 5'9" — The Book of Ryan

JAY ROCK — Redemption

RAWKID — Grum, Vol. 1

FRISCO — Back 2 Da Lab Vol. 5

MEYHEM LAUREN — Glass

APATHY — Widow’s Son

SUSPECT — Still Loading

CHIP — Ten10

MAXO KREAM — Punkem

BEATKING & GANGSTA BOO — Underground Cassette Tape Music, Vol. 2

SWIZZ BEATZ — POISON

LANDO CHILL — Black Ego

BLACK MILK — FEVER

B-MOVIE MILLIONAIRES — Attack of the 50,000ft Sweg Lawds from Outer Space

808INK — When I’m About You’ll Know Vols 1–2

YOUNG THUG — On The Rvn / Slime Language compilation

SCALLOPS HOTEL — sovereign nose of (y)our arrogant face

TY — A Work of Heart

DENZEL CURRY — TA13OO

CONWAY & SONNYJIM — Death by Misadventure

PAYROLL GIOVANNI & CARDO — Big Bossin Vol. 2

CHUCK STRANGERS — Consumers Park

LIL WAYNE — Tha Carter V

HOMEBOY SANDMAN & EDAN — Humble Pi

VINCE STAPLES — FM!

WILLIE THE KID — Gold Rush (with Klever Skemes) / Things of that Nature / Midwest Willie 2 / Gold Rush 2

EARL SWEATSHIRT — Some Rap Songs

RICH HOMIE QUAN — Rich As In Spirit

ROME STREETZ — Streetz Keep Calling Me / Street Farmacy (with Farma Beats)

CRIMEAPPLE — Aguardiente

MICK JENKINS — Pieces of a Man

MICALL PARKNSUN & MR THING — Finish What We Started

DIRTY DIKE — Acrylic Snail

SMOOVTH & GIALLO POINT — Medellin II: Don Fabio

DJ JAZZY JEFF — M3

FLY ANAKIN & OHBLIV — Backyard Boogie

AWON & PHONIKS — The Actual Proof

J COLE — K.O.D

CARDI B — Invasion of Privacy

MIKE — Black Soap / Renaissance Man / War In My Pen

TRIPPIE REDD — Life’s A Trip / A Love Letter To You 3

BUSU — Deadbeat Boyfriend Diaries

COOPS — No Brainer / Life In The Flesh

CHESTER WATSON — Project 0

NOSTRUM GROCERS — Nostrum Grocers

SKYZOO — In Celebration of Us

PRHYME — PRhyme 2

MAC MILLER — Swimming

38 SPESH & BENNY — Stabbed & Shot

DA FLYYY HOOLIGAN — Roman Abramovich

WILEY — Godfather II

GUNNA & LIL BABY — Drip Harder

HENRY CANYONS — Cool Side of the Pillow

MARLOWE — Marlowe

OC — A New Dawn

CUT CHEMIST — Die Cut

V DON — This Thing of Ours (with Adonis) / Bone Collector

BISHOP NEHRU — Elevators: Act I & II

TY FARRIS — No Co-Sign, Just Cocaine Vols 1–2

JOSMAN — 000$

THERMAN MUNSIN — Sabbath (with Roc Marciano)

AWTHENTIK — Nothing More Nothing Less

FLEE LORD — I Want Out / Loyalty or Death: Lord Talk 2

DJ SKIZZ — High Powered

PAC DIV — 1st Baptist

JAMMER — Are You Dumb? Vol. 5

BLACK THOUGHT — Streams of Thought Vol. 1–2

BIG TWINS — Grimey Life

D-BLOCK EUROPE & YXNG BANE — Any Minute Now

ONE ACEN — SexyOddRose

SMOKE BOYS — Don’t Panic II

BUGZY MALONE — B.Inspired

BISK — Aural FM

FREDO — Tables Turn

NINES — Crop Circle

NOT3S — Take Not3s II

YXNG BANE — HBK

SKENGDO x AM — Greener on the Other Side

YFN LUCCI — Ray Ray from Summerhill

HUSALAH — H

BUDDY — Harlan & Alondra

SHECK WES — MUDBOY

STARLITO — At WAR With Myself Too

COZZ — Effected

JID — DiCaprio 2

RICH BRIAN — Amen

SNOOP DOGG — 220

MIGOS — Culture II

COOL OUT SUN — Cool Out Sun

ROBB BANK$ — Molly World

CYPRESS HILL — Elephants on Acid

VIC SPENCER & SONNYJIM— Spencer for Hire

KILLA KYLEON — Candy Paint N Texas Plates

REASON — There You Have It

APOLLO BROWN & LOCKSMITH — No Question / APOLLO BROWN & JOELL ORTIZ — Mona Lisa

ICYTWAT — Dream Bwoy

IVY SOLE — Overgrown

SMINO — NOIR

KIRK KNIGHT — IIWII

JAY PRINCE — Cherish

[seekfirstme]

The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager © 2021. Don's website is located at Dailyscripture.net

Meditation: Are you critical towards others, especially those who may be close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, or neighbor or co-worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown?

Look upon your neighbor with the eyes of Christ who comes to heal and restore us

Jesus startled his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?

The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to the afflicted who suffered from physical, mental, or spiritual oppression (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free - not only from their physical, mental, and spiritual infirmities - but also from the worst affliction of all - the tyranny of slavery to sin, Satan, and the fear of losing one's life. God's power alone can save us from hopelessness, dejection, and emptiness of life. The Gospel of salvation is "good news" for everyone who will receive it. Do you know the joy and freedom of the Gospel?

"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings grace, truth, freedom, and abundant life. Set my heart on fire with your love and truth."

The following reflection is from One Bread, One Body courtesy of Presentation Ministries © 2021.

AMAZING FAITH

“...so much did their lack of faith distress Him.” —Mark 6:6

Jesus was amazed at the Syro-Phoenician woman’s faith (Mt 15:28). He was amazed at the centurion’s faith (Mt 8:10).  He was amazed at the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth (see Mk 6:6).How do we get amazing faith? 

1) We must ask God for it. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). 

2) We must accept the discipline of the Lord (Heb 12:5ff). That in itself gives evidence of our faith. By humbling ourselves and changing our lifestyles to obey the Lord’s commands, we show that we believe the Lord is shaping our lives and we are in His hands. 

3) We must not hold anything back from God. “My just man will live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him” (Heb 10:38). 

4) We obey His commands as set forth in the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the teachings of the Church. We actually call this “The Faith.” 

May Jesus be amazed at our faith. May we accept eagerly the discipline of the Lord and trust in Him. Jesus, “increase our faith” (Lk 17:5).

Prayer:  Father, “not my will but Yours be done” (Lk 22:42).

Promise:  “Strive for peace with all men, and for that holiness without which no one can see the Lord.” —Heb 12:14

Praise:  St. Blase was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was martyred around 316 AD during the persecution of Emperor Licinius. He is the patron saint of those suffering from throat ailments.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 31, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements

[askaguywholikesfatchicks]

2017 ALBUMS

93. Oddisee, The Iceberg Yes, “I’m from Black America it’s just another year,” but also “let me show you how to persevere” (“NNGE,” “Hold It Back”)

92. Craig Finn, We All Want the Same Things

Empathy for grieving misfits who outlived their nicknames and still have unfinished business roughly the size of a baseball (“God in Chicago,” “Preludes”)

91. Part Chimp, IV

More tuneful than Melvins and Girl Band combined (“Mapoleon,” “Namekuj”)

90. Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts, Milano

For the dreaded “soundtrack-rock,” a fair amount of it sounds like Pylon (“Talisa,” “Memphis Blues Again”)

89. Haram, بس اربحت- خسرت - When You Have Won, You Have Lost

Who better to inveigh against “American Police” than a riffy Lebanese-American who was forced to deal with Catholic school (“Who Am I, Who Are You?” “Your President, Not a President”)

88. Lee Ranaldo, Electric Trim

He’s gotten out of spoken word alive enough times that we can allow one honest-to-God pretentious record (“Uncle Skeleton,” “Circular Right as Rain”)

87. Brad Paisley, Love and War

Less fun than kissing a man named Heather (“Go to Bed Early,” “Last Time for Everything,” “Drive of Shame”)

86. Young Thug, Beautiful Thugger Girls

Melodies that shake out to half the transcendent pop gift we’ve been promised for too long, and half merely better than usual, but the real benchmark is zero mushmouthing (“Relationship,” “Do U Love Me,” “You Said”)

85. Priests, Nothing Feels Natural

Neither their previous rage nor their present tunes can compare to Katie Alice Greer’s ownership of the stage; here’s hoping she brings it to the Capitol steps (“JJ,” “No Big Bang”)

84. Homeboy Sandman, Veins

Hard to tell if the fame song is ironic (“A’s, J’s & L’s,” “Bamboo,” “Clarity”)

83. Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman, Triple Fat Lice [EP]

Even the fatophobic song is funky but nothing forgives Sand not voting (“Pins and Needles,” “Pizza and Burgers”)

82. Arto Lindsay, Cuidado Madame

At long last the unambitious lover’s no-wave has sex with, well, the sex (“Tangles,” “Grain by Grain”)

81. Thurst, Cut to the Chafe

The right kind of bored DIY grunge even if “Where are your parents?” is not something you ask a grown woman who does camming (“Raw Is Real,” “Distance”)

