#we do not call ourselves that btw we call ourselves matthew

[mallowstep]

<you aren't obligated to post this anyways but i do request you don't if it sends as an off anon ask Somehow because idk if it would cause Discourse and i don't super. want that>

honestly hard agree w your tags on the queerhollyleaf post. like. i'm not necessarily proship! i'm not necessarily anti! i personally think it's a topic that can't be narrowed down to yes or no and uhhh a lot of the fandom just doesn't seem to understand that. it's like you (the general you) see one word and the part of your brain that controls complex thought goes dark

okay! i tried to write an answer by myself earlier and it wasn't working so now we're both going to do it. everyone say hi mari. mari says hi everyone. for those of u who don't follow us on main: we = matthew-and-mari, i = matthew, and "m: ..." = mari. not that that's TERRIBLY significant, but so you know.

also for context, my tags were:

✨✨✨unless it’s not proship in the sense that I refuse to label ‘being a reasonable person’but that might just be mexd

sorry that copied kinda weird.

okay so anyway.

we're going to only be discussing fannish media because that's the main focus of this blog. other topics can be forwarded to @fencesandfrogs yadda yadda yadda. we're all here for the fic, aren't we?

m: i do not write fanfiction i am here solely for making sure matthew doesn't go off topic again

right. anyway.

we definitely feel that the conversation can fixate so much on this false axis it can even become harmful. we firmly believe many antis are only antis because of social pressure and a lack of understanding of the proship opinion. we also don't feel the proship position is really wrong. "do not harass people, and tag work responsibly," is our position and it is the proship position, as we understand matters.

that said, there's so much misinformation about what it means to be proship that (a) i don't feel super comfortable identifying as proship (influenced by bad actors as well) and (b) saying you're proship activates this hard wall in a lot of people's minds. we saw people's opinions change while they were following us, but as soon as we explicitly said we weren't an anti, those people unfollowed us. they're within their rights to do so, ofc, and we don't follow up with them, because that would be stalking and weird, but the point is, it's like a magic word.

i don't run this blog to change people's minds. ship discourse has ALWAYS been toxic, as long as we've been on the internet. before it was the modern incarnation of pro/anti-ship, it was voltron bullshit (for us --- not being able to partake in fandom because of the toxicity is actually why we stepped away from fandom for several years), and before that, it was something else. nonsense internet discourse isn't new.

but this is a particular flavour of nonsense that we are frustrated by. five-or-so years ago, our opinion was the default, neutral position. people understood that you tagged content appropriately, that you didn't put nsfw of work aimed at children in the main tags, and that was it. you didn't tag nsfw for mlp as mlp, and you put a content warning up, and that was that. yes there's nuance here, we're not going into all of it.

m: matthew's wrists WILL regret it also we said most of this in the post about abusive rare pairs

so we feel like we shouldn't have to label that.

also, not labelling ourselves means people can't assume our positions. for example, when i'm not trying to be problematic to either (a) piss someone off/out of spite/etc or (b) explore themes, i usually choose to write out problematic content. the example i like to use is that if i want to write moth/misty, then in that fic, misty was never moth's mentor. i might not say/explain it, but it's true. because apprentice/mentor makes me really uncomfortable. so they just never have that relationship.

uh. mari is reminding me that antis usually don't support writing shit out and ALSO that's not even an opinion.

right.

what we mean is, people have a lot of Ideas about what it is to be proship. we don't see ourselves as proship to begin with (see: our opinion is the opinion the average person on the street would have, trust us, we've asked), and we don't want people to make assumptions about our opinions based on that.

at the end of the day, we don't like using pro/anti ship as terms. for clarity, we will use them, but we prefer to think of the average fandom member as a reasonable person, and call antis puritans.

because that's what they are.

we want to restate that our opinions on published media are a lot more complicated and nuanced (and we also think that's another thing this discourse often misses: fanworks and published media are not the same), just because it feels disingenuous to NOT make a point of that. we don't really care if someone is writing fanfic smut that glorifies abuse: we do care if a book is published that glorifies abuse.

anyway.

we're going to leave it there, but basically, yeah. pro/anti discourse is a really ugly flavour of internet nonsense discourse that not only do we have no desire to be in, but fundamentally do not understand.

m: no this is true. regularly we will see something and not understand how someone could hold that belief/opinion/etc. like, matthew finds these posts and we look at them and can't make sense of them. neither of us can remember an example, but yeah.

so, yeah. we feel you hard.

<3

[twoidiotwriters1]

Young Blood II -(PB/WITS Crossover)

A/N: Peter is also a non-existent character btw, or he never befriended the marauders doesn’t matter the point is that he isn’t here either lmao -Val & Danny

Warnings: Not proofread bc in this blog we don’t fear god

Words: 4,625

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Summer 1988

The day was warm and a little windy, it could’ve been peaceful as well, hadn’t been for the constant screaming coming from the garden.

“Ari! Come back!” The little girl shouted anxiously. “Mum told you not to climb that high, you’re too small!”

Mel ran around the tree desperately trying to reach for her little sister, but as an eight-year-old, there was a limit to the distance her arms could reach. She was whimpering and flinching with every movement her little sister would make; behind her, little Harry Potter and Perseus Black approached with curious expressions.

“What are you doing?” Percy asked.

“She’s up there!” Mel panted. “I’m trying to get Ariana, but she climbed all the way up! I don’t want her to fall!”

“You’re missing the games,” Harry complained. “It’s our party and you’ve been chasing your sister around, c’mon it’s almost time for cake!”

“Daddy told me to look after her!” She argued. “Your parents asked you to do the same with your babies! Where are they?”

The boys shared a look and then turned back to her with equal disinterest on their faces.

“The girls are probably in the kitchen trying to steal food,” Harry shrugged. “Who cares? It’s our party, I’m not going to waste it looking after the twins!”

“Mel,” Percy approached, he was usually the one to mediate between them during an argument. “If we help you with Ariana will you come and play? Dad bought us all new brooms!”

Mel didn’t want to disobey her parents, but the promise of a brand new broom waiting for her was tempting enough.

“Okay,” She sighed.

Ariana laughed hysterically above their heads, she hung upside down on the branch and Mel yelped, quickly hiding her face behind both hands.

“Hi!” Ariana waved at them. “You look tiny!”

“Get her down!” Mel pleaded in horror.

“Maybe if we lure her down with food..?” Harry offered, tilting his head.

“I already tried! She won’t come down!”

“Ari!” Percy stepped forward, an easy-going smirk instantly forming on his face. “Would you get off the tree now, darling?”

“Okay!”

With a swift movement and a short jump Ariana landed neatly in front of them, her lopsided grin mocking her sister’s pale face.

“‘Darling’,” Harry snorted. “You sound like our dads.”

“Dad told me we have to treat girls nicely,” Percy replied without an ounce of embarrassment. “Maybe the twins wouldn’t put shaving cream on your pillow if you were nicer to them.”

Harry made a face. “Whatever.”

“Is it time for cake?” Ariana asked, not really caring about what the boys were arguing about. “I’m hungry!”

She ran back to the house, Mel followed her with her eyes, mouth wide open.

“I hate her,” She pouted. “She always does this— Never listens to me just to make me cry!”

“Well, you cry all the time anyway, Mel,” Harry muttered.

The little girl narrowed her eyes and closed her fist ready to throw a punch, but her father’s head peered out the back door to call them in.

“Remus is here!”

The three children ran forward screaming their uncle’s name. The man opened his arms and the avalanche of children pushed him onto the floor.

“Dear god,” Remus grunted. “I swear your kids multiply every time I come visit.”

“Well, it’s like you said, Remus,” Persephone smirked, lovingly patting her belly. “We have to keep ourselves busy somehow.”

“This is why I hate rich people,” Remus teased, staring down at Persephone’s stomach. “So you’re going for the fourth, then?”

“And last,” Persephone sent a glare at her husband, but the man just grinned.

“What are you saying, you twat?” Sirius chortled. “Those books of yours have given you galleons over galleons! You’re rich, you just won’t admit it.”

“He might not admit it, but his robes speak for him,” James joked, picking up one of the twins from Remus’ chest.

“Kids,” Lily called over the yelling mass of tiny bodies. “Ivy, stop pulling your sister’s leg like that!”

“But I want daddy to carry me too!” The little redheaded girl whined.

“No worries dear, that’s exactly why I was born with two arms!” James said, happily picking up his daughter.

Sirius did the same with his younger son Leo, and Matthew carefully took Ariana away from Remus’ leg.

Seven-year-old Lyra Black approached her uncle and held his hand carefully.

“Are you okay, uncle Moony?” She asked quietly. “You fell.”

“I’m okay,” Remus smiled down at her. “Don’t worry, I’m very strong.”

“Can we eat cake now?” Harry asked in annoyance, the adults looked at him and laughed.

“Harry, don’t be rude!” Lily scolded her son while her youngest one, little Joshua, kept his arms tightly around her neck.

“Okay, gather round!” Emily called, placing three chairs together. “Where are the stars of the show?”

Mel, Percy and Harry sat, shoulders touching and squeezing together to fit as close as possible in front of the table.

“Make a wish!” Sirius said blithely.

Matthew flicked his wand and three huge cakes appeared, each with eight candles on them. Mel squirmed on her place excitedly, Percy eyed them with immense interest without making a sound, and Harry was practically hovering over his, ready to eat the whole thing alone.

“Happy birthday!”

Their families clapped at the sight of the three firstborns of the group blowing off the candles. While Sirius and Persephone started to hand out the cake to the guests, Matthew and Remus moved to a corner to chat.

“So, famous writer Remus Lupin is back from yet another tour around the world,” Matt smiled. “What now, Moony?”

Remus shrugged, his eyes fixed on little Mel, who was the oldest out of all the children.

“I have a new book in mind, but this one might be the last I’ll write in a while, I’ve missed most of the kids’ childhood, I want to be close when the real fun begins.”

