#solid foundation

[tom4jc]

Titus 2:1 Speak Properly

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: Titus 2:1 It is very easy for most people to speak what they are thinking or feeling. The world is quick to tell people to speak up for themselves and how they feel. Personal feelings are what are important, regardless of what the facts are. Contradictions in what is said are acceptable, as long as one feels that way. While on…

[2sfa]

First Corinthians 3:11 KJV: No Other Foundation But Jesus Christ

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Thus we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22. https://sites.google.com/view/upliftingchrist/first-corinthians-3-verse-11-kjv

[padderley14]

Do You Have A Solid Foundation For Your Life?

Do you have a solid foundation? Maybe your wondering what I mean by that. Let me explain. A Little History Over the last few months, I’ve had a lot of problems with histamine intolerance causing my eyelids to become beat red, itchy and dry. It’s been a journey just trying to discover the cause and then the solution.  It’s been a very rough journey. Last year, I was tested for allergies and that…

[academyofexcellence]

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[serpentface]

how do you come up with the ways cultures in your setting stylize people/animals/the world in general in their artwork, i.e. jewlery, rock carvings, statues, etc? Each culture in your world seems to have a very unique "art style" and I love it a lot - makes them seem that much more 'real'. This is something I struggle with a lot in my own worldbuilding and I'd love to pick your brain if possible 😁

I think a starting point is to have a research process based in the material realities of the culture you're designing for. Ask yourself questions like:

Where do they live? What's the climate/ecosystem(s) they are based in? What geographic features are present/absent?

What is their main subsistence method? (hunter gatherer, seasonal pastoralist, nomadic pastoralist, settled agriculturalist, a mix, etc)

What access to broader trade networks do they have and to whom? Are there foreign materials that will be easily accessible in trade and common in use, or valuable trade materials used sparingly in limited capacities?

Etc

And then do some research based on the answers, in order to get a sense of what materials they would have routine access to (ie dyes, metal, textiles, etc) and other possible variables that would shape how the art is made and what it's used for. This is just a foundational step and won't likely play much into designing a Style.

If you narrow these questions down very specifically, (ie in the context of the Korya post- grassland based mounted nomads, pastoralist and hunter-gatherer subsistence, access to wider trade networks and metals), you can direct your research to specific real world instances that fit this general idea. This is not to lift culturally specific concepts from the real world and slap them into your own setting, but to notice commonalities this lifestyle enforces - (ie in the previous example- mounted nomadic peoples are highly mobile and need to easily carry their wealth (often on clothing and tack) therefore small, elaborate decorative artwork that can easily be carried from place to place is a very likely feature)

For the details of the art itself, I come up with loose 'style guides' (usually just in my head) and go from there.

Here's some example questions for forming a style (some are more baseline than others)

Are geometric patterns favored? Organic patterns? Representative patterns (flowers, animals, stars, etc)? Abstract patterns?

Is there favored material(s)? Beads, bone, clay, metals, stones, etc.

When depicting people/animals, is realism favored? Heavy stylization? The emotional impression of an animal? Are key features accentuated?

How perspective typically executed? Does art attempt to capture 3d depth? Does it favor showing the whole body in 2 dimensions (ie much of Ancient Egyptian art, with the body shown in a mix of profile and forward facing perspective so all key attributes are shown)? Will limbs overlap? Are bodies shown static? In motion?

Does artwork of people attempt to beautify them? Does it favor the culture's conception of the ideal body?

Are there common visual motifs? Important symbols? Key subject matters?

What is the art used for? Are its functions aesthetic, tutelary, spiritual, magical? (Will often exist in combination, or have different examples for each purpose)

Who is represented? Is there interest in everyday people? Does art focus on glorifying warriors, heroes, kings?

Are there conventions for representing important figures? (IE gods/kings/etc being depicted larger than culturally lesser subjects)

Is there visual shorthand to depict objects/concepts that are difficult to execute with clarity (the sun, moon, water), or are invisible (wind, the soul), or have no physical component (speech)?

