Holy spirit church highland mi

I come from a strongly evangelical environment, and my particular denomination places a high emphasis on global missions work. I'm a pastor in this denomination.
I have become convinced of Christian Universalism, which puts me at odds with our denom's perspective for many reasons. One of the reasons that CU is often argued against is because it will take away from a sense of "urgency" to carry out the Great Commission.
Personally, I experience no dissonance here.
Fear of eternal conscious torment is not a motivator for me to share the Gospel with people. The motivation is Jesus himself.
I want people to know him. I want people to encounter his love, to leave the Kingdom of darkness and enter into the Kingdom of light. I want people to experience healing and the presence of the Holy Spirit. I want them to learn contemplation and the mystical tradition. I want them to experience union with Christ. I want people to find their ultimate end in him, for whom all things were made.
I believe the task is URGENT, and worth sacrificing for ... even without damnation on the table as a consequence.
So I am still as engaged with evangelistic work as ever. As a pastor, I still want to encourage the folks in my congregation to share their personal faith in wholehearted and honest ways, without the echo of guilt and shame in the background.
The idea of an eternal hell does not motivate me to evangelism. And the absence of an eternal hell does not take away motivation from evangelism.
Am I an anomaly for sticking with the evangelical tradition?
I'm curious to hear from others who've been impacted by CU who come from an evangelical background. Are you engaged with outreach work? Have you had to work hard to find a new approach to it? Or have you needed to let go of the idea altogether?
I'd love to learn from those in the Eastern Orthodox stream as well. What does the idea of evangelism (if that's even the right word to use) look like from your perspective?

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Ecclesiastes 10:1-3~"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool."
"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour"
I hate flies, but dead ones in certain places is even worse.

1. Apothecary is one that prepares and sells drugs for medicinal purposes, the business now we call druggist, or pharmaceutical chemist.
2. Here is a poetic, proverbial, and very powerful metaphor to emphasize protecting one's reputation, especially so one who is known for wisdom and being in a place of honour.
3. We only wish we had been taught this great lesson while still in our youth. But, yet knowing this all important truth, it is not easy to let this slip and fall into some type of sin whereby we give place for other to speak evil of our name and the God that we serve.

"So doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour"~All it takes is a little folly, just as flies are so small yet cause so much stink if in the apothecary's ointment!
Though God forgives all sins, yet the damage is done, and cannot be reversed! It generally has lasting effect on so many people.
Proverbs 22:1~"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving kindness than silver or gold."
Your reputation is an asset far more important than anything you can buy. The respect of others and their affection for you is an asset you should pursue with great zeal. Your character is a precious treasure that you should enhance each day by wise choices.
What do people think, when they hear your name? Do they think graciousness, godliness, diligence, and faithfulness? Is your name sweet to their ears and thoughts? How do they speak of you to others? Are you often praised in your absence? Do others crave your company? Do they want to honor you with affection, gifts, and service?
Or is your name a bitter thought? Do they think harshness, selfishness, stubbornness, pride, moodiness, or indiscretion? Do they try to avoid you? Do they avoid you? When others talk about you, do they have to make excuses for your conduct? Do they pass over you for invitations or assignments, because you are more irritating than pleasing?
You cannot ignore these questions and be wise. Your reputation and relationships are a great measure of your life. Stop and examine your reputation with others. What others think of you is a far more accurate picture of your life than what you think about yourself, for you have an obvious bias to distort facts in your favor, and you have a deceitful heart that is deeply infatuated with yourself (Pr 16:2; 20:6; 21:2; Jer 17:9; Gal 6:3).
Some people are used as well known examples of specific virtues or all virtues. Others are used as examples of poor character and problems. How is your name used? Are you spoken about affectionately and respectfully, or critically and negatively? Many have no outstanding virtues at all, so they pass through life without any honor or favor, which shows a lack of diligence and priority in pursuing godliness and virtue.
What is a good name? It is not your parents’ choice of a distinguished combination of syllables that sounds sophisticated, classy, or pleasant. It is not merely being named after a respected ancestor. Your bare name has no value at all. Solomon used “good name” as a metonym for a good reputation. He exhorted his son to emphasize having a good reputation with God and good men as one of the chief goals of life (Pr 3:4).
What is loving favour here? It is not giving love and favour to others, but rather receiving love and favour from others. It is obtaining affection and respect from other virtuous persons. It is obtaining their acceptance and approval of your life. Of course, reaching such a position requires you to carefully rule your conduct to please others. It requires consistent righteous behavior to hold the esteem and trust of others (Eccl 10:1).
The proverb has an ellipsis, which is missing words that shorten the sentence and give it boldness. The second clause may be read, “And loving favour is to be chosen rather than silver and gold.” These words taken from the first clause are important to fill out the whole sense of the proverb. A comparison and choice is being taught in both clauses.
In each case it is your choice. You can choose a good reputation and the loving approval of others. It is your choice. Both should be a priority. Both are more important than other measures of success. Circumstances or discrimination are excuses for foolish or lazy men who have not properly pursued these important goals. A wise man will pursue both.
What is the lesson? You should put great emphasis on your reputation and relationships. While many men chase financial and professional success with all their might, Solomon exhorted his son to value his reputation and relationships higher than these other goals. He wanted his son to grow in favor with God and men, and he ranked the importance of this achievement as more valuable than great riches (Pr 3:4; I Sam 2:26; Luke 2:52).
How do you measure by Solomon’s lesson? How important is your reputation to you? Is it more important than any amount of money or success? Do you work harder to improve your name than to get ahead financially? How much do you value the esteem and respect of good men? Do you regularly examine your conduct to be without offence? Do you go out of your way to make sure each thing you do is done very well for all concerned?
God measures you by what others think. You cannot please God and offend good men at the same time. It is impossible. If you are pleasing God and keeping His commandments, you will please others (I Sam 18:14-16; I John 5:2). And your family and close friends do not count, for it is your reputation before good men that is the key. You can easily tell a person’s character by the number and kind of friends he has. These facts do not lie.
Of course, others’ opinions are not your only measure, or the most important (John 5:44). But they are a measure. You foolishly deceive yourself to approve your life and conduct, if good men and women have a low regard of you. Joseph and Daniel were highly regarded even as captives in foreign lands by their excellent spirits and blameless lives.
Demetrius had a great name and reputation of the apostles and all men (III John 1:12); Timothy was highly regarded both before and after he met Paul (Acts 16:1-2; Phil 2:19-22). This high measure of a good reputation in the world is a necessary qualification for the bishops of Jesus Christ’s churches (I Tim 3:7). How do you measure up?
A good reputation before the world is possible, but some ungodly men will not appreciate your righteousness (I Thess 4:12; I Pet 2:12; Dan 6:3-5; Luke 6:26). Solomon primarily intended good and wise men, who know the heart and will of God and measure other men by godliness. Compromise or friendship with the world is a trait of sinners (Jas 4:4).
Your opinion of yourself is quite worthless. It is usually contrary to fact. People with good reputations generally think poorly of themselves, which keeps them humble and sensitive to others; but those with bad reputations think themselves quite desirable, leading to offensive arrogance. The difference between humble modesty and self-righteousness is a large part of a good name, which is built on low self-esteem.
Your great goal is to grow in “loving favour” with God and men, as did Samuel and the Lord Jesus Christ (3:4; I Sam 2:26; Luke 2:52). This happens when you keep the two great commandments – love of God and love of neighbor. The “loving favour” of the proverb is how God and others treat you, which you can choose by living a consistent life of godliness and love toward them. An excellent spirit will cause others to love you.
So great are these goals – your reputation and esteem by others – they should exceed any other goal. Men work long days of hard labor for many years to get rich, but building a good name and reputation are more important. If you had a choice between a good reputation and precious ointment, which was of great value in Israel’s very dry climate and provided much personal pleasure, you should choose the good name (Eccl 7:1).
Consider your funeral (Pr 10:7). The memory of just men is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot. How will you be remembered? How long will you be remembered? Will your memory bring pleasant thoughts to hearts? Or will most cringe and be relieved? The number of persons, and their character, and their reaction at a funeral say a great deal.
You have two names. Your first name is your personal name, a unique identifier among the billions on earth. How you live and treat others creates the reputation of your first name. God gave you that name at birth with a blank reputation. What have you done with it since? You have either enhanced it or damaged it. With a single word, your name, reactions and thoughts are triggered in others. What are those thoughts?
Your second name is your surname or family name. How your family lives and treats others creates its reputation. Do you promote your family name? Or are you letting it decay? Do others desire to be with your family? Or have they been offended enough to back away? Do others want to marry into your family to obtain an interest in a good name? A good surname takes consistent godliness from many different persons.
David had a great name in the Bible. His name was much set by in Israel (I Sam 16:18; 18:30). Though Saul was king with a princely son, Jonathan and the nation loved David, for he was better than any other (I Sam 18:1-16). Everyone wanted to be with David, be like David, or be married to David. He earned this by being gracious, humble, and wise at all times. God chose this man, though a sinner, as an example of a great name in Israel.
Blessings at Solomon’s coronation included having a name greater than his father David’s name, which was easily the greatest in Israel (I Kings 1:47). Even God compared all later kings to David, and he was described as a man after God’s own heart. What a goal! How do you measure up, reader? Good fathers will want their sons to exceed them in reputation and loving favour, for they will know the many mistakes they have made.
Nabal was the opposite. He was churlish – overbearing, harsh, and difficult (I Sam 25:2). His name meant fool, and even his wife said he was a fool (I Sam 25:25). He was a man of Belial – wicked and profane. The Lord let him think about dying for ten days before killing him, so David could marry his beautiful wife right after his funeral (I Sam 25:39).
Consider Joseph. Though a slave, he earned the loving favour of God and Potiphar by his exemplary conduct (Gen 39:1-6). Though charged with attempted rape, he earned the loving favour of God and the jailor (Gen 39:19-23). Though a long-term prisoner, he earned the loving favour of God and Pharaoh (Gen 41:38-45; Acts 7:10). Anyone who says their circumstances or past have poorly affected their name is just making excuses.
Consider Daniel. Though a captive eunuch from a strange, small country, he earned the loving favour of God and Ashpenaz, the prince of the eunuchs in Babylon (Dan 1:9). Though living a public life for many decades, his enemies could not find a single error or fault by which to accuse him to the king (Dan 6:1-5). What a role model for young men!
What can you do to build your name and reputation and win the loving favour of others?
Everything you do every day contributes toward your reputation and the favour of others. No matter how small or large, the accumulated effect of your words and actions combine to give God and men an appraisal of your character and faithfulness. Therefore, it is your solemn duty and privilege to keep your heart, lips, and feet with all prudent diligence.
Graciousness is the greatest trait for a good name and the loving favour of others, for it can win the friendship of kings and cause women to be always honored (Pr 22:11; 11:16). It is the perfect combination of gentleness, kindness, humility, and cheerfulness that makes men and women charming and delightful. How gracious are you?
Men love those who help build their lives (Pr 27:9,17; Ps 141:3). Are you a tree of life to others (Pr 11:30; 15:4)? Do they benefit by being around you (Pr 9:8; 25:12; 28:23)? Do they seek you for help? Would you help fellow prisoners like Joseph did? Or your captors like Daniel did? Or a lustful king like Esther did? Or many widows like Dorcas did?
Is your speech a healing balm, a sarcastic whip, or a foolish noise? Men love pleasant and good words that are kind, gentle, friendly, and helpful (Pr 12:18; 16:24; 18:21; 25:11). Is your speech always gracious with only a slight saltiness of rebuke to it (Col 4:6)?
Charity never fails! If you learn and apply the fifteen phrases describing true love (I Cor 13:4-7), your name will blossom as a beautiful flower. If your name is not great and your friends are few, it is evidence you have not learned true love. Charity never fails!
Just a little folly can spoil a reputation quickly (Eccl 10:1), so you must avoid even the appearance of evil (I Thess 5:22). And you must quickly make amends for offences (Matt 5:23-24). Ruling your spirit constantly is necessary to stay virtuous (Pr 16:32). Paul took extra measures to make sure he could never be accused of dishonesty (II Cor 8:21).
Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men and well received most anywhere, knows the wisdom of this proverb. He teaches others, “It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you will do things differently.”
John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest men in human history, said, “The most important thing for a young man is to establish a credit – a reputation, character.” He also said, “Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.” This latter idea agrees well with Paul (Ro 12:17; II Cor 8:21).
If you are young, you have an advantage. Your reputation is still being formed, and you should apply yourself with all diligence to make it the very best before God and men. If you are young, you have not made as many mistakes as older persons, meaning you have less to live down. Choose today to make this proverb a high goal and live according to it.
Have you blown your reputation already? Do you think it is too late? It is never too late, if you will repent before God, confess your sins to him, confess your faults to others, and make amends or restitution for any wrongs you have done. David recovered his reputation after terrible sins, and so did Zacchaeus and Peter (Luke 19:1-9; Gal 2:9).
Your name and reputation are daily choices, and you should choose to build them and preserve them more than any other project or goal. You can change your name and reputation, so consider it a blessed privilege, duty, and a high priority for your life. Rather than emphasizing exercise, diet, and sleep to build your body, which has little value to God or men, exercise yourself unto godliness and loving others (I Tim 4:7).
Husband, do you love your wife enough to help build her name and loving favour with others? Parent, do you understand the importance of this proverb as a goal for your children? Diligent efforts should be made every day to make sure your family name and that of each family member is clear of offence. What a wonderful family objective!
If you have taken the name of Jesus Christ as a Christian, it is important that your name and reputation give honor to your religion and its Leader (II Tim 2:19). Be like those of Pentecost, who grew in favor with all the people (Acts 2:47; Phil 2:14-16). Let your life adorn the doctrine of God with glory and beauty (Titus 2:5,8,10). Be like those nameless brethren endorsed by Paul as “the glory of Christ” (II Cor 8:23).
Jesus of Nazareth grew in favour with God and men during his youth (Luke 2:52). He was most gracious in conduct and speech (Ps 45:2; Luke 4:22). Because He loved righteousness and hated wickedness, God’s loving favour blessed Him with the oil of gladness above His fellows (Heb 1:9). His name is above every name by many measures. Choose to have a perfect name, even as His name is perfect in heaven and in earth. ( J. R. Crosby a friend of mine )