Matthew’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”

“Mel starts school soon,” Remus chuckled. “Harry and Percy as well.”

“Oh, but that’s years away!” Matt brushed it aside. “What does it matter anyway?”

“Oh please, don’t pretend you’re not worried,” Remus laughed. “The boys have all they need to be the next James and Sirius, and your daughter adores them, don’t you think they’ll drag her to their mischief?”

The young man looked at his daughter in sudden fear. Remus was right, Harry and Percy had the genes to charm his little girl into all kinds of mishaps, he couldn’t let that happen. He would not let that happen. Matthew was going to talk to Mel as soon as he had the chance.

October 1991

“No.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“I won’t help you with your stupid pranks,” Mel said.

Percy and Harry had managed to intercept Mel before she could go eat breakfast, and now they were trying to convince her to help with their plans before she could leave the tower. It wasn’t working.

“They’re not stupid!” Harry argued. “We just want to put Percy’s cousin in his place!”

“Not a real cousin—”

“Your dad and his mum are cousins, so you are too,” Harry rolled his eyes.

“I had never seen him in my life until he stormed into our compartment acting all stupid!” Percy made a face.

“I’m sorry boys,” Mel sighed. “I promised my dad, my uncle is the headmaster and dad wants me to make a good impression…”

“You’re such a bore,” Harry frowned. “What happened to you? You used to be funny.”

Mel’s face twisted with indignation, she slammed both hands on the table making the two boys jump.

“I am fun! It’s you two who turned insuferable since we started school! You run around with Ron and his brothers pranking people and annoying Malfoy, everyone melts at your feet because your families are rich and popular—”

“You’re rich too,” Percy pointed.

“But I, unlike you, don’t enjoy being the center of attention,” She scowled. “I thought you would be better than this, Percy, you’re supposed to be the sensible one.”

“I am!” Percy replied. “But it’s just… Malfoy, he really gets on my nerves, you know?”

“Well, if you ask me, I think Hermione’s right,” Mel turned up her nose. “You boys are being ridiculous.”

“C’mon, don’t be silly,” Harry let out a silly giggle. “You never say no to a good laugh, it’ll be fun!”

Mel’s brown eyes stared at him harshly, Harry felt a cold shiver ran up his spine.

“I have to set a good example for my sister,” She said. “Leave me alone — and Percy, I hope you think twice before actually doing this, I really don’t understand why you agreed to it.”

“I already told you, Malfoy gets on my nerves!” Percy rolled his eyes. “He’s an idiot and I hate him. I’m not repeating myself, honestly…”

“Idiots,” Mel rolled her eyes. “Both of you, your mothers will send you a howler someday and I for once, am glad I don’t have to be there to witness it. Have fun in detention.”

Harry was speechless. Never, in their whole eleven years of friendship, had Mel refused to help them or show up for moral support. He didn’t understand why she was suddenly acting like this.

“Mel, you’re overreacting,” Percy said, though he was losing his patience. “Even your parents misbehaved when they were here, you should relax, have fun…”

“I’m having fun,” Mel picked up her bag. “Hermione and Erick are fun. Clever too, I enjoy their company — now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ll be listening to you from now on, Paddie, since you clearly prefer to follow Harry around, if I’m honest,” Mel looked down at Harry with a bit of disdain. “Your cousin isn’t even that bad.”

Both boys gasped at her statement.

“He’s not my direct cousin!” Percy said.

Mel left the common room without saying anything else, Ron entered the tower at the same time and she briefly waved at him. He found the two boys there, seated in silent shock, and asked them what was happening.

“Mel, that’s what,” Percy shook his head sadly. “We’ve lost her... I knew I shouldn’t have let her spend all that time with Granger!”

“And Flint,” Harry said through gritted teeth. “She prefers Flint over us! I can’t believe he took away my best friend!”

Percy looked back at him with utter disbelief. “And what the bloody hell am I, then?”

“She’ll come around,” Ron shrugged. “Granger and Flint only care about studying, she can’t possibly love homework that much.”

“I’ll win her back, you’ll see,” Harry’s eyes narrowed. “Mel was my friend first.”

August 1993

“WHAT?”

“I won’t repeat myself, James.”

“Hang on, so you’re saying Dumbledore hired you,” Matthew intervened. “As the new defense against the dark arts teacher?”

“Yes.”

“Even though Snape has been trying to get that place for years?” Matt added, a little smile playing on his lips.

Remus smirked, nodding silently.

Sirius and James roared with pleased cackles, Matthew’s eyes shone and his smile widened, although he tried his very best to remain neutral, typical Dumbledore behaviour.

Emily walked into the room to say goodbye to her husband, the men usually picked a house where to hang out once a month while the women would all spend a whole day in London simply having fun and leaving their husbands to babysit their children for a whole weekend.

“Remus got hired to be our kids’ teacher, Mily,” Sirius said delightedly. “Guess what subject he’ll be teaching?”

Emily froze, her eyes widening.

“You got the job?”

Remus laughed, nodding once again.

“Snape must be having a seizure,” She replied. “Had it coming, the idiot — Mel says he likes to bully our kids, what kind of man is he?”

“Yeah, Harry says that too,” James said darkly. “I’m telling you right now, if that twat tries to bully my girls I’ll go to that castle and turn him into a weasel.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Remus said happily. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Do the kids know about this?”

“Nah, I want it to be a surprise.”

“I’m sure they’ll be delighted,” Matthew grinned. “Their favourite uncle teaching them how to deal with water demons and stuff, bet they’ll plan to cause mischief during your classes, Moony, so you better be careful.”

“There’s no way Mel will let them get away with it,” Emily shook her head. “She’s a good girl… even if she misbehaves a little during summer.”

“Hey, Moony, do me a favour,” Sirius leaned over to Remus, grinning. “Take a picture of good ol’ Snivellus once he finds out you’re the new teacher, I just need to see his face.”

September 1st, 1993

The night sky welcomed the children into the Hogsmeade station, the Potter twins ran away as soon as they left the train, following other first-years, Lyra and Ariana stayed behind with Mel, Harry, Percy, Ron, Hermione and Erick.

Ariana tried to remain as close as possible to Erick, she had a not-so-subtle crush on him and everyone except Erick knew it, or at least that’s what she thought. Erick was well aware of it, but since she was two years younger, he wasn’t interested. It wasn’t that she was trying to make a move anyway, whenever he was around, Ariana was uncapable of uttering a word.

Once they got to the carriages they had to split since the group was too big to fit in one.

“See you guys at the feast,” Hermione said politely.

“Sure,” Ron answered.

Mel made an attempt to follow Hermione, but a hand closed around her wrist and stopped her. She turned and met Harry’s eager eyes.

“Let Lyra go with them, you can come with us...”

“I never said I wanted to go with them,” Lyra frowned. “It’s rude to speak in the name of others, you know?”

Percy’s sister followed Ariana to the other carriage, Ron and Percy shared a smirk but didn’t say anything, climbing up the carriage first and leaving Harry and Mel last.

Harry didn’t know why he’d stopped Mel from going, he just knew that as soon as the school year started she was going to leave him and spend the whole year with Hermione and Flint, and he didn’t want that.

As soon as they got to the main entrance Mel tried to find her way to Hermione once more, but Harry stopped her again. Mel let out an annoyed groan and turned to face him.

“What?” She spat.

“Eat with us,” Harry said simply. “C’mon, Mel, just this once?”

Ron whispered something to Percy and he snorted, pulling the Weasley away from the conversation. Mel and Harry were left completely alone one more time.

“We sit at the same table every day, Glasses,” She replied patiently. “I don’t see the difference.”

“The difference is that we have tons of fun during summer and then here you ignore us,” Harry said.

“I don’t ignore you,” She crossed her arms. “I keep my distance. Which is what my dad asked me to do.”

“Ruddy’s exaggerating,” Harry rolled his eyes. “We don’t get in trouble that often!”

Mel raised a brow.

“You have no self-control. All Percy has to do is to dare you and then there you are, throwing firecrackers at Filch. You say I’m the one who acts different, but the truth’s that you and Percy turn into insufferable prats as soon as we walk into the castle.”

Harry’s mouth fell open in shock, he blinked and stammered a reply, something about lies and Mel’s lack of sense of humour when she was at Hogwarts, she sighed.

“Listen, I don’t care if you like the attention, but I don’t, so please don’t try to force me to get involved. You should reconsider your behaviour this year though, Cassia and Ivy are starting their first year, they need someone to look up to.”

“They have you, since I’m such a twat,” He scoffed.

“Very well then,” Mel said, straightening her posture and looking at Harry with just a little bit of pitty. “Have fun, Glasses.”

Once the sorting was over, Cassia and Ivy Potter (both Gryffindors to no one’s surprise) sat next to Mel, although they were doing just fine without her, they were loud and hilarious, soon Fred and George made their way to them.

Harry continued to stare at Mel from his seat, frowning as he watched her talk happily with Ron’s brothers, Percy was fed up with this and decided to address it.

“She rejected your offer again,” He said calmly. “Told you not to try so soon.”

“Well, why don’t you try it, then? Since you’re such a know-it-all?” Harry responded defensively.

“That was the original plan, you prat, but as usual your impulsive arse couldn’t wait,” Percy scoffed.

“I don’t understand why you want her around all the time,” Ron yawned. “I like Mel, she’s fun and everything, but we wouldn’t get as many attention from the girls as we do now if she were with us, right?”

Both Percy and Harry stared at their friend with the same shocked expression. Since they didn’t reply, Ron decided to continue.

“You guys are wasting your time, almost every girl from our year wants you to ask them out to Hogsmeade this year and you’re crying because Mel won’t help you light a firecracker!”

“I never asked them to follow me around!” Percy exclaimed. “I don’t know why they do it!”

“It’s because you’re ‘perfect’,” Ron smirked. “Girls melt at your feet when you hold the door open or offer your little sister your cloak so she doesn’t get a cold.”