80. Katie Ellen, Cowgirl Blues

28 minutes of hasn’t-mellowed to vie with Katie Crutchfield, who’d never write the line “I’m sick of fucking in our bed” (“Houses Into Homes,” “Proposal”)

79. G Perico, All Blue

Beats rarely get in the way of his bark (“Power,” “Get My Staccs”)

78. Rancid, Trouble Maker

How many folk-punks literally bite from “Ring of Fire” — and how many make their catchiest record 25 years in (“Ghost of a Chance,” “Make It Out Alive,” “An Intimate Close Up of a Street Punk Troublemaker”)

77. Kano, Made in the Manor

The prettiest grime album (“A Roadman’s Hymn,” “New Banger”)

76. Body Count, Bloodlust

Maybe TV gave Ice-T enough of a sabbatical that he remembers what it sounds like to rage again, more than you can say for Chuck D or Tom Morello (“No Lives Matter,” “Black Hoodie”)

75. Kitty, Miami Garden Club Knows the club culture of which she speaks, while the Chainsmokers don’t observe much past their oft-measured dicks (“Mass Text Booty Call,” “Drink Tickets”)

74. Counterparts, You're Not You Anymore

Screamo math-metal with economy and harmonic surprises (“Arms Like Teeth,” “Rope”)

73. The Frightnrs, More to Say Versions

Missed “Dispute” last year unfortunately, but their late singer (and their piano hooks) are better honored by these dubs (“Dispute [Version],” “More to Say [Version]”)

72. Bash and Pop, Anything Could Happen

The first three anthems could carry a lot of an album, and they do (“Anything Could Happen,” “Not This Time,” “On the Rocks”)

71. Awa Poulo, Warali A bowed, one-string violin called a soku makes this Malian blues resemble something else, like say, James Blood Ulmer’s Odyssey (“Mido Yirima,” “Dimo Yaou Tata”)

70. Gogol Bordello, Seekers and Finders

Seeking Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike, finding Super Taranta! (“Saboteur Blues,” “Did It All”)

69. Elder, Reflections of a Floating World

Sprawling R.E.M. black metal to Deafheaven’s U2 (“The Falling Veil,” “Staving Off the Truth”)

68. Starlito and Don Trip, Step Brothers Three

“We represent for all real niggas ‘cause there’s a shortage” (“Fortune,” “3rd 2nd Chance”)

67. The Paranoid Style, Underworld U.S.A. [EP]

Harder to follow but so’s Washington (“I Believe U Believe U Can Fly,” “Dominoes in Drag”)

66. Pere Ubu, 20 Years in a Montana Missile Silo The old punks experiment with defeat, and just holding their loves close (“Toe to Toe,” “Cold Sweat”)

65. Pink, Beautiful Trauma

She’ll never hit (or swing) as hard as “Praying” but her gospel song sure beats Kesha’s (“I Am Here,” “Where We Go”)

64. Run the Jewels, RTJ3

Put Killer Mike in charge of the DNC: “They could barely even see the dog / They don’t see the size of the fight” (“Everybody Stay Calm,” “Hey Kids [Bumaye],” “Down”)

63. Orchestra Baobab, Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng

Connecting with these guys for the first time means I should probably go back (“Fayinkounko,” “Foulo”)

62. At the Drive-In, In•Ter A•Li•A

Brace yourself my darling — despite 17 years and far too much Mars Volta between Relationship of Command and the next best thing, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s labyrinthine fretwork helps the verses arrive at massive choruses reliably hooked to Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s garbled cuckoo-clock-on-railroad-tracks impressionism (“Governed by Contagions,” “Pendulum in a Peasant Dress”)

61. Fat Tony, MacGregor Park

Rapper-about-town knows about late-night food, legal weed, and easy tunes (“Drive-Thru,” “MacGregor Park”)

60. Spoon, Hot Thoughts

Shoots its wad (literally — “Hot Thoughts,” “Do I Have to Talk You Into It,” “First Caress”) too soon without much reciprocation, but who mistook Britt Daniel for a pleasure provider (“Do I Have to Talk You Into It,” “First Caress,” “Hot Thoughts”)

59. Lil Uzi Vert, Luv Is Rage 2

Sings better than Marilyn Manson, writes more consistently than Hayley Williams, and opens himself up to accordion, “cougars,” and not one but two more synthpop shuffles than most emo sulkers (“Neon Guts,” “Two®,” “For Real")

58. Swet Shop Boys, Sufi La [EP]

As loose and fun as Big Sean but also as deeply untranscendent as Big Sean (“Birding,” “Thas My Girl”)

57. Algiers, The Underside of Power

More church, less state (“Cry of the Martyrs,” “Cleveland”)

56. Hamell on Trial, Tackle Box

Melania gets off easier than Ann Coulter but he’s still too obsessed with drawing boobies on the Statue of Liberty to keep his targets straight for more than a jaw-dropping rant at a time (“Not Aretha’s Respect [Cops],” “Mouthy B”)

55. Girlpool, Powerplant

Making small big is an accomplishment in a time when most DIY is content to stay small (“Corner Store,” “123,” “Soup”)

54. The Feelies, In Between

Quite possibly their most shrewdly hooky album, though with the vocals so evaporated we were never left to wonder before now how much the singing mattered (“Flag Days,”  “Gone, Gone, Gone”)

53. Various Artists, Battle Hymns

Janet Weiss and Sam Coomes rally the troops and if it’s not enough that the Thermals’ drummer, Boss Hog, and Stephen Malkmus all transcend themselves, well, what have you done for them lately (Love Always, “We Won’t Go Back,” Mac McCaughan, “Happy New Year [Prince Can’t Die Again],” Quasi, “Ballad of Donald Duck & Elmer Fudd”)

52. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, French Press [EP]

A drive tenser and warmer than the Feelies or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with vocals you sometimes wish would match (“French Press,” “Dig Up”)

51. Vince Staples, Big Fish Theory

Sane people make fun messes too (“Yeah Right,” “Party People”)

50. Amber Coffman, City of No Reply

If she wants fame so bad, why’s he the one with a credit on that Riri/Macca/Yeezy song I just reminded you of (“All to Myself” “Under the Sun”)

49. Big Thief, Capacity

We could’ve guessed Adrianne Lenker would write prettier but subtler was a surprise, sort of (“Shark Smile,” “Capacity”)

48. Khalid, American Teen

A thoughtful, placid glance at what the new normal could’ve been: a Nice Guy of color worrying tunefully aloud like a Frank Ocean that never fully acclimated to cocaine for breakfast (“Young, Dumb and Broke,” “Keep Me”)

47. Lil Yachty, Teenage Emotions

Don Van Vliet was more melodic, Calvin Johnson wasn’t (“Better,” “DN Freestyle”)

46. Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Navigator

Too beautifully produced to truly evoke the fight for one’s home, a mantle taken up by the words, and on the big finish, the performance (“Rican Beach,” “Pa’lante”)

45. Charli XCX, Pop 2

If only she hooked up with PC Music three years ago (“Femmebot,” “Out of My Head,” “Lucky”)

44. A. Savage, Thawing Dawn

When punks hurt this much, their solo albums are usually far less elegant (“Eyeballs,” “What Do I Do?”)

43. Alex Lahey, I Love You Like a Brother I can speak to the experience of taking care of yourself far less when you take care of your songs this much (“Every Day’s the Weekend,” “I Love You Like a Brother”) 42. Maddie Ross/blushh, Split [EP] Sum 41-covering queer popstar-next-door divides Colleen Green by Katy Perry for a better party guest than either (“Scotty Doesn’t Know,” “Hometown”)

41. Various Artists, American Epic: The Collection

Think this is what the MAGA folks meant? (Bascom Lamar Lunsford, “I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground,” Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers, “If the River Was Whiskey”)

40. Rapsody, Laila’s Wisdom

Too real for a Pitchfork review (“Black & Ugly,” “Chrome [Like Oooh]”)

39. Charly Bliss, Guppy

Like Yuck and Speedy Ortiz, they transcend such profound influences as the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack (“Percolator,” “Westermarck”)

38. Brockhampton, Saturation III

With their musicality now deepening by the month, maybe they’ll recruit a woman (“Alaska,” “Boogie”)

37. Slowdive, Slowdive

They’ve got that glassy-glacial thing down better than when they made Pygmalion but they still wrote songs once and only once (“Don’t Know Why,” “Everyone Knows”)

36. Margo Price, All American Made

Never tops its opening trifecta but damned if it doesn’t try (“Don’t Say It,” “Weakness”)

35. Four Tet, New Energy

At this point it’s not to celebrate how few peers he has but to lament how few peers he has (“La Trance,” “Two Thousand and Seventeen”)

34. Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.