Etc

Deciding on answers to any of these questions will at least give you a unique baseline, and you can fill in the rest of the gaps and specify a style further until it is distinct. Many of these questions are not mutually exclusive, both in the sense of elements being combined (patterns with both geometric and organic elements) or a culture having multiple visual styles (3d art objects having unique features, religious artwork having its own conventions, etc).

Also when you're getting in depth, you should have cultural syncretism in mind. Cultures that routinely interact (whether this interaction is exchange or exploitation) inevitably exchange ideas, which can be especially visible in art. Doing research on how this synthesizing of ideas works in practice is very helpful- what is adopted or left out from an external influence, what is retained from an internal influence, what is unique to this synthesis, AND WHY. (I find Greco-Buddhist art really interesting, that's one of many such examples)

Looking at real world examples that fit your parameters can be helpful (ie if I've decided on geometric patterns in my 'style guide', I'll look at actual geometric patterns). And I strongly encourage trying to actually LEARN about what you're seeing. All art exists in a context, and having an understanding of how the context shapes art, how art does and doesn't relate to broader aspects of a society, etc, can help you when synthesizing your own.

[beneathsilverstars]

i find it so so interesting the things that you can learn about a parent/caregiver just by knowing their kid...

when siffrin doesn't flinch away from bonnie's touch, bonnie says "good kid, good kid. you didn't even jump that time! good job, you did such a good job.” now we know what kind of langauge nille uses to praise bonnie!

bonnie doesn't actually argue all that much about not being allowed to fight - they make their opinion known, but then focus on being a good snack leader. i think they are used to having their point of view taken into consideration! a kid who doesn't dare complain at all might have very strict and stubborn caregivers, while a kid who throws a fit might have caregivers who pay more attention to emotions than logic, or care less about their child's feelings and more about how those feelings affect them. but bonnie trusts that the adults around them will listen to them, and then make a reasonable decision, even if it's not the one they wanted.

bonnie's fairly level-headed in general, actually. they get really upset sometimes, obviously, but it's about things that are really upsetting? otherwise.. if they're not confronted about the death convo, they're able to set it aside and focus on cheering everyone up with snacks. even though they're mad at siffrin, they have some chill convos with him. pretty good emotional regulation skills all things considered! they're often able to choose to be calm and cheerful, but they feel safe expressing sadness and anger, too, so they're not just sitting there repressing everything either!

i just get really emo about what a good job nille must have done raising them 😭

[greywardenmonkey]

"we need a team solas doesnt know about to defeat him" are you thick. solas is quite literally the most powerful mage on the planet right now with agents in every corner of thedas you think he doesnt know everything about everybody. using the inquisitor would have been the only right move because it would have been full scale emotional warfare

[brainrotisseriechicken]

dogdraki ....

[perelka-l]

3999 | 7700 (two opposite sides of the same pataphysical coin)

[colebegins]

i said this all in the tags of abigail’s post, but it was so long that i’m putting it in its own post

i completely understand where this breakup came from, and i am not upset with either of the characters involved in it. i appreciate the slight insight it gives into tommy’s lived experiences and his expectations, as well as the deep seated loneliness that he has alluded to in nearly every episode he has been in. the longing and the hope for connection and family and stability.

so yes, the breakup feels a bit self-sacrificial and self-destructive because he’s doing it now in an effort to protect his own heart. he thinks breaking things off now and dealing with that heartache now would be easier than waiting for it to ‘inevitably’ happen later when he is even more invested. and that makes sense!!! it does not come across, to me, as out of character at all. josh’s great speech even highlighted the scars that come along with queer people’s struggles (pre-glee) with themselves and with their relationships. there are so many experiences that could’ve left tommy scarred that would lead to this feeling that he cannot be buck’s last relationship. so this breakup, while it hurts, makes sense based on tommy’s reasonings, experiences, and conclusions he has come to.

but he also deserves for someone to prove him wrong.

my struggle with this breakup comes from the finality of the post-ep interviews. without the interviews, as a viewer who just saw the episode and is waiting for the next ones to come out without knowing any bts stuff or reading any articles, this would feel like a great path forward for buck to learn what he wants and to go for it — to fight for it.