“That’s the way Dad taught me to treat people, isn’t that how everyone’s supposed to act? It’s decency!”

Ron looked at Harry and raised a brow.

“See? That’s exactly what I mean. ‘Decency’ I tell you…”

“That’s not the point,” Harry brushed it aside. “I don’t want to date any girls, I just want Mel to admit that we’re fun! Either way she would atract more girls than any of us, she’s a people magnet— and I know she likes to cause mischief as much as us, but it’s just… this has to be Flint’s fault.”

“How is Mel calling you a twat his fault?” Percy snorted.

“He’s a stuck-up idiot, just like your cousin dearest, only that he hides it better,” Harry said. “Mel wants his approval for some reason, so she acts like she hates us when he’s around.”

“Yup,” Ron said in disbelief. “That settles it then, you’re off your rocker. You’ve lost it.”

“Harry, she would never pretend to hate someone to get a boy’s approval,” Percy shook his head. “You have to face it, mate, she doesn’t like to cause mischief, she… she likes being a good student.”

Ron and Harry both grimaced.

“Well, that,” Ron grinned. “Or she has a crush on Flint.”

Harry choked on his pumpkin juice.

“WHAT?”

“We know Ariana has a crush on him,” The young Weasley shrugged. “Who says she can’t?”

Harry’s mouth suddenly felt too dry to respond, at the teachers’ table Dumbledore stood up and everyone fell silent. It was time for his speech.

“To our new students, welcome,” He smiled. “To our old students, welcome back! A few things before you go to your rooms. This year will have two new Professors! I reckon you know them well by now, but still, formalities ask me to do this presentation. First, we have Rubeus Hagrid, who’ll be the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, since Kettleburn has decided to finally retire.”

The students clapped and cheered, Hagrid was loved by most of the school, Harry and his friends included.

“Second, I’m very pleased to inform you that your new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts is none other than Mr Remus Lupin, who’s decided to take a break from writing to teach you about his discoveries during his years of research.”

The Great Hall erupted into loud and excited exclamations, Lupin was widely known in the wizarding community for his work, the Aurors in training would use his books as a guide, he was a legend. But to the Potter, Black and Dumbledore children, Lupin was their favourite uncle, and they were beyond pleased to have him around.

Remus walked towards the front of the table and smiled at the students in front of him with satisfaction, he gave a short speech thanking Dumbledore for this opportunity and winked at his nieces and nephews with a bit of mischief. He, of course, took the opportunity to send Snape a subtle smirk and nodded towards him, Snape pretended not to notice.

Once the hall started to be emptied, the group of children ran excitedly towards the table, their faces glowing with happiness.

“You should’ve told us!” Harry exclaimed.

“I wanted to surprise you,” Lupin laughed, softly patting his goddaughter’s shoulder, since Mel was currently hugging him.

“You’ll stay permanently?” Percy asked.

“As long as I’m allowed,” The man nodded. “Or at least, as long as there’s one of you here, which will be a long time. I’ve missed too many moments, I don’t want to miss any more.”

“Cool!” exclaimed the Potter twins.

“Wait, does that mean you’ll tell your parents if we get in trouble?” Harry frowned.

Mel scoffed, which didn’t go unnoticed.

“Nah,” Remus grinned. “I think Professor McGonagall takes care of that. Doesn’t mean I won’t send you to detention if I catch you cheating on a test or using magic in the halls. You won’t get any kind of privilege from me, you hear me?”

Harry, Cassia and Ivy all groaned. Percy sighed in resignation, Ariana and Lyra were just happy to have their uncle around. Mel finally broke the hug, she looked at the others ready to lead them like she always did.

“Time for bed, everyone!” She said. “Let’s go!”

As usual, the group obeyed and walked out of the hall after saying goodbye to Lupin, already looking forward to the classes with him. Lyra and Ariana wished the others a goodnight and left to their respective common rooms. Hermione, Erick and Ron were nowhere to be found, and when Percy, Harry, the twins and Mel got to the tower, Percy stopped her before she could go to bed.

Harry wanted to stay too, but the twins dragged him away while they excitedly begged him to give them a tour around the castle the next morning.

“Okay, this is the one time I’m asking you this year,” Percy said. “Harry’s driving me and Ron mad. Please, help us with one of our pranks so he can shut up.”

“You know my answer, Paddie,” Mel tilted her head sweetly. “I can’t. If I help you and then I get away with it people will think it’s my uncle turning a blind eye on me and then Ariana will try and follow along, you know how she is.”

“C’mon, Mel,” Percy implored. “Can’t you just pretend to be at least slightly interested? Harry’s losing his mind, I’m telling you — the twins will call you boring!”

Mel’s mouth twitched a bit and her eyes narrowed, she was adored by the younger girls, she didn’t want to lose that and Percy knew it. She pushed her hair back in exasperation and huffed.

“No. Stop asking.”

Percy ran a hand across his face tiredly and shook his head.

“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” He raised a brow. “Harry’s getting desperate, and he won’t play nice.”

“What do you mean?” Mel asked, but Percy was already halfway to the stairs. “Black! What do you mean?”

The boy merely looked at her over his shoulder, a cocky grin on his face as he shrugged without speaking.

“Oh, no...” Mel shivered, already sensing what was coming her way.

May 1994

Saturday mornings were usually peaceful around the castle, Remus enjoyed strolling around the empty halls, but today the peace and quiet was rudely interrupted by a bunch of shouting kids.

“HARRY JAMES POTTER I SAID STOP!”

Remus freezes immediately at the familiar sound. He’s heard that voice before, but he’s never heard it so angry, more so when pronouncing the boy’s name. He carefully turns the corner and looks at the scene:

Percy, Ron and Harry are all staring at Mel with exasperated expressions, behind her Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe float above them, cursing and demanding to be let down. Hermione Granger stands at the corner, looking at the boys suspended in the middle of the hall and she’s between amusement and horror.

“Mellow, didn’t you hear what he called ‘Mione?” Harry demands. “He said—”

“I heard it,” Mel replies bluntly. “But hanging him upside down won’t make him stop, he’ll just want to get back at you like he always does!”

“That’s alright, we have all the time in the world to put him in his place,” Ron shrugs, casually twisting his wand and causing Crabbe to crash against Malfoy.

“Don’t you think this is getting a bit old?” The girl steps forward but Percy gets in the way, raising a brow at her as if silently saying ‘D’you really think you can stop us?’ “Ugh! This is so stupid! You’re acting like children, you’re too old for this kind of stuff!”

“You look so pretty when you’re angry,” Harry teases.

Remus almost wants to laugh at the absurdity of this, the story somehow is repeating itself, how did this happen? Mel and Harry were getting along just fine last July…

He then abruptly remembers that he’s a teacher and he’s currently watching three Gryffindor students attack two Slytherins, he can’t stand there and just watch!

“What’s going on here?” Remus asks in what he hopes is his most convincing angry voice.

Percy’s eyes widen at the sight of his uncle but he expertly recovers, he gives a step forward to the man and and speaks in a polite voice.

“Malfoy was insulting Miss Granger, Professor, he called her… well…”

“He called her a mudblood,” Harry made a face. “As if he’s made of anything better than dung.”

“Enough,” Remus looks up at the boys floating above them and raises a brow. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

Mel pushes Percy aside, he complains under his breath.

“I tried to stop them,” She says to the man. “They weren’t listening — Can you please tell them they’re being stupid?”

“I can’t tell them that, Miss Dumbledore,” He raises a brow. “I saw what you were trying to do, you and Miss Granger can leave, I’ll take it from here.”

Mel nods and turns around to take Hermione away, Percy’s eyes find Hermione’s and he tilts his head lightly, vaguely making a head movement as if saying ‘you’re welcome’, and he smirks a bit. Hermione doesn’t reciprocate, she frowns. Percy’s expression falls instantly.

Harry mumbles something to Mel as she walks past him and she stops, looks him directly in the eye, and responds:

“You are the biggest prat ever.”

Ron chortles beside them, Harry’s jaw tenses as he watches her leave.

“Better luck next time, Harry,” He grins.

Malfoy and Crabbe are already on the ground demanding Remus to send the three boys to detention, and he has to admit he can’t ignore this, he looks at Harry and the boy sighs heavily.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” He pushes his hair out of his face. “Detention for a week.”

‘I have to talk to the others,’ Remus thinks, watching the three boys leave the hall without looking even remotely sorry about their actions.

Next Chapter —>

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[madewithonerib]

The Devilish Puppet Master of the Word- Faith Movement | Justin Peters

More commonly known as the health-and-wealth Gospel, the prosperity Gospel, the name-it-and-claim-it gospel.

Basically the doctrine that says it is always GOD’s will for a Christian to be wealthy, & it is always GOD’s will for a Christian to be physically healed—we should never be sick.

Some of you may be familiar with my previous seminar entitled a call for discernment. This is an updated version of that—with a lot of new material, & a lot of new false teachers.

I have now entitled it: clouds without water.

This is a reference in Jude 1:12,

     Jude 1:12 | These men are the hidden reefs in your love feasts,      shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves.      They are clouds without water,      carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn,      twice dead after being uprooted.

And Jude refers to a false teachers in a number of ways.

One of the ways which he refers to them is as clouds without water. They have the appearance of having some sustenance, some nourishment—but nothing falls from them.

There’s no nourishment that drops to the ground below these false teachers. These clouds without waters is dry & parched.

And so that’s what we will be looking at.

Now I about 7 hours of material that I’m going to try to condense to just a little over 2 hours—so we’ll just be hitting some of the high points in this session & tomorrow’s session.

Tomorrow’s session is different by the way.

Just different aspects of what we’re going over today, but completely different focus & different direction & different issues.

Dangerous Doctrines

1.] Discuss some of the criticisms when we      call people to discernment.

     When we warn ppl about false doctrines & false teachers.      A lot of people (ppl) will not like this, they’ll criticize us for      it—so I want to look just briefly at a couple of the criticisms      that will come our way when we exercise discernment.