Finally one of these generational-icon types throws his old-fan-new-haters a bone so we get Real Raps significantly blockier and less full-bodied than his once-in-a-generation stuff — beats jazz Bowie, though (“DNA,” “Love”)

33. The National, Sleep Well Beast

Sick of toiling away in grower purgatory, they try to expedite the process with glitches and one whole raveup (“The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “Turtleneck,” “Nobody Else Will Be There”) 32. Low Cut Connie, Dirty Pictures (Part 1)

They’ve never rocked like this before — “Revolution Rock ‘n Roll,” “Dirty Water,” “Death & Destruction” — but more importantly, Prince would’ve appreciated the ballad about herpes and conjunctivitis (“Montreal,” “Controversy,” “Dirty Water,” “Revolution Rock ‘n Roll”)

31. Fever Ray, Plunge

“This country makes it hard to fuck” and other real-time dystopian journaling (“To the Moon and Back,” “This Country”)

30. Emperor X, Oversleepers International

At last exploiting the emo potential of his whine, and all the organic Billy Bragg acoustic thrash that comes with — at least someone did a classic Mountain Goats record this year (“Wasted on the Senate Floor,” “God Save Coastal Debris”)

29. DJ Meatman, God in Three Trax [EP] Eleven minutes of godless juke for your crummy existence (“No God,” “Fuck God”) 28. Cloud Nothings, Life Without Sound

Shyly embracing the slickness available to riffs bigger than his shrimpy body contains the chest voice to envelop (“Modern Act,” “Things Are Right With You,” “Darkened Rings”)

27. Higher Brothers, Black Cab Their hiccups, accents, rhyme schemes, even beats are as sonically generous as Migos’, so root for a takeover once they master a sound of their own (“Isabellae,” “Made in China”) 26. Chuck Berry, Chuck

A few more classics for the road, and allegedly his best album, how about that? (“Big Boys,” “¾ Time [Enchiladas]”)

25. St. Vincent, MASSEDUCTION Kisses off former beaus with more confidence and efficiency than Lorde and Taylor because her only true love, not counting the city, is herself (“Los Ageless,” “Sugarboy,” “Pills”)

24. Drake, More Life

So convincingly in pursuit of its own soul that you may even believe he’s forgiven the woman who borrowed his car in pursuit of Kotex (“Madiba Riddim,” “Lose You,” “Blem”)

23. Becky Warren, War Surplus

Knows more about love during wartime than, you know, James Murphy (“Stay Calm, Get Low,” “Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time,” “Dive Bar Sweetheart”)

22. The xx, I See You

Meet the shyest entrants onto Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list (“A Violent Noise,” “Dangerous,” “Replica”)

21. Dawn Oberg, Nothing Rhymes With Orange [EP]

Gently, humorously, articulately chiding a country that deserves worse (“Nothing Rhymes with Orange,” “Information Is Your Friend”)

20. Arcade Fire, Everything Now Turns out kitsch tightens their awkward groove, turns out Win Butler’s pretty funny (“Chemistry,” “Peter Pan”)

19. Kehlani, SweetSexySavage

Brisk, garden-variety pop at its most eager-to-please, whether transmuting an 11-year-old Akon smash for Spanish guitar or beckoning herself via glockenspiel to take her own advice (“Advice,” “Undercover,” “In My Feelings,” “Distraction”)

18. Daddy Issues, Deep Dream

The pounding heft that their fellow ‘90s power-chord revivalists lack, closer to L7 (“Boring Girls,” “Boys of Summer,” “Mosquito Bite”)

17. Aminé, Good for You

The jubilance of early Chance without the self-imposed burden of competing with early Kanye and plenty more room to be cute (“Spice Girl,” “Hero,” “Caroline”)

16. Waxahatchee, Out in the Storm

Her arena guitars are as big as Best Coast’s, and harmonizing with her sister(s), so are the vocals, though you may lose track of which “oooh-ooh” hook you’re on (“8 Ball,” “Never Been Wrong,” “No Question”)

15. Angaleena Presley, Wrangled

Good morning to everyone except Yelawolf and Sturgill Simpson (“Mama I Tried,” “Wrangled”)

14. Zeal and Ardor, Devil Is Fine

Brockhampton got the attention but music inspired by the webforum dare could be the next frontier, also a good god is a dead one (“Blood in the River,” “Sacrilegium II”)

13. The Knife, Live at Terminal 5

The most riveting and rousing piece of body-politic performance art of the year, surrounded by a fearsome canon that stands up to remixes and Terminal 5, and they treat it as such (“Collective Body Possum,” “Without You My Life Would Be Boring”)

12. Shitkid, EP 2 [EP]

Unsexy Eiffel Towers (“Sugar Town,” “Fat-Mad-N-Gone”) 11. Migos, Culture

One-trick ponies don’t all become AC/DC but loving cellulite helps (“Big on Big,” “All Ass,” “T-Shirt”)

10. Fred Thomas, Changer

An original: a pop-punk distillation of Lee Ranaldo’s spoken word and Craig Finn’s explosively joyful scene reportage, with a little twist of homemade Boards of Canada, who doesn’t make you hang on every word but makes you feel like you should (“Open Letter to Forever,” “Reactionary,” “Mallwalkers”)

9. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound

The white working class — who can employ them? (“Cumberland Gap,” “Hope the High Road,” “White Man’s World”)

8. Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Sidelong

If an enormous-lunged dive-bar diva with a capital-D drummer’s gonna put one too many eggs in the devil’s basket she might as well be queer (“Dwight Yoakam,” “Fuck Up”)

7. N*E*R*D, NO_ONE EVER REALLY DIES

In which Pharrell, always a good if sophomorish human being, patches up the cracks in A-list pop with bullet-speed BPMs and wall-sabotaging vengeance, plus a special bonus use for Ed Sheeran (“Deep Down Body Thurst,” “Rollinem 7’s,” “Don’t Don’t Do It,” “Lemon”)

6. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Talk Tight [EP]

Not the Go-Betweens, not Parquet Courts, they’re a sobered-up, wearied-out Libertines with a penchant for harmonized guitar hooks, and if you don’t see the big deal you’re not old enough (“Heard You’re Moving,” “Tender Is the Neck”)

5. Syd, FIN

Just what renaissance-R&B needed: a rigorous tunesmith unpretentious enough to stay in the shallow end (“Know,” “Shake ‘Em Off,” “Over”)

4. The New Pornographers, Whiteout Conditions

Grinding even harder into the same synth-motorik fashion as last time, Carl Newman drafts his “Fake Empire” 11 times, and you can bet his harmonic-melodic intricacies gain clarity with his (finally) angry and felt lyrics (“This Is the World of the Theater,” “Play Money,” “Darling Shade”)

3. The Magnetic Fields, 50 Song Memoir

Good enough that it begs the question of whether 69 Love Songs could’ve done it with one Eeyore-esque singer, and there wasn’t a funnier album this year — maybe not even a more touching one (“Weird Diseases,” “Me and Fred and Dave and Ted,” “Rock’n’Roll Will Ruin Your Life,” “The Day I Finally…,” “Judy Garland”)

2. JAY-Z, 4:44

No rap album has ever had more to say about money — and to put it mildly that’s saying something (“The Story of O.J.,” “Family Feud,” “Smile”)

1. Jens Lekman, Life Will See You Now

It’s been a long, hard year (“Wedding in Finistère,” “How Can I Tell Him,” “Our First Fight”)

[preachbvne]

Prophetic Declaration: In A T.R.U.M.P OF T.I.M.E  Do You Perceive The Dividing Line? 4, 3, 2,1  In a T.R.U.M.P OF T I M E  Do You Perceive The Dividing Line? 4, 3, 2,1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5xW7i3GJds

DECLARATION and Prophetic Activation! TRUMP  Is: • Time of Transparency • Revealing   • Uncovering  Motives, • Mandating... • Punishment

T.I.M.E is A: • Tell All • Introspection Of • Mindset • Effecting You Eternally

The Dividing Line.. Many Would Rather Hear  a Eloquent Liar than a Brutal Truther! Can You Perceive.. The Mercy.. The Time that is Being Given By The end of This Many Will have Already Been Marked!

Definitions of mark: • make underscoring marks • mark with a scar • assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation • put a check mark on or next to • make small marks into the surface of • attach a tag or label to(The Numbered of His name) • to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful(The Numbered) • remove from a list (Unable or Buy or Sell) • impression created by doing something unusual or extraordinary that people notice and remember • mark by some ceremony or observation • a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened) • a reference point to shoot at • a distinguishing symbol ( Mark and Countenance) • an indication of damage • a number or letter indicating quality • a symbol of disgrace or infamy • a visible indication made on a surface • a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation) • formerly the basic unit of money in Germany • a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of • make or leave a mark on   • designate as if by a mark • be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

Grace Nuggets: • You choose Movement Per Moment To Serve or Not Serve • Some will Get Caught In the Moment they have Chosen Not Too • Revelation 10:6(KJV) 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Grace Nuggets: • No Time to Repent • No Time to Be Transformed • No Time to Connect • No Time to Cry Out

Grace Nuggets • CNN AND MOST MEDIA is LIKE Unto the Shows You Watch • LEAD By those with Fallen Wisdom- When you of Christ • You Perception is Thrown Off- But the What’s Truly in Your Heart • You Can’t Perceive THE TIME • or TIME GIVEN

Grace Nuggets: • Many are Not as Prepared To Meet their God • Many are Not as Prepared as they Think for What's Coming • Out of Timing Out of Alignment Out of Order Into Darkness • The State of The Land is Determined by the KING placed over it • Yet Your Heart Will JUDGE YOU INDIVISUALLY • The separation is that of the HEART

YOU WILL BE  WITHOUT EXCUSE Romans 1:20-32 (KJV) 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.   24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:   27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;    29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,      30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Withing those Who Say They are Of Christ's Church ARE:

2 Timothy 3:1-6 3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,    4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (VOICE) 3 And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. 2 You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, 3 uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. 4 Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. 5 Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these.