buck discovering his bisexuality and being in a relationship with a man was never going to automatically solve all of buck’s issues with himself and with relationships, and specifically his place in relationships. but for the past 13 (?) episodes we have seen buck become more secure with himself and his space — the loft has had so many homey and cosy little decor changes, and it has been so interesting to see him feel more comfortable while making his place more comfortable. all of that makes the breakup feel sudden and unexpected, but that was the point. tommy surprised himself too, he even said so. they both felt comfortable and happy, but they also both have their own hangups. but also, they both actually want the same things. they both want love, stability, and mutual care, respect, and understanding. tommy thinks that buck will inevitably, accidentally, not maliciously, break his heart. and tommy does not think he can handle that, which i understand. buck has the opportunity to prove him wrong. but it seems (from interviews) that this is the last we will be seeing of tommy and their relationship.

now to take all of that, and have his next step be to just let this relationship go completely as he uses his old (self admitted) unhealthy coping strategies could be an interesting narrative arc to go down, but, for me, it would really only be worth it if he recognizes this old behavior coming back again, understanding where it’s coming from, and finds security in understanding what he wants. i want buck to feel happy, secure, safe, and loved. no matter who that is with — be it tommy, eddie, or some other person he happens to meet later. no matter who he is with, he is bisexual, and i will always be thankful that we have had this journey of self-discovery with him (which i hope we will continue to see ore development of — would also love if they would actually use the word ‘bisexual’ on the show). buck deserves to have growth and stability within himself and in his relationships, which is very clearly something he wants. he deserves to have that after eight seasons.

at the end of the day though, i will still feel upset for this end to tommy’s story, because he also deserves to feel happy, secure, safe, and loved. i hope he gets that one day. for now, that is what fan works are for.

[biggayenergypod]

Anueng Liberates Nueng

The scene where it really clicked for me was when they are drawing in the park and Neung appraises Anueng's sketch.

First of all, she's here to spend time with you. That fact is painfully obvious.

Second of all, hobbies exist.

This was an interesting line because it almost reads like Nueng doesn’t have fun outside of her passion for art. I feel like drawing was Khun Nueng’s hobby but she turned it into a career. And often, monetizing a hobby removes some of the joy that comes with it. It turns the activity from fun to functional.

So even with her freedom from the palace life Khun Nueng is still not fully free. She isolates herself and buries herself in her work. Because of this, she is emotionally trapped and I think part of Anueng’s impact is breaking Nueng from this self imposed prison.

The moment that best encapsulates this is when they are at the beach together and Anueng pulls Nueng out to the shore. They are playing in the water and Nueng truly smiles for the first time in this beautiful moment of unabashed joy. There is no function to this activity other than having fun.

Anueng gives Nueng true freedom and happiness. She shows Nueng how to truly live.

[tom4jc]

Psalm 125:1 Be Unmovable

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Psalm 125:1 Mountains are one thing that do not appear to ever move. Parts of a mountain may crumble and fall down, but the mountain as a whole never moves from its beginning location. It has a solid foundation on which it stands, that will last forever, unlike shifting sand dunes in a desert. Sand is…

[2sfa]

True Foundation

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST. 1 Corinthians 3:11. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. Colossians 1:19. Do you build on the solid rock – Christ Jesus. He is the sure foundation. In Him alone is our salvation. There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. https://www.upliftingchrist.net/fundamental-blog-posts

[neros-w]

reaching a consensus with @nomoraamongfivearchons that for sethos/wanderer to work, we have to understand that sethos has more in common with nahida than he does with wanderer

dueled for a position they inherited from an older, much more respected leader

the position is the head of an organization that has greatly mishandled and misunderstood the value of knowledge in the hands of a few vs knowledge in the hands of many

after this duel, they recovered their rightful position and gained the allyship and friendship of the person they dueled with

vastly curious about the goings on around sumeru city but rarely find the time to form meaningful bonds with people they haven't already formed bonds with

they both find cyno's jokes funny

okay, that last one was a funny haha, but you get the gist.

[lucy-moderatz]

Mulder, the truth is out there. But so are lies.

[hikaaa-bi]

hot take: gustholomule was way better developed and had more chemistry than huntlow, despite not being a canon ship