1a] Judge Not, Matthew 7:1-5

         Matthew 7:1-5 | “Do not judge, or you will be judged.

         For with the same judgment you pronounce,          you will be judged; & with the measure you use,          it will be measured to you.

         Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye,          but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?          How can you say to your brother,          ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while          there is still a beam in your own eye?

         You hypocrite!          First take the beam out of your own eye,          & then you will see clearly to remove the          speck from your brother’s eye.

     Undoubtedly the most misquoted & taken out of context      passage in all of GOD’s WORD.

     JESUS does indeed warn us not to judge—but the kind      of judging which our Saviour warns is hypocritical judgment.

     Judging someone for doing something, we’re really doing      ourselves..that is what HE warns against.

     ANSWER: Judge within biblical parameters.

           Jude 1:23 | save others by snatching them from the fire;            & to still others, show mercy tempered with fear,            hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

           Hebrews 13:9 | Do not be carried away by all kinds            of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be            strengthened by grace & not by foods of no value            to those devoted to them.

     [Matthew 7:6, 15-16; 18:16-18; John 7:24; 1 John 4:1;      1 Corinthians 5; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]

     We are in fact to judge safely within biblical parameters.

     When it comes to matters of doctrine & theology, we      absolutely are to judge on these things.

     Safely within biblical parameters.

1b] You shouldn’t name names

     Some people will say, “Well it’s okay if you warn people,      in a general sense about false teaching—but don’t ever      call somebody out by their name publicly.

     Don’t ever do that.

     ANSWER: The Apostle Paul did.

     [2 Timothy 2:16-18; 4:10; 1 Timothy 1:18-20]

           2 Timothy 2:16-18 | But avoid irreverent, empty chatter,            which will only lead to more ungodliness,            & the talk of such men will spread like gangrene.

           Among them are Hymenaeus & Philetus,            who have deviated from the truth.

           They say that the resurrection has already occurred,            & they undermine the faith of some.

     There actually is a biblical precedence for calling out false      teachers by name, the apostle Paul did this himself on      several occasions.

     He did it quite publicly, so there is a biblical precedence.

     JESUS HIMSELF called Herod that fox [Luke 13:32]

     >> It should not be done lightly, okay ***

     And we don’t call somebody out because they differ      on something relatively minor theological point.

     You know maybe we’re pre-trib in our eschatology, & we      know somebody over here who is mid-trib. 

     “Agh heretic!” No.

     When it comes to the fundamental doctrines of historical      Christianity—the pre-existence of JESUS CHRIST, the      virgin birth, the sinless life, the atonement on the cross,      bodily resurrection of our LORD, salvation by grace alone,      & through faith alone, & in CHRIST alone.

     On these issues we do draw a deep line in the sand.

     We must warn people, about wolves in sheep’s clothing.

     It is not an option; it is a duty.      Dear ones, it is not an option to exercise discernment,      it is a mandate, it is a command.

     EXCUSE: Some ppl say, “Well that’s just not my gift.      You know, I just don’t have the gift of discernment.”

     That’s just a cop-out.

     What did Paul say in first Thessalonians

           1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 | but test all things.            Hold fast to what is good.            Abstain from every form of evil.

     And that’s not there to take up the white spaces.

     It’s incumbent upon us to exercise discernment.      It’s not an option.

     EXCUSE: You say, “Well I’ll leave that to somebody else.”

     That’s a cop-out.

     You may not have the gift of mercy either as your primary      spiritual gift, but guess what? We can all exercise mercy,      we can all show mercy, so it’s an excuse to say that.

1c] Another criticism, & you’ll hear this a lot from within      Charismatic circles: “Touch not MY Anointed.”

     ANSWER: Take not Scripture out of context.

           Psalm 105:14-15 | He let no man oppress them (Israel);            HE rebuked kings on their behalf:            “Do not touch MY anointed ones!             Do no harm to MY prophets!”

     So is this biblical? Yeah in the sense that it’s in the BIBLE.

     But what does it mean? What does it say?

     Well the context of this, the anointed ones

     Anointed ones refers to Israel’s patriarchs & their      descendants—not to today’s pastors self-proclaimed apostles.

     The word touch actually refers to physical harm;      NOT speaking what is true [1 Samuel 26:9, 11, 23]

           1 Samuel 26:9 | But David said to Abishai,            “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand            against the LORD’s anointed & be guiltless?”

           1 Samuel 26:10 | David added,            “As surely as the LORD lives,            the LORD Himself will strike him down;            either his day will come & he will die,            or he will go into battle & perish.

           1 Samuel 26:11 | But the LORD forbid that I should            stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.            Instead, take the spear & water jug by his head,            & let us go.”

           1 Samuel 26:23 | May the LORD repay every man for            his righteousness & faithfulness. For the LORD            delivered you into my hand today, but I would            not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

     We may be calling out false teachers, & their false      doctrines, but nobody here is chasing Benny Hinn       with a baseball bat.

1d] You know we’re not doing anybody, any physical harm.

           1 Timothy 5:1 | Do not rebuke an older man,            but appeal to him as to a father.            Treat younger men as brothers,

           Titus 2:2 | Older men are to be temperate,            dignified, self-controlled, & sound in faith,            love, & perseverance.

           1 Peter 5:5 | Young men, in the same way,            submit yourselves to your elders. And            all of you, clothe yourselves with humility            toward one another, because,

           “GOD opposes the proud,but             gives grace to the humble.”

           Leviticus 19:32 | you are to rise in the presence of             the elderly, honor the aged, & fear your GOD.            I am the LORD.

     Good thing btw for the false teachers that we're not      living on the other side of the cross, you know the OT      cause Benny Hinn & Pat Robertson & all these would      have been dead a long time ago.

     Found this video by GOD May 31/20      Entitled: Benny Hinn - Billy Grapham’s Little Ant

     This demonstrates how subtly (little god) gets mixed in

1e] There are 3 NT passages which refer to all Christians      as "anointed" [2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20; 27]

           2 Corinthians 1:21-22 | Now it is GOD who establishes            both us & you in CHRIST. HE anointed us,            placed HIS seal on us, & put HIS SPIRIT            in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

           1 John 2:20 | you, however,            have an anointing from the Holy One,            & all of you know the truth.

           1 John 2:27 | And as for you, the anointing you            received from HIM remains in you, & you do            not need anyone to teach you. But just as            HIS true & genuine anointing teaches you            about all things, so remain in HIM as            you have been taught. ****

     If you know JESUS CHRIST, & HE is your      LORD and SAVIOUR, guess what? You're anointed.

     And you have the same anointing as does every      other Christian. There are no super-Christians with      a special anointing that the rest of us just don’t have.

1f] If you’re in CHRIST you’re anointed.

           John 15:4-7 | Remain in ME, & I will remain in you.            Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless            it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit            unless you remain in ME.

           I am the vine & you are the branches.            The one who remains in ME, & I in him,            will bear much fruit.

           For apart from ME you can do nothing.            If anyone does not remain in ME, he is            like a branch that is thrown away & withers.

           Such branches are gathered up,             thrown into the fire, & burned.

           If you remain in ME & MY words remain in you,            ask whatever you wish, & it will be done for you.

     There are no super Christians, that’s a Gnostic idea.      The division of Christians into classes; that’s gnosticism.

     It’s not biblical.

           Colossians 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive            through philosophy & empty deception, which are based            on human tradition & the spiritual forces of the world            rather than on CHRIST.

           2 Timothy 3:16 | All Scripture is GOD-breathed &            is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction,            & for training in righteousness,

2.] Now let’s get into the Word of Faith Movement.

     And in order to understand any movement, I think      it really helps, & is imperative to have an      understanding of the origins.

     In order to have a well rounded understanding      of any movement; we need to look at the origins.

     Though we don’t have time to get into this fully,      I want to go over this briefly.

     To tell you that the world of faith movement or      the prosperity gospel is actually rooted in the      metaphysical cults.

     Like Christian Science, New Age, Gnosticism.

     Most of what you see on Christian television on      TBN, Daystar Television, & Inspiration Network,      & the Word Network, CBN & the sea of broadcasting.

     It’s not Christian, it’s cultic doctrine      that has be wrapped in some      Christian terminology.

     And so briefly let’s look at this.

2a] Where did the Word of Faith movement begin?

     It began with a guy named Phineas P. Quimby      (1802-1866). He is the great-grandfather of WoF.

Father of “new thought”, metaphysical thought which means realm beyond what we can see or touch here. Cult: meaning any group or sect that calls itself Christian yet compromises or denies some of the fundamentals of the faith. Ex. Mormonism is a cult, Jehovah Witnesses belong to a cult, Roman Catholicism is a theological cult. Okay not a sociological cult. Not drink the Kool-Aid, Jim Jones-kind of a cult. But it is a theological cult because it compromises and denies some of the fundamental tenants of historical Christianity.

New thought is essentially has held that whatever you think about & whatever you speak, you will attract those things to you. If that sounds familiar, that’s because it is. That heresy is still around today. It’s been repacked called “the secret;” that Oprah Winfrey is very found of promoting. Rick Warren is dabbling in it as well.

Student of occultism, hypnosis, & parapsychology.

Quimby’s Theoretical formulations served as basis for the mind science cults, (Christian Science cult); founded by Mary Baker Eddy & later for theology of WoF movement. Now what happened was MBE claimed she was physically healed by Quimby; she really wasn’t, she was a sickly woman most all of her life. But she thought was healed by Quimby, & she was so impressed by his teachings that she took his doctrine & developed them a bit further. And from that formed what is today known as Christian Science.

     Christian Science is very poorly named btw, because      it’s not Christian & it’s not scientific.

          Kinda like grapenuts,           they’re not grape & they’re not nuts.

     There a lot of CS overtones in the WoF movement.

     One of which is the denial of physical symptoms,      when it comes to sickness & disease.