*** Those who are THAT will be That STILL***

Revelation 22:10-12(KJV) 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall b Revelation 22:10-12(Voice) 10 (continuing) Do not seal up the prophetic words contained in this book for another day, for the finale is near. 11 Let the one given to evil continue down evil’s path and the one addicted to filth continue to be its servant. But let the one who is righteous journey along the righteous road, and let the holy continue in holy ways.   The Anointed One: 12 See, I am coming soon, and I will bring My reward with Me. I will pay back every person according to the deeds he has don

***He Who is On the Lord's Side*** Exodus 32:26-29 (KJV)

In A Moment, in a Twinkling of the eye' 1 Corinthians 15:52(KJV) 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

IF YOU HOLD TO - IF YOU WILL HEAR Hebrews 3:14-15  (KJV) 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  HEAR...  15 While it is said, Today If Ye Will Hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. ======THE WORD-====== Matthew 10:27(KJV) 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

The Lion has Roared..Who can But Fear?...        The Lord has Spoken...I can But Prophesy!

"I Prophesy to the Perplexities and Give the Practicalities!"

The "GOD-With" Ministry

"Not Inspirational Speaking, But Word-Based Preaching!"

TRUTHALITY! Facts are Temporal Truth is Eternal! What is real? The TRUTH that, Nothing is too hard for God!

Preach Be a Voice Not an Echo www.preachbvne.webs.com www.preachbvne.blogspot.com Twitter@Preach_BA_Voice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preach_bvne/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/PREACHbeaVoicenotanEcho Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/PreachBVNE/ Youtube Channel:www.youtube.com/c/PREACHbeaVoicenotanEchoMinistry

To Sow into this Ministry Mail to: Shawntrell Davis               P.O. BOX 30392             Clarksville, TN 37042 CashApp: $KingdomStewardDavis PayPal:  www.paypal.me/SHAWNTRELLDAVIS or Email:PreachBVNE@yahoo.com

Thomas Emmanuel Davis III Shawntrell Davis Ambassadors of the Word of Reconciliation Followers of "The Way"

Distributors of the Revelation! Distributors of the Truth! Distributors of the Release!

S.H.I.F.T Suddenly Heaven Invades Forcing Transformation!!

#YesLordIWill #CryLoudAndSpareNot #TheLordMyGodIsWithMe #PartakersofHisGlory #FortifiedBrazenWall #Repent #TheKingdomOfGodIsAtHand

Let the Lord be Magnified! Announcing the Coming of the Glorious Kingdom of God!

2 Corinthians 5:20(KJV) 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Matthew 24:14 (KJV) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Obadiah 1:1 (KJV) 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.(They will Fall)

[omfgtrump]

“Inherit The Wind” (Bag)

This will be my last piece of 2019. 2020 is a year of profound reckoning. Barring a miracle in the Senate (impeachment trial), the power to restore normalcy and advance our democracy is up to us. The great wind bag needs to deflated! My new resolution: The Don defeated, Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell beaten, and the beginning of a progressive era in America begins!

In the riveting film, “Inherit the Wind,” Tennessee schoolteacher Bertram Cates (Dick York- think Darren from “Bewitched”) is put on trial for violating a state law prohibiting public school teachers from teaching evolution instead of creationism.

In the film, Spencer Tracy and Frederick March go head to head in a courtroom drama for the ages. Ultimately, science and enlightenment prevail- religious dogmatism is put back on its heels.

These days, in The Don’s America, the attack on science and enlightenment has returned (Climate change is a hoax!); it is a core part of The Don’s strategy to sustain his political base. It is a cynical movement motivated by greed, requiring regressive thinking and inspiring blind allegiance to a new theocratic order. In this world, truth and facts are not fixed things but are manipulated by a false theology called Donism.

As many have said: When facts and truth don’t matter, we are in some serious deep shit! Democracy tilts on shaky ground and autocracy ascends- the institutions we rely on for guidance are threatened and instability and chaos become part of the norm.

Not being a bible-quoting type of guy, the below passage, from which “Inherit the Wind,” draws its inspiration, gives me hope:

Proverbs chapter 11, verse 9: He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Simply put: One who causes trouble or unrest in his home, his town, or even his country, invites trouble and chaos.

The bible turns out to be prophetic. The Don’s chaos making, disregard for the law and lack of human decency has led him to be impeached! His desire to sow chaos and tear apart his country has led to a reckoning.

That has not stopped his flock from defending him against the clarity of truth brought before the House of Representatives. The fervor of the devotees of Donism, despite the facts presented, has no bounds. In a statement that could have come right out of “Inherent the Wind,” Republican, Representative Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, compared Mr. Trump  with Jesus Christ, saying that the son of God had been “afforded more rights by Pontius Pilate than Democrats had given the president.”

Now that’s one hell of a windbag. Jesus would barf knowing The Don was being compared to him.

And that brings us to wind and the greatest windbag of them all.

During a two hour rambling rant at a rally, that took place in real time, while Nancy Pelosi adopted the articles of impeachment against him, The Don waxed poetically about one of his pet peeves: wind. It is in this rant that we hear everything we need to know about how The Don promotes Donism.

“I never understood wind,” “I know windmills very much, I have studied it better than anybody. I know it is very expensive. They are made in China and Germany mostly, very few made here, almost none, but they are manufactured, tremendous—if you are into this—tremendous fumes and gases are spewing into the atmosphere. You know we have a world, right?”“The world is tiny compared to the universe,” he continued.

“You want to see a bird graveyard, go under a windmill someday. You will see more dead birds than you’ve ever seen in your life.”

So let’s deconstruct the windbags rambling about windmills and his model for Donism.

“I never understood wind,” “I know windmills very much, I have studied it better than anybody.” 

Here is The Don speaking utter nonsense-the ultimate windbag. I know, I don’t know and I know more than anyone. This is the trust me, I know more than the generals trope. It doesn’t matter t\he doesn’t know anything; it’s just important to believe in him and you’ll take it from there, as he alone can fix it.

“Tremendous fumes and gases are spewing into the atmosphere. You know we have a world, right?” And that “The world is tiny compared to the universe,”

Just for the record, compared to fossil fuels, wind energy has the lowest carbon footprint of any energy source.

The Don uses lying and exaggeration as part of  his windbag arsenal with such brazen certainty that people believe him . If he says something with enough conviction  people take it as gospel, because they are too lazy and ignorant to pursue the facts.

Second, did you know we have a world and that the world is tiny in the scheme of things? Here we have: I am going to say something so idiotic, something every 8 year old knows, but say it in a way that makes it seems that I am the first person to ever discover it.

So here we have it: The essence of Donism. Claim to know more than anyone, so you should trust him to lead the way, lie and exaggerate with passion and conviction to people who need something to believe in and claim ownership of ultimate truths, so people believe you are special and attaching yourself to him makes you special as well.

So what will America do? Will Donism continue to rule the day? Will the Senate impeachment trial be a genuine attempt to follow the truth wherever it leads? Or will it be held hostage by our immoral enabling Republican Senators? Will we brought further back in to the primitive world of Nativism and Creationism or will facts win the day. Let’s hope that like in the film, “Inherit the Wind,” that science and truth prevail and the great windbag and his cronies have to suck wind from being chased out of town.

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[mayacatmaster]

Your Source is not asking you to prove your worthiness. Source just knows you are worthy. ~Abraham *** *** *** Anytime you feel like you've got to prove something to “somebody”(no matter of it’s who or what… parents/moral/religion/government/gurus,,,),  you're under the influence of something other than Source. -Abraham *** *** *** "Home is knowing.  Knowing your mind, knowing your heart, knowing your courage.  If we know ourselves, we’re always home, anywhere."  ~Gunda(From The Wizard Of Oz) *** *** *** Realize that all kind of just want you kiss their ass, by blind-obey isn't you.  These are just programs.  Your mind is like a computer that can be infected with viruses.  Your task is to disinfect these programs and set yourself free.  *** *** ***

No one can destroy you,

but Your own mindset can destroy you totally!!!

*** *** ***

No matter of it use what kind of name … God/government/parents/gurus/moral/religion/holy books/education/social-belief-system,,,:

***

We must decondition ourselves from kiss dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass of bad behavior .