Eientei was under attack, with hordes of youkai both feral and corrupt; most of them being rabbit youkai. They were charging in with their broken, bloody mallets while they bore forms more akin to their small and fluffy counterparts; albeit in a much more horrific manner. Some of them shrieked, screaming wildly while they charged forward, only for a long sharp blade to come around and slice a colony down.
Youki sheathed his sword slowly, followed by all the rabbits which had been sliced, having their blood spraying out of their arms, legs and chests until they plummeted to the ground; back where most of them belonged. He looked back for a moment before hearing someone approaching as he pulled out his sword once again.
He sliced another one that came at him with a mallet, then another that tried to attack him from behind. Both rabbits had their heads cut off, leaving them with decapitated bodies that twitched before falling.
“Hmph! Coward, trying to strike an old man while their back was turned.” Youki said to the dying rabbit.
Behind Youki was Kosuzu, Ko, Wakasagihime, Gummy and Shanghai, all of whom were either being carried or hiding behind Kosuzu, leaving the child spirit struggling to hold everyone’s weight; even if she happens to be dead. Ko specifically was shivering and trembling; stuffing herself with chocolate as a form of comfort.
“Uh, s-sir?” Kosuzu said. “I would like it if you didn’t show that kind of scenery in front of the kid. The last thing I want is for her to get nightmares after this.”
“Nonsense. Back when I trained Youmu I showed her many types of corpses and dead carcasses in order to improve her resistance to mental shock. Needless to say I think it didn’t have much success, probably the opposite even.” Youki said.
“Grandfather of the year right here.” Kosuzu thought to herself sarcastically. “I just hope everyone else is okay.”
Back outside of Eientei, Meiling and Mary were punching and slicing their opponents up. Meiling herself had PB equipped in order to boost her abilities; with PB taking the appearance of a blue Chinese fighting dress to match her preferences in design. She was palm striking, roundhouse kicking both feral and corrupted beings out of sight; blowing them away like striking a baseball as hard as one can with a bat in order to get a home run.
“Wow! I never felt so powerful before!” Meiling said while fighting. “I feel like I could face Taisui Xingjun and win without breaking a sweat!”
“That is good to hear, Miss Meiling.” PB said. “However you are aware that the more you use me, the more I drain you of your energy, correct?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll try to be careful.” Meiling said. “How are you doing Mary?”
Mary was too focused right now. She was plowing down rabbits and lost causes one by one while sucking them up of their blood using her daggers. She had a delightful smile on her face, the reflection of the moon on the glasses everyone was wearing.
“I’m doing great! The number of enemies coming to me like blood donors; ohhh… It is glorious!!!” She said while gutting one unlucky rabbit of all their blood.
“Uhhh…Are you okay Mary? You didn’t stare at the blood moon too long, did you?” Meiling asked.
“Oh, don’t mind her. Mary is usually like that on certain occasions.” PB said.
Cirno and Rumia meanwhile were still in the midst of their fight. Their swords clang and swung as they were both focused; though one was keeping a cool head, the other hot-headed. Rumia yelled and screamed with blind rage as her eyes glowed bright as the red-stained moon. Cirno was keeping up with her; not wanting to make the same mistakes she did as last time.
“Rumia! I know you’re in there!” Cirno shouted. “You can’t allow the moon to affect your sanity! Please, for Ko’s sake!”
“GRAAAAAAGH!” Rumia responded, swinging her sword down at the Ice Fairy.
Everyone was able to hold off the fending invasion. Youki sliced down his opponents, Meiling and Mary were out on the offense, and Cirno kept Rumia’s attention.
But further in the bamboo, a large squad of moon rabbits kept an eye on the group; analyzing the situation and the best course of action they should take.
“This is Rabbit group 2, I have an eye on the enemy. The red-haired girl and the crimson dressed lady currently have the armor on hand.”
“This is Rabbit group 1, I have infiltrated inside the base. The only threat so far is the swordsman; the rest do not look as though they pose a threat.”
“Rabbit group 3 here, two of the enemies are fighting one another. It seems one of them has been entranced by the moon.”
“Copy that everyone. Ready for my signal.” The Captain said.
Another feral youkai flailed their arms as they reached forward, only for that hand, their arm, and the rest of their body to be sliced into pieces by Youki, while their phantom half remained flying around them.
“Hmph! That makes another! Honestly, they come one by one just to get struck down by my blade.” Youki said.
Kosuzu and the others continued to stay behind him, but they’d gradually moved a little further back thanks to the pile of chopped corpses that now make up the inside of Eientei. But this was a mistake on their part, as they didn’t notice that someone else had sneaked in and grabbed Ko who was right behind everyone else.
“Wa-” Ko screamed when her voice was suddenly muffled.
“Ko?” Kosuzu looked behind, but only saw the bar of chocolate that Ko was previously eating.
“Ko!? Where are you!?” She asked in a panicked tone.” Youki, Ko is-”
Then Kosuzu’s voice was muffled, as was Wakasagihime, Gummy, and Shanghai thanks to the coordinated effort by the group of moon rabbits who infiltrated inside Eientei to take them away. Kosuzu tried to phase through, but the rabbits were wearing some kind of special equipment that made it impossible for her to accomplish.
Shanghai struggled the most, thanks to her small size. She slipped through the hands of the rabbits to alert Youki.
“Shanghai! Shanghai!” Shanghai let out their voice right before the rabbits grabbed her and stuffed her inside a bag.
“Hm?” Youki turned around and saw what was happening. He quickly readied his sword to attack; intending on striking all his enemies down in a blink of an eye. But the rabbits had prepared for such a scenario.
Falling from the ceiling a small moon rabbit jumped out, using the opportune and shot Youki with a dart, hitting him in the back of his neck. Immediately his body turned limp and he fell to the ground, unable to move his arms or legs.
“Unbelievable…” Youki thought.
“This is Rabbit group 1, we took down the swordsman and secured the others.” One of the Moon Rabbits said.
“Excellent. How’s 2 and 3?” The captain asked.
“This is Rabbit group 3, we’ve managed to capture the fairy. However the blonde one is giving us a hard time due to her frantic strength.”
The moon rabbits had tied up Cirno, with her arms behind her back and her legs together. One of the moon rabbits attempted to lift her fused sword, but found it to be quite heavier than expected. The rest of the group was busy handling Rumia as they tried to pin her down, but she kept throwing them around like rag dolls.
“Keep going, she’ll fall soon enough. How’s group 2 handling the situation?”
“Rabbit group 2 here. Most of us are fighting the crimson dressed lady and the red-head right now. We had one casualty so far but we are doing fine, most-"
*CRACK*
A large fissure appeared below the rabbits, making them trip over as the ground rumbled violently. They quickly got in alert, raising their weapons.
"Sir, an earthquake has just happened! A fissure has been created in the ground!" One of the commanders said.
"Group 2 here! We have felt the shake! We are alert-
*blarghsh*
*fzzzz*
“YOU SPEAK TOO MUCH, MORON! HAHAHAHA!!! GIVE ME MORE BLOOD TO SHED!!!"
"Group 1 here! The prisoners have managed to slip from our grasp due to the earthquake!"
Another voice was heard through the radio.
"Recapture the prisoners and wait for orders! Group 3, split, secure the fairy and return to Eientei! Leave a group behind to deal with the other one!" The captain said.
*RUMBLE*
"Sup."
"What the-"
Then, a gigantic punch came out of the fissure, sending the rabbit commander to the stars in a cartoonish fashion, leaving only the boots and the helmet behind. Shortly after, a couple of horns emerged from the ground, and an oversized Suika made her appearance, along with Satsujin and Sumireko, who flew away by the force. Satsujin ended up crashing into Eientei, where Kosuzu and the others were, while Sumireko was sent where Mary and Meiling were fighting.
Suika landed back on the ground after shrinking to her normal size. She had a look of shaky relief as though she had escaped the presence of death. Satsujin ended up landing on top of Youki, and Sumireko fell flat on the ground.
“Owie…” They all thought in unison.
In the midst of all the chaos, another figure flew right out of the hole that Suika had created, out into the blood-stained night, where more hoards of youkai; massive enough to be considered an army, approached. They had heard of all the chaos from far away, which meant that there was something there they could feast on.
It was time for the night parade of 100 demons.
But down in front of them came the same figure who came out of the hole Suika had created; crashing into the ground and marking a small chasm. The youkai were confused somewhat; tilting their heads over who or what had landed in front.
The figure slowly rose up, standing on their feet, wearing the classic red-white shrine maiden outfit, holding their sharpened gohei to the side, and staring back at all the demons with a fear-piercing gaze.
Chihana looked around her. She saw feral youkai on her left, corrupted on the right, and lost causes here and there. She tightened her grip on her weapon, pulling out her talismans and needles.
“...” Chihana said nothing, she thought of nothing. All that was in her mind was the instinctual urge to cut loose.
"My head…Where did I end up?" Satsujin said, rising from the ground.
"Satsu?" A very scared Ko said, as she hugged Shanghai, who had returned to her side after being stuffed in a plastic bag.
"Ko? Are you okay? Where are the rest?" Satsujin asked while he was helped up from the numb Youki.
“Off…My back.” Youki said. “Proof of my age.” Satsujin helped the old man up, right as Kosuzu and the others were freed from their restraints with the help of Ko.
“Oh thank goodness you arrived, Satsujin!” Kosuzu said. “We were ambushed by the moon rabbits! Youki protected us but we underestimated them. Where were you? What happened?”
“I-It’s a bit of a long story.” Satsujin said. “We were trapped underground in this weird lab, and when we reached the bottom we ran into someone completely unexpected.”
“Unexpected?” Kosuzu asked.
Right then, the sound of destruction was heard outside of Eientei. They all rushed to check outside, where they also saw Sumireko and Suika along with Meiling, PB and Cirno. Suika and Sumireko were already caught up on everything, with Suika now wearing one of the sunglasses that Cirno provided her.
“Oh, there you guys are!” Cirno said. “I was worried when you three fell into that trap door! I know it sounds like a lot, but right now we have ourselves a blood moon happening.”
“A blood moon?” Satsujin asked. He sensed his surroundings, noticing a surmountable amount of malice. “Great, exactly what we need right now.”
“But there’s more!” Cirno said. “This lady came out of nowhere, and now she’s been going on a killing spree!”
And right on cue, Chihana zoomed past the group, ignoring them and instead focusing on throwing another one of the youkai into the ground. She went to another and stabbed them with her gohei, then stabbed another one with the same gohei, and then another one before flinging them all away. She threw her needles around, piercing the skulls of several more, while her paper charms set the forest ablaze; burning any youkai who were unfortunate to have been in the crossfire.
“Who…Even is that?” Meiling asked. “Are they friend or foe?”
“It’s better to say neither.” Suika said. “That’s Chihana Hakurei, one of the predecessors of the Hakurei Shrine.”
“They're Hakurei!?” Meiling asked. “I-I thought Reimu was the only one!”
“Oh you have no idea…” Sumireko said.
"Guess we'll leave her alone with those things. For now, we gotta focus on defending the ones that can't fight. Where is Mary?" Satsujin asked.
Meiling pointed to a nearby building, where Mary had cornered a squad of rabbits who attempted to make a strategic escape.
"Group 2! We have been corn-"
*chop*
"NO ONE'S GONNA SAVE YOU FROM ME!!!" A manic Mary shouted, as she splitted the rabbit in half in one hit.
"Holy sh-*
*slash* *stab* *chop*
"MORE, MORE!!! GIVE ME MORE!!!" She shouted, as her eyes glowed like torches.
*whistle*
Mary turned her head, seeing Satsujin wave at her…without a shirt. She instantly sprinted over to him and hugged him.
“Satsu!!! There you are! I’m so glad you’re okay and safe! Oh what I would’ve been if I found out you were hurt or worse! But you’re not and that is a good thing! Where did you go, who were you with and why is your shirt torn up?” Mary asked in a hasty tone.
“Calm down Mary, I’m fine, but we have other problems to face right now.” Satsujin said.
Once again, Chihana nearly hit Mary and Satsujin as she came right behind with a youkai who she dragged across the ground, resulting in their face being torn off with muscles and bone showing. She threw them over at some bamboo as their blood splattered; marking some of the green stalks red.
Chihana was breathing hard, having gotten a fair share of injuries herself during her blood spree. She looked frantically, as though looking for more youkai to rip and tear. Fortunately, her actions drew the attention of several youkai, hundreds even. She was running low on needles and talismans, and her gohei had broken off due to it having been quite frail from years of inactive use.
But she wasn’t going to give up just yet. She charged at the hoard head on, gripping a fist full of needles as she began to bludgeon and stab the youkai.
She killed one by cracking their head with her fist.
One she killed with a single kick.
Another after their tongue was ripped off and left on the ground slowly bleeding.
Another when she tore off their arm and gutted their heart out with that same arm.
Another when…
Another when…
Another…
…
Chihana was surrounded. She ran out of everything in her arsenal. Her clothes were tattered, her hair a literal bloody mess, and she held one broken arm with the other, all the while missing a foot.
In her surroundings were the piles of piles of youkai she slaughtered, their skulls open, their organs spilled, and their lives long gone. But more still came; never-ending during the night of a blood moon. They all had their eye on Chihana, and didn’t care what it would take to get what they wanted.
All the others were amazed, having been spared of the onslaught of youkai due to Chihana luring them all. They could not believe how long one person could handle such an army on their own. But now Chihana was at her wits end; the horde of youkai clearly too much for her alone to handle.
“...Youkai…” Chihana said. “Creatures of the night… Savages… Monsters… Demons… They’re all… Demons. They don’t care if you’re some little kid, an old-fashioned granny, or a wounded villager; to them they all taste the same… That’s why I exist. I exist to protect the humans from those foul youkai…AND I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS TO BE MY FINAL STAND!!! YOU HEAR ME YOU EVIL INCARNATE!!! YOU ALL WILL PERISH UNDER THE NAME OF HAKUREI!” She yelled, showing her bloody hands as she spoke with complete determination. An immense battle cry was let out as she got ready to unleash a powerful spell.
“FANTASY-”
The maw of a giant wolf appeared from the stalks of bamboo, unbeknownst to everyone. The wolf bit down on the head of the elder Shrine Maiden, gnawing at her and ripping it off like it was a piece of meat, leaving the rest of her body to spray blood everywhere like a fountain, before it collapsed on the ground, twitching slightly.
Sumireko, Satsujin, Suika, and everyone else were equally shocked by this. They watched the wolf eat the head before it swallowed, leaving nothing behind.
"What in the actual fuck was that? That thing killed a Shrine Maiden like it was everyday business!" Everyone thought in unison, save for Ko, who was being consoled by Kosuzu, due to the immense stress she was going through.
The wolf sniffed the air, before turning its head over to the ground, where it saw a moon rabbit that seemed desperate to escape.
“Dammit… I’m a freaking captain, yet I did not prepare to die here on Earth.” The moon rabbit said. “I need to get back and report to-”
“Grrrrrrrrrr…”
The moon rabbit looked behind her, and saw the giant wolf staring down at her with its gaze and teeth.
“Fuck.” Was all she said before the wolf opened its mouth and began to eat her alive. She let out a terrifying scream as she was thrown into the air and straight down toward the belly of the beast as the wolf snapped its mouth shut.
The wolf looked up at the blood moon, and it howled, a loud howl that could be heard from miles.
The rest of the corrupted rabbits and youkai quickly fled out en masse, frightened by the creature, until it was just the wolf, facing the group of survivors, with a terrifying expression that depicted strong bloodlust.
“Oh, crap.” Sumireko said. “Of all the things, it had to be a giant wolf. What do we do?”
“Only thing we can do obviously… We beat the hell out of it!” Meiling said, rushing right at the wolf with PB still equipped. She ran at the wolf’s head, delivering a heavy kick from below, sending the wolf up into the sky, landing on the ground.
Meiling took a fighting stance, facing the beast as it slowly got up. The wolf growled at Meiling, charging at her again as she kicked it across the face once again to the left. Her punches were much more powerful than they already were; dealing massive blows to the beast again and again.
However, despite the warnings from before, she didn’t realize how much of her energy had already been drained as a result of wearing the armor. The visor on her head started beeping red.
“Miss Meiling! You have been exceeding the amount of energy used while wearing the armor! I suggest we retreat now while you still have enough to flee!” PB warned.
“What! I still feel energized! What are you…”
And then Meiling felt it. Her movement got sluggish, her mind hazy. She felt immense fatigue and the urge to rest. She checked her head while the constant beeping kept reminding her of the consequences of wearing the armor.
“Crap… You weren’t ki-”
The midst of the moment, the giant wolf slashed at Meiling with its claws, then slammed her with its tail, sending her way back rolling on the ground with massive injuries across her body. Had it not been for PB, it probably would’ve been fatal.
“Meiling!!!” Cirno ran over to Meiling as quickly as she could. “A-are you okay!? Talk to me!”
“I-I’m fine…” Meiling said. “It…it’s not the worst thing I survived. Don’t worry, I’ll heal as soon as I can.”
PB was removed from Meiling due to her injuries, stepping away from her right as some of the others went over to see if she’s okay.
"Meiling! I'll heal you shortly, please hold me for a moment." Mary said, handing over her blade, as Meiling took it, feeling the energy flowing through her, as the wounds slowly closed with some steam coming from them.
*ROAR*
The wolf had begun to move towards the group quickly. Everyone got in a fighting stance, and Cirno got in front of them, leading the offensive. However, she felt someone pushing her away, that being Mary, who
"Get off my way! I'll keep that thing away from the old man and the others!" Mary said, as she rushed over to the giant wolf with her blade, and climbed up to the beast's back as fast as she could.
The wolf didn't take notice of her attack until Mary started to carve its skin open with her blade. The beast roared in anger and pain and began to move around, frantically trying to get the intruder off itself, though Mary was extremely resilient, and managed to do a lot of damage.
"Your skin is too- ugh! Can you stop moving for once? I'm not done with- wow!" She said, as she struggled to have a grip in the wolf's soft and silky fur. "Let's see if you can stand this!" Mary began to stab deeper into the beast's back, managing to spray quite a good amount of blood in the process.
However, this made the already tough to grasp grip even more slippery, causing her to be launched upwards, and kicked away by the beast. In the end, despite her efforts, the wolf managed to get her off its back, but not without causing sizable damage in the process. Mary was sent flying towards the armory room, crashing into it. A moment later, she emerged from the dust cloud the impact had formed, with her clothes messed up, and several weapons stuck in her body. Regardless of it, she pulled all of them out, and returned to the arena.
The rest of the group was separated due to the rampaging wolf. They were all knocked back, some getting injured. The only one who wasn’t knocked out of the way was Ko, leaving her with just the wolf. The wolf growled at Ko, moving closer as its dark eyes looked down at the timid girl, opening its mouth so it could devour.
"MOOOOOOOOOM! HEEEEELP!" Ko screamed to the top of her lungs, trying to call Rumia.
Somewhere further away from the fight. Rumia was lying on the ground; tied up as a lone moon rabbit was attempting to pull her away while she remained knocked out. But upon hearing Ko’s voice, she awoke from her slumber.
“Ko…Ko…” Rumia thought. “Ko!!!!” She realized.
“Everyone is dead… I can’t go back home… And we don’t even have the armor… Great, so much for my first ever mission.” The Moon Rabbit said. “At least I have one hostage. If I play my cards right, I could use her as the opportunity I need to acquire the armor. Then I can finally be praised by-”
A dark glowing sword went through the moon rabbit, cutting them in half. Rumia freed herself from her restraints.
“I need to help Ko! I need to save her!!!” Was all that the Youkai of Darkness could think of. She spread out her wings and charged forward with her blade.
The wolf had its mouth wide open in front of Ko. Her eyes were tearing up upon looking inside the mouth of the beast. All hope felt lost. But then the beast was knocked out of the way thanks to Rumia who came out of nowhere and rammed right at the beast with her blade.
“M…Mama!!!” Ko said with newfound hope.
Rumia pushed the wolf further and further away, far enough so that the wolf was nowhere near Ko. She pulled her sword out, and then threw out a barrage of bullets at the beast. The wolf howled in pain, but then quickly turned around to try and attack Rumia with its teeth and claws. It swiped, bit, thrusted forward, but Rumia grazed them all and countered back with more swings of her blade and even more bullets.
"Yes, yes!!! Split it wide open!" Mary shouted, encouraging Rumia as she kept a defensive stance just in case.
Rumia swung her sword in an uppercut at the wolf’s mouth, sending more blood out of the beast as it continued to fight back. Yet it could not do anything against Rumia, who was faster and stronger than it. She held her hands open, releasing two beams from side to side and closed in on the wolf, forming one single beam which burned the wolf’s fur and skin, causing it to howl in even more pain. She screamed in rage as the beam got bigger, causing more pain for the animal.
“THIS IS FOR KO!!!” Rumia shouted.
The wolf was blasted back, knocking down around half an acre of bamboo as a result of the fight. It tried to get up, but it had been weakened; whimpering in pain while Rumia remained floating there, her eyes glowing red.
“Yes! You did it!!!” Mary cheered. Everyone else came over to celebrate. Wakasagihime was carried by Suika over to where the wolf was lying.
“Wait a second. Something’s off.” The mermaid thought, taking a closer look at the wolf.
The wolf looked around, eyeing the group once again. Its eyes, which were dark pupils, softened into a shade of red. And it spoke with raspy words of genuinity.
“Hurts… Save…Please…”
Wakasagihime gasped, recognizing the voice and who it belonged to. “N-No way…”
Rumia had other plans. She approached the beast, still filled with rage and animosity. She knew what needed to be done, regardless of objections.
“W-Wait!!! Rumia!!!” Wakasagihime yelled at her. “Don’t kill her please! That’s my friend!”
“Wait, your friend?” Suika asked.
“Please! I know her! She’s one of my closest friends! You can’t kill her! Stop her from killing her please!!!”
Taking her words at heart, Cirno and Sumireko rushed right at Rumia once again in order to stop her. Cirno and Rumia’s blades clashed before Rumia could slice off the wolf’s head.
“What…are you doing Cirno?” Rumia spoke with bitter hatred. “Get out of the way.”
“They’re already down! They’re no longer a threat! There’s no need to go any further!” Cirno shouted.
“I said, GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!” Rumia shouted, banging her head on Cirno’s nose, causing it to bleed. She was then knocked away to the ground.
“Cirno!” Sumireko said. “Rumia! Stop this! We won, Ko’s safe! Please, just put down your weapon.”
“Move Sumireko… Or I’ll make you.” Rumia warned.
Sumireko could tell that Rumia was still under the effect of the blood moon. Right on cue, she noticed something in her cloak glowing, and pulled it out.
The White Rose shone under the blood moon’s light. Realizing what this meant, Sumireko held the rose as high as she could, right as Rumia was raising her sword against Sumireko.
“I said move!!!” Rumia yelled at her.
“Mama!!! Wait!!!” Ko yelled at Rumia, getting her attention for just a moment.
Finally, the rose shone with a bright light, enveloping everything in its energy once again, as it had during the last blood moon. Sumireko, Rumia, Cirno, the group, even the wolf… Everything was shrouded in its energy.
And the rest of the night went on in peace.

1. How do Christians understand the concept of free will in light of God's foreknowledge and divine plan?
   
2. How do Christians reconcile the emphasis on the human body as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit with the view of the body as sinful or corrupt? Is there a consensus within Christian philosophy regarding the nature of the human body and its relationship to spiritual existence?
   
3. What are the philosophical justifications or explanations within Christian thought for the fear of demons?
   
4. Despite societal and scientific advancements, why do some people still believe in the infallibility of sacred texts? Can Christians have a critical view of sacred texts?
   
5. Evangelical Christians often devote their lives to converting others, why ?
   

Payment method: crypto
Also I can consider trade
tradelink profile

Name	Ext	Float	Stickers/Patches	SS	B/O
StatTrak™ AK-47 Vulcan	MW	0.07631	1x Team LDLC.com (Holo) Katowice 2014, 3x Team LDLC.com (Holo) Cologne 2014	SS	3240.43$
★ Butterfly Knife Night	MW	0.07097		SS	1466.31$
★ Nomad Knife Crimson Web	MW	0.07002		SS	1114.91$
★ Skeleton Knife Case Hardened	FT	0.30394		SS	983.3$
★ Skeleton Knife Case Hardened	MW	0.14422		SS	981.18$
★ Bowie Knife Doppler	FN	0.00009		SS	824.25$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Neon Rider	FN	0.01816	4x NiKo (Foil) Atlanta 2017	SS	768.04$
★ Moto Gloves Eclipse	MW	0.07993		SS	623.49$
★ Moto Gloves POW!	FT	0.18470		SS	596.63$
★ Flip Knife Case Hardened	FT	0.35016		[SS]()	407.18$
★ Survival Knife Case Hardened	WW	0.43101		SS	309.77$
★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded	MW	0.08777		SS	304.4$
★ StatTrak™ Survival Knife Case Hardened	WW	0.39037		SS	275.55$
StatTrak™ CZ75-Auto Crimson Web	FT	0.15133	1x iBUYPOWER Katowice 2014, 1x 3DMAX Katowice 2014, 1x HellRaisers Katowice 2014, 1x Fearsome (Holo)	SS	270.04$
AWP Chromatic Aberration	FN	0.00007		SS	248.97$
AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge	FN	0.01008	1x Fnatic (Holo) DreamHack 2014, 1x Fnatic (Holo) Atlanta 2017, 1x Fnatic (Holo) Katowice 2015, 1x Fnatic (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	233$
StatTrak™ AK-47 The Empress	MW	0.07113	1x loWel (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x olofmeister (Foil) Boston 2018, 1x Ethan (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x rain (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	221.97$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Frontside Misty	FT	0.24801	1x shroud Krakow 2017, 1x iBUYPOWER DreamHack 2014, 2x Titan (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	195.5$
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption	FN	0.06650	4x mousesports (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	192.08$
M4A1-S Mecha Industries	FT	0.18403	4x G2 Esports (Holo) Atlanta 2017	SS	182.98$
Desert Eagle Heirloom	FT	0.19781	1x compLexity Gaming (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x compLexity Gaming (Holo) Katowice 2014, 1x Fnatic Katowice 2014	SS	168.61$
M4A4 X-Ray	FN	0.00866	4x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Holo) Katowice 2015	SS	166.13$
M4A4 X-Ray	FT	0.16248	1x Titan Katowice 2014, 1x shox (Foil) Katowice 2019	SS	164.18$
USP-S Whiteout	FN	0.06712	4x device (Foil) Katowice 2019	SS	153$
AK-47 Frontside Misty	FT	0.17796	4x Team Dignitas (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	152.04$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Asiimov	MW	0.14070	4x Virtus.pro Katowice 2015	SS	130.21$
StatTrak™ Five-SeveN Kami	FN	0.06396	1x Titan Katowice 2014	SS	129.01$
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Bright Water	FT	0.20233	1x ESL Skull (Foil) Katowice 2014	SS	127.4$
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption	FN	0.01894	4x Opal Flick (Holo)	SS	123.04$
Glock-18 Blue Fissure	FT	0.35159	1x Team LDLC.com Katowice 2014, 1x Vox Eminor Cologne 2014, 1x HellRaisers Katowice 2014, 1x LGB eSports Katowice 2014	SS	122.72$
FAMAS Djinn	FN	0.03913	4x Team Dignitas (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	118.3$
M4A1-S Guardian	MW	0.12253	1x Fnatic (Holo) DreamHack 2014, 1x Cloud9 (Holo) DreamHack 2014	SS	112.54$
AK-47 Redline	MW	0.12701	4x Tyloo (Holo) Katowice 2019	SS	111.37$
Galil AR Eco	MW	0.12422	4x Flipsid3 Tactics (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	110.42$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge	FT	0.31719	4x Vitality (Gold) Antwerp 2022	SS	110.12$
CZ75-Auto Tread Plate	MW	0.08043	1x FaZe Clan Atlanta 2017, 1x Fnatic Katowice 2014, 1x LGB eSports Katowice 2014, 1x olofmeister (Foil) Cologne 2015	SS	109.58$
M4A1-S Decimator	MW	0.12233	4x aizy (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	107.99$
StatTrak™ CZ75-Auto Poison Dart	FN	0.04351	1x Team LDLC.com Katowice 2014	SS	107.66$
StatTrak™ AWP Elite Build	FN	0.05163	4x FaZe Clan (Gold) Antwerp 2022	SS	107.4$
AWP Chromatic Aberration	FN	0.00053		SS	104.76$
StatTrak™ AWP Hyper Beast	FT	0.24130	1x NiKo (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	103.07$
M4A4 Hellfire	FN	0.04234	4x Flame Tier6 (Holo)	SS	102.93$
M4A1-S Mecha Industries	FN	0.06417	1x shox (Foil) Cologne 2016, 3x G2 Esports (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	101.85$
USP-S Neo-Noir	FN	0.00178		SS	101.79$
SCAR-20 Cyrex	FN	0.00620		SS	99.93$
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Bright Water	FT	0.15106	3x Team Dignitas (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x friberg Cologne 2015	SS	96.28$
AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.32512	4x cajunb (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	92.68$
FAMAS Djinn	MW	0.12621	1x DreamHack (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x Natus Vincere (Holo) Katowice 2015	SS	90.35$
AWP Redline	MW	0.12486	1x Imperial Esports (Glitter) Antwerp 2022, 1x FURIA (Holo) Katowice 2019, 1x Luminosity Gaming (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x Astralis (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	88.18$
Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon	FN	0.00115		SS	85.35$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Redline	FT	0.36615	1x Virtus.Pro (Foil) Cologne 2015, 1x Cloud9 G2A (Holo) Katowice 2015, 1x 00 Nation (Glitter) Rio 2022	SS	84.69$
M4A4 Buzz Kill	FN	0.06698	4x Natus Vincere (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	84.65$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Elite Build	FN	0.00591	3x G2 Esports (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x shox (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	83.87$
Galil AR Blue Titanium	FN	0.00417	1x Howling Dawn, 1x Rising Skull	SS	81.18$
Galil AR Sugar Rush	FN	0.06237	4x Fnatic (Foil) Cologne 2015	SS	80.1$
USP-S Guardian	FT	0.33488	1x Counter Logic Gaming (Holo) Katowice 2015, 1x Team Dignitas（全息）2014年 DreamHack 锦标赛, 1x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Holo) Katowice 2015	SS	77.31$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Frontside Misty	MW	0.14999	4x Movistar Riders (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	77.17$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Frontside Misty	MW	0.08843	4x Natus Vincere (Foil) Cologne 2015	SS	75.07$
USP-S Blueprint	FT	0.35447	1x jR Krakow 2017, 1x hutji Krakow 2017, 1x keshandr (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	71.91$
AK-47 Red Laminate	FT	0.25229	3x s1mple Krakow 2017, 1x Natus Vincere（全息）2014年 DreamHack 锦标赛	SS	71.25$
Desert Eagle Printstream	FT	0.16925	4x Virtus.Pro (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	70.69$
M4A1-S Boreal Forest	WW	0.44387	1x Fearsome, 1x I Conquered, 1x King on the Field, 1x Black Dog	SS	69.79$
AUG Wings	FN	0.05050	1x Chicken Lover, 1x LGB eSports Katowice 2014, 1x Cerberus	SS	69.28$
StatTrak™ USP-S Overgrowth	FT	0.23984	1x Headshot Guarantee, 2x Immortals (Holo) Krakow 2017, 1x s1mple (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	68.15$
StatTrak™ M4A4 Buzz Kill	FT	0.29308	1x Natus Vincere (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x Natus Vincere (Foil) Cologne 2015, 1x Swag (Foil), 1x Natus Vincere (Foil) Berlin 2019	SS	66.42$
Number K The Professionals			1x Abandon Hope, 1x The Boss	SS	65.26$
USP-S Kill Confirmed	FT	0.24299	4x Battle Scarred (Holo)	SS	65.18$
AK-47 Leet Museo	MW	0.09202	4x Liquid Fire (Holo)	SS	65.04$
AK-47 Cartel	FN	0.06546	1x Titan (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	64.75$
StatTrak™ CZ75-Auto Xiangliu	FN	0.00443		SS	64$
AK-47 Blue Laminate	MW	0.13177	3x Counter Logic Gaming (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	63.6$
'Medium Rare' Crasswater Guerrilla Warfare			1x FURIA (Gold) Stockholm 2021, 1x MOUZ (Gold) Stockholm 2021, 1x Natus Vincere Stockholm 2021	SS	63.59$
AK-47 Black Laminate	FT	0.32970	4x SK Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	63.46$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate	FN	0.05819	3x Entropiq (Foil) Stockholm 2021, 1x Killjoy (Holo)	SS	61.24$
AWP Electric Hive	MW	0.07868	1x Vitality 2020 RMR, 1x Skadoodle (Foil) Boston 2018, 1x s1mple (Foil) Boston 2018	SS	60.1$
M4A1-S Guardian	FN	0.06390	4x Vitality (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	59.95$
Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon	FN	0.00338		SS	59.75$
Desert Eagle Crimson Web	MW	0.07165	1x PGL Antwerp 2022, 1x GO	SS	59.1$
StatTrak™ SG 553 Ultraviolet	MW	0.13137	1x ESL Wolf (Foil) Katowice 2014	SS	58.78$
StatTrak™ M4A4 Evil Daimyo	MW	0.07409	4x Flipsid3 Tactics (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	58.16$
AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge	FT	0.15238	1x Cloud9 (Foil) Boston 2018, 2x Natus Vincere Berlin 2019, 1x Astralis (Holo) Katowice 2019	SS	57.35$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Orbit Mk01	FT	0.30509	4x Vox Eminor Cologne 2014	SS	56.41$
StatTrak™ Glock-18 Blue Fissure	MW	0.11992	1x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Foil) Cologne 2015, 1x Ninjas in Pyjamas London 2018, 1x Ninjas in Pyjamas Katowice 2014, 1x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	55.99$
StatTrak™ M4A4 Evil Daimyo	FN	0.05432	4x Astralis (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	55.85$
M4A4 Global Offensive	FN	0.00033	4x Gold Nova	SS	55.28$
Desert Eagle Conspiracy	FN	0.01658	1x dennis Cologne 2016, 1x NiKo (Foil) Atlanta 2017, 1x kennyS Cologne 2015	SS	55.18$
Souvenir MAC-10 Candy Apple	FN	0.06878	1x Team EnVyUs (Gold) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x Natus Vincere (Gold) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x kennyS (Gold) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x DreamHack (Gold) Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	53.5$
Five-SeveN Case Hardened	FN	0.01518	4x Virtus.Pro (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	50.99$
M4A4 Buzz Kill	FT	0.25491	2x Natus Vincere Cologne 2015, 1x s1mple (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x b1t (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	50.56$
3rd Commando Company KSK			1x Dragon, 1x Howl, 1x The Boss	SS	50.5$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Orbit Mk01	MW	0.11565	3x Dragon Lore (Foil), 1x G2 Esports MLG Columbus 2016	SS	50.29$
Desert Eagle Printstream	BS	0.63802	1x G2 Esports (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 2x Titan Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	50$
SG 553 Colony IV	FN	0.06402	4x ZywOo (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	49.48$
AWP Sun in Leo	FN	0.04660	3x Health (Gold), 1x FalleN (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	49.37$
AWP Elite Build	BS	0.91884	1x b1t (Gold) Stockholm 2021, 1x device (Gold) Stockholm 2021, 1x Twistzz (Gold, Champion) Antwerp 2022, 1x s1mple (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	48.97$
FAMAS Eye of Athena	FN	0.00032		SS	48.78$
SCAR-20 Carbon Fiber	FN	0.04060	1x LGB eSports Katowice 2014	SS	48.75$
StatTrak™ XM1014 Entombed	FN	0.00126		SS	47.73$
AWP Pit Viper	FT	0.21652	4x Cloud9 G2A Katowice 2015	SS	47.36$
M4A4 Bullet Rain	FT	0.17286	1x boltz (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x steel (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x LUCAS1 (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x Immortals (Holo) Krakow 2017	SS	47.24$
P250 Hive	FN	0.00012		SS	47.11$
AK-47 Slate	FN	0.05127	4x Entropiq (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	46.41$
AK-47 Point Disarray	FN	0.01585	4x shroud Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	46.19$
M4A1-S Guardian	FT	0.20614	4x Team EnVyUs (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	44.71$
AK-47 Asiimov	FT	0.30803	4x Tyloo (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	44.06$
StatTrak™ UMP-45 Labyrinth	MW	0.12043	1x HellRaisers (Holo) Cologne 2014, 1x iBUYPOWER (Holo) Cologne 2014	SS	43.09$
StatTrak™ UMP-45 Primal Saber	FN	0.00665		SS	42.98$
USP-S Monster Mashup	MW	0.11439	4x Battle Scarred (Holo)	SS	42.71$
AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge	BS	0.70719	4x Virtus.Pro (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	41.82$
M4A4 Urban DDPAT	FT	0.37048	1x Ex6TenZ Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x Ninjas in Pyjamas Katowice 2014	SS	41.35$
M4A1-S Atomic Alloy	FT	0.37628	1x tarik Atlanta 2017, 1x s1mple Atlanta 2017, 1x Hiko Atlanta 2017, 1x Magisk Atlanta 2017	SS	41.28$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.17593	4x Team Liquid (Holo) Katowice 2019	SS	41.12$
Special Agent Ava FBI			3x G2 Esports (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	40.87$
AK-47 Slate	FN	0.05634	4x Team Liquid (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	40.72$
M4A1-S Guardian	MW	0.12263	4x MSL Krakow 2017	SS	40.6$
Nova Rising Skull	FN	0.00063		SS	40.58$
MP5-SD Phosphor	FN	0.05531	4x Doppler Poison Frog (Foil)	SS	40.56$
SSG 08 Big Iron	FN	0.00797		SS	39.02$
SSG 08 Big Iron	FN	0.00708	1x Monster, 1x Poorly Drawn IDF (Holo), 1x Poorly Drawn Terrorist (Holo), 1x Poorly Drawn Ava (Holo)	SS	39.02$
Five-SeveN Violent Daimyo	FN	0.06729	4x SK Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	38.95$
M4A4 Buzz Kill	FT	0.20125	2x s1mple Atlanta 2017, 1x Edward Atlanta 2017	SS	38.73$
StatTrak™ Galil AR Chromatic Aberration	FN	0.01265	1x Ace Clutch Co. (Holo), 1x Kawaii T (Holo), 1x Zeusception (Holo)	SS	38.59$
AK-47 Asiimov	FT	0.21368	4x Lambda (Holo)	SS	38.46$
AK-47 Point Disarray	MW	0.14807	4x mousesports (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	38.15$
Desert Eagle Night	MW	0.13332	4x Astralis (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	38.05$
M4A1-S Mecha Industries	FT	0.33254	1x Xyp9x (Foil) Cologne 2016, 1x FaZe Clan (Holo) Boston 2018, 1x Astralis (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	37.83$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.35907	4x G2 Esports (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	37.61$
M4A4 Buzz Kill	MW	0.10328	3x Splyce (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x Natus Vincere (Holo) Antwerp 2022	SS	37.41$
AK-47 Safari Mesh	FT	0.32137	3x Astralis (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x Astralis (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	37.2$
AK-47 Predator	FT	0.36989	1x iBUYPOWER DreamHack 2014, 1x Virtus.Pro DreamHack 2014	SS	36.9$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.28764	4x FaZe Clan (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	36.33$
Desert Eagle Ocean Drive	WW	0.42258	4x Liquid Fire (Holo)	SS	35.06$
AK-47 Slate	BS	0.96645	3x Miami Tier6 (Holo), 1x Bullet Hell (Foil)	SS	35.06$
M4A1-S Player Two	FT	0.15077		SS	34.92$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Redline	BS	0.63091	4x HellRaisers (Holo) London 2018	SS	34.82$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.18311	4x Miami Buttery (Holo)	SS	34.7$
StatTrak™ AWP Mortis	FN	0.01070	1x Non-Veg	SS	34.64$
StatTrak™ AWP Mortis	FN	0.01015		SS	34.64$
M4A1-S Guardian	MW	0.07497	4x Astralis (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	34.62$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.23403	1x jks (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x Tyloo (Holo) Katowice 2019, 1x jkaem (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x Jame (Foil) Katowice 2019	SS	34.51$
CZ75-Auto Emerald	FN	0.03152	4x Fnatic (Holo) Krakow 2017	SS	34.04$
M4A4 Desert Storm	MW	0.12183		SS	33.67$
AK-47 The Empress	FT	0.32296	4x Team Spirit (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	33.53$
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Decimator	FT	0.28670	1x ScreaM (Foil) Boston 2018	SS	32.01$
AK-47 Frontside Misty	FT	0.27868	1x Team Liquid (Holo) Atlanta 2017, 1x Gambit Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x Retake Expert (Holo), 1x Dosia (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	31.74$
M4A1-S Mecha Industries	FT	0.30086	1x Astralis (Glitter) Antwerp 2022, 1x Xyp9x (Foil) Atlanta 2017, 1x gla1ve Krakow 2017, 1x Astralis Antwerp 2022	SS	31.46$
StatTrak™ XM1014 Black Tie	FN	0.00043		SS	30.7$
USP-S Whiteout	MW	0.12900	4x Great Wave (Holo)	SS	30.54$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.18622	2x NBK- (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x Team EnVyUs (Foil) Katowice 2015, 1x Team EnVyUs Cluj-Napoca 2015	SS	30.4$
AK-47 Point Disarray	MW	0.10895	1x ropz (Gold, Champion) Antwerp 2022, 1x FaZe Clan (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 1x kioShiMa (Foil) Cologne 2015, 1x FaZe Clan (Holo) Antwerp 2022	SS	30.12$
M4A1-S Leaded Glass	MW	0.13843	1x mir (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x Team eBettle Cologne 2015, 1x Counter Logic Gaming Cologne 2015	SS	29.93$
StatTrak™ SSG 08 Big Iron	FT	0.20513	1x Pros Don't Fake, 1x kennyS (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x flamie (Foil) Cluj-Napoca 2015, 1x I Conquered	SS	29.89$
StatTrak™ MAG-7 Justice	FN	0.06959	4x G2 Esports (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	29.83$
USP-S Whiteout	MW	0.11989	4x FaZe (Gold) 2020 RMR	SS	29.83$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.28700	4x Team Liquid Cologne 2016	SS	29.83$
AK-47 Orbit Mk01	MW	0.10991	4x Battle Scarred (Holo)	SS	29.83$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate	FT	0.22790	4x Miami Flow (Holo)	SS	29.81$
M4A1-S Guardian	MW	0.10722	2x Team Liquid (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	29.72$
StatTrak™ SSG 08 Parallax	FN	0.00798	4x G2 Esports (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	29.68$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate	MW	0.12803	2x Miami Flow (Holo), 2x Watermelon Flow (Holo)	SS	29.65$
SG 553 Cyrex	FN	0.00260		SS	29.6$
AK-47 Green Laminate	FT	0.15324	4x Watermelon Tier6 (Holo)	SS	29.2$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.25187	4x Natus Vincere (Holo) Boston 2018	SS	29.19$
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Crimson Web	FT	0.32065	4x Golden (Foil) Katowice 2019	SS	29.19$
AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.32005	1x DickStacy (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x BIG (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x ISSAA Berlin 2019	SS	29.19$
M4A1-S Cyrex	MW	0.11461	1x Fnatic (Holo) Atlanta 2017	SS	29.12$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.31031	3x Natus Vincere (Holo) 2020 RMR, 1x s1mple Atlanta 2017	SS	29.1$
M4A1-S Nitro	FN	0.06989	3x Liquid Fire (Holo)	SS	29.06$
StatTrak™ Glock-18 Water Elemental	WW	0.44095	1x TACO (Foil) Cologne 2016, 1x FalleN (Foil) Cologne 2016, 1x SK Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x fnx (Foil) Cologne 2016	SS	29.03$
AK-47 Redline	BS	0.67047	3x Ninjas in Pyjamas DreamHack 2014, 1x DreamHack Winter 2014	SS	29.02$
M4A1-S Blood Tiger	MW	0.12190	1x Jerry (Holo) Antwerp 2022, 1x HellRaisers (Holo) Katowice 2015, 1x sjuush (Holo) Antwerp 2022, 1x sinnopsyy (Holo) Antwerp 2022	SS	28.86$
P250 Crimson Kimono	FN	0.06452	1x Virtus.Pro (Holo) Atlanta 2017, 1x Virtus.Pro Atlanta 2017	SS	28.8$
AK-47 Safety Net	MW	0.14718	4x Liquid Fire (Holo)	SS	28.65$
MAC-10 Heat	FN	0.04395	4x Copenhagen Flames (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	28.42$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate	MW	0.13230	4x Lambda (Holo)	SS	28.26$
AWP Elite Build	MW	0.13011	1x OpTic Gaming (Holo) Atlanta 2017	SS	28.13$
StatTrak™ M4A4 Desert-Strike	FT	0.16547	4x Natus Vincere (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	28.13$
USP-S Stainless	FT	0.30176	1x BIG Krakow 2017, 1x HS (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x nex (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x North (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	28.08$
AK-47 Emerald Pinstripe	MW	0.10402	1x HellRaisers Cologne 2014, 1x Kawaii Killer CT, 1x Virtus.Pro (Holo) DreamHack 2014, 1x STYKO (Foil) London 2018	SS	27.93$
AK-47 Point Disarray	MW	0.11907	4x Lambda (Holo)	SS	27.56$
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Crimson Web	FT	0.35522	4x mousesports (Holo) Krakow 2017	SS	27.29$
AWP Fever Dream	FN	0.06304	1x Blue Swallow, 1x Cloud9 (Holo) Boston 2018	SS	27.29$
AK-47 Ice Coaled	FT	0.35488	3x Imperial Esports (Holo) Antwerp 2022	SS	27$
AK-47 Slate	BS	0.97288	1x Gambit Gaming (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 1x MOUZ (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 1x FaZe Clan (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 1x Astralis (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	26.88$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.31582	3x Flipsid3 Tactics Atlanta 2017, 1x Flipsid3 Tactics Krakow 2017	SS	26.74$
P2000 Pulse	FT	0.23593	1x Fnatic (Holo) DreamHack 2014, 2x PENTA Sports DreamHack 2014	SS	26.49$
SCAR-20 Crimson Web	FN	0.06038		SS	26.48$
AWP Exoskeleton	FN	0.00111		SS	26.46$
StatTrak™ USP-S Cyrex	FN	0.00661	2x Drug War Veteran	SS	26.35$
StatTrak™ FAMAS Eye of Athena	MW	0.07375		SS	26.31$
StatTrak™ SG 553 Colony IV	FT	0.16799	1x Extermination	SS	26.29$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.31322	1x HellRaisers Cologne 2014, 1x HellRaisers (Holo) Cologne 2014, 1x Fnatic DreamHack 2014, 1x IEM (Glitter) Rio 2022	SS	26.29$
USP-S Para Green	MW	0.09163	4x sdy (Foil) Katowice 2019	SS	26.16$
Five-SeveN Withered Vine	FN	0.01008	4x Toxic Flow (Holo)	SS	26.08$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.23481	3x wayLander (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	26.05$
Souvenir Five-SeveN Hot Shot	MW	0.13817	1x ESL One Cologne 2014 (Gold), 3x Flipsid3 Tactics (Foil) Cologne 2015	SS	25.97$
StatTrak™ AWP Fever Dream	WW	0.43692	1x No Time, 1x Team Liquid (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x Max (Holo)	SS	25.93$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate	FT	0.26391	4x Miami Buttery (Holo)	SS	25.91$
StatTrak™ Five-SeveN Case Hardened	FT	0.33348	1x Natus Vincere DreamHack 2014, 1x myXMG DreamHack 2014, 1x Fnatic DreamHack 2014, 1x DreamHack Winter 2014	SS	25.87$
Slingshot Phoenix			1x The Boss	SS	25.68$
AK-47 Predator	FT	0.25527	1x Copenhagen Wolves Cologne 2014, 1x Team Dignitas Cologne 2014, 1x Natus Vincere Cologne 2014, 1x Fnatic Cologne 2014	SS	25.59$
USP-S Whiteout	FT	0.15474	4x G2 Esports (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	25.52$
AK-47 Redline	FT	0.27590	4x ESL (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	25.45$
AK-47 Slate	BS	0.96132	2x Splyce (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016, 2x North (Holo) Krakow 2017	SS	25.28$
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Crimson Web	FT	0.15710		SS	25.27$
AWP Sun in Leo	FT	0.17214	2x Counter Logic Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x kennyS Cologne 2015	SS	25.17$
M4A1-S Cyrex	FT	0.19899	4x Astralis Cologne 2016	SS	25.02$
AK-47 Emerald Pinstripe	FN	0.06039	4x OpTic Gaming Atlanta 2017	SS	25.02$
USP-S Blueprint	MW	0.11013	4x Vega Squadron (Holo) Boston 2018	SS	25.02$
USP-S Blueprint	MW	0.07658	1x flusha (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x G2 Esports (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x Havoc (Foil) Cologne 2015, 1x B1ad3 (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	25$
Nova Hyper Beast	FT	0.36656	1x G2 Esports Atlanta 2017, 1x Team EnVyUs (Holo) Atlanta 2017, 1x Natus Vincere Stockholm 2021, 1x Flipsid3 Tactics (Holo) Atlanta 2017	SS	24.94$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Blue Laminate	FT	0.27270	3x Movistar Riders (Holo) Stockholm 2021, 1x North Boston 2018	SS	24.88$
The Elite Mr. Muhlik Elite Crew			1x Wildfire, 1x Howl	SS	24.73$
The Elite Mr. Muhlik Elite Crew			1x Howl	SS	24.73$
Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon	FT	0.25157	1x stanislaw (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x NiKo Berlin 2019, 1x Fnatic (Gold) 2020 RMR, 1x ANDROID (Gold) London 2018	SS	24.71$
Dual Berettas Melondrama	FN	0.00967		SS	24.3$
AWP Corticera	MW	0.08770	1x Drug War Veteran, 1x Copenhagen Wolves (Holo) Cologne 2014	SS	24.18$
AK-47 Emerald Pinstripe	WW	0.40054	3x Flipsid3 Tactics (Holo) Boston 2018	SS	24.03$
StatTrak™ AK-47 Phantom Disruptor	MW	0.09711	4x Vitality (Holo) Stockholm 2021	SS	24.02$
AK-47 Neon Revolution	FT	0.32003	3x TaZ Atlanta 2017, 1x Virtus.Pro (Holo) Atlanta 2017	SS	24.02$
StatTrak™ P250 Supernova	MW	0.13040	3x Team EnVyUs (Holo) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x apEX (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016	SS	24.02$
M4A1-S Briefing	MW	0.13206	1x Cloud9 Krakow 2017, 1x s1mple (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x SK Gaming Krakow 2017, 1x Immortals Krakow 2017	SS	23.82$
USP-S Royal Blue	MW	0.07896	4x Movistar Riders (Foil) Stockholm 2021	SS	23.76$
StatTrak™ UMP-45 Scaffold	FN	0.02581	3x Freeman (Foil) Katowice 2019, 1x Team Spirit (Foil) London 2018	SS	23.46$
AK-47 Neon Revolution	BS	0.74249	1x Natus Vincere (Holo) Cologne 2016, 1x Natus Vincere (Foil) MLG Columbus 2016, 1x Natus Vincere (Holo) Boston 2018	SS	23.33$
AWP Sun in Leo	FT	0.18862	1x s1mple (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x gla1ve Krakow 2017, 1x olofmeister (Foil) Krakow 2017, 1x GODSENT 2020 RMR	SS	23.33$
AWP Fever Dream	FN	0.00711		SS	22.79$
FAMAS Rapid Eye Movement	FN	0.01526		SS	22.74$
Glock-18 Night	WW	0.38004	1x Battle Scarred (Holo), 2x Counter Logic Gaming (Holo) Cologne 2016	SS	22.71$
3rd Commando Company KSK			3x Natus Vincere (Gold) Stockholm 2021	SS	22.49$
M4A1-S Cyrex	FT	0.22180	1x ESL One Cologne 2014 (Red), 1x Merietta	SS	22.4$
AK-47 Blue Laminate	FN	0.05525	3x DreamHack Winter 2014	SS	22.4$
Desert Eagle Night	MW	0.14793	4x Watermelon Tier6 (Holo)	SS	22.38$
AK-47 Frontside Misty	WW	0.38650	1x Surf's Up, 1x Toy Tiger, 1x MSL (Foil) Krakow 2017	SS	22.34$

FIRST JOHN   Chapter One  

Word the living [verses 1-4]  

-1. [את, ’ehTh (indicator of direct object; no English equivalent)] that was from [the] first,
[את, ’ehTh] that we heard,
[את, ’ehTh] that we saw in our eyes,
that we looked [הבטנו, HeeBahTNOo] in him and our hands felt [מששו, MeeSheShOo] him,
concerning [על-אודות, `ahL-’ODOTh] word the living.  
-2. And the life was revealed and we saw it,
and we are [והרינו, VeHahRaYNOo] witnessing and making known to you [את, ’ehTh] lives the eternal that was with [אצל, ’ehTsehL] the father and was revealed to us.  

“‘Eternal’ means not what is future in terms of time but what is unending and what is of the character of the life Christ lived …This conception corrects a common perversion of the gospel. Expositors often interpret eternal life as future immortality and withhold the richest gift Christianity offers to men – life with God now. It defines the true measure of life as qualitative rather than quantitative. Length of years is not life and to speak of ‘long’ or ‘short’ lives is false; one ought rather to speak of large and small lives, poor and rich lives, empty and full lives. Man’s need is to add life to his years rather than years to his life.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 219)  

-3. [את, ’ehTh] that we saw and we heard make known, we, also to you,
to sake will fellowship [תתחברו, TheeThHahBROo] with us also you.
And indeed, our fellowship, she is with father and with his son, YayShOo’ah [“Savior”, Jesus] the anointed.
-4. That, we write, to sake will be our happiness complete [שלמה, ShLayMaH].  

……………………………………………………….  
The Gods he is light
[verses 5 to end of chapter]  
“FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND ITS TEST (1:5-10)  

… the theme of the divine ‘life’ gives way to that of the light as one that lends itself better to the ethical considerations now to be pursued. The same transition is found in the prologue to the Gospel of John when it speaks of the personal Word, ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men’ (John 1:4). … Light symbolism is universal in religion, and is particularly marked in the Johannine writings. The background for its use here is found both in Jewish and in pagan Hellenistic writings…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 221)  

-5. And this is [the] word, the tiding that we heard from him and we make heard to you,
that the Gods, light is he, and any darkness has not in him.  

“The actual identification of God or his Son or Messenger with light goes back into the syncretism of the East. In the Fourth Gospel and in these epistles the mythological associations of the term have been lost… in the present case God himself is defined as light absolutely (the only similar definitions: ‘God is love,’ I John 4:8, 16, and ‘God is spirit,’ John 4:24) … The emphatic repudiation of any darkness in God in the second half of the verse may be aimed at heretical teaching. Irenaeus in his criticism of the Gnostics continually points out the inconsistency in their teaching that evil arose in the divine order…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB pp. XII 222-223)  

-6. If we say that fellowship to us is with Him, and we walk in darkness, worders false are we, and we have not realized [מקימה, MeQahYeMeeYM] [את, ’ehTh] the truth.  

“The Gnostics, against whose errors it is supposed this epistle was written, were great pretenders to knowledge, to the highest degrees of the divine illumination, and the nearest communion with the Fountain of holiness, while their manners were excessively corrupt.” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  
“The Christian experience of salvation is sometimes so intense that it can result in overconfidence. Moreover, it was a central teaching of the gospel that the new age had come in some real sense – that new age in which God would wash away men’s sins and give them a new heart. The Christian ‘born anew not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God’ (I Pet. [Peter] 1:23), or belonging to the ‘new creation’ (Gal. [Galatians] 6:15…), would all to easily be inclined to think that the possibility of sin was transcended…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 223)  

-7. But if we walk in light, like that he is in light,
for then we fellowship this with this,  

“… Walking in the light means letting our lives be ordered by reality, by things as they are.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 224)  

and blood of YayShOo`ah the anointed in us purifies [מטהר, MeTahHayR] us from all sin.  

“The meritorious efficacy of his passion and death, has purged our consciences from dead works; and cleanseth us, καθαριζει ημας [katharizei ymas], continues to cleanse us; i.e. [in other words] to keep clean what he has made clean; for it requires the same merit and energy to preserve holiness in the soul of man, as to produce it…” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  

-8. If we say that have not in us sin,  

“It is very likely that the heretics, against whose evil doctrines the apostle writes, denied that they had any sin, or needed any Saviour. Indeed, the Gnostics even denied the Christ suffered; the Æon, or Divine Being that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus, according to them, left him when he was taken by the Jews; and he, being but a common man, his sufferings and death had neither merit nor efficacy.” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  

err we [את, ’ehTh] ourselves and the truth have not in us.  
-9. If we confess [נתודה, NeeThVahDeH] upon our sins, believable is he and righteous to pardon to us upon our sins, and to purify us from all iniquity.  

“ … our author sees a continuous forgiveness and cleansing.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 224)  

-10. If we say that we did not sin,
to a liar [לכוזב, LeKhOZayB] put we him,
and his word have not in us.   [An Amateur's Journey Through the Bible(https://bikingfencer.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-john.html)

If you really try to understand YHWH, the "Living and True God"... YHWH literally means inhaling and exhaling, which is the fractal of fractals, the infinitely outermost circle of Samsara... It is not Equal to the Demiurgue (gnosticism) or Maya (Buddhism). And Yeshua means "I am/YHWH is liberation"
It is stated numerous times in the Bible that the material world is ruled by Satan and that we have been cast out of paradise from Original Sin... That this world is imperfect and we need redemption.
Not because "God punished us" literally... Remember that the guys who wrote these books lived in ancient times, they were AS SMART AS US but their understanding of the world was not iPad-oriented, but different. If suddenly all crops died and a third of the population was wiped out, they thought "Oh God is punishing us because we weren't obedient enough, we didn't plant the crops early, we must have done something wrong"... Which is a very fucking real thing and SURPRISE: modern science and medicine has its roots in the Christian Church. And the same goes with all the religious rules... The 10 Commandments were a blueprint on how to thrive in society and not perish to the fucking weather like the "Heathens".
In Gnosticism, which is where y'all got this "YHWH is evil" thing... It is also Stated that the material world is imperfect (sinful/demiurge) and only the True forms are perfect. Plato. Greeks portrayed this feeling of "The fall from paradise" by talking about how the perfect spirit of Sophia had become confined to the prison and limitations of matter and that's how the world started.
To explain WHY the Bible is literally reflecting this idea, here's an extract of something called "Novena de Aguinaldos." which is a tradition in my country in which we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ. Remember that "Word" was actually "Logos" in the original greek Gospel of John.
"In the beginning of time the Word rested in the bosom of his Father in the highest heaven; there he was the cause as well as the pattern of all creation. In those depths of an incalculable eternity the Child of Bethlehem remained before he deigned to descend to Earth and visibly took possession of the Bethlehem grotto. That is where we must look for the beginnings that have never begun; from there we must date the genealogy of the eternal, which has no ancestors, and contemplate the life of infinite complacency that led there.
The life of the Eternal Word in the bosom of his Father was a marvelous life and yet, sublime mystery! He seeks another home, a created mansion. It was not because in his eternal mansion something was missing from his infinite happiness, but because his infinite mercy yearned for the redemption and salvation of the human race, which could not be verified without him. Adam's sin had offended God and that infinite offense could not be condoned except through the merits of God himself. Adam's race had disobeyed and deserved eternal punishment; It was therefore necessary to save her and satisfy her guilt, that God, without leaving heaven, take the form of man on Earth and with obedience to the designs of his Father expiate that disobedience, ingratitude and rebellion. It was necessary, in the looks of his love, to take the form, the systematic weaknesses and ignorance of man; to grow to give spiritual growth; to suffer, to teach him to die to his passions and his pride. And for this reason the Eternal Word, burning with the desire to save man, resolved to become a man as well and thus redeem the guilty."
It is also the reason why Buddha decided to become a Boddhisatva and "redeem" all living beings.
JESUS CHRIST = THE SON OF SOPHIA

FIRST JOHN   Chapter One  

Word the living [verses 1-4]  

-1. [את, ’ehTh (indicator of direct object; no English equivalent)] that was from [the] first,
[את, ’ehTh] that we heard,
[את, ’ehTh] that we saw in our eyes,
that we looked [הבטנו, HeeBahTNOo] in him and our hands felt [מששו, MeeSheShOo] him,
concerning [על-אודות, `ahL-’ODOTh] word the living.  
-2. And the life was revealed and we saw it,
and we are [והרינו, VeHahRaYNOo] witnessing and making known to you [את, ’ehTh] lives the eternal that was with [אצל, ’ehTsehL] the father and was revealed to us.  

“‘Eternal’ means not what is future in terms of time but what is unending and what is of the character of the life Christ lived …This conception corrects a common perversion of the gospel. Expositors often interpret eternal life as future immortality and withhold the richest gift Christianity offers to men – life with God now. It defines the true measure of life as qualitative rather than quantitative. Length of years is not life and to speak of ‘long’ or ‘short’ lives is false; one ought rather to speak of large and small lives, poor and rich lives, empty and full lives. Man’s need is to add life to his years rather than years to his life.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 219)  

-3. [את, ’ehTh] that we saw and we heard make known, we, also to you,
to sake will fellowship [תתחברו, TheeThHahBROo] with us also you.
And indeed, our fellowship, she is with father and with his son, YayShOo’ah [“Savior”, Jesus] the anointed.
-4. That, we write, to sake will be our happiness complete [שלמה, ShLayMaH].  

……………………………………………………….  
The Gods he is light
[verses 5 to end of chapter]  
“FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND ITS TEST (1:5-10)  

… the theme of the divine ‘life’ gives way to that of the light as one that lends itself better to the ethical considerations now to be pursued. The same transition is found in the prologue to the Gospel of John when it speaks of the personal Word, ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men’ (John 1:4). … Light symbolism is universal in religion, and is particularly marked in the Johannine writings. The background for its use here is found both in Jewish and in pagan Hellenistic writings…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 221)  

-5. And this is [the] word, the tiding that we heard from him and we make heard to you,
that the Gods, light is he, and any darkness has not in him.  

“The actual identification of God or his Son or Messenger with light goes back into the syncretism of the East. In the Fourth Gospel and in these epistles the mythological associations of the term have been lost… in the present case God himself is defined as light absolutely (the only similar definitions: ‘God is love,’ I John 4:8, 16, and ‘God is spirit,’ John 4:24) … The emphatic repudiation of any darkness in God in the second half of the verse may be aimed at heretical teaching. Irenaeus in his criticism of the Gnostics continually points out the inconsistency in their teaching that evil arose in the divine order…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB pp. XII 222-223)  

-6. If we say that fellowship to us is with Him, and we walk in darkness, worders false are we, and we have not realized [מקימה, MeQahYeMeeYM] [את, ’ehTh] the truth.  

“The Gnostics, against whose errors it is supposed this epistle was written, were great pretenders to knowledge, to the highest degrees of the divine illumination, and the nearest communion with the Fountain of holiness, while their manners were excessively corrupt.” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  
“The Christian experience of salvation is sometimes so intense that it can result in overconfidence. Moreover, it was a central teaching of the gospel that the new age had come in some real sense – that new age in which God would wash away men’s sins and give them a new heart. The Christian ‘born anew not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God’ (I Pet. [Peter] 1:23), or belonging to the ‘new creation’ (Gal. [Galatians] 6:15…), would all to easily be inclined to think that the possibility of sin was transcended…” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 223)  

-7. But if we walk in light, like that he is in light,
for then we fellowship this with this,  

“… Walking in the light means letting our lives be ordered by reality, by things as they are.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 224)  

and blood of YayShOo`ah the anointed in us purifies [מטהר, MeTahHayR] us from all sin.  

“The meritorious efficacy of his passion and death, has purged our consciences from dead works; and cleanseth us, καθαριζει ημας [katharizei ymas], continues to cleanse us; i.e. [in other words] to keep clean what he has made clean; for it requires the same merit and energy to preserve holiness in the soul of man, as to produce it…” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  

-8. If we say that have not in us sin,  

“It is very likely that the heretics, against whose evil doctrines the apostle writes, denied that they had any sin, or needed any Saviour. Indeed, the Gnostics even denied the Christ suffered; the Æon, or Divine Being that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus, according to them, left him when he was taken by the Jews; and he, being but a common man, his sufferings and death had neither merit nor efficacy.” (Clarke, 1831, p. VI 860)  

err we [את, ’ehTh] ourselves and the truth have not in us.  
-9. If we confess [נתודה, NeeThVahDeH] upon our sins, believable is he and righteous to pardon to us upon our sins, and to purify us from all iniquity.  

“ … our author sees a continuous forgiveness and cleansing.” (Wilder, 1955, TIB p. XII 224)  

-10. If we say that we did not sin,
to a liar [לכוזב, LeKhOZayB] put we him,
and his word have not in us.   [An Amateur's Journey Through the Bible(https://bikingfencer.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-john.html)

The guilt is eating me alive. I know I have real event ocd, I am 17 and I really really need help. I’m in counselling right now for struggling with different themes of HIGHLY suspected ocd, but I THINK I may be having this one right now, at the time I was 16 when this happened, I have been talking with my boyfriend for about 10 months now, we started talking on discord and got very close and romantic very very quickly, we discussed not having an “exclusive serious relationship” until we both agreed to have one in real life,
in the first few months we got extremely close online, I love him so much and felt extreme love for him then too, about 6 months into talking with him romantically, in which we did not refer to eachother as bf gf yet, i had met a friend on discord who would be very flirty towards me when I tried telling him it made me uncomfortable he told me it was just his “humour” towards friends, so I tried to not take it so seriously, me and this friend only talked for a few days he called me “bestie” and I made some very very small flirting “jokes” nothing sexual or very romantic at all very stupid jokes,
after talking to this friend in total for a few days about two days of him being a bit too much I decided to block him, even tho I did joke back, I genuinely was uncomfy with stuff this friend would say, that was in November and I have already blocked him after telling him that our friendship made me uncomfortable and him saying about himself “That was my fault” and that was it.
I haven’t thought about this situation in a long time until these past few months i believe, me and my boyfriend have the best relationship it’s so healthy and caring and loving we never argue and we are always understanding to eachother and having fun with eachother, he’s the best boy and I TRULY love him so so much. But the guilt I feel over this one situation after ruminating and researching over and over, reading articles of cheating and stories of “my gf/bf cheated on me” I have began to purposely (small tw) harm myself physically.
Two months after the friendship with that guy completely ended I told my boyfriend everything and he told me it was okay and that i did nothing wrong but I don’t believe him at all. I believe I am a disgusting horrible cheater no matter what. I have gotten jealous over him flirting in the past so what makes it EVER okay that I would? I’ve been obsessing so much over this I stopped eating and continued further harm physically.
We talked recently about becoming exclusive and more serious even tho we have not met in real life yet which was supposed to be what happened but we want to be exclusive and the conversation was good and we both agreed, we talked about our boundaries and it was a very healthy discussion, so even after everything i’ve done after blocking the guy really fast after “confessing” to my boyfriend, I can’t stop. I wake up having panic attacks and cry every single night, at the time when I was joking with this friend I truly had no bad intention at all the idea of “I am cheating” didn’t cross my mind because I really didn’t believe I was.
I only started experiencing what I believe to be Reocd or Rocd these past few months, it’s frustrating because everything with my boyfriend since then has genuinely been perfect nothing wrong at all. When I see online about emotional cheating and flirting IS cheating I throw up. And I punish myself physically. I hate myself so much and I cannot stop looking up about cheating, what it is, have I cheated, emotional cheating, micro cheating everything, I cannot stop going through old messages and checking time stamps checking when things happened what I said, what he said, It has overtaken every day so far.
My boyfriend is the one really really really good thing that has EVER happened to me and i messed everything up.
My family has expressed serious concern over it and talked about bringing me to a hospital, which I feel guilty for, I have told family and very close friends about the situation and they all say it’s not a big thing that i didn’t cheat and i have to let go of it but i feel so so so so guilty. I don’t believe i even deserve to let go of it because i feel so bad. Since then I have been completely obsessed with “not” cheating on my now very exclusive very serious boyfriend, if a girl in my class says “oh look that guy is cute” I will literally close my eyes or look at the floor and say nothing. If there’s any sort of photo of any guys or anything I avoid them at all costs, I avoid talking irl to guys and if they say anything I IMMEDIATELY mention my boyfriend.
When I started to talk to my incredible, perfect angel of a boyfriend in the first few months my mom would tell me all the time “talk to whoever u want stop worrying so much don’t take this so seriously” and I genuinely did have a very carefree spirit about it all not taking things so seriously because “i’m young” and now i’m looking back on this situation and literally crying my eyes out and panicking and hurting myself. I would do anything to go back and never EVER talk to that guy at all. I know this is a place not to look for reassurance, I don’t even believe I deserve it, I’ve been even going to church and confessing these things there and the guilt is so heavy it physically is hurting my body. The amount of love I have for this boy I haven’t gotten to even hold hands with is insane. I truly hate myself and i’ve been considering death but i know it wouldn’t make up for the horrible thing I did. I have been struggling seriously with intrusive thoughts of all kinds since then about “taboo” topics I have compulsions such as making things equal with my body and more. I truly hate myself so much. Please will someone reply about this I really need help i’m afraid i’m going to try to end my life

Did Jesus do miraculous actions because of His own divine power or was He directing the Holy Spirit to do miraculous actions?

I know I have real event ocd, I am 17 and I really really need help. I’m in counselling right now for struggling with different themes of HIGHLY suspected ocd, but I THINK I may be having this one right now, at the time I was 16 when this happened, I have been talking with my boyfriend for about 10 months now, we started talking on discord and got very close and romantic very very quickly, we discussed not having an “exclusive serious relationship” until we both agreed to have one in real life,
in the first few months we got extremely close online, I love him so much and felt extreme love for him then too, about 6 months into talking with him romantically, in which we did not refer to eachother as bf gf yet, i had met a friend on discord who would be very flirty towards me when I tried telling him it made me uncomfortable he told me it was just his “humour” towards friends, so I tried to not take it so seriously, me and this friend only talked for a few days he called me “bestie” and I made some very very small flirting “jokes” nothing sexual or very romantic at all very stupid jokes,
after talking to this friend in total for a few days about two days of him being a bit too much I decided to block him, even tho I did joke back, I genuinely was uncomfy with stuff this friend would say, that was in November and I have already blocked him after telling him that our friendship made me uncomfortable and him saying about himself “That was my fault” and that was it.
I haven’t thought about this situation in a long time until these past few months i believe, me and my boyfriend have the best relationship it’s so healthy and caring and loving we never argue and we are always understanding to eachother and having fun with eachother, he’s the best boy and I TRULY love him so so much. But the guilt I feel over this one situation after ruminating and researching over and over, reading articles of cheating and stories of “my gf/bf cheated on me” I have began to purposely (small tw) harm myself physically.
Two months after the friendship with that guy completely ended I told my boyfriend everything and he told me it was okay and that i did nothing wrong but I don’t believe him at all. I believe I am a disgusting horrible cheater no matter what. I have gotten jealous over him flirting in the past so what makes it EVER okay that I would? I’ve been obsessing so much over this I stopped eating and continued further harm physically.
We talked recently about becoming exclusive and more serious even tho we have not met in real life yet which was supposed to be what happened but we want to be exclusive and the conversation was good and we both agreed, we talked about our boundaries and it was a very healthy discussion, so even after everything i’ve done after blocking the guy really fast after “confessing” to my boyfriend, I can’t stop. I wake up having panic attacks and cry every single night, at the time when I was joking with this friend I truly had no bad intention at all the idea of “I am cheating” didn’t cross my mind because I really didn’t believe I was.
I only started experiencing what I believe to be Reocd or Rocd these past few months, it’s frustrating because everything with my boyfriend since then has genuinely been perfect nothing wrong at all. When I see online about emotional cheating and flirting IS cheating I throw up. And I punish myself physically. I hate myself so much and I cannot stop looking up about cheating, what it is, have I cheated, emotional cheating, micro cheating everything, I cannot stop going through old messages and checking time stamps checking when things happened what I said, what he said, It has overtaken every day so far.
My boyfriend is the one really really really good thing that has EVER happened to me and i messed everything up.
My family has expressed serious concern over it and talked about bringing me to a hospital, which I feel guilty for, I have told family and very close friends about the situation and they all say it’s not a big thing that i didn’t cheat and i have to let go of it but i feel so so so so guilty. I don’t believe i even deserve to let go of it because i feel so bad. Since then I have been completely obsessed with “not” cheating on my now very exclusive very serious boyfriend, if a girl in my class says “oh look that guy is cute” I will literally close my eyes or look at the floor and say nothing. If there’s any sort of photo of any guys or anything I avoid them at all costs, I avoid talking irl to guys and if they say anything I IMMEDIATELY mention my boyfriend.
When I started to talk to my incredible, perfect angel of a boyfriend in the first few months my mom would tell me all the time “talk to whoever u want stop worrying so much don’t take this so seriously” and I genuinely did have a very carefree spirit about it all not taking things so seriously because “i’m young” and now i’m looking back on this situation and literally crying my eyes out and panicking and hurting myself. I would do anything to go back and never EVER talk to that guy at all. I know this is a place not to look for reassurance, I don’t even believe I deserve it, I’ve been even going to church and confessing these things there and the guilt is so heavy it physically is hurting my body. The amount of love I have for this boy I haven’t gotten to even hold hands with is insane. I truly hate myself and i’ve been considering death but i know it wouldn’t make up for the horrible thing I did. I have been struggling seriously with intrusive thoughts of all kinds since then about “taboo” topics I have compulsions such as making things equal with my body and more. I truly hate myself so much. Please will someone reply about this I really need help i’m afraid i’m going to try to end my life

I suck as a Christian. With the amount of sin and lack of God in my life I don’t even know if I should dare calling myself a Christian. I went weeks without choking the chicken and relapsed into a bad spiral and have not even attempted to control myself with a binge.
Without going into too much detail a little about me is Im actually serving in the U.S. Army. Im starting my 6th year of my contract. Im a natural bodybuilder who trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was a wrestler for many years prior to that before the Army. Im a very physical guy and I like to keep myself in shape, yet none of that helps me. Ive been addicted since I was 12 and im 23 now. I can do all these things physically, but I can’t stop myself from using porn and getting off. I do it when im bored, depressed, sad, angry, etc…All it does is feed my negative emotions and make them amplify.
I always cry and complain why God has always felt so distant and I never hear him. I can’t relate to anyone who claims to feel the holy spirit. Im honestly a bit angry and envious of those who have. But I don’t take the right steps to come to feel it either. It’s torture knowing im doing wrong but not having the motivation to change.
I wish God would come out of the sky and just save me man I really do. Im not happy with myself or really anything in my life and I use this addiction to cope at times knowing damn well in the moment all im doing is separating myself further from God than the time before. I have many sins I struggle with but porn by far dominates them all tremendously in my opinion. Im of the sexually immoral and I hate myself for it. I don’t know why its so damn hard to stop.
If I could I would make a deal with God right now to never be able to experience anything sexual again. I don’t care if its sex or the ability to self pleasure. I would honestly rid it all from my life completely to be at peace. It may sound extreme but I swear it I would. I don’t feel like I can do this on my own confidently.
God is never gonna answer me till I make changes and I know that. But my selfish desires conquer my desires to know God. My heart aches for him but he is so far from my life because of my own doing.
Im really just ranting. I know the passages to help but that just aint doing it. I have a mental and spiritual problem. I literally feel like spiritually vomiting when I engage with porn. I F***KING HATE IT.

If anyone would like to share their thoughts/revisions, I would greatly appreciate it!
​
CONTEXT: The portraits I'm referring to are The Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and Rosie The Riviter
​
​
The Armada Portrait: Femininity and Power
Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, ruled England from 1558 to 1603. “She was very well-educated (fluent in five languages) and had inherited intelligence, determination, and shrewdness from both parents.” (royal.uk) She assembled a group of intelligent advisors but reserved the ability to make final decisions. “The image of Elizabeth's reign is one of triumph and success. The Queen herself was often called 'Gloriana', 'Good Queen Bess' and 'The Virgin Queen'.“(royal.uk) Elizabeth’s “Virgin Queen” title came from her rejection of men and devotion to god and all things holy, as it would solidify her spot in the hierarchy. “Elizabeth herself refused to 'make windows into men's souls ... there is only one Jesus Christ and all the rest is a dispute over trifles'; she asked for outward uniformity.” (royal.uk)
The artist portrayed Elizabeth I in an intentionally exaggerated feminine light, as an integral part of her reign was her pureness as a woman. In the portrait, she is wearing a large and intricate dress that hides the true shape of most of her body but accentuates her cinched waist and pale face. The dress is adorned with numerous pink bows, pearls, and embroidered flowers. Pearls hold an important significance to Elizabeth’s reign as they represent her preserved virginity.“Pearls symbolize Elizabeth’s chastity and connect her to Cynthia, the Greek goddess of the Moon, who was a virgin and therefore seen as 'pure'.” (rmg.co.uk) Pearls are embedded into her dress, but they are also attached to the top of the crown in the background of the portrait, tying Elizabeth I to the monarchy. “As Elizabeth’s reign wore on, her status as “Virgin Queen” became an increasingly important symbol of her devotion to her kingdom, and of the security of the realm.” (smarthistory.org)
The portrait paints Queen Elizabeth I surrounded by objects that hint at her plans for overseas power. Behind her, there are portraits of English ships thriving and Spanish ships sinking.
The portrait was painted to celebrate the defeat of the invading Spanish navy. Elizabeth rests her hand on the globe, and on either side of her head are two windows: through the left the Armada approaches; to the right the fleet is scattered and sinking under stormy skies. (smarthistory.org)
These portraits display the strength of England’s naval army, implying her nation’s desire for overseas domination. She is facing the portrait of English boats in calm waters, signifying her as a calm force. Elizabeth I’s gentle grasp on the globe in front of her supports this, as it is delicately draped over the top of it, depicting Elizabeth I quite literally with the whole world in her hands. Her soft handling demonstrates how the English thought they were in the right in their plans, as she would show a gentle and good-natured reign.
Elizabeth I exaggerated her femininity and pureness to advantage her as a monarch. She began her reign, exercising her divine right in her first speech.
…considering I am God's creature, ordained to obey His appointment, I will thereto yield, desiring from the bottom of my heart that I may have assistance of His grace to be the minister of His heavenly will in this office now committed to me. (encyclopedia.com)
In this speech, she set up the foundation she would rely on and use to be considered one of the most successful rulers England would have, as she described her divine right leveraging herself above other men yearning for her spot on the throne. “She portrays herself as a woman subservient to the highest male authority, providing her a status superior to all other men.” (stars.library.ucf.edu) Elizabeth’s image was carefully doctored to convey wealth, authority and power, both at home and abroad. In the portrait, you see Elizabeth I wearing an incredibly extravagant dress.
In Elizabeth’s era, dress was also a means of expressing social hierarchy and the Queen believed that one's dress should suit, but not exceed, one's rank. Elizabeth's appearance stressed her rank as head of state and church, and 'pecking order' was reinforced by legal restrictions. (rmg.co.uk)
These outfits were specifically designed to create contrast between her and the common folk, highlighting her greatness and pounding in her superiority as monarch.
All of Elizabeth I’s character is etched into the portrait, as it references her desire and plans for overseas, depicts her in an extravagant dress that points out her place at the top of the hierarchy, and has her dripping in pearls, which bring everything back to her devotion to god that keeps her at the top of the monarchy. All of these symbols and references make this painting the ultimate example of everything Elizabeth I’s reign stood for.
Norman Rockwell’s Rosie The Riveter was created in 1943 to inspire women to join the U.S. workforce amid World War II. It depicts a female figure rolling up her sleeve flexing with a speech bubble that reads: “We Can Do It!”. The figure is wearing a riveter’s uniform, a blue jumpsuit, and a red polka-dotted bandana tying a bow in her hair. She has a look of determination painted on her face, beckoning American women to join her ranks at work. She is rolling up her sleeve to reveal a muscular arm as if proving that she, a woman, was strong enough to do this work, and showing the same American women that they are too.
These two portraits pose an interesting juxtaposition between the two displays of female power. While Elizabeth I emphasizes and capitalizes on her’s, Rosie defeminizes herself to be able to prove her strength and inspire others to do the same. Interestingly, because Elizabeth I played up her femininity instead of masking it like Rosie, the Armada Portrait could be seen as more progressive than Rosie, as she has to make herself more like a man to be strong. On the flip side, Elizabeth’s severe exaggeration of her femininity almost strips it away from her, as it becomes a symbol rather than her own form of self-expression. These two portraits are such contrasting forms of political propaganda, with Rosie’s portrait being made to inspire the masses to find the power inside them, and Elizabeth’s portrait being made for people to recognize her power, definitely not to find their own. One consistency throughout the two portraits is the bows. From the 1800’s to the 50’s bows remained a symbol of femininity. In Elizabeth I’s portraits, she is heavily adorned with bows, as they hem the lining of her gown. In Rosie’s portrait, she has a red bandana that is dotted with white polka dots tied in a bow around her head. Bows equating to femininity have stood the test of time, as two iconic portraits that represent such contrasting messages use them for the same purpose.
WORKS CITED:
Faraday, Dr. Christina, and Dr. Christina Faraday. “Portraits of Elizabeth I: Fashioning the Virgin Queen.” Smarthistory**, 7 Aug. 2020, smarthistory.org/portraits-of-elizabeth-i/.**
“Symbolism in Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I.” Royal Museums Greenwich**, www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/symbolism-portraits-queen-elizabeth-i. Accessed 24 May 2023.**
Household, Royal. “Elizabeth I (r.1558-1603).” The Royal Family**, www.royal.uk/elizabeth-i#:~:text=Elizabeth%20succeeded%20to%20the%20throne,most%20glorious%20in%20English%20history. Accessed 29 May 2023.**
Rohrs, Mark. “Elizabeth Tudor: Reconciling Femininity and Authority.” STARS**, 2005, stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/383/.**
.“." Elizabethan World Reference Library. . Encyclopedia.Com. 25 May. 2023 .” Encyclopedia.Com**, 30 May 2023, www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/speeches-elizabeth-i.**
“Elizabeth I’s Royal Wardrobe.” Royal Museums Greenwich**, www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/elizabeth-royal-wardrobe#:~:text=Dress%20and%20social%20status,nation’s%20growing%20stature%20and%20confidence. Accessed 30 May 2023.**

Saint Emmelia (also Emily, Emilia, Emelia), was part of a holy family and most famous for being the mother of Saint Basil the Great. There are very few descriptions of Saint Emmelia’s life. She was the daughter of a martyr and the daughter-in-law of Saint Macrina the Elder (260-340). Along with her husband, Saint Basil the Elder (+ 349), she gave birth to nine or ten children. She instilled the Orthodox faith in her children, teaching them to pray and devote their lives to the service of the Church. Among these were Saint Basil the Great (+ 379), his sister Saint Macrina the Younger (c.330–379) and his brothers Saints Gregory of Nyssa (334-394), Naukratios of Mount Nitria (332-358), and Peter of Sebaste (345/7-392). It is also a widely held tradition that Saint Theosevia (c. 335-c.385) was his youngest sister (though some claim she was the spouse of Saint Gregory of Nyssa), who is also a saint in the Church. There are also about four or five other girls, unknown sisters of Saint Basil. Therefore, Saint Emmelia is often called “the mother of saints.”
When her son, Naukratios, suddenly died at the age of twenty-seven, she was consoled by her eldest daughter, Macrina. Macrina reminded her that it was not befitting to a Christian to “mourn as those who have no hope” and inspired her to hope courageously in the resurrection bequeathed to us by the saving passion of the Lord.
After her children left home, Emmelia was persuaded by Macrina to forsake the world. Together they founded a monastery for women. Emmelia divided the family property among her children. Retaining only some meager possessions, she and Macrina withdrew to a secluded family property in Pontus, picturesquely located on the banks of the Iris River and not far from Saint Basil’s wilderness home. A number of liberated female slaves desired to join the pair, and a convent was formed. They lived under one roof and held everything in common: they ate, worked, and prayed together. They were so eager to advance in virtue that they regarded fasting as food and poverty as riches. The harmony of this model community of women was unspoiled by anger, jealousy, hatred, or pride. Indeed, as the Church sings of monastics, they lived like angels in the flesh.
Living in this manner for many years, Emmelia reached old age. When an illness signaled her departure from this world, her son Peter came to her side. Together with Macrina, he tended to his mother in her last days. As the oldest and the youngest, Macrina and Peter held a special place in Emmelia’s heart.
Before committing her soul to the Lord, she raised her voice to heaven, saying, “To you, O Lord, I give the first fruits and the tithe of the fruit of my womb. The first fruit is my first-born daughter, and the tithe is this, my youngest son. Let these be for you a rightly acceptable sacrifice, and let your holiness descend upon them!” Saint Emmelia reposed in 375 and was buried as she had requested, beside her husband in the chapel at their estate in Annesi, where Naukratios had also been laid.
(from johnsanidopoulos.com)

Saint Emmelia (also Emily, Emilia, Emelia), was part of a holy family and most famous for being the mother of Saint Basil the Great. There are very few descriptions of Saint Emmelia’s life. She was the daughter of a martyr and the daughter-in-law of Saint Macrina the Elder (260-340). Along with her husband, Saint Basil the Elder (+ 349), she gave birth to nine or ten children. She instilled the Orthodox faith in her children, teaching them to pray and devote their lives to the service of the Church. Among these were Saint Basil the Great (+ 379), his sister Saint Macrina the Younger (c.330–379) and his brothers Saints Gregory of Nyssa (334-394), Naukratios of Mount Nitria (332-358), and Peter of Sebaste (345/7-392). It is also a widely held tradition that Saint Theosevia (c. 335-c.385) was his youngest sister (though some claim she was the spouse of Saint Gregory of Nyssa), who is also a saint in the Church. There are also about four or five other girls, unknown sisters of Saint Basil. Therefore, Saint Emmelia is often called “the mother of saints.”
When her son, Naukratios, suddenly died at the age of twenty-seven, she was consoled by her eldest daughter, Macrina. Macrina reminded her that it was not befitting to a Christian to “mourn as those who have no hope” and inspired her to hope courageously in the resurrection bequeathed to us by the saving passion of the Lord.
After her children left home, Emmelia was persuaded by Macrina to forsake the world. Together they founded a monastery for women. Emmelia divided the family property among her children. Retaining only some meager possessions, she and Macrina withdrew to a secluded family property in Pontus, picturesquely located on the banks of the Iris River and not far from Saint Basil’s wilderness home. A number of liberated female slaves desired to join the pair, and a convent was formed. They lived under one roof and held everything in common: they ate, worked, and prayed together. They were so eager to advance in virtue that they regarded fasting as food and poverty as riches. The harmony of this model community of women was unspoiled by anger, jealousy, hatred, or pride. Indeed, as the Church sings of monastics, they lived like angels in the flesh.
Living in this manner for many years, Emmelia reached old age. When an illness signaled her departure from this world, her son Peter came to her side. Together with Macrina, he tended to his mother in her last days. As the oldest and the youngest, Macrina and Peter held a special place in Emmelia’s heart.
Before committing her soul to the Lord, she raised her voice to heaven, saying, “To you, O Lord, I give the first fruits and the tithe of the fruit of my womb. The first fruit is my first-born daughter, and the tithe is this, my youngest son. Let these be for you a rightly acceptable sacrifice, and let your holiness descend upon them!” Saint Emmelia reposed in 375 and was buried as she had requested, beside her husband in the chapel at their estate in Annesi, where Naukratios had also been laid.
(from johnsanidopoulos.com)

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation of John 3:16, KJVA)
I read a comment yesterday that said " the bible gives moral guidance but does not give concrete answers. "
I thought that to be a lie, but some questions need deep prayer and other context to arrive to conclusion, So I do not think it is a lie anymore.
I do think more often than not, if we allow it , the answer will be focused on the bible :) God bless you all!
Do you want to know how the World ends read Revelation. Read Matthew 24 and ask yourself why does that sound exactly like today..
those are concrete answers.
Have you never once asked the Lord to open the bible too the exact chapter or verse you need to read, to answer that burning question of yours ? I have and I got the answer I needed.
You will not find the answers in man. The Holy Spirit is the only teacher one needs.
Just do not forsake the assembly of ourselves.

I figured I'd share my story.
As you can see from the title, I'm the son of a retired Ford worker. My dad worked 38 years and worked hard and did well. Throughout my lifetime we were always very appreciative and pleased with the Ford a plan for employees and z plan for retirees.
But this year is different, I normally drive all my cars into the ground and I'm finally at that point. My dad passed away but my stepmom is still with us, although has dementia. Came to learn that my step brother who has power of attorney is able to obtain a pin for me to use the Ford z plan.
So in the meantime I go to my trusted Ford dealership (have been amazing with service) and I'm quoted a price for a mid-tier Ford explorer. But the salesman keeps giving me this really weird kurt response every time I ask about the hybrids, and that they are flat out unavailable.
Ultimately, the z-plan discount tops out at a markdown of $2,500 from what the dealer pays for the vehicle. It's in the contractual agreement that's there is no haggling when a discount plan is applied. And this is where things start to go downhill and I'm not exactly pleased with the reviews I'm seeing for the explorer.
So for s***'s and giggles I build a Toyota Highlander to match my desired Explorer specification on the website and I'm really shocked at the price. It's exactly the same as the Explorer after the discount.
I may be loyal to Ford because of the benefits I've been able to reap from my dad's long employment with them. But my father didn't raise a moron either. If the cost is the same between the two and one product is clearly better in quality, I know what the right decision is.
The experience at the popular and outspoken Toyota dealership in my area was great! I ended up dealing with the owner of the dealership initially and totally by chance. We talked and laughed and I shared my stories I mentioned above and he was glad to accommodate.
Throughout this experience, I came to learn that the availability for a new order hybrid is on a little bit of a backorder because of supply issues. So be it, I decide not to get a hybrid now. But the explanation I received at the Toyota dealership totally makes sense for the matter with Ford as well being a supply issue impacting all manufacturers. But the sales guy at Ford gave me no information and kept cutting the conversation short. I really appreciate how they treated me like an intelligent person at the Toyota dealership and not talking down to me.
So I explained my situation and there wasn't a great urgency for the Highlander to come in my current car 2011 Fusion runs exceptionally well but suffers from the common well known problem of having a glass jaw (front bumper always gets ripped to shreds because of its low profile).
So as soon as they found something that fits my needs they would let me know after having made a deposit.
In the meantime, I shared this experience with some of my friends who were just as shocked that I didn't by default get a Ford. One even tried arguing with me that the higher price in the explorer was because " well it's just bigger in size than the Highlander". Politely, I said oh that probably explains it. But I did my due diligence later. The difference in storage area with all three rows up, two rows up, and one row up I don't think ever resulted in more than two cubic feet of a difference. I'm sorry. No I'm not paying $2,000 more for two more cubic feet of space in the back in exchange for an SUV that is hard pressed to last past 150,000 mi and not suffer from something crazy like an internal coolant leak that has an engine recall (example: my 2018 Ford Edge).
So now I wait for my Highlander XLE 2.4L AWD in any color that is not black or green, 4 captains chairs, with any softex interior that's not black and upgraded 12" screen.
Now on to the important question. How long do I have to wait?!?!?