     If you have a friend or family member in this movement,      you might notice that when they get sick, they deny that      they’re sick.

     You know maybe they’ve got a cold, their eyes are watering,      their nose is running, they’re sneezing, they’re congested,      the whole nine yards.

     But you say something to them about it.      “Oh no, no no, I’m not sick, I won’t confess that.”

     Well that’s Christian Science, that has just been      wrapped in some Christian terminology.

2c] The Grandfather of the modern WoF movement:       Essek W. Kenyon [1867-1948]

      He attended the Emerson College of Oratory,       in Boston, where the metaphysical cults flourished.

      And he was heavily influenced by them, but I       don’t have time to get all into all his doctrinal distinctives.

           Kenyon was not wrong on everything.            On a lot of things he was spot on.

      But he did have some serious errant theology.

He believed we could speak things into existence.

That JESUS died a spiritual death in hell, where HE atoned for our sins. We’ll talk about that, time permitting a little bit later.

     So what is happening in the modern prosperity movement      is that people like (Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland), btw      I’ve been in Kenneth Copeland’s bookstore & he’s got      Essek Kenyon’s books for sale in the bookstore.

     But what these modern false preachers have done is they      have taken Kenyon’s mistakes & made them much worse.

     Comparatively, Essek W. Kenyon was actually fairly orthodox,      by comparison (2x).

2d] Father of Modern WoF

     Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003)

     Despite KH’s teaching that no believer should die until he      is at least 120 years old, you seee KH didn’t quite make it.

     He was around 86.

     But KH claimed like all of the modern faith preachers, that      much of what they teach you they received directly from      JESUS HIMSELF, GOD spoke to me.

     JESUS spoke to me & gave me these teachings.

     And that is their way of insulating themselves against      biblical criticism; & so they’ll say,

          “If you can’t find what I’m teaching you in the BIBLE,            don’t worry about it. It’s okay because I have it from            the highest authority, JESUS HIMSELF came & gave            me these teachings. So if you can’t find it in the WORD,            don’t worry about it, I got it from JESUS.”

     Well KH claimed that JESUS appeared to him, on at least      eight different occasions—throughout the course of his life.

     On one of those occasions: JESUS apparently gave him      these exact words (plagiarized Essek Kenyon extensively)

          The 22nd Psalm gives a graphic picture of crucifixion           of JESUS, but more vivid than that of John, Matthew,           or Mark—who witnessed it.

          HE utters the strange words: "But thou are holy."           What does that mean? HE is becoming sin...           HIS parched lips cry, "I am a worm & no man."           HE is spiritually dead—the worm.

     So faith preachers are very fond of claiming divine origin,      for what they teach, but as you can see the origins are      not nearly so supernatural.

     They steal from other people, plagiarize other people.

          Just repack old heresies.           Repacked for a different           modern audience.

     Okay, now I want us to look at some of the WoF doctrines.

3. Doctrine of Positive Confession

     Prosperity teachers teach that we can actually speak things      into existence. Watch these clips:

          Benny Hinn, “Look at me, say (all of ya), say there is power           in me to speak life & death.”

          Gloria Copeland, “You call what you have, you say what           you want.”

          Benny Hinn, “I’m here to tell you, I know that (3x), that           as these programs are airing, I’m speaking something           into existence.

     >> I’m speaking something into existence. (FALSE)

     If that sounds eerily like GOD’s act of creation in      Genesis 1&2? That’s because it is.

     Dear ones only GOD can speak things into existence.

     That is not something you & I can do.

           The Hebrew word for create is bara ( ברא),            & only GOD baras ( ברא)

     Only GOD does that.

     And in case you may be thinking, “Well they don’t really mean,      by that what it seems like they meant, you know you just took      them out of context..they don’t actually teach that we can      speak things into existence...like GOD did, do they?”

     Well yeah, this is a tweet from Creflo Dollar:

           As spiritual beings who possess the nature of GOD,            we have the ability to speak things into existence            just like GOD did (Genesis 1)

     Yes they do teach this.

     Absolutely.

     And people accuse me all the time of taking these folks      out of context. No I’m not, I wouldn’t want anybody to take      me out of context, & I’m not doing it with them.

     They do teach these things.

     This is not an abberation, this is main stream WoF.

     Most of the Charismatic movement, all of the WoF movement.

     As is pointed out earlier, there are some people in the      Charismatic movement who would not go into WoF land.

     But unfortunately, once you take that Charismatic position,      & we’ll talk more about those issues tomorrow (the apostolic      gifts & things like that, how GOD does & does not speak),      but once you take that Charismatic position its a very slippery      slope right into the WoF.

           Few ppl put on the breaks,            vast majority do not.

    Watch this video clip from Gloria Copeland, dealing with     the doctrine of positive confession.

     That really does not even deserve a comment.

     But I’ll offer a couple, real briefly.      Did you notice she said we can control the weather,      but we don’t fly in bad weather..why not?

WoF Teachings on the Fall:

Adam was an exact duplicate of GOD.

When Adam sinned, his 'godhood' was transferred to Satan & GOD, therefore, lost HIS legal right to the Earth & was banished from it.

Satan is now the legal god of this world.

When a person is saved, he regains his godhood.

     This is why the properity Gospel preachers hold so tenaciously      to prosperity, to health & wealth, because we’re gods.

     And a god cannot be poor, & a god can certainly not be sick.

     A lot of people who think that the stuff that you see on      Christian television (btw it’s not just on Christian television)      there are thousands & thousands of Christians that teach this      stuff. It’s not just health & wealth.

     Those are just off-shoots of a more serious core theological      problem with the movement.

     It’s a different gospel.

          Regardless, this is why they           hold so tenaciously to           health & wealth, we’re gods.

     What other theological cult, btw does that kinda remind you of?

     Mormonism.

     A lot of interesting overlaps between WoF, Mormonism,      Roman Catholicism, & even believe it or not Islam.

     And even Hinduism.

     Same basic heresies, they’re just packaged differently for      different audiences.

     But the allure of health & wealth is one of the things that      makes this thing so appealing & yet so profoundly      dangerous at the same time.

     Because a prosperity gospel essentially says this:      “Come to JESUS because it’ll make you wealthy,       and it’ll heal your body.”

     They appeal to two of the most basic & universal of all      human desires. Most people want to be wealthy, &      very few people enjoy being sick.

     There’s a few who just like the attention, but most people      don’t like to be sick. And they’ll say, “Well if you just come      to JESUS! Then you can have it.”

           Sign me up, that’s a pretty good deal.            You’re telling me if I come to JESUS,            if I ask JESUS into my heart:

           HE’ll make me wealthy? HE’ll heal my body?            So I don’t have to be sick anymore?

           I can have my best life now?            Yeah, I’ll try JESUS.

Q: But is that the real Gospel?

     Or is the real Gospel a little bit more like this:

           Come to JESUS because you’re a sinner.            And because of your sin, the wrath of GOD            abides on you.

           And the only way to have that wrath removed            is to repent of sins, turn from sins, & place your            trust on the risen LORD JESUS CHRIST.

           Then you will be saved from the wrath to come.

     But on this earth...

           You’re not promised money, you’re not promised            healing.

     What are we promised? Hardship & persecution.

           All who live godly in CHRIST JESUS            will be persecuted.

           John 15:20 | Remember the word that I spoke to you:            ‘No servant is greater than his master.’            If they persecuted ME, they will persecute you as well;            if they kept MY word, they will keep yours as well.

     That’s not as popular.

     Saying you come to JESUS because you can be rich!      GOD will heal you. Friends if you come to JESUS for      those reasons, or any other reason, other than to       escape the righteous wrath of GOD, you’ve come for      the wrong reasons.

     False decision, false conversion.

     There is no prosperity Gospel, there is no social Gospel      thing, thank you very much Tony Campolo.

     There are no adjectives to the GOSPEL.

     If you add an adjective to the GOSPEL, you’ve got      a different GOSPEL. There is just the GOSPEL.

     That’s it.

Softening of Sin

     Related to their health & wealth is their softening of sin.      They might mention it from time to time, but they don’t go      deeply into it.

     They don’t talk about sin very much.

     If they do, it’s just a kind of shallow surfacey sort of way.

     Watch this video from Joseph Prince. This is him being      interviewed on TBN, listen carefully.

     Not everything he says is wrong.

          “You’re getting the same kind of response aren’t you?”            Yes. <People need & want> You know the word            repentance, like Joel Olsteen said, is from the Greek            word metánoia—which literally means change your            mind. And every time that Joel or me are preaching            WORD without using the word repentance sometimes            people’s minds are being changed all the time.

          From thinking this way, negatively to thinking positively.

     Well?

     Joseph Prince says that the Greek word for repentance      is μετάνοια metánoia, you know what? <nods> that’s right.

     And then he says the word metánoia       means to change your mind...

     You know what? Right again.

     But then did you notice how he fleshed it out?

     FALSE:

             He said, we may not be using the word repentance              (let’s not confuse anybody with theological terms               of that the BIBLE uses), so we may not be using               that term but we’re teaching people to repent all of              the time.

             When people go from thinking negatively to positively 

     Friends that’s not repentance.      By his definition of repentance, we could all repent simply      by joining the optimist club, having a sunnier outlook on life.

     That’s not repentance.

     Genuine repentance is a change in mind, but it comes when      GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT grants repentance.

     HE gives us a godly sorrow over our sin, & when HE grants      us repentance there is evidence of that. There is fruit of that      & it will be evident to other people around us.

     There will be deeds

      Paul says in Acts 26:20, “So, King Agrippa, I....kept       declaring that they (all people) should repent & turn       to GOD performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

           Acts 26:20 | First to those in Damascus & Jerusalem,            then to everyone in the region of Judea,            & then to the Gentiles,            I declared that they should repent & turn to GOD,            performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

     And John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:8,

           Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

     Does this mean we do good deeds, in order to repent? NO

          When GOD grants repentance,           deeds & fruit will be           a natural outflow of that.

     It is a change in mind, but it is a change in mind that      results from a changed life (changed nature),      lived to the glory of GOD.

Watch this video clip from Miles Munro,

     Follow this thought to its logical conclusion,

     The prosperity gospel ess youtu.be/kOTrMSOrYew?t=2083

[annaouncements-blog]

April 10, 2020

Then I said: “I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple. The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head. The story of Jonah reminds me about discipleship and our personal relationship with God. Jonah at first was called to preach God’s word to Ninevah because evil works was being done there and no one from them knows God. But Jonah  went to other place that is far away from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3). And the ship going to Tarshish (where Jonah is going) is about to break up (Jonah 1:4). Jonah needed to be hurled by the sea so that the sea will be quiet (Jonah 1:13) and it came to the point God appointed a big fish to swallow up Jonah (Jonah 2)

1.) Discipleship

As Christians, we cannot be like Jonah, who escaped on sharing God’s word to Ninevah. But sad reality, this is happening; escaping on God’s presence that makes us look lukewarm. I just want to remind ourselves of the commandment; Matthew 28:18-20. To make disciples. We don’t do this so the sake of compliance to God and church, we should disciple and lead people to Christ out of love for them and extend grace of the love of God in our lives. 

Let’s continually seek God and make Him known towards our disciples today, and to other people whom we are with this quarantine. Let’s not escape or avoid the presence of God like in this story of Prophet Jonah. For the disciplers, it is such a good reminder, esp. in this season, to not be discourage in reaching out to your disciples; even that they don’t talk to you or reply to your message. Surrender it to God and let’s pray for them. <3

2.) Personal Relationship with God

This reminds me again in this season that there are no excuses in not spending time with God. Honestly, there are times laziness and addiction to movies, kdrama, social media, and online games made me stop from seeking God in a day. But this quarantine, even that I’m working from home, I don’t have much time to do besides working and all chores at home, and taking care of my mother. It’s not really that hectic. But it says in my verse of the day, “I am driven away from your sight...”  (btw, this is Jonah speaking to God in prayer while he is in inside the belly of the big fish), he meant that he was distracted like me/us and focuses on the desires of its own. Since Jonah is aware, there must be a resolution for this “...yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:4). If we get distracted of our own things, let look back again to God. Let’s realign ourselves if we are not that okay with our personal time with Him. :) 

Questions in mind: 

1. How are we doing right now in your discipleship? Are like Jonah today who tries to avoid discipling your member/ avoids talking to your discipler? How are we gonna respond to this situation?

2. How’s your personal time with God? Are we in this season of knowing more of Him in our lives? Do we try to feed ourselves of God’s word? How are we applying it?

Praying that all of us could have the best time with God to connect with Him big time! <3 that we may not get our eyes distracted much on our stuffs and just forget God’s word. And may this be a time that we strongly communicate to our disciples! Praying for everyone’s stability of their internet connection and even have alternatives to reach out to those without internet. :) 

[padawanlost]

Our world "agreeing" on putting children into war being a war crime doesn't mean shit in the SW galaxy, especially not during a time period where no central authority exists in a vast majority of known space. The New Sith Wars is the period that picture is taken from and it saw the crumbling of galactic civilization in general. The Jedi controlled the Senate and the rump state of what was left of the Republic in an all-or-nothing war. It's not called the "Republic Dark Age" for nothing.

I wasn’tsaying that our laws affect the GFFA, what I was saying is that there’s reason whywe all agree that using children is a crime and that reason is because it’s wrong. It’ssomething so obviously immoral and criminal that a world that hardly everagrees on anything agreed to ban this practice. Anyway, the inexistence of alaw doesn’t make something immoral suddenly okay. the question here is: shouldwe not kill, torture and steal because it’s wrong or because it’s illegal?  Btw, war crimes do exist in GFFA but they werenever made public for the sake of “the greater good”. The Jedi kept their involvementhidden and the Senate was too corrupt to care.

Mace waved this off. “Regardless, she must bebrought in. And soon—before rumor of such massacres reaches the wider galaxy.Even if she had nothing to do with them, having a Jedi’s name associated withthese crimes is a threat to the public trust in the Jedi. She must answer anycharges before they are ever publicly made.” Matthew Stover, Shatterpoint.

I’m not denying thestakes were high or that the jedi were desperate, I’m just saying there’s nomoral justification for certain crimes. No matter how much you need land, theslaughter of natives will always be immoral. No matter how much you need cheapwork force/cannon fodder, slavery will always be immoral. No matter how muchyou need soldiers, recruiting and endangering children will always be immoral.

I’m not saying thosethings don’t happen. I’m saying they shouldn’t. But since the jedi were notliving in a perfect world, they had to find imperfectsolutions to their problems. My point is: isn’t easier to accept the Jedi wereflawed heroes than to convince ourselves that endangering children is right?

[grace-full-life]

Making and Breaking Life Habits and My Shrimp in.. Shrimp Paste HAHA

Hiii! 

Before I write about what I'm up to these days, I just want to share my shrimp in... shrimp paste? HAHA! Well it looks and tastes yummy. And oily. Haha! My fam and husband loved it. Or pwede ding grateful lang talaga sila no? 😂

Can’t think of what I’ll call this recipe yet. I've been experimenting on this dish since last year and I finally got the perfect mix and ingredients! I'm so happy 😂 Also, please don’t judge me, olive oil yan. HAHA

Anywayzzz!! How are you guys? :)

Our church's topic of the month is all about making good habits and breaking the bad ones. So here I am, currently on extended social media fast. Haha! When I resigned last year, I didn't notice that I'm spending sooo much time on my cellphone. Alam mo yung mindless browsing?! I'm not the type who's on her cellphone all the time (except nung textmate era HAHA and when I’m reading ebooks). Before, even though I can check my phone/socmed accounts regularly, I usually spent short period of time browsing, normally I’d just upload photo/s or tweet an update, browse a little and I’m done. Well until my resignation happened. Haha! So I took advantage of the prayer and fasting last, last week, and paused, then continued until now. :) Ofc messaging apps and my tumblr are still accessible. Hehe. And btw! I think I’ve done this na pala few years back when I noticed that I was reading several contents about politics. I found myself being sooo affected and stressed out by the many differing opinions online. So I intentionally keep myself away from this topic kasi di na nga productive, toxic pa. Sa totoo lang it’s dividing us more than it unite us eh. We are encouraged to hate than sincerely love and extend compassion to others. There are faaar more productive things to do that will TRULY help others and our country than fighting each other on socmed and magfeeling superior sa iba. I’ll do my part as a responsible citizen of the Philippines but I refuse to make politics a god in my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that being informed is important, but we also shouldn’t act like everything is about it. What will make or break you will depend on the small decisions you make daily, and that includes your spiritual decisions in life. Let us not put the fate of our life on some other people’s hands. God is sovereign, even these leaders are under His authority (learned more about this in the books of Judges and Kings. Hehe.) 

Lastly, start praying for the country. Remember, our greatest security and hope should be placed on God’s hands and not on people. Everyone will come and go, only God and His words will remain. 

So now as I try to keep myself away from social media, I put my focus on my wifey duties (both tasks at home and business). I also busy myself with reading books (I'm trying to finish this book about God's beautiful design about sex in the context of marriage); with reading the Bible too (though I took a break from reading the Old Testament and started reading the book of Matthew again); by playing mobile games and watching movies in moderation; and by making random watercolor illustrations/calligraphy. 😁

I have a list of bad habits that I need to stop doing but one step at a time right?!! Haha!

Following Jesus means repentance and new desires that are aligned with Him. If you’re trying to build good habits but can’t seem to succeed yet, I want to encourage you to press on! Some of us might be trying to stop the bad habit of procrastination, of being short-tempered, of pornography, of gossiping, of bad diet, of too much socmed or gaming or Netflix, etc. Don’t give up and don’t be too hard on yourself. Recognize that our will-power has its limits. Sabi nga ni Lord Jesus, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We need Him. We need His strength and grace to overcome the things that are hindering us from being the best version of ourselves as followers of Christ. 

We should accept the truth that we are not and will never be enough and that's totally okay because Jesus is. He is enough, He completes us and meets us in our weakness. God is able! :)

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me

2 Corinthians 12:9

Have a fantastic Monday!! x

Love,

JRB

[restorerjourney]

Week 11: The fire of God

This was the most memorable week of DTS for me. I was able to hear the craziest testimonies of God’s miraculous work in people’s lives. I also had the opportunity to share my personal testimony of experiencing God’s healing to two DTS groups. I was so nervous to speak in front of so many people but I knew that this would give God the glory and would encourage others who are praying and waiting for God’s miraculous healing. It felt wrong to not share such an amazing healing encounter that I had with God. If you want to hear it feel free to reach out to me or I can email you the recorded video! 

This week we had 3 amazing speakers talk about the evangelism, the Holy Spirit, and the intimacy with God. Their testimonies were so powerful that I will remember them for the rest of my life! There was so much to share but if you are interested, feel free to ask me and I would love to share some parts that really marked me. 

Here are some take away points for me that I’ve learned from them.

 Evangelism and the Holy Spirit:

-The gospel is something that we all are required to share, not just preachers. Matthew 28:19-20

-The gospel is GOOD NEWS and is shared because of our overwhelming love for God and what God desires for everyone. Why don’t we live this out?

-You don’t have to be a Christian for so long to be able to share the gospel. Our speaker Frenchie shared of a story of a drug dealer who accepted Christ and immediately shared the gospel to someone else. What is our excuse.

-Often the fear of man is what keeps me from sharing the gospel..but when I hear about Frenchie’s stories of being led to share the gospel to people at the grocery stores, concerts, and random places because God spoke to him, even if those he encountered do not accept Christ, they appreciated his sincere heart for them. Love is the greatest motivator.

-When you are so in love with God and you walk with Him daily..listening and obeying to His voice…God will give you divine appointments to share the gospel to those in need.

-If you can’t preach the gospel to yourself and believe it, how will you share it to others?

-Keep the gospel simple. I

-I loved and was inspired to see the gospel being so naturally shared by Frenchie purely out of his lifestyle and love for God. His greatest desire is to love God, to make Him known, and to save souls. (BTW he is not your typical evangelist..he has tattoos everywhere, ear gauges, nose ring, and looks like a skater boy…and he is about my age…and he is so anointed..and has only been a christian for 6 years…oye)

- “The 5 finger gospel”: a simple tool to remember the gospel

1.Thumb (think of the green thumb)= Creation: Who created us and why

a.          We are created in His image and He put me here for relationship

b.          It’s the first step to understand purpose and why we are here

c.          Beginning of the love story, easier for others to receive

d.          It’s the sovereignty of God who created the universe and all of that awe and wonder is directed to you. 

2. Pointing finger= Fall of Man:

a.          Satan made me doubt who our creator was

b.          God is not mad but he wants to restore his creation back to him

c.           Share you own story of your own struggles so they know you are right there with them. That we chose to sin

3. Middle finger: Judgement: Hell

a.          Hell was created not for mankind but for the devil and his angels

b.          The greatest way we can love the lost is to share this reality

c.          Eternal separation is not what the Father wants

d.          Ezekiel 3:17

4. Ring finger: God’s covenant and cross

a.           Even before the world was created, it was in His mind to die for creation

b.            The perfect mercy of God and the perfect justice of God = come together as the perfect act

c.             The more we gaze on the perfect act, the more we are transformed into his likeness

d.             Satan was defeated after Jesus died and resurrected

e.             Communion: remembering what Jesus died that it is continually changing me giving me joy and peace. We can do communion in our worst state because he is a loving father that ministers to our need

5. The Holy spirit and Jesus’s return:

a.          The same power that rose Jesus from the dead, that same power is in us. 

b.          We are called to bring heaven down to earth, that we have a purpose and it is to be His witness. 

c.          In the Holy spirit we can share the same relationship that Jesus has with God.

d.          So many people live below what Jesus paid for them to live in. Because JEsus said we would do greater works than him, that we could live a life of joy, love, and peace. 

e.          People are hungry for the Holy Spirit.

Intimacy with God:

-There is nothing that you can do that will make God love you more

-Most Christians go based on a certainty of 51-99% when hearing God’s voice. We cannot live our lives waiting for 100% certainty, that is where faith comes in. But what if we God wants us to just trust him?

-Everything you do for God, should come from intimacy with God.

-Jesus enjoys your company and He wants to be with us. He wants to do things with us, because we want to do it.

-Love is the biggest motivator of the human heart. Want a great love for missions, ask God to reveal revelation of HIs love for you.

-“God I would rather live my life trusting you and taking risk, then step back and live in fear. What I wanted was to be sure that this was God, but what God wanted was for me to trust in Him. God loves to give partial guidance because He wants us to trust in Him. God is more committed to fulfill His will for your life, than we are committed to find it.”

-The greatest gift from God is my awareness and need of God.

-God’s goodness is above my situation and experience. We need to be more impressed with His character than our situation. 

-When we are going through difficulties, we ask for God to change the situation, but that’s not what we want, what we really want is to believe is that God is really good.

-What makes us feel ready to do what God has asked us to do? What makes us ready is the call of God. So being ready is an excuse. We have made many excuses why we don’t obey God.

-If you have the option of $2000 or $20, you would pick the $2000..would you care about $20? No, because you have the $2000, that is the Christian life.

-Christian life is a life of inclusion. Our relationship is defined by God. When we don’t feel intimate with God it is because we need to change the definition of intimacy of God by what He thinks not what we thinks…and what He thinks is that you are awesome.

How does God view failure? When a baby talks his first step and he falls, the dad doesn’t say” you didn’t do it right”… he runs over and takes a bunch of pictures and runs up to others and brags when

We have to learn to forgive ourselves. I wanted my feeling to change but what God wanted was to accept the truth. Jesus has forgiven and Jesus has forgotten. We judge ourselves based on our action more than what God thinks of us. 

Painting a picture of these 4 things

1. Conviction, Sin, Repentance, Forgiveness. How long does that interval take? Less than 5 seconds. What is shame? It is pride.  Because how I feel and think about myself is more true and more important than what God thinks of me. Who knows me better, God or myself? God doesn’t want to hurt our pride, he wants to kill it. 

2. Romans 8:1

3. Let us not live our life by our feelings. God is not a feeling. 

4. Matthew 13:44

“There is never a fear that keeps me from failing God. If I fail 5x I get to see Jesus 5x, If I fail 10x I get to see Jesus 10x. Fear is an invitation, yes God wants to get rid of it, but if you whole goal is to get to know Jesus and if everytime I’m afraid I get to run to Jesus, then whatever it takes to run to Jesus, I want that! So fear becomes an invitation to Jesus!” 

Outreach is not a program..,it is our life, it is never over. It’s just a place for us to get to know Jesus

Praise report:

-We reached our fundraising goal of ~$7000! We received support here and there but what was crazy was this anonymous donor who donated $7000 to my team leader. Praise God and thank you for your support and prayers!

Prayer request:

- Unity in our team. I keep seeing “brotherly love” and “unity” being highlighted when I’ve been reading God’s word. Please pray that we would personally experience the love of God’s love daily so that we could not help but love others around us well. 

- Fear of the Lord: Please pray that we would understand what it means to fear the Lord out of immense love for Him. That we would walk our lives in love and obedience with God in mind daily especially during outreach. 

-Clarity in God’s vision for us during outreach: We’ve been all hearing God’s voice mentioning children, reaching to the poorest of poor, and possibly being involved with the medical missionaries there. We will also be using this evangelism platform called “Alpha” which is a great tool to invite and share the gospel. 

Mahalo for your prayers and support!

Alicia

[anonymoustalks]

But they kept looking for easy salvation die for them sins and they do all sins and live free and expect he make it to paradise to all people

(6-20-20) You both like Religion.

You: hiya

Stranger: Hi

You: I've never used this tag before

Stranger: How are you

You: I'm fine

Stranger: It is ok me too first time

You: are you religious?

Stranger: Yes you can say that

You: oh?

Stranger: Yes for example i never drink never do relations before marriage

Stranger: Do prayer

You: ah

Stranger: So i try my best

You: mhm right

You: where are you from?

Stranger: From algeria

You: ohh that's really cool!

Stranger: And you

You: us

Stranger: Thanks

You: what is algeria like?

Stranger: It's ok beautiful with nice people

You: that's nice

Stranger: It's biggest country in North Africa

You: mhm I didn't know that

Stranger: People are different race than African

Stranger: Called North African

You: ahh

You: how is north african different?

Stranger: Mixer between arab and berber

You: ahh

Stranger: South Africa have black people but north African are different race

You: ahh I see

Stranger: I am talal by the way

Stranger: My name i mean

You: oh okay

You: I don't like to share my name, sorry

You: but it's nice to meet you

Stranger: Yes it is ok

Stranger: Thanks

Stranger: You sound as girl right?

You: yeah

You: is it that obvious?

Stranger: You worry about name because you are young?

You: no not really, I just don't like to get too personal online

Stranger: Little yes but don't worry i do not come to talk bad

Stranger: I just try discuss with people and find friends why not

You: I have one online friend from morocco

You: I never asked her what her life is like

Stranger: Yes it is ok sure you are free

You: is morocco very similar to algeria?

Stranger: We have the same border

Stranger: Anr they anr we you can say same nation

You: oh that similar?

Stranger: Morrocan and Algerian wae before one Land

You: ahh I didn't know

Stranger: Yes in past there was alk consider as north Africa

Stranger: But when occupation of french come it makes border

Stranger: And separate it to countries

You: ahh I see

Stranger: But wr are same nation

You: do you speak french in algeria?

Stranger: W speak Algerian Wich is arabic and mixed with french little

Stranger: In north they use french often

You: ahh

You: sorry I didn't know

Stranger: But for me i don't use it

Stranger: It's ok

Stranger: You are christian right?

You: mhm actually I'm not religious haha ^^

Stranger: It is ok

Stranger: You believe in God or not

You: but I was curious about what kind of people are on this tag

You: mhm I'm not sure

Stranger: I understand

Stranger: So you are type of people who ignore to think about god

You: hm?

Stranger: Not aethiest

Stranger: Just don't think about it right?

You: ohh, yes, that's right

You: I don't really think of myself as athiest

Stranger: It's good

Stranger: Just we need to think about it

Stranger: Because if there is hell and paradise after life we have to work to be in paradise

You: mhm

Stranger: To not lose much

Stranger: After all believe and been good will not tied us to live well

Stranger: We can be good believers and success here and after death right?

You: is your country very religious?

Stranger: Normal not that so hard

Stranger: Normal and religion is good to protect us from hurt ourselves

Stranger: There is no one stop you of doing what you want just people choose to be religious

You: right

Stranger: After all religion and god draw for us the good payh to not get hurt

Stranger: When forbid something just to protect us

Stranger: And don't have to try it and hurt and learn by the hard way

Stranger: And still people are weak and can make mistake and all what needs is redemption

You: mhm

Stranger: And god forgive sins

Stranger: Btw in Islam we believe in Jesus as messenger not god or aon of God

You: yup

Stranger: Cause it is not logical how and why god sent his son to die for sins when he can forgive without killing

Stranger: Also in all bible Jesus never ever ask people to worship him or say i am God

You: mhm

Stranger: In opposite he said. There is no god only the father

Stranger: They true one god is the father

Stranger: When say father not mean his begotten son

You: mhm

Stranger: Because in bible saif about many people as sons

Stranger: For example he said son of God about Adam

You: right

Stranger: And bible said. Anyone led by sperit of god is son of God

Stranger: So word son and father mean just who follow him

You: that makes sense

Stranger: Yes just translation trouble

Stranger: Because bible come by Hebrew

Stranger: Form of hebrow called aramiac

Stranger: And hebrow and arabic are ao close

You: right

Stranger: Can I give you exemple about word father and gos and how can us it?

Stranger: Sorry I talk much hhh

You: sure it's fine

You: I like listening

Stranger: For example in arabic if want say biss of work

Stranger: Or responsible of family wich is the father

Stranger: If translate it word by word we say god of work

Stranger: And god of family

Stranger: Wich mean responsible

You: biss of work?

Stranger: This form ot use of the word god

Stranger: Boss ot work

You: ah okay

Stranger: We say god of work by arabic

You: yeah I did not know that

Stranger: رب العمل

You: god is not a special word?

Stranger: It become special when ay about the god in sky sya allah

Stranger: Because Allah is word used even in jew believe

Stranger: And have no gender and no plural

You: mhm

Stranger: In hebrow bible it written alohim

You: did you study all of these different bibles?

Stranger: I just was interested by religion and search and follow much about it

You: mhm you did not learn it in a school?

Stranger: No I didn't

Stranger: Just self study

You: mhm I think that's really cool to study for yourself

Stranger: By the way you see the idea of die for sine

Stranger: When even bible show with many verses how the work of human matter

Stranger: More and only work wich make human go to heaven

Stranger: Sadly church put many wrong ideas don't exist in bible

You: mhm

Stranger: They worship Jesus even he never said worship me

Stranger: And there is even verses he us like talk to them today

Stranger: He talk in the meaning when he comeback

Stranger: And say him lord lord we do anything by your name

Stranger: And make miracles by your name

Stranger: In last he tell them go away from me i didn't knew you

Stranger: And it's so clear why he said that because they start worship him when he comes to learn them worship the only one God

You: mhm

Stranger: But they kept looking for easy salvation die for them sins and they do all sins and live free and expect he make it to paradise to all people

Stranger: Just by believe in his death

Stranger: When he said in bible verly verly i can do nothing by myself

Stranger: Do you know that even his survive from death proven in Bible?

You: hm?

Stranger: He didn't killed god saved him

Stranger: Have you ever read bible?

Stranger: The story of jonas

You: I have only read small parts of it

Stranger: In part of jonas

Stranger: It talk about how god saved jonas from whales belly

You: ah

Stranger: In the time when israel people come to kill Jesus

Stranger: They ask him for sign or miracle

Stranger: If you want I can look for it and show you

Stranger: Whatever people asking him for miracle he said as Jonas was 3days and 3 night shall the son of Man stay 3 days and 3 night in the heart of Earth

Stranger: So where is the miracle wich Jesus promise to do?

You: mhm

Stranger: He said as jonas anr jonas his miracle was staying alive

Stranger: And jesus promise to show them qs jona

Stranger: As jonas miracle

Stranger: So he survived and prove from Bible

Stranger: You can make sure about what I said for sure

Stranger: I talked alot sorry ☺️

You: it's fine, I went to read about the book of jonah

You: I do not know many of these things

Stranger: Book of jona talk about his story only

Stranger: And the prove of Jesus when he was going to die in other part

Stranger: If you want i will give you the verses

Stranger: Just i don't remember the number but if you wait i can find it

Stranger: Minutes i will find it to you and you will related it with jonas story

Stranger: The story in mathiew 12/39 and 12/40

Stranger: matthew 12 39 and 40 " 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

You: mhm

Stranger: Read the 2verse you will understand that Jesus promise them to show them miracle as Jonas

You: right

Stranger: And jonas miracle was?

Stranger: Survive from death

Stranger: So it is so clear that god saved his prophet

You: mhm

Stranger: God would not let his messenger get offended and be nacked on Cross

Stranger: And killed like that

Stranger: And god don't need blood or sacrifice for forgiveness

Stranger: And everyone responsible for his work

You: mhm

Stranger: Logical you can not punish someone because his father guilty

Stranger: You can not for example catch some person anr put in jail because his brother kikk someone

You: right

Stranger: Punishment and award be for each person work

Stranger: Is not logical and not justice

Stranger: How killer be in paradise because he did crime but believe in Jesus anr forgive his sins

Stranger: Justice is when everyone responsible for his work

Stranger: Even bible said that

Stranger: But they show in church parts and hide others

You: mhm I am not very familiar with what church is like

Stranger: For example how it looks if for example his mother killed by gun did he will remember hee by taking gub in his neck?

You: sorry I'm not sure if I'm understanding

Stranger: It's strange how they talk about Jesus and celebrate his death by cross when they believe he die in it

You: ahh

Stranger: It not make sense right?

You: mhm I dunno, I do not know enough about these things

Stranger: It is ok

Stranger: It's really glad to talk to you

You: yes, it was nice talking to you too

You: it must be late for you

Stranger: You are so open mind and respectful

You: thanks for sharing everything

Stranger: I was hoping that we can talk more about this

Stranger: Or have contact whatever where you want

You: oh sorry, I don't like to share contact information

Stranger: It is ok i understand

Stranger: Just keep looking for true

You: mhm it was really nice talking to you

Stranger: You are good girl

Stranger: And really feel sad that we can not keep on touch

You: mhm I'm sure our lives will go our own ways

Stranger: Because I still have much to talk about

Stranger: Yes it will be

You: in either case good night

Stranger: Just keep looking for god

Stranger: You are good person

Stranger: And open heart

You: mhm I'm not totally sure about good person haha

You: but I think we all try to improve

Stranger: God said anyone looking for truth with open heart god will guide him

Stranger: We all sinners

Stranger: And culture and where we born effect alot

Stranger: I consider myself lucky i born in religious family

Stranger: Even so we still survive and try be good in that hatd world

Stranger: Word become Savage and wild

Stranger: And good manners become rare

Stranger: Finding god is first step

You: mhm

Stranger: And do you know what?

Stranger: When someone revet or become Muslim god clean all his sins

You: mhm I'm not totally sure if I am ready for that haha ^^

Stranger: And become as new paper

Stranger: Yes i know you are not ready

Stranger: Read and take your time

You: mhm thank you

You: have a good night

Stranger: Thanks for chat

Stranger: You are kind

You: you too

Stranger: Have good time

Stranger: I guess still early there

You: yup, I think I will go clean

You: bye

Stranger: Bye

You have disconnected.

[shellbell1974]

GLORIFYING GOD

LORD GOD, what a merciful GOD you are. What a loving father you are in how you love your children, and take care of us, and our families too. LORD JESUS, you are so loving, so tender and gentle. I think about the stories of JESUS washing the feet of the deciples and including of HIS enemy, Judas Iscariot. I cannot imagine JESUS washing anyone's feet, and especially the feet of the one who would betray HIM!! But that's exactly who JESUS was, HE wasn't about being served, but instead serving others. JESUS LOVED ALL PEOPLE, EVEN THE ONES WHO REJECTED HIM. JESUS STILL LOVES ALL PEOPLE TOO TODAY. When we have been betrayed, the very last thing we want to do is serve our enemy in some sort of way. One way though we can serve our enemies is to PRAY FOR THEM. GOD is not calling us to be friends with everyone, but GOD does want us to love the unlovable too, even our enemies, in spite of if their love is returned back to us or not. GOD is all about forgiveness! JESUS spoke a lot on forgiveness too. Remember, Peter asked JESUS how many times he should forgive someone who has wronged him? Peter asked, is it 7 times LORD? JESUS responded back and said to forgive 70 times 7, (Matthew 18:21-22) meaning that we must keep on forgiving, even in spite of what we get in return or not. GOD does not want us to harbor bitterness and anger, which BTW none of these are from the HOLY SPIRIT! JESUS knew that Judas would betray HIM, but HE still loved him in spite of that. No matter what is going on in our life, JESUS is with us going through it too! There are many things that we do not have an understanding about, like why this person's life has ended too soon, or how can there be so much pain in the world, and how can many people kill other people, and how can we have so much sickness and disease here, and how can there be still so many people left here who still do not believe in GOD. These are just some very important subjects that I do not have an understanding on, and there is even more too that I do not yet understand about, but I do trust GOD, and HIS WILL. Nothing takes GOD by surprise, not back then, not in ancient times, not now, and not EVER, because GOD IS ALL KNOWING, and also never does GOD EVER CHANGE. We cannot obviously change anything either through our own abilities, but what we can do, is pray to HIM for these families who have lost their love ones too soon. Pray to GOD for the sick to be healed. We can pray to GOD for HIS PEACE TO REPLACE THE PAIN, and pray that evil will be banished, by praying for HIS WILL, AND FOR HIS KINGDOM TO COME, and we can pray for the lost of this world to be found. We cannot change a thing from our own strength,we can pray, and we must never stop praying. GOD can change it,if it is HIS WILL, and GOD can change us too, and what is happening, and has happened so far, and all can be used to give GOD GLORY. No matter what happens to us, or to our love ones, GOD IS STILL GOD, even at the very end of our life, and theirs too, HE IS STILL GOD. One day we will all either face death ourselves, or we will meet HIM in the coming rapture, I absolutely believe this too. I believe in HIS rapture, because HE speaks of it in HIS WORD, (See 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) Either way it happens, it will happen one day, one of the two, so which ever precedes the other, no matter what, we trust GOD, and we live our lives for HIM too. Kindness to others goes a lot further than showing hatred. Showing others mercy is an act of Christ likeness. Being concerned for others, and not just concerned with yourself, and even your own family all the time, but be also concerned for others too, is an an act of Christ likeness. We can't change the whole world, but we can change who we are, and how we treat others. LORD GOD, we give you the glory and praise today that you deserve. May everything that we say and do give you the honor and praise you deserve. GOD there are so many people hurting in this world. We pray for them LORD to have your peace, only your peace is what can truly heal us and our world too. Good day all. Love ❤️ Shellie Maheu