*** *** ***

So…:

The universe isolates you so you can find your soul's purpose. It may seem like you've lost friendships and relationships but finding your path, passion, and purpose in life is worth more! For where your soul is, there you will find your treasure.  *** *** ** And….: If you look at the people in your circle and do not become “inspired”(help you beautiful dream come true or at least help you cease bad-bitter-life-fruits-Vicious circle ,  And they just only teach/preach you how to kiss as by blind-obey/blind follow, No matter of it’s use what kind of name, God/holy books/religion/moral/country-social-education-family-belief-system. Then you don't have a circle, you have a cage.  *** *** *** So...make sure what your morality/saints/gurus/government/holy books/religion/political/education/country-social-family-belief-system not AGAINST FREEDOM.  *** *** *** AGAINST you to be free, THEY just WANT YOU TO BE SLAVES. Their whole vested interest is in your being always a slave. *** *** *** The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living. -Socrates  *** *** *** A man lives in slavery without self inquire because he lives unconsciously He lives like a robot.  *** *** *** And…: No matter of use what kind of name… God/holy books/religion/moral/country-social-family-belief-system. *** *** How you got caught up in a particular kiss-dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass-belief system is a long and perhaps currently irrelevant story.  You're caught in its net.  To get free, take out your mental scissors and snip away at everything that's not freedom. *** *** *** Because…: So many kiss-dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass-broken parents are building kiss-dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass-broken children.  Don't let your mess become the foundation of your child's life.  Break the particular kiss-dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass-belief-system-cycle.  *** *** *** Mindset is everything!!! Mindset is everything!!! *** *** *** So….: If you use your conscious mind properly, then, you examine those beliefs that  come to you.  You do not accept them willy-nilly. -Seth  *** *** *** So…: I don't trust words, I trust vibes.  People can tell you anything, can preach/teach you anything, but a vibe tells you everything.  *** *** *** No matter of what kind of morality/saints/gurus/government/holy books/religion/political/education/country-social-family-belief-system.  ‘So call’ Great virtue-good-deed-words. *** *** *** I don't trust deeds, I trust vibes.  People can pretend anything, can preach/teach you anything, but a vibe tells you everything.  *** *** *** No matter of what kind of morality/saints/gurus/government/holy books/religion/political/education/country-social-family-belief-system.  ‘So call’ Great virtue-good-deeds. *** *** ***  So…: I Don't Always Visit Freethinker Groups  Such As Those Great Gurus/Saints/Religion/Morality/Political/Education-Belief-System. But When I Do,  I Am The-Original-Face-Badass-Man,  I Question Everything, Self-Inquiry For Myself. I Don’t Want Be A Copy Cat. *** *** *** Because….: If this is all a dream, a Maya, a mirage, it's long as fuck....: Because lesson repeats until it is learned….: It has 5000 years in China, It has 7,000 years in India,….: *** *** *** And…: The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 愚蒙人是話都信，智慧通達者步步審慎。 ～Proverbs 14:15 King James Bible *** *** *** So…: Pick Wisely !!! Pick Wisely !!! Pick Wisely !!! We become who we spend time with. The quality of life is most often a direct reflection of the expectations of' their peer group. Choose your friends well. — Anthony Robbins  *** *** ***  Because…: Real is rare. *** *** ***  Because…: Sincere & honest words are not always very pretty; and those very pretty words are not always very sincere & honest.  信言不美，美言不信。 *** *** ***  People lie. *** *** ***  Actions also can lie. *** *** ***  But energy-function-pattern can’t lie. Energy is my first reading language. I understand it more than I witness and watch the people’s words, deeds, or though, ideas, belief-system. *** *** ***  Looking for truth? Observe people's habitual behavior patterns/cycles.  The truth is in their patterns and cycles.  Not so much their words. *** *** ***  Energy moves in cycles, circles, spirals, vortexes, whirls, pulsations, waves,  and rhythms-rarely if ever in simple straight lines. ~Starhawk *** *** ***  Consciousness Isn't Merely Just A State Of Mind.  But A Vibrational Frequency In Which We Perceive, Live, And Broadcast Out To Others.  *** *** ***  Intuition is real.  Vibes are real.  Energy doesn't lie,  Tune in. *** *** ***  What you are living is always an exact replication of your vibrational patterns of thought. ~Abraham *** *** ***  Between egoism and "Source"(Tao; True Self); Between man-made-rules and "Source"(Tao; True Self); Between desires and "Source"(Tao; True Self); Between your-origin-face and "Source"(Tao; True Self); *** *** *** Between your heart, my heart and another heart; *** No matter what... You learn more about someone at the end of a relationship than at the end beginning of it. *** *** *** Life is "Tao"(True Self；Brahman) back to itself. I observed the sun, moon, stars orbit operation life. *** *** *** "Nature"(Tao；Ma-at；Logos; Source) never did betray the heart that loved her. *** *** ***

So…: The perfect man relax and empty his mind as if it’s a mirror.  Mirror grasps nothing,  Mirror refuses nothing;  Mirror reflect what happen in front,  Let what come just come, let what gone just gone in their way, But Mirror never take it as “me; mine; myself” and “real; true”. ~Chuang Tzu  *** *** *** So...: Observe Don't Absorb….: Let the mind come as it wants; just you don’t go with it.  The greatest salesman in the world  cannot sell you if you don t buy . ~Mooji  *** *** *** The perfect man relax and empty his mind as if it’s a mirror.  Mirror the most simplest “Cosmic Principle”(Tao; Source; Ma at; Brahma) in every area …..: *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Tao De Jing Ch54 by Lao-Tzu *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Those who alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos), and those who observation (of its effects)) *** *** *** What (Tao's) skilful planter plants Can never be separate oneself from "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos); Can help oneself alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos), always. Who is skilful arms enfold with Tao, From him can never be imprisoned by the society, culture, religion, morality, family or government mold he into became not-True Self. 善建不拔，善抱者不脫， Sons shall bring in lengthening line, Sacrifices to his shrine. 子孫以祭祀不輟。 "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos) when nursed within one's self, His vigour will make true; 修之於身，其德乃真； And where the family can ruled by alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos),  What riches will accrue! 修之於家，其德乃餘； The neighbourhood where it prevails by alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos),  In thriving will abound; 修之於鄉，其德乃長； And when it is seen throughout the state can ruled by alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos), Good fortune will be found. 修之於國，其德乃豐； Employ it the kingdom can ruled by alignment with "Tao"(God; True Self ; Source ; Logos), And men thrive all around. 修之於天下，其德乃普。 *** *** *** In this way the effect will be seen in the person, by the observation of different cases; in the family; in the neighbourhood; in the state; and in the kingdom. 故以身觀身，以家觀家，以鄉觀鄉，以國觀國，以天下觀天下。 How do I know that this effect is sure to hold thus all under the sky? By this (method of observation). 吾何以知天下然哉？以此。 *** *** *** And…: Vain are the beliefs and teachings that make man miserable, and false is the goodness that leads him into sorrow and despair -- for it is man's purpose to be happy on this earth and lead the way to felicity and preach it's gospel wherever he goes. He who does not see the kingdom of heaven in this life will never see it in the coming life. We came not into this life by exile, but we came as innocent creatures of God, to learn how to worship the holy and eternal spirit and seek the hidden secrets within ourselves from the beauty of life. ~ Kahlil Gibran *** *** *** So in this world…: Everyone Thinks They're Right.  So, The Question Isn't Who's Right Or Who's Wrong.  The Question Is, Who Is Most In Alignment With Their Source?  And Who Is The Most Allowing?  And Whose Life Is Really Going The Best, Most Of The Time?  ~ABRAHAM Hicks  *** *** *** Once again Reminder …: Anytime you feel like you've got to prove something to “somebody”(no matter of it’s who or what… parents/moral/religion/government/gurus,,,),  you're under the influence of something other than Source. -Abraham *** *** *** Why Do You Doubt Yourself?  Don't You Know How Godly You Are? How Beautiful You Are？ You Radiate Source-like-Energy.  You’re A Prayer In The Flesh. *** *** *** People all over the world are searching for a deep connection with someone.  Only a few are searching for a deep connection with themselves. Only a few are searching for a deep connection with their “Source”(True Self; Tao). Only a few are searching for as an alignment-deliberate-creator. *** *** *** And…: Power Is Not About Numbers, Unless You're Playing On A Field Where Everybody's Disconnected!  *** *** *** Because…: There is so much love for you, and from you, and to you, and through you.  The Source within you adores you and is walking every step with you.  ~Abraham-Hicks *** *** *** "Infinite intelligence guides and protects me in my activities."~Seth *** *** *** Follow the force that is guiding the whole universe is in you.  Pledge allegiance to your "Source"(God; True Self; Tao; Logos),  everything is done! ~Huangdi Yinfujing 「觀天之道，執天之行，盡矣！」: 黃帝陰符經； *** *** *** You are never along or helpless. The force that is guiding the whole universe is in you too! *** *** *** Those who flow as "Life"(Tao; True Self; Source) flows know they need no other force. ~Lao tzu *** *** *** You have all the intelligence within you. TRUST, ALLOW and only listen to your own HEART! *** *** *** Use your own light and return to the Source of "Light"(Tao; True Self; Wisdom of Universal). This is called practicing eternity. ~Lao Tzu *** *** *** Always listen to your own heart, even if it is against what your family, society, culture of religion is telling you! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Thanks for “ONEness” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The great paradox of enlightenment is that you become NOT less aware of negative; you become MORE aware of the negative, because All That Is is everything -- positive and negative. The closer you become to the vibration of All The Is, the more aware you become of the choices to choose negative  reality, but you also realize the great holistic power you have in choosing what you prefer in the positive side. But the only way you can give yourself the power to choose what you prefer is to allow what you don’t prefer to be an equally valid choice. ~Bashar  *** *** *** So…: Don't tell me what they said about me.  Tell me why they were so comfortable at those kiss-dark-ruler’s-ass-rules-standard-box, just living like sheep, died like sheep and no shame to say it around you. *** *** *** Spirituality means waking up from any kind of kiss-dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass. *** *** *** No matter of it’s use what kind of name… God/religion/morality/political/education/social-family-belief-system/holy books or government/parents/gurus…: *** *** *** Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep. They are born asleep,  they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep,  they die in their sleep without ever waking up.  They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. *** *** *** Most people, only have this Three stages of life: 1. Birth. 2. What the fuck is about this, … my whole life just Programmed into Blind-Obey and Blind-follow and kiss any kind of Dark-Tyranny-Ruler’s-Ass. ***  No matter it’s in a world, a country, a home, a mind-body. ***  3. Death. *** *** *** If you going to count those kiss-ass-fools among us. *** *** I always very curiosity about such like when we question mankind history,  See any kind of preach and teach people kiss Dark-Tyrant-Ruler’s ass, …: *** *** *** 以致古往今來，不論東方或西方或任何地區...： So in this earth-time-space, from the past to present, no matter it’s in the east or west or in any area ...: 絕大多數的人們, 不斷重複歷史的舊有既定命運，結局與下場，一代又一代！ The overwhelming majority of people constantly repeat the old established fate of history and ending , generation after generation! *** *** *** They all said this…: My entire life can be described in one sentence:  Just Blind-Obey and Blind-follow and kiss any kind of Dark-Tyranny-Ruler’s-Ass. ***  No matter it’s in a world, a country, a home, a mind-body. *** *** *** “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” —Pema Chodron *** *** *** Good or evil, who decides?;  By "Source"(True Self; Tao; Logos: Ma at; Brahman) or  Seek "their"(government; parents; guru; husband; teacher; morality; religion) approval. *** *** *** The spirit of the individual is determined by his domination thought habits. ~Bruce Lee Kushandwizoom  *** *** *** Practice And Practice And Practice And Practice The Frequency Of What You Want!  *** *** *** Your life can be as wonderful or as horrible as you allow it to be. It all depends upon the thoughts that you practice. And therein lies the basis of anyone’s success: How much do I practice thoughts that bring me joy, and how much do I practice thoughts that bring me pain? ~Abraham *** *** *** And you give your heart and soul loyalty and serve with any kind of Dark Tyranny Ruler.  ***  No matter it’s in a world, a country, a home, a mind-body. *** *** *** And you don’t love and alignment with your “Source”(True Self; Tao; Brahma),  And as a deliberate-alignment-creator  To help yourself get rid of painful & misery-vicious circle-life fruits,  To help yourself beautiful-dream-come true…! *** *** *** Then you suffer & misery, and you think, wonder it is one kind of weird thing??? *** *** *** When You said:”  In the country, I am such an wonderful 【Loyalty & Obey Minister or servant】give my heart and soul loyalty and serve with any kind of Dark Tyranny Ruler.  ***  In the home, I am such an wonderful 【Dutiful & Obey son or daughter】give my heart and soul loyalty and serve with any kind of Dark Tyranny Ruler.  ***  In the home, I am such an wonderful 【Chastity & Dutiful & Obey wife or woman】give my heart and soul loyalty and serve with any kind of Dark Tyranny Ruler.  *** *** *** And you just don’t follow your heart, your soul, don’t love and alignment with your “Source”(True Self; Tao; Brahma),  And as a deliberate-alignment-creator …! *** *** *** Then you suffer & misery, and you think, wonder it is one kind of weird thing??? *** *** *** So, now you can realized or understand about this …: *** *** I got family who ain’t blood and I got blood who ain’t family only the true-sincerity-honesty-heart will understand. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Via and thanks “Caitlin Elizabeth Piercy”: *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** And…: You are a victim of the rules you live by. *** *** *** By the standards that you’ve learned on your planet - by the laws and rules that you’ve learned; even by the morality that you learned from your parents or your peers or your religion, …. - you have picked up opinions and beliefs. *** *** *** Because…: If this is all a dream, a Maya, a mirage, it's long as fuck....: Because lesson repeats until it is learned….: It has 5000 years in China. It has 7,000 years in India. *** *** *** And no matter it’s what kind of country?; what kind of society?; what kind of area?;, what kind of religion?; what kind of morality?; what kind of family?; what kind of education-belief-system?;….: You can put it in this list, as you wish! *** *** *** And…: Every Master Was Once A Disaster. *** *** *** One day you look back and realize that you worried too much about things that don't really matter.  *** *** *** So...I can not give a fuck those judgment use any kind of kiss-dark-ruler’s-ass-rules-standard-box. *** *** *** I am in you and I am you. No one can understand this until he has lost his mind.  ~Rumi *** *** *** Maybe you will said what I am just a figment of your imagination 🤓, but so what, If you see what I dialog with my Mama/Dad….: *** *** *** Dad, I'm considering a career in organized crime. *** *** *** My son it is…: Government/Religion/Morality-group-belief-system or private sector? *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Via and thanks “Joffre Alvarez”: *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Mama, What is political/Religion/Morality correctness?  *** *** *** My son it is…: Giving up your own opinion…:  Those can help you alignment with your “Source”(True Self; Tao) and as an alignment-deliberate-creator.…:  To please assholes and kiss any kind of dark-tyrant-ruler’s-ass by blind-obey/blind follow. *** *** *** Those who can alignment with his Source and as an alignment-deliberate-creator. He/she heart breaks rules and conventions and is impossible to pigeonhole. *** *** *** Your Relationships With Others would be the primary source of the contrast. *** *** *** The wise remember his/her is seer, is infinite-witness-awareness-empty-sky, watching his/her 3D-life-movie and see dream as dream. *** *** *** The wise use his heart like mirror, witness, watchfully, alert and don’t identify with anything, by this... relax/empty his/her mind-body-heart. *** *** *** The wise Mirror the most simplest “Cosmic Principle”(Tao; Source; Ma at; Brahma) in every area….: Since he judges no one, no one judges him.  Such is the perfect man.  His boat is empty. ~Chuang Tzu *** *** *** The wise is a person who acts with "Ma-at"(Tao; Logos; Truth), and is free of falsehood and disorder. ~Ptahhotep *** *** ***  True wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise man doubt often,  And change his mind; The fool is obstinate, And doubt not;  He know all thing but his own ignorance. ~Akhenato *** *** *** Otherwise…: Whether you're right or wrong, you will be criticized any way. *** *** *** So…: If I make a fool of myself, who cares? I'm not frightened by anyone's perception of me. ~Angelina Jolie *** *** *** The world is going to judge you no natter what you do, so live your life the way you want to. *** *** *** ,, To be free of all authority, of your own and that of another is to die to everything of yesterday, so that your mind is always fresh, always young, innocent, full of vigor and passion. It is only in that state that one learns and observes.... " *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Via and thanks “Iwona Antolak”: *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Otherwise…:

I am asking you Kiss my ass to prove your worthiness, I offer you my opinions that you should be kiss my ass, just because use the name tag of ...:

*** *** ***

And kiss my ass it’s your inevitable fate, duty and the obligation born as a mankind.

*** *** ***

And you must take this dog’s chain as a kind of naturally, take this dog’s chain for granted and said it’s the golden rule of the world! 並且把那條狗鍊子視之為理所當然、天經地義的金科玉律！

*** *** ***

[icharchivist]

You know everyone talks about biblical connections w/Allen, the Earl, Adam, Mana and Nea. But what about other characters? I propose the idea that Johnny and Kanda represent Paul. They are currently the characters who understand Allen the most right now. They like Paul are willing to either 1. turn against the organization they used to devote their whole life to 2. reject the idea of running away and living a easy life in favor of facing severe persecution. 3. feel regret over something they -

2 they did to their savior. Paul had to live with the fact her murdered Christians before realizing Jesus and his followers were innocent/good and becoming one himself. Johnny regrets being powerless before in times Allen needed someone. Kanda regrets choosing hatred over Allen and nearly killing him. 4 Paul became the most loyal apostle. Kanda and Johnny are Allen's most loyal supporters and are devoted to going anywhere and doing anything to make Allen's goals come true. 5 Paul had-

3 despite becoming a Christian still had his Roman citizenship and could spread the gospel in Rome despite how anti Christian it was. Kanda is against the Order and prioritizes Allen. But he still is an exorcist and can have General status. Which would allow him the ability to work in Allen's favor inside the Order that's now against him. Another parallel for Johnny is Mary Magdalene. She's often overlooked but she was Jesus's most devoted disciple that traveled w/him. She believed in Jesus-

4 and had faith in him post death even when the others thought it was a lost cause. She often gave Jesus the most comfort in his trials and followed him everywhere. Sounds a lot like Johnny with Allen. Also Lavi could potentially be a John figure. The apostle who spent the rest of his life living through terrible times, survived when all the other disciples perished and wrote Revelation and understood the truth of the world. Lavi could be the one who survives, suffers but learns the truth -

5 the truth thanks to having known Allen. Lenalee would be the Peter figure. Like Peter, she's one of 'the saviour's' most beloved supporters. But like Peter she was unable to help when he needed it and even feels like a failure for letting him down when he was suffering most. Still, like Peter she's heavily tied to the building/culture but stays very loyal/devoted even when she doesn't always understand or know what to do.

Oooh i guess possibly? That’s an interesting reading :O

I think... Reading religious intends in some of the characters can be a slippery road to take as we would always kinda project more what we want to see. Adam/Eve are two characters who are clear in the manga, and Mana/Nea have a clear Cain/Abel parallelism, with also the Noah’s memory being this important.

But therefore I know that for me it’s... exactly why I personally would far more focus on the Ancient Testament than on the Newer One? It might be my biasis per se but I’ve never been really found of New Testament stuff orz

I know there’s a lot of way to see Allen as Jesus considering he came back from the dead, especially after sacrificing himself to save a man/an innocence, but Allen to me is before all a symbol of Seth, the last of the Three original brothers, the one that carried on the brothers legacy after Cain killed Abel. (not to mention that goes well with that poem which i love very much, i’m very biased).

So I admit I tend to feel like we’d be... jumping a loooot of texts to get to the New Testament’s reading of the story imo. 

But i also don’’t feel like i know about any of the books to talk per se.

Erg, my own opinion aside, I still think the reading is pretty neat! I’m just not really one to discuss it to orz. 

Thanks for sharing!

[romancatholicreflections]

26th February >> Sunday Homilies and Reflections for Roman Catholics on the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary time -Year A

Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel reading: Matthew 6:24-34 vs.24 Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money. vs.25 That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what y ou are to eat, not about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! vs.26 Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? vs. 27 Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? vs.28 And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; vs.29 yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. vs.30 Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, we he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? vs.31 So do not worry; do not say, ‘What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?’ vs.32 It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. vs.33 Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well vs.34 So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” do not worry ******************************************** We have four sets of homily notes to choose from. Please scroll down the page. Michel DeVerteuil : A Trinidadian Holy Ghost Priest, Specialist in Lectio Divina Thomas O’Loughlin: Professor of Historical Theology, University of Wales. Lampeter. John Littleton: Director of the Priory Institute Distant Learning, Tallaght Donal Neary SJ: Editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger ******************************************************* Michel DeVerteuil Lectio Divina with the Sunday Gospels www.columba.ie General comments This Sunday’s text is in two parts. – The first issue raised in today’s passage is stated in verse 24. The text reminds us that we need to make a choice in life, and decide what is the most important thing we need to be truly succeessful. Which of two loyalties are we going to be bound by – is it the God we believe in, or is it money, which, as the bible explains, is the source of all that is evil in the world? We look at the world as we see it. We have to make our choice. If we decide that God is first, then we will have a choice on what really counts. If money is our first choice, then things will be very different. What is the most important thing in my life? What counts more than all others for me? Giving ourselves fully to what we believe in will involve a certain amount of money – but how much is really necessary? How do I ensure that I do well myself, I who have my own special needs and shortcomings to look after? How do I make sure that all is well not only for me but for my spouse or partner? How do I make sure that my children will have the best possible opportunities? How can I help my friends and other people I know to be the best that they can be, taking all aspects of life into consideration? How can I contribute to my society and to the world as best as I can, materially and spiritually? I must of course, know my limitations, but I could surely do more. -. The second part of the passage is in verses 25 to 32, reminding us that we must choose between the presence of God and our own security. With God we will be free to do what we want, he will look after us. We take the birds in the sky as an example. “They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them”. And “are we not worth much more than they are?” Can we of our own accord add anything, even “one single cubit,” to our span of life? And why worry about our clothing? We look at the flowers which grow in the fields – they never have to work nor to spin. Yet not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass in the fields, that are there today and thrown in the furnace tomorrow, will he not look after us, we who are people of very little faith. We need not worry therefore. We do not need to ask questions like: what are we to eat,what are we to drink, how are we to be clothed? It is unbelieving pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Our heavenly Father knows we need them all. We must therefore set our hearts on two things. There is first of all, the very fact of God’s Kingdom. Then there is “his righteousness” and everything that means for us. Once we can look at these things, then everything else will be given us as well. Jesus draws two conclusion: do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. The second is also very simple: each day has enough trouble for us to worry about. “Non-aggressive physically, but dynamically aggressive spiritually.” …Martin Luther King Lord, we thank you that you have put before us our double loyalty, to you or to money. Help us, Lord, to keep our values straight so that we can make the right decisions. You must wait for the eye of the soul to be formed in you. Religious truth is reached, not by reasoning but by inward perception. Any one can reason; only disciplined, educate formed minds can perceive.” …John Henry Newman We thank you for what you have done for us. We think of the birds of the air and the grass in the fields. We thank you that tomorrow will take care of itself and that each day has trouble of its own for us to worry about. “Whether it is the surface of Scripture, or the natural form of nature, both these things serve to clothe the Christ. They are both veils that mask the radiance of the faith while at the same time reflecting his beauty.” …John Scotus Eriugena Lord, we thank you for the words your Son spoke to his disciples on the Mount; we pray that they will always reveal to us the greatness of his teaching on how we are to live our lives and relate with one another. “The hand on which the Eucharist is carried is not to be stained by the blood of the sword.” …St Cyprian Lord teach us in life to value what is the important thing in our lives. Help us to recognise what really counts for us as we venerate your Body and Blood here among us. Help us discover what truly counts in our relationship with one another and with the world and then what we now know counts for nothing at all. ***************************************************** Thomas O’Loughlin Liturgical Resources for the Year of Matthew www.columba.ie Introuction Homily notes ******************************************** John Littleton Journeying through the year of Matthew www.Columba.ie Reflection ******************************* Donal Neary SJ: Gospel Reflections for Sundays of Year A: Matthew www.messenger.ie God cares for what God creates The gospel tells the story of lilies of the field and birds of the air after we are told that we can’t serve God and money. God reminds us that he cares for us through weak things like flowers and birds, not money. He praises poverty of mind and heart. A famous spiritual writ­er said while on retreat, ‘I had a terrible sense of being inade­quate. Not up to it. Full of weakness*. Another said, Don t be afraid you are inadequate, not up to it, full of weakness. Makes you know your need for care, and the call to care for each other . God’s message always remembers the poor. Billions are starv­ing and homeless today. Our prosperity and our wealth is for the glory of God too. We are to let money serve us. The main way we know that God cares is that people care for each other. We find that in all sorts of ways. This is always the big message of the gospel. It is not enough to pray, to meditate, just for its own sake. All is for the service of love in big and small ways. Just remember you are worth more than anything around you, you are the image of God – and so is everyone else! Picture someone very poor, weak, in trouble. With that picture in mind, repeat the words ‘God cares for us all‘. Lord, after I have rested in your presence, send me out in your loving service.

[jessesteele]

Grace v Lordship: Proper v Follower viz Poetry, Spirit, and Kingship

Note: This is in prep for upcoming changes to my longer Doctrinal Statement and may be revised.

– I had a professor in one of my two Hermeneutics classes and the Gospel of John who was in the Grace Theological Society, Dr. John Hart. – I grew up under a Lordship Theology -trained pastor. Dr. Gerhard T. deBock, but experienced a nice contrast with the Church of God with my grandmother during my younger childhood years, which my childhood church didn’t really know much about. – I also visited many other Christian fellowships across the North and Midwest, which I wrote about in my Crossroads series. – My primary understanding of both comes from studying under their avid evangelists and in life and conversation, not merely through literature nor as a third-hand follower. – Tenants of “Grace” Proper (not extra teachings spread by fans & followers of Grace Theology who tend to use it as a license to sin) is mainly theoretical: In theory, sin does not remove salvation, which is by faith, not by perfect obedience to works. They define “repentance” as “changing one’s mind at a core, worldview level”. Their main point is essentially that we can’t lose our salvation. – Tenants of “Lordship” Proper (not the extra teachings spread by the fans & followers who tend to tone it down when it seems too extreme) is mainly behavioral: In practice, ongoing, conscious sin in a Believer’s life with no concern whatsoever is an indication that that Believer might not have become a Christian, but still can. They define “repentance” as both mental and emotional and teach “radical repentance”, missing the point that over-defining emotions makes a kind of volitional repentance (emotional theatrics) and that the decision to believe Jesus usually catches us by surprise to such a point that we have no control over how “radical” our repentance is. Lordship usually teaches that salvation can be lost, but more as a concession, redirecting conversation to the likelihood that a Christian who appears to “lose salvation” probably was not a real Christian to begin with. – Both groups feel that they want to agree at some level. Both question whether they are only debating semantics. Both eventually agree that it is about more than semantics, but lifestyle and quality of happiness in Christ. – The two seem to be offspring of Calvinism and Arminianism, and are post- Millard J. Erickson, which is why I prefer his book, Christian Theology. – Both of them have powerful truths that don’t necessarily need to conflict. – Grace, though it often leads to it among followers, does not want lawlessness and strongly objects to “Grace as a license to sin”. – Lordship, though it often leads to it among followers, does not want legalism and strongly objects to “Works-based salvation”. – The general problem, in my conclusion, is over-analysis. – It is interesting that their primary circuits are in Bible Church communities (likely to believe that Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a second work, but happens at Christian conversion.) Presence in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles (Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second work, post Christian conversion, usually through laying on of hands) rarely reflects the original tenants of either Grace of Lordship and behaves more like the extra ideas added by fans and followers. – I believe that these both result from a combination of genuine love for Jesus in a believer who has not received the second work of baptism. It seems like the man who tries to manufacture an android female companion until he falls in love with a real woman. – In their over-analysis, both of them miss the point that humans instinctively use the term “repent” correctly, even with no theological, Biblical, Christian, or any kind of religious background at all. We know what it means. It’s emotional. It is both cooperative and involuntary. It is a “come to Jesus moment” about whatever truth is on the table. It is that moment that hits us where we say, “What have I done!” And, above all, it is beyond any definition except to say that repentance is repentance. Such emotional-poetic forms of explanation usually seem uncomfortable when trying to over-analyze. Still, this mistake of over-analysis is well-intended and not malicious, at least from the the Grace and Lordship Proper theologians themselves. – The basic solution to Grace v Lordship is the paradigm that Jesus is Bridegroom, King, and Judge. The Bible refers to these three paradigms to describe Jesus quite often. He can judge us because he is our friend. That’s what a king involves. He is not a Lord only. He is not a grace-giver only. He is our king, which means both friend and judge, and he has the authority to help and save. – The best-kept secret among both Grace and Lordship is the benefit of works. God’s commands make perfect sense, though not always to us in our situations. God’s law liberates us (Ps 119:32). His command is love and life. By making wise and moral choices, quality of life will be better. Thus, the bigger question is not whether we can or cannot sin and be Christian, but the Christian question is whether we can sin and remain happy. Both Grace and Lordship Proper teachers seem to agree to this, but rarely say so since their main focus seems to be on detailed analysis. Again, by over-analyzing, they miss another point: The Bible is not an analytical-academic work, it is poetic, whether in prose or in content. – The essential problem with both Grace and Lordship is that they are over-analytical rather than poetic. And, most of the problems in the Church do not come from Proper Grace or Lordship teachings, but from followers and fans of each who, not being as heavily trained in developing Biblical and Systematic-Bible Theology just don’t understand what the academic authors are really trying to get at. I, however, understand them perfectly and I love them all in both groups. I just pray they can find that second work of poetry and Spirit so that their good message might finally come across.

Can Christians continue in ongoing sin? (Just look at Sunday Morning.) – Of course they can. To say otherwise would indite everyone who attends Sunday Morning… – Living off of Christian donations, but not in a commune or as guests on the mission field. (We have come to accept a local resident of what the Shepherd of Hermes called ‘Christ mongers’.) – The scandal of disunity during the most segregated and unbiblically territorial hour of the week. – So many theological disagreements that would be solved if we merely applied Matt 18:15ff and James 1:19 to our denominational differences. – Essentially, Christian divisiveness and concern about “retaining local congregation membership” wouldn’t exist if pastors didn’t live off of donations—a practice neither demonstrated nor encouraged in the New Testament. Paul’s teaching of “payment” was not for a leader, but for deacons (Operations Employees). – The sad part is that we care so little about Christian fellowship, except for our small group of friends, that we gladly tolerate the widespread mutual spite in the Church and walls that inhibit more fellowship. We easily say, “It’s not perfect, but it is where we are.” But, with all the stronger friendships we could share in Christ, the current Sunday Morning system is not merely imperfect, it is a travesty that needs to be ended as soon as possible. – Back to the “necessary evil” argument about the problems with the Constantine-initiated clerical and non-profit structures we mandate today, they may be evil but they are anything but necessary. – So much sin is tolerated in the Church. Even with all the vomit spilled on Rob Bell (rather than Don Carson’s benevolent and charitable ‘communicative’ approach to potentially errant doctrine), Christian “professionals” (a Biblical oxymoron, given that Jesus and Paul had a trade) would rather that someone submit to and agree with Rob Bell as a pastor, rather than be a Christian who disagreed with Rob Bell and followed Biblical teaching, but without “submitting” to a paid, State-licensed clergy. It is clear where the “professionalism” culture in the Church has misguided our priorities. If the organic and undocumented Christian life had more priority than State-licensed “church” membership, perhaps there wouldn’t be so much widespread immorality in the Church universal. – The only reason I advocate a delay in the inevitable transition away from Sunday Morning is to avoid even more of the same broken fellowship that is no less than intolerable. I don’t advocate leaving Sunday Morning quickly, but no one, under any circumstances, should advocate staying aboard when the time comes to abandon the sinking ship. – Grace v Lordship and similar controversies, arguably, might not exist were it not for the divisive and misguided priorities of the Constantine-implemented territorial clerical system.

Can Christians live without Sunday Morning?

– Of course they can. They did before Constantine.

– Without the crutch, Christians need to learn to walk on their own.

– They must read the Bible seriously and daily.

– They must take initiative to maintain meaningful Christian fellowship, without a nanny to make sure it happens on autopilot.

– They must take personal responsibility for failures, confess their sins and faults to each other, and keep a close connection with Jesus.

– When the strong Christian life becomes the responsibility of the individual Christian, not the responsibility of paid clergy, then Christians will not struggle so much to know the difference between Grace, Works, Faith, and Jesus Christ as our King.

Grace v Lordship: Proper v Follower viz Poetry, Spirit, and Kingship from Jesse Steele

[seekfirstme]

The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager © 2021. Don's website is located at Dailyscripture.net

Meditation: What is the Gospel of God which Jesus came to preach? The word "gospel" literally means "good news". When a king had good news to deliver to his subjects he sent messengers or heralds throughout the land to make a public announcement - such as the birth of a newborn king or the victory over an invading army or occupied force. God sent his prophets to announce the coming of God's anointed King and Messiah. After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan and anointed by the Spirit he begins his ministry of preaching the Gospel - the good news that the kingdom of God was now at hand for all who were ready to receive it.

God rules over all

What is the kingdom of God? The word "kingdom" means something more than a territory or an area of land. It literally means "sovereignty" or "reign" and the power to "rule" and exercise authority. The prophets announced that God would establish a kingdom not just for one nation or people but for the whole world. The Scriptures tell us that God's throne is in heaven and his rule is over all (Psalm 103:19). His kingdom is bigger and more powerful than anything we can imagine because it is universal and everlasting (Daniel 4:3). His kingdom is full of glory, power, and splendor (Psalm 145:11-13).

In the Book of Daniel we are told that this kingdom is given to the Son of Man (Daniel 7:14,18,22,27). The Son of Man is a Messianic title for God's anointed King. The New Testament word for "Messiah" is "Christ" which literally means the "Anointed One" or the "Anointed King". God sent us his Son not to establish an earthly kingdom but to bring us into his heavenly kingdom - a kingdom ruled by truth, justice, peace, and holiness. The kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus' mission. It's the core of his gospel message.

As soon as John the Baptist had finished his testimony, Jesus began his in Galilee, his home district. John's enemies had sought to silence him, but the gospel cannot be silenced. Jesus proclaimed that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus takes up John's message of repentance and calls disciples to believe in the gospel - the good news he has come to deliver. What is the good news which Jesus delivers? It is the good news of peace (restoration of relationship with God - Ephesians 6:15), of hope (the hope of heaven and everlasting life - Colossians 1:23 ), of truth (God's word is true and reliable - Colossians 1:5), of promise (he rewards those who seek him - Ephesians 3:6)), of immortality (God gives everlasting life - 2 Timothy 1:10), and the good news of salvation (liberty from sin and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God - Ephesians 1:13).

Two conditions for the kingdom - repent and believe

How do we enter the kingdom of God? In announcing the good news, Jesus gave two explicit things each of us must do to in order to receive the kingdom of God: repent and believe. When we submit to Christ's rule in our lives and believe the gospel message the Lord Jesus gives us the grace and power to live a new way of life as citizens of his kingdom. He gives us grace to renounce the kingdom of darkness ruled by sin and Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the ruler of this present world (John 12:31). That is why repentance is the first step.

Repentance means to change - to change my way of thinking, my attitude, disposition, and life choices so that Christ can be the Lord and Master of my heart rather than sin, selfishness, and greed. If we are only sorry for the consequences of our sins, we will very likely keep repeating the sin that is mastering us. True repentance requires a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) and sorrow for sin and a firm resolution to avoid it in the future. The Lord Jesus gives us grace to see sin for what it really is - a rejection of his love and wisdom for our lives and a refusal to do what is good and in accord with his will. His grace brings pardon and help for turning away from everything that would keep us from his love and truth.

To believe is to take Jesus at his word and to recognize that God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten Son to free us from bondage to sin and harmful desires. God made the supreme sacrifice of his Son on the cross to bring us back to a relationship of peace and friendship with himself. He is our Father and he wants us to live as his sons and daughters. God loved us first and he invites us in love to surrender our lives to him. Do you believe that the gospel -the good news of Jesus - has power to free you from bondage to sin and fear?

Like fishermen - we are called to gather in people for the kingdom of Christ

When Jesus preached the gospel message he called others to follow as his disciples and he gave them a mission - "to catch people for the kingdom of God." What kind of disciples did he choose? Smelly fishermen! In the choice of the first apostles we see a characteristic feature of Jesus' work: he chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these individuals, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power.

When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that God wants to work in and through you for his glory?

Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the gospel. Paul the Apostles says, But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you witness to those around you the joy of the Gospel and do you pray for your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of his love?

"Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as you called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Help me to believe your word and follow you faithfully. Fill me with the joy of the gospel that your light may shine through me to many others."

The following reflection is from One Bread, One Body courtesy of Presentation Ministries © 2021.

THE MEANING OF “COME”

“Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.” —Mark 1:17

Jesus continues to say to each of us: “Come after Me.” If we are committed Christians, we tend to think we’ve already done that. Nevertheless, to come after Jesus can mean a new experience each day, as we enter into the mystery of God’s love.

Hundreds of millions of Christians do not realize that coming to Jesus means following the Church, her bishops, and her Pope. Some Christians try to follow Jesus without trying to know the Bible. Hundreds of millions of Christians don’t realize that to come after Jesus means to come to Holy Communion as often as possible and to center their lives on the Eucharist. Some Christians even continue a crossless Christianity or an isolated Christianity without community life.

When Jesus says: “Come after Me,” He means so much that we can spend a lifetime beginning to grasp the countless ramifications of coming to the crucified and risen God-Man.

Filled with the Holy Spirit of Christmas, on this first day of “ordinary time,” let us come after Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, I will come and adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Promise:  “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.” —Ps 116:12-13

Praise:  When caring for her infirm husband, Lynn came to realize that when she served her husband, she served Jesus. She delights in ministering to both.

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements