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afewmarvelousthoughts · 5 years

Text

Violet Skies

Pairing: Bucky X OFC

Summary: When Bucky tries to get away from yet another moment of chaotic change he’s faced with a reminder that fate, sometimes, is kind to those that wait.

Warnings: Smut and a truckload of feels.

A/N: I don’t know how @littledarlinhavefaithinme does it but for the second time one of her writing challenges has sent me on a journey I didn’t expect but am so happy to have gone on. (Prompt in bold.)

I hope y’all can forgive the lack of series updates in lieu of this (lengthy) one-shot.

Oh and I finally said, “Fuck it,” and made an OFC so feedback is very welcome. ALL the thanks to @wonderlandmind4 for being my beta to make sure I stayed on track with not slipping into my insert habits. She's a goddamn blessing y’all.

I hope you love it pumpkins!

Tags are open!

@mywinterwolf @disagreetoagree @breezy1415 @peachthatdrinkslemonade @wonderlandmind4 @stevehesaidabadlanguageword @buckysstar @for-the-love-of-the-fandom @siriuslycloudy2 @wildmoonflower @cutie1365 @handplucked @jewelofwinter @whiskeywinter89

(If you should be in my perma-tags and you’re not here let me know so I can fix it!)

Bucky needed to get away.

It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the new friendships he was forming or the posh new digs he’d been granted courtesy of Pepper Pots and the Avenger’s Fund. He was deeply grateful. Even so, it was all so much so fast and he desperately needed to disappear to clear his head.

As he tears down highway mile after highway mile heading south, memories of another time when he needed the same freedom, fill his mind.

Unbeknownst to him, the summer of 1943 would change his life forever. In July they informed him that he was one of the best shots they’d seen in a while—he’d be an invaluable asset in the field. All Bucky heard was that they wanted him to be a killer. That knowledge sat like a brick in his gut for weeks.

When they gave him leave to return home for a stint in August he couldn’t bring himself to head straight back to Brooklyn. After all, how could he look his Ma in the eyes and tell her what they wanted him to do…

Instead, he’d done the same thing he was doing now. He ran south.

The New Orleans he pulled into would be different than the one he encountered all those decades ago. He knew time and the brutality of nature would have changed the city forever, but as he rode into the French Quarter he was pleasantly surprised to see so many things had remained the same—on the outside at least.

The last time he was in this city he had stayed in the cheapest hotel he could find. To say it was questionable would be giving it too much credit. This time, he decided he’d give himself the benefit of a decent stay. The Soniat House was central and nice, but it still had an older feel that soothed him. He liked knowing he wasn’t the oldest thing around.

It’s too early to check-in when his bike pulls up, Sunday morning. He didn’t have a plan, no sites he necessarily wanted to see and no memories he’d allow himself to seek out. All he wanted was peace. The easiest way for him to find that was to move, sitting still too much—especially alone—let his mind wander to things he’d prefer to forget for now. So, rather than linger in the lobby, he leaves his bike and heads into the Quarter on foot.

Despite it being fall the warmth and humidity are still heavy—he loves it, if he never had to be cold again in his life he’d be happy.

After a few blocks, he finds himself in Jackson Square, staring up at the beautiful facade of the St. Louis Cathedral. A steady stream of locals and tourists head into the sanctuary for Sunday morning mass. He can’t help but laugh at himself—once an altar boy.

He hadn’t stepped foot in a church since he’d been free. Some part of him felt unworthy, maybe even a little afraid. After everything recently he longed for something familiar though. With slight hesitation he joins the flow of people, taking a seat as far back as possible.

A few things were different in the ceremony but for the most part, the cadence was as he remembered. He ignored the automatic urge to take communion, watching others with just a touch of envy. Would he ever feel like he deserved to do such a thing again?

The homily was oddly fitting. The priest spoke on forgiveness—not the kind that comes from some benevolent being but the kind from within.

“We must all forgive ourselves, especially in the wake of The Blip, for the things we did to mourn, heal, and survive. After all, if our heavenly father can forgive us these things, who are we to stand in defiance of his wisdom?”

And who says God has forgiven any of us anything? Bucky thinks, bitterness filling his mouth.

When the service ends he tries to slip out without having to shake the Father’s hand. The size of the crowd prevented that though and he found himself face to face with the kindly man.

He grasps Bucky’s hand, a genuine smile on his face. “Thank you for your service soldier.”

Bucky’s heart kicks up, “How did you-”

The priest laughs a little, “You’ve got the look son. Have a blessed day.”

“Thank you, Father.” He forces a weak smile and heads away from the crowd.

An all too familiar restlessness had settled over him since the priest had clocked him for a soldier. It was the feeling that came over him before a mission, similar to the feeling that hangs in the air before a thunderstorm, itchy and electric. He hates it.

Heading for the hotel once more he handles check-in. Since he rode his bike down he’d packed light but this also meant that settling in took not nearly long enough.

He showers, hoping the steaming hot water will wash away this feeling of anticipation but it does nothing. Staring at his reflection in the foggy mirror, tired eyes, grey dusted bread, long hair dripping with water, he comes to a decision.

With a plan in his mind, he changes quickly—slipping into a pair of dark slim denim, a black v-neck tee, and his light bomber jacket—sure it was warm but he’d rather not deal with the stares.

It only takes him a few blocks to find an open barbershop. Swallowing his nerves he steps in.

In a little over an hour he stares, dumbfounded, at a reflection, he can’t quite connect to. This is a different man, someone who died in 1945 and couldn’t possibly be sitting here. This was the James Buchanan Barnes in the Smithsonian, the one in history books.

No, he says to himself, this is me. He still has his beard, albeit groomed, he’d never had a beard back then. The hair is similar, short on the sides and long on top.

This is me, he repeats. Like Sam said, he’s not either Sergeant Barnes or The Winter Soldier—he’s both, all the experiences, good and bad, coming together to make him who he is.

“You clean up real nice son,” the man, who couldn’t be more than 50 says with a smile.

He returns the smile, “This is all you, sir.” All while thinking, I’m likely old enough to be your grandfather.

Despite the man’s protest, he pays him three times the cost of the services plus a tip. What was the point of having money if you didn’t use it like this?

Some of the anxiety lifts after he walks from the shop. He feels lighter like he left something behind there to be swept up and tossed. The rest of the afternoon is spent eating, poking his head into a few shops, enjoying not having anything he feels he has to do.

Evening begins to fall as he watches the Mississippi from a bench in Woldenberg Park. There’s a touch of pleasant coolness to the breeze now, lifting some of the dense humidity he’d grown used to throughout the day.

He breathes in the air, curling his fingers behind his head as he leans his face up to the sky, eyes sliding shut. Being by the water always brought him a sense of peace.

It’s not that he’s tired but closing his eyes feels nice. Soon his muscles relax and he allows himself to doze just a bit. When he opens them once more the sun is just peeking above the horizon, a swatch of orange beneath a violet sky.

Instantly his mouth goes dry as a voice from the past whispers to him about another lifetime and a violet sky.

—

Sweat drips in rivulets down his back. The brass band chases away all other thoughts that could fill his mind. Cigarettes, whiskey, and the smell of the woman next to him fill every other sense.

He’d lost track of time. Was it day two or three? Was this the fifth gal he’d take back to his squalid digs? When did he have to leave? He had to leave right?

His head began to spin.

“James?” The woman next to him tugs on his sleeve. He doesn’t respond, unused as he is to hearing that name. “Hey, James?”

“Huh?” He looks down at her. “Sorry.”

“I don’t wanna bust your chops soldier but you’re lookin’ pretty sauced.”

“Guess I am,” he slams back the remains of the whiskey in his glass.

“Why don’t you take me back to your place then?” She coos the question against his ear. Her hands wander down his torso, grabbing his belt to tug him close.

This isn’t what he wants. Sure, she’s pretty enough but he’s too warm, too drunk, and too morose for this. He needs air.

“I hate to ditch a dame like you but,” he pushes her back, “I’m gonna have to call it a night.”

“What? Are you serious?” She looks so offended, he wished he cared.

“Yeah. Have a good night, Carol.”

“It’s Mary!” She yells to his back. He doesn’t acknowledge her as he makes his way through the crowd to the door.

Once outside he’d hoped for relief but in this southern climate, the sun being down didn’t do much of anything for the heat in August. He barely makes his way down the street before stumbling into an alley to relieve his stomach of the whiskey sloshing around in it.

“Fuck,” he groans pressing his forehead against the bricks. They’re barely cooler than his skin but it feels good none the less. He heaves once more before stumbling to the other side of the alley and collapsing.

A lump rises in his throat. He forces it down along with the nausea, cradling his face in his hands. Home. He needed to make his way home. But home meant facing the future…

“You doin’ alright down there?” A velveteen voice croons from somewhere above him.

With effort Bucky forces his eyes open locating the source of that sweet voice. A woman leans over the edge of the second-floor iron balcony of the building he just wretched on.

“Been better. Sorry.”

“Stay there,” she calls down before disappearing.

He very much wished he had the gumption to run and hide. But his dignity was just going to have to withstand this particular embarrassment because there was no way he was going anywhere fast.

In a few minutes, a woman steps onto the sidewalk. Once he gets an eyeful he feels a little soberer and a whole lot lousier. This wasn’t just some bland bird. The woman swaying toward him was, simply put, stunning. And she had undoubtedly just watched him hit bottom.

Excellent, he thinks.

“Here,” she kneels down holding out a glass that looks damp with condensation.

He does a double-take, unable for a moment to think about anything but caramel skin, freckles, full red lips, and the most fascinating eyes he’d ever seen. At a glance, they could be called grey but truly they were silver, rimmed with coal-black lashes and filled with tender concern.

“I’m so-sorry ma’am,” he stutters trying to force himself up straighter. “I don’t mean to be a nuisance.” Right now he’s happy he could blame the whiskey and heat for his burning ears.

“You’re not a nuisance.” Her voice wasn’t exactly the predominant southern drawl he’d been hearing in the city. There was something else to it, softer, foreign even. “Drink this, it’s just water.”

“Thank you.” Gratefully he takes the glass, gulping down the contents with relief.

“Better?” He nods. “Good. Now,” she pulls the stopper off an unmarked bottle and hands it to him, “drink this. It’ll take the edge off.”

He eyes her suspiciously for a moment, searching for some kind of malice, as he takes the small bottle. Cautiously he sniffs it. The contents don’t smell bad, a mix of mint and a smell that made him remember summer lightning. Strange, but honestly he didn’t give a damn. Without any more hesitation he drinks it.

There’s a moment of zinging through his whole body and then… nothing. Not even the uncomfortable drunken haze remained. Yeah, he still felt a little intoxicated and his abdomen was a touch sore from vomiting but all in all his faculties seemed restored.

“What the hell is that?” He studies the bottle, looking for some kind of identifying mark. There’s only a little wax from where it had held the stopper and a slight greenish tint from the liquid that was once inside.

“Magic,” her voice sounds mischievous. He looks up at her and she winks.

Bucky laughs a little, “Well, whatever it was you could make a fortune selling it.”

“Maybe,” she stands, extending a hand to help him up. Once on his feet, he dusts his trousers off, more to buy time as he searches for something to say than thinking he could actually fix his rumpled appearance.

“Apologies for chucking up on your place here…” Smooth, Barnes. Real smooth. He chides himself.

The woman only laughs, “Oh this isn’t mine. I was just at some awful party. Really, you did me a favor by picking this spot to lose it.”

He grins, “Well, in that case, I guess we’re almost even.”

“Almost?”

“Let me buy you a drink and we can really be square.”

She raises an eyebrow, gesturing to the other side of the alley. “Haven’t you had enough booze?”

He shrugs, “You worked your magic. I’m ready for another round.”

Those fascinating eyes narrow then soften. “Alright. But you only get one magic potion a night so if you end up in another alley you’re stuck there.”

“Fair,” he flashes her a wide smile.

“Let me take this back inside,” she holds up the glass. “I’ll be right back.”

Without a word, she hustles into the building. Honestly, a part of him doesn’t expect that she’ll be back but in just a few minutes there she is, tucking one of her tight dark curls behind her ear as she heads out to meet him.

“Glad you came back,” he smiles at her as she approaches.

“What, think I’d run off?”

“Wasn’t sure if a lamb like you’d really wanna go grab a drink with a drunk you met in an alley.”

“How d’you know I’m such a lamb, huh?” Her eyes glint with the kind of moxie that really gets his temperature up.

“You did just come to my rescue back there,” he thumbs back to where he’d been sitting.

“That makes me a hero, not a lamb.” Multiple rings glint on her fingers as she sets her hands on her ample hips.

“True,” he concedes. “Ya know, I didn’t catch my savior's name.”

She smiles, “Antoinette.” She pronounces it in the French style, the first syllable making a soft sound as it crosses those lips. “But you can call me Toni.” It’s beautiful, perfect for her.

“Pleasure to meet you, Toni,” he holds out his right hand. She takes it, soft skin sliding against his callouses, “I’m Bucky.”

“Pleasure,” she nods. “Come on, let’s get that drink.”

She takes a few confident strides forward as Bucky stares at her retreating form for a moment. The open back of her halter dress is as tantalizing as the sway of her hips.

“Damn,” he whispers under his breath.

Pausing she swings her head back, a broad grin on her lips, “I know it’s a fine view but it’s rude to keep a lady waitin’.”

Bucky laughs, “Must’ve left my manners with my dignity in the alley.” He catches up, taking her proffered arm.

The joint she leads them to doesn’t look like much of anything from the outside. There’s no street entrance, instead, they wind their way back through an overgrown courtyard and enter through a door that’s seen better days—in fact, Bucky was a little worried the thing was going to fall off the hinges when she swung it open.

As soon as they’re in, he hears low notes of a sax playing a smooth song. Down the dim hall, they follow the music until reaching an intricate wooden door guarded by a doorman.

“Wondered if we’d see you tonight Miss Toni,” the dark-skinned man flashes her a broad smile before giving Bucky the once over. “We do have a dress code ya know,” his tone far harsher than when he’d spoken to her.

Bucky’s not sure what to say. He looks like he’d been rode hard and hung up wet and he knows it.

“Oh come on, Cal. The Yanks havin’ a tough time is all. Make an exception for me?” She pats the man's lapel, batting her eyes up at him.

“Fine, but only cuz that cure-all you gave my mama has her up an’ about again.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Her tone is sincere.

“But if the boss wants him out-”

“I’ll handle it, Cal. Thanks!” She grabs Bucky’s hand and pulls him into the bar.

Violet shades cover all the lamps, paired with the haze from the cigarettes the room has an ethereal glow. People murmur quietly around small tables and in cozy booths, not a one speaking so loud as to interrupt the lone man on the stage playing that sweet melancholy sound.

Bucky doesn’t even realize that she left his side, nor that he’s been watching the man play for so long until she taps his shoulder, two drinks in hand, and nods her head toward a back corner booth.

“Thought I was the one gettin’ the drinks,” he says as soon as they slide into the booth next to one another.

“You seemed to be enjoying the show, didn’t seem right to interrupt.” Toni sips her martini, a satisfied look crossing her features before continuing. “Besides, not like I paid for it.”

“Got another beau up there,” Bucky tosses her a grin and takes a sip of the whiskey. It was fine stuff.

“Hardly,” her eyes slide around the patrons, “bartender owes me several.”

“Seem to have a lot of people in your favor.”

Her shoulders lift in a shrug, eyes diverting to the olives in her glass.

Bucky decides it’s a sensitive topic and switches tracks. “What’s this about me bein’ a Yankee anyway?”

“You are, aren’t you?” Her gaze slides up to meet his, a little smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“What gave me away?”

“Oh come on,” her shoulder nudges his, “with that accent? How could you be anything else?”

“I don’t have an accent!” He plasters a look of mock offense on his face for emphasis.

“And neither do I,” she says with a snort.

“What is your accent anyway?”

“Creole. Don’t hear too much of it in the city these days.”

“Not from the city?”

“Not exactly.” Those shadows again. “Smoke?” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a cigarette case.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Bucky pulls his lighter out before she has a chance. “Let me,” he lifts the flame to her cigarette before his own.

She takes a drag. “The boy does have manners,” tendrils of smoke accenting her words further.

“A few. Don’t get your hopes up.”

On the stage, a small band has replaced the lone musician. Just a bass, drums, sax, and piano. More than enough though. They begin a slow but swinging tune that gets a few folks on their feet.

Bucky notices you watch them, a serene expression on her face.

“You happy just watchin’?” He asks as she finishes her drink.

Immediately she looks at him as though she forgot he was there for a moment. “I… yeah, usually. I… Well, I come here alone a lot.”

“That’s hard to believe.” He touches her fingers gently with his own as they both stamp out the remains of their smokes.

“On the house, Miss Toni,” the bartender says, depositing two identical drinks on the table.

“Thanks,” she smiles at the man.

“At this rate, I’m not gonna get to repay my debt.”

“I’m sure you can think of some other way to repay me.” She leans a little closer, moving her hand to slide her fingers between his.

“Hmm,” he hums, running his thumb across the surface of the rings on her fingers. Slowly, giving her time to pull away, he lifts her hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles. Beneath the table his free hand sliding just above her knee.

Eyes locked on hers, lips still hovering over her hand he says, “Why don’t we start with a dance?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

As the two of them dance one, two, three dances the bar fills with patrons. He’s not sad for it. The more people on the dance floor the closer he could hold her, the more excuses he had to breathe in her intoxicating scent of woodsmoke, roses, and a spice he can’t name.

No one’s doing the Lindy here. Everyone is dancing slowly, moving to the rhythm of the music and their partner.

Sometime in the middle of the fourth song the two of them stop moving, save for a slow sway. Those eyes of hers drawing him in. He lowers his lips, catching hers. To his relief, she returns his affection.

Eagerly she pulls him from the dance floor and back to their secluded booth. The larger crowd makes this space feel even more private, hidden. He’s glad of it.

Bucky presses her back into the corner of the booth, kissing her hard. Those soft lips open to him and he tastes her, something sweet with a hint of gin and smoke.

With effort he pulls back, smirking at the little pout on her face. She wouldn’t be pouting long.

He slides close, lifting one of her shapely legs over his. He curls an arm around her shoulders, drawing her into him. With her cheek on his shoulder, his body angled just so, and the privacy afforded by the booth he trails his other hand up her skirt, sliding his fingers around her underwear.

When his thumb slides across her bud he can just make out the little gasp she releases over the music and the crowd. Steadily he strokes, her body reacts, hips pressing up, demanding more.

Toni lifts her face up to his eyes glassy with desire, and kisses him until a small moan trips over her tongue.

“Hush now doll,” he croons into her ear, “don’t want anyone to come ruin the fun.”

He can feel her breath quicken, feel her shudder a bit beneath him.

“You like that,” he nips a little at her ear. A hand flies to her mouth to catch the sound. “Thought so. Come on sweetheart.”

Just a little more and… She buries her face in his shoulder, hand gripping his shirt tight as she comes hard.

Bucky moves his hand, wrapping her trembling form in his arms. For some time he holds her like this, comfortable, and admittedly a little self-satisfied.

Suddenly he feels her hand grab him, fingers deftly caressing his cock through the fabric. His breath catches as he looks down at her smirking face.

She lifts her lips to his ear, applying just a touch of pressure, “You think that makes us even?” Her teeth sink into his ear lobe causing his hips to thrust up, pressing into her grip. “Nowhere close.”

In moments they’re in the courtyard. Bucky presses Antoinette against the crumbling brick wall, pinning her arms to her sides as he trails kisses down her neck and collarbones.

“Bucky,” she groans pulling at his restraint.

“Come to my place,” he says in a gravel tone after kissing his name from her lips.

“Bet mine’s closer.”

“Lead the way then,” he releases her.

The block to Toni’s digs takes several times longer than it should. Neither of them able to go more than a few feet without pausing to taste the other. There’s a moment when Bucky isn’t sure they’re going to make it to her place before having one another.

They do make it though.

Toni stops in front of a shop, the sign above the door reads: “Madame Antoinette’s: Palmistry, Cards, Assistance.”

“You’re a… fortune teller or somethin’?” He asks as they walk through the suspiciously unlocked door.

“Or somethin’.” She pulls him by the arm through the small waiting area lit by the street lights to a room filled with bottles, pouches, herbs, and other strange paraphernalia with one lamp glowing in the corner. The next room is clearly where she tells her fortunes, dark, save for one thick candle burning in a lantern.

Bucky freezes, an entirely new desire overtaking him.

When she takes a step to head out of the space all she manages is to stumble, anchored by his unmoving form. Confused she looks back to him.

“Did you wanna gawk at the decor or me?”

His gaze slides from the velvet covered road table to her face, trying his damnedest to keep his features and tone even. “Read my fortune.”

“No.” Her tone is final. Once more she pulls at him but he doesn’t budge.

His hand grips hers tighter before tugging her into his chest, “Come on.” He gives her what he hopes is a confident grin.

“I said no,” she pushes against his chest and takes a step back.

“Why not?” His brows knit.

Toni looks at the floor, at the table, and finally back to him. “I don’t tell soldier’s fortunes.”

“I didn’t-”

“You didn’t have to. I knew.”

He doesn’t want to know how. “So you’ll take a soldier to bed but not read his palm?”

“Because I know my bed holds nothing but good things,” she spits. “The fortune of a soldier is almost always bad news.”

Silence hangs, the air between them crackling. “Besides, if you need the cards to tell you what the product of war is maybe you should reconsider, soldier.” It’s his turn to look away.

She strides to the doorway they’d been heading for. “You coming or not?”

“Please,” his voice is thick with emotion. When he’s able to meet her gaze again he can feel the tears sting the backs of his eyes. Closing the distance between them he grabs her hands in his, immediately her expression softens.

“Even if it’s bad. Please, Toni. I just… I gotta know.” He’s begging, likely losing any shot he has with her too, but it doesn’t matter. “I don’t even care if everything you tell me is bullshit. I just… I need somethin’…”

“It won’t be,” he cocks his head in confusion as her eyes drift to the table. “From me it won’t be bullshit. It will just… be.”

“Ok. I can take it. Better than not knowing.”

Subtly she shakes her head, pulling free from his grip and walking toward the candle. Bucky doesn’t move as she lights a thin stick, using it to light another white candle on the round table.

“Sit,” she commands. He does as he’s told.

Taking a deep breath Antoinette lays her hands on the table, palms up. “Give me your hands.”

He stares at her hands, suddenly nervous. “Don’t you need cards or-”

“Do you want this or not?” He nods. “Then give me your hands and shut up.”

When her hands close around his her eyes slide shut. For a few seconds everything seems normal but then he’s overcome with the strangest sensation-it’s like he’s floating and yet weighted down all at the same time, his whole body feeling the way a limb does after you’ve sat on it too long, numb yet tingling with sensation.

She releases his hands and he recoils instantly. When her eyes open he could swear that just for a second they were… glowing. It happened so fast he couldn’t be sure. What he was sure of was the steady stream of tears flowing down her freckle dusted cheeks.

“Tell me…”

Her voice is low, resonant, “You will become everything you fear. Ice will live in your veins. But only one hand will drip with blood, the other will remain snow white.” His breath leaves him. “But they will never know these things.”

Somehow he knows who she means—his family.

He almost doesn’t ask, almost doesn’t want to know… “Do… do I die… there?”

“No.”

“Oh, well… I guess that something right?” He tries to force a half-smile, he’s pretty sure it just looks like a grimace.

True sorrow filler her eyes before she has to look away from him. “There are far worse fates in this world than death, Sergeant Barnes.”

Bucky tries, he really does, to keep it together, to be a man. He’s not strong enough though, not for this. The sob bursts from his lips before he can stop it. Desperately he covers his mouth as if he could put it back.

Before he can protest his face is enveloped in the soft black fabric of her skirt, one hand holding his face against her abdomen, the other wrapped around him. He doesn’t resist, flinging his arms around her allowing the tears to take him.

Toni’s soft hands pull his face up to look at her once his sobs quiet a touch, “Come upstairs, Bucky.”

He shakes his head, “I’m sorry, Toni, but I don’t think-”

“Shh,” she slides a finger over his lips. “Trust me. Please.”

Stepping back she grips his shoulders, guiding him up from the chair. In a haze of emotion he follows her blindly out of the room and up a narrow staircase. It opens into a large open room with windows and balconies on both ends.

Past a screen toward the back balcony is a large, brass fourposter bed. Beside it she stops, fingers making quick work of his shirt buttons, sliding the garment off his shoulders and pulling his undershirt over his head. He doesn’t stop her when they wander to his trousers. In moments he’s in nothing but his shorts.

Wordlessly she unties the neck of her dress, letting it fall to reveal her chest as she unzips her skirt. In another situation he’d never be able to resist those curves, but right now, how good he’d feel between her thighs is the furthest thing from his mind.

She removes her underwear and steps past him, climbing into the unmade bed. Turning he sees open arms beckoning him to join. Understanding dawns along with an immense wave of gratitude.

He makes his way into her bed, glad to press his back into her soft warmth, allowing her to hold him tight.

Toni presses gentle kisses against his left shoulder and begins to hum a pretty, soothing song. The melody accompanied by the soft whirr of an unseen fan and her reassuring presence soon rock Bucky into a deep, dreamless, sleep.

Soft morning light filters through the lace curtains casting intricate shadows on her sleeping form. One arm is curled tight against her chest while the other is tucked under her pillow. Through lids still heavy with sleep Bucky takes in the features of her serene face.

A mahogany curl lies over her closed eyes. Ever so carefully he tucks it back into the red-brown mass splayed across her pillow. Despite his best efforts, her brows knit for a split second before her lids slide open to reveal those silvery eyes. They remind him of full moons.

“Didn’t mean to wake you,” he lets his finger trace the line of her high cheekbone. Her lips curl softly in response, reaching one and caressing his rough cheek in kind.

Closing the small space between them in one motion, Bucky kisses her tenderly. Turning her body to fully face him she returns his affection. He runs a hand down her side and around her back pulling her close against him, the warmth of her body making him ache.

She slides a hand between them, lightly scratching her nails down his chest and abdomen. When she reaches his hips she grips him, pushing him to his back as she rises to her knees.

He doesn’t resist her—deft fingers coaxing his shorts off before studying the planes of his abdomen, the curve of his hips, the tense muscles of his thighs. Not once though does she touch the one place on his body that is begging for it. Each touch elsewhere causes his cock to jerk painfully, desperate for contact.

Lips curled into a coy smile she leans over him, the tips of her breasts barely touching his chest. Lowering herself, she presses her body against him. He ruts against her, the soft flesh of her abdomen driving him wild.

She lets out a low purr, close to a laugh, “Patience.”

With her mouth teasing the tender flesh of his neck he lifts his hands to feel the curve of her spine down to her ass. Gripping the supple flesh there he tries to lift her, wanting to take her now. She reaches back, grabbing his wrists. Compliant, he allows her to pull them away, pinning them by his head.

Bucky had been with other women in the past. Never had he found himself in this position—he was utterly besotted.

When she covers his mouth with hers, he can’t help but groan with desire. Her lower body shifts thighs lifting to flank his.

Rising onto her knees the light shines on a bit of moisture on her stomach. A tiny touch of embarrassment rises in him but is obliterated when she catches it with her middle and ring fingers, brings them to her lips, and slowly sucks them clean. He can’t even breathe.

Those same fingers descend the length of her body and slide between her legs. Her lashes flutter, hips rising to her own touch. She removes them, glistening.

Before she can stop him he takes her wrist, drawing her hand to his mouth. Much as she had done, he tastes her, his tongue flicking the tips of her fingers. He holds her eyes with his, watching them widen as her breath hitches.

Toni leans down to him once more, shifting her hips forward. This kiss is unlike anything else he’s ever felt—he buries his fingers in her hair, not wanting her to stop, not wanting the humming in his chest to stop.

He can feel the heat of her hovering just above him. His cock twitches up and just barely touches the soft hair.

Lips still locked together, she reaches back to guide him into her.

Bucky thrusts up, the warm tight feeling of her sending tremors through his body. Their eyes open when he does so both frozen mid-kiss, breathless from the feeling of being joined like this.

Neither move at first. The connection somehow enough to satisfy for a time.

Untangling his fingers from her curls he grips her thighs. With a fluid swoop she rises, holding her hair back with one hand. Never looking from him she begins a steady rolling motion with her hips. He’s slack jawed with the feeling, unable to fathom anything better than this.

She runs her hands down to her breasts, taking her dark pink nipples between her fingers as he pushes himself deeper inside of her. He releases one of her thighs, wanting nothing more than to make her feel as good as he does.

As his thumb moves over her clit her head falls back, a dark moan filling the room. Her body arches, one arm braced behind her back the other holding onto his forearm, silently begging him not to stop.

“Bucky,” she whispers, tongue thick. Her hips move into a faster pace.

When her orgasm crashes into her he sits up, twining his arms around her back to bring her shaking body closer to his. Toni lifts herself just enough to wrap her legs around him, allowing him to push deeper within her.

As he moves slowly, his fingertips trace goosebumps on her spine, the feeling that they’re one being is otherworldly.

This is what it should feel like, he thinks, what it should always feel like, like magic.

“What are you?” He whispers, feeling her walls tighten around him.

“Yours,” she responds.

That’s all it takes to tip him over the edge.

His fingers grip her ass, pushing their pace a bit faster. She braces herself against his shoulders.

“Antoinette,” he breathes, unable to make another word rise to his lips, unable to ask.

“Yes,” she answers his unspoken question.

His whole body tenses, brows knit, a low groan rumbles from deep within him as his muscles release. With a need he can’t quite name his mouth seeks hers again before they fall—panting, sweat sparkling on their skin—back into the embrace of the bed.

“You don’t have to go, not yet,” she says as her fingers absently run through the hair on his chest. Rising on an elbow she turns those bewitching eyes on him, “Just stay until tomorrow at least.”

He tries not to dwell on how she knew where his thoughts were without him saying a damn thing. The truth was he didn’t want to go.

“Ok, tomorrow,” he agrees before catching her lips with his.

Tomorrow turned into another tomorrow and before he knew it he’d been falling asleep in Antoinette’s bed for four nights.

In truth, it was all a sweet blur. Languid days spent exploring New Orleans by her side. She’d tell animated stories of the city as they walked—painting such a vivid portrait of events and people from decades prior that if he didn’t know better he’d think she lived it.

Bucky couldn’t help but smile as folks from all walks would stop them to thank her for some cure she’d provided, some guidance she’d offered. Without hesitation she’d stop anything she was doing if someone made a request of her. More than once someone had whispered how lucky he was to be in her company as if he could somehow be unaware.

He’d seen people in his life who wore their goodness like a badge of honor, something they hoped people would laud them for. Not her. It was just who she was. Each time he was reminded of this it also served to remind him that she’d never be his, not really. He wasn’t destined for such goodness.

When the sun lowered beneath the river they danced in clubs he’d never have found otherwise. Drank in music, and liquor, and each other like they’d have all the time in the world to do so.

Now, he lays in her bed, studying the curves of her body through the open French doors, unable to fathom how he’d just had her and yet his body is already begging for more.

The new moon kept the sky dark and little light from the city touched the back balcony—even so, her caramel skin seemed creamy, almost luminescent.

He rolls from the comfortable confines of her bed, padding out to join her. Without hesitation, she leans her body into his as he comes up behind her. Plucking the cigarette from her fingers, he takes a deep drag, his free hand caressing the soft skin of her abdomen.

“Tomorrow,” she sighs, her head falling back onto his shoulder to be able to see his face. “You’ll leave tomorrow.”

He had decided to do so earlier that day, he just hadn’t known how to tell her. “Yeah.” She nods in acknowledgment, turning her gaze back to the summer night, twining her fingers tightly around his.

They make love slowly almost reverently the next morning. He doesn’t want to forget a single thing about her.

As he sits on the edge of the bed his stomach flops over at the thought of getting on the train that evening. He rests an elbow on his thigh, leaning over to cradle his head in his hands.

“Don’t go.” Her tone is suddenly frantic as she turns him back to face her, sitting on her knees in the middle of the mattress.

“I have to Toni,” he shifts his body to be more squarely on the bed. “I gotta see my family before…” He can’t manage to finish the statement.

“But you don’t have to go. Not to Europe.” She grabs his hands, gripping them with all her might. “We could run. I have enough money tp go-”

“Where would we run, Toni. The whole damn world is-”

“Not the whole world! We could go to Mexico City. Or maybe Saint Domingue, live on the beach, spend every day in the water…” Her fingers trace the outlines of his face, “Please. Don’t go. Don’t… you don’t have to…” He knows what she can’t bring herself to say.

“I’d be yours you know. I’d say yes.” The twin moons of her eyes are huge, imploring, tempting. Tenderly he takes her hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles, shaking his head.

“You deserve someone much better than me, Toni.” Someone better than what I’ll become…

“Don’t assume you know what I deserve,” shadows darken her expression. “You’re a good man, Bucky, you deserve better than what you believe, better than what fate has given you.” Her hand covers his heart before her eyes squeeze closed as if in pain. He feels that same tingling as he had when she’d told his fortune.

“Toni?” His tone drips with concern.

When she looks back to him her eyes brim with tears. “Please,” she says once more.

“I can’t darlin’. I’d never be able to forgive myself if I went AWOL. I got a duty and I’m gonna do it.”

“Then promise me something,” she takes his hands in hers.

“Anything, Antoinette, anything.” He means it.

“Remember, they can’t take this from you,” her fingers poke above his heart. “Nothing they do, nothing, will stop you from being James Barnes in here.”

“I’ll remember…” He kisses her softly. “I promise.” Even if he doesn’t believe her.

Even though he has to leave soon he can’t resist pulling her to the bed again.

Just one more time, one more and leaving will be easier, he tells himself.

He’s wrong.

Just before evening they stand outside the train station, holding on to one another so tight it almost hurts.

“It’s not too late,” she says against his lips after another hard kiss, “you can change your mind.”

He just shakes his head, smiling sadly.

Under the light of sunset, she’s radiant. The orange’s picking up the red in her hair and the warmth of her skin. He’d never meet someone like her again.

There’s something he needs to know, even if it’s not an answer he wants.

“Will I ever see you again?” Speaking the question aloud makes his heart constrict. Her gaze is distant, as she seems to look through him, the tingle beneath his skin there again.

Toni looks up and the sky, voice far away, “Under another violet sky, in another lifetime, our paths will cross again.”

“I’ll look forward to that lifetime then,” because clearly it would be better than this one. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

An announcement cuts him to the bone. Final boarding.

She grabs his face in her strong but delicate hands, the metal from her rings pressing to his skin. “I will never forget you, Bucky Barnes.”

“I won’t forget you either.” She looks away as if in doubt. He decides one final kiss will convince her. “I won’t.” He stares into her eyes, willing her to believe him.

“Until the next time.” He’s relieved she didn’t say goodbye, there were too many goodbyes coming for him. She kisses him once more releasing him.

“Next time,” he nods and runs to catch the train.

Once in his seat he looks out the window seeing her. He slides the window open.

“Don’t forget your promise!” She yells up.

“I won’t, Antoinette. I swear!”

He watches the tears slide down her face until she’s out of sight… forever.

A tear slides out of the corner of his eye before he can catch it.

He’d broken every promise he made to her. They took his heart, they took her. When he’d come down here, she wasn’t even on his mind. Hell, had he even remembered those extraordinary five days with Antoinette until now?

He doubles over on the bench, arms wrapped around him.

Memories were a double-edged sword. They connected him to who he was, who he’d been before, but fuck they tore at his soul in a way that made him long for nothingness again.

Here was someone else to mourn, someone else to ache for. She was probably resting in one of New Orleans’ elaborate cemeteries now, next to whatever man got lucky enough to hear her say yes.

Maybe he’d find her. Bring flowers, say he was sorry…

Her home had been in the Quarter, he could find that easier, faster, than a grave. It was as good a place to start as any.

Hands shoved in his jacket pockets he begins to walk in a direction that feels right, eyes glued to the sidewalk. Looking at the sky just made the ache worse, made her sweet voice ring in his ears again.

Turning a corner, not paying attention to anything but putting one foot in front of the other, he careens into someone.

“Shit! I’m so sorry!” He hustles to grab a can of coffee rolling toward the street.

“It’s ok,” a soft voice says. “My mind was a world away.”

The coffee can’s metal body creaks a bit as his left hand closes a little too tightly around it. Slowly he turns to see a mass of mahogany curls and ring covered fingers gathering the other fallen groceries into a reusable bag.

Every bit of breath is sucked from his lungs when twin moons look up at him. He staggers back like he’s been struck.

“An - Antoinette,” he stammers.

A massive smile lights her face, “I told you our paths would cross under a violet sky, didn’t I?” His jaw hangs open, eyes blinking rapidly trying to clear her from his vision, as she steps toward him. She grabs the coffee can from his grip before he breaks it.

“Trying to catch flies, Bucky?” One bejeweled finger lifts his chin.

There are a million things running through his mind as he tries to make sense of this—but nothing will come out.

She turns, “Come on, my place isn’t far.” Before she walks forward she throws a smile his way and gives him a wink.

Of their own volition his feet trudge after her.

It’s the same building he remembers but the sign advertising fortunes is gone. Instead it seems the bottom shop is a specialty bookseller. Patronage by Appointment Only read the letters on the still unlocked door.

His head spins as he follows her through the strangely familiar yet different space and up the back stairs.

Her living space was still open and airy though it now sported a proper small kitchen close to the front. And when he looked toward the back he saw the light glint on a familiar brass bed frame.

“Coffee?” Toni asks, as though this is just a normal thing.

He stares at her for a minute, stuck at the top of the stairs, as she moves about the kitchen. She sets a brass kettle on the island burner and pulls a French press from the open shelves. After scooping coffee into the container she finally looks at him.

“Did you like chicory? I don’t remember.”

“I,” his voice cracks. He clears his throat, “I don’t remember either, honestly.” Trance like he makes his way to the small round table close to the front balcony, collapsing into the wooden chair.

“It’s good. I promise.” The kettle screeches. She pours water into the press.

When she sets it on the table she doesn’t look at him. She turns back to the kitchen. He can’t stand it. His left-hand shoots out, grabbing her wrist with cool metal fingers. Languidly she looks back at him, meeting his eyes full on.

“Is this real?” Bucky knew that dreams could feel as real as anything. The terror that this is a hallucination grips him. Toni’s expression is soft as silk as she gently touches the side of his face, he fights to keep his eyes from closing at how good it feels to be touched like this.

“I am very real, Bucky.”

Despite how insane this is he believes her—knows she’s telling the truth, that he’s here, she’s here, this is real. He releases her wrist and she unflinchingly takes his left hand for just a moment before heading into the kitchen for mugs and cream.

She sits across from him, sliding a mug over, “That needs a few more minutes. Worth the wait though.”

Coffee is the furthest thing from his mind.

“How… how are you still alive?”

A smirk makes her eyes sparkle a bit. “Well, technically the Antoinette Desmarais you knew is dead.”

“Oh?” He laughs a little at the ridiculousness of this whole thing, “So… How long have you been dead?”

Her smirk turns to a smile, “Roughly 70 years.”

“Damn,” he forks his fingers through his hair. “Guess I missed the funeral then. Wouldda sent flowers but, pretty sure I was technically dead then too.”

She shrugs, “It was a small private affair. Most of my funerals are.”

“Had more than one?”

“A few,” she presses down the plunger on the French press before pouring the coffee. “That was my second. Had my third in ’96.” He watches her put a splash of cream in her coffee, normally he took it black but he follows her lead.

“The government gets a little suspicious if you just keep goin'. But if you die and leave your estate to your namesake, well, that’s fine.” She sips her coffee, “Guess you don’t have to worry about that though.”

“Nah,” he tastes his own cup, remembering that he did like this unique flavor back then. “For better or worse they’re pretty damn aware of me.”

Silence hangs for a few moments before he can’t bear it any more. “You didn’t answer my question, Toni… How?”

“Would, ‘I’m a witch,’ be sufficient enough?” She looks up at him through her thick dark lashes. He narrows his eyes, she sighs, “Didn’t think so.”

“Long story short… I was young, stupid, had power, thought I could do anything I wanted…” Her shoulders hunch forward, eyes on the coffee in her cup. “I… I went too far. Crossed a line. Someone came to stop me and I… I killed him.”

Bucky studies her, unable to imagine her doing harm to anyone.

“Just so happened he had a lover, someone far more powerful than me.” She shields her eyes a bit, cradling her forehead, “Bit of life advice, don’t piss off an ancient powerful sorceress, never ends well.” Leaning back, she tries to force something like a smile.

When he doesn’t speak she continues, “She punished me. In a way that, at the time seemed like a gift-”

“Immortality,” Bucky says in barely a whisper. He remembers the fortune she told, that there were worse fates than death. She would have known.

“No,” she shakes her head, “immortality is—well that costs far more than I was worth to her, no she cursed me with life. A long, long life. I called her a fool, a bald hag--childish nonsense. But… well, I guess you’ve discovered for yourself.”

Tears sparkle in her eyes when she looks back to him, “There are few things more painful than to watch everything and everyone you’ve known and loved die.”

“I didn’t watch,” he slides his right hand over hers, “but I do understand.” That’s why he’d ran down here, the weight of loss was too much.

Her fingers slide through his and for a time they stay like that, linked across the table, across decades, sharing an experience few would understand. It would have been enough to sustain him through another lifetime he thought.

“You’re taking this all rather well,” she lifts a perfectly shaped brow at him.

“A few months ago I woke up face down in the dirt to a wizard telling me that somehow five years had passed and that I needed to go through a glowing portal to help save the world again…” He chugs the remains of his coffee. “I also met a talking raccoon and tree. So… yeah… I’ll roll with just about anything after that.”

She laughs, “Well, I’m glad you had a primer on weird before we met again.”

He lets out a small laugh too, he left out meeting a god and the million other small things that still felt unreal to him in daily life.

“How long?” He asks sliding his thumb over the rough surface of her rings.

“Lose your manners again? It’s rude to ask a lady her age.” She smiles at him before finishing her coffee. “I was born here in 1821, one month to the day after Napoleon died.”

“So when we met you were…”

“‘Bout 120? Yeah.” She pours more coffee into her cup, releasing his hand, “Close enough to your age now I bet.” He nods.

“And you’re still here…” He motions around the space.

“Well, I wasn’t born here-here. I was born in New Orleans though. And I didn’t stay here the whole time, I just come back home when I need something-”

“Familiar,” he finishes the thought, knowing the feeling far too well.

“Yeah. The city changes but the Quarter, she’s kinda like me—we get older, get get a little rough around the edges, a little worn down, but we’re still standin’.” Toni’s expression is almost wistful.

As her expression is focused out the French doors, Bucky argues with himself. He’d gotten off that bench earlier with the intention to apologize to dust and bones because he thought he owed her that. Now here she was, as beautiful and alive as the day he met her, and the thought of admitting his failure seemed impossible.

“Don’t,” she says in a voice like velvet. He stares into her knowing eyes. “You don’t owe me a goddamn thing Bucky Barnes.”

He shakes his head, “I do though. I broke my promise.”

“No,” she sets her cup down, grabbing both his hands fiercely, “you didn’t.”

Weakly he tries to pull back but she won’t let him. “Antoinette… I… If you only knew what I’ve—I forgot you, forgot…” he pulls one hand free to point at his heart, “Forgot this.”

“No,” she says again, “you didn’t. If you did you wouldn’t be here.” He looks away, unable to find the words to tell her just how wrong she is.

She sighs, “You do know I have the internet, right? I may be over 200 but I’m not dead.” He looks back, confused.

“James Buchanan Barnes fell from a train in 1945, was presumed dead. After the events at the Triskellion, he’s now known as the longest-serving POW in history, forced to take the mantle of the Winter Soldier and commit heinous crimes in the name of his captors.”

His stomach drops. Faster than any normal man could manage he shoots from the chair, sending it screeching back. Unable to leave her yet though, he leans his head against the frame of the French door, attempting to breathe.

Almost soundlessly she comes up behind him, placing a soothing hand on his lower back. He flinches at the gesture.

“But you fought back,” she takes a shaky breath. “If they had taken your heart you’d still be The Winter Soldier, but no, Bucky Barnes is standing right here in my kitchen. Because you kept a promise you made all those years ago, to a woman you hardly knew.”

“You don’t know,” is all he can manage without breaking.

“I do.” She lifts a hand to cup his cheek, turning him to face her. “I didn’t see exactly what would happen to you, prophecy is never that simple nor clear, but I felt the void, the despair, the cold. I felt it then and I can see the scars in your heart now.”

He covers her hand with his, eyes closing. “I shouldda gone with you. Should of listened.”

“Yeah,” she huffs out a dry laugh, their clasped hands lowering, “lived out your days on a beach, peacefully. But fate will have what she wants, I knew it couldn’t be.”

Something occurs to him, “You said you’d say yes then. But…” She looks like she’s hardly aged, “You would have stayed the same and I’d be…”

“Dead? Likely so.” Her smile is tender, “But living one lifetime with you would have been worth the pain of lettin’ go I think.” He shakes his head, eyes sliding shut, unable to fully comprehend why he’d be worth that.

“And for what it’s worth. No one said that offer had an expiration date.”

“What?!” His eyes shoot open in disbelief.

Toni’s rich laugh fills the room, “Mexico City is still there, there’s plenty of beautiful beaches around the world to see too.” She presses close to him, “And, it’s a little old fashioned but… I believe I would still say yes to this,” she points at his heart just as she’d done before.

Bucky’s chest constricts. Without thinking he cradles her face in his hands and kisses her. She tastes like coffee and memories, her scent of roses and wood smoke and spice filling his nostrils. Her body melts into his, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him back with just as much intensity.

He breaks the connection, pushing her back just enough to look into her face.

“Antoinette, there are things…” how can he tell her all the reasons she should run, all the reasons she should take it all back.

“You can tell me everything or nothing in time, Bucky,” she traces his lips with her fingers. “It seems that, for once, time is on our side.”

As the violet sky above them faded to navy and a fall breeze filtered through open doors—the two of them relived the feeling of hot summer nights from years past and dreamed of a future together that, though far from perfect, would maybe be a little less lonely.

#Bucky Barnes X OFC #Bucky Barnes #Bucky X OFC #Bucky #1940s Bucky #1940s bucky barnes #Enhanced!OFC #Bucky Fluff #Bucky Feels #New Orleans

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eli-kittim · 4 years

Text

Was Mythicism or Historicism More Dominant In the Early History and Development of the Christian Church?

By Goodreads Author Eli Kittim

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Preface

There are certain things in the Bible that we all take for granted today, such as the historicity of Jesus, his execution by Pontius Pilate, and the like. We think that these “facts” were written in stone and have been known since Christianity’s inception. How can anyone seriously challenge them?

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Christian Origins

But early Christianity was not monolithic. It was diverse. There were many different sects that held very different views both about Jesus and the interpretation of the New Testament. Orthodoxy eventually won the day but that doesn’t mean that they necessarily represented the sect that held the hermeneutically-correct and valid Bible interpretations or that they had the correct view about Jesus. Far from it. There were, in fact, diametrically opposed views that ranged from one extreme to another, from a completely human Jesus to a phantom or a ghost that never really existed. But, as we will see, there is a middle ground where mythicism and historicism meet.

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Gnosticism

The New Testament is a literary creation. So it’s difficult to probe its historical antecedents. What were some of the opposing views to “Orthodoxy”? One of the most vocal of these Christian sects was centred in Alexandria, Egypt: the Gnostics. They were the first advocates of the “you-don’t-need-religion, you-need-a-relationship-with-Jesus” pitch. Although there were many splinter groups, they all emphasised a personal “gnosis” (knowledge) and acquaintance with spiritual realities rather than a preoccupation with dry religious discourses and traditions. They originated in the first century C.E. and flourished until the second century, during which the Patristic Fathers denounced them as heretics. But were they? According to Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels, they were the genuine Christians of that early period whom the Orthodox Church tried to suppress!

——-

To be sure, their theology was influenced by Greek thought, but the focal point of their doctrine and practice was not based on rhetoric or dogma but rather on personal existential experience. And based on their own inimitable style, one can infer that they had better insights into the divine than their orthodox counterparts who did little more than debate the issues.

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Docetism

Then there were the Docetists, who held the “heterodox” (i.e. “at variance with orthodoxy”) doctrine that what appeared to be a historical Jesus was nothing more than an apparition or a phantom, and that his phenomenological bodily existence was not real. This is actually more in line with Scripture, which repeatedly talks of visions and apparitions in one form or another (cf. Lk 24.23–24; Gal. 1.11-12). These are the first mythicists who believed that Jesus never existed! There’s a great deal of Biblical evidence that supports this view. This early Christian view called “Docetism” (derived from the Greek term “Dokesis,” meaning “to seem”)——which held that Christ did not really exist in human form, an idea that was later picked up by Islam——attracted some of the greatest Biblical thinkers of Antiquity:

“According to Photius [a 9th century Byzantine Patriarch], Clement of Alexandria held at least a quasi-docetic belief regarding the nature of Christ, namely that the Word/Logos did not became flesh, but only ‘appeared to be in flesh,’ an interpretation which directly denied the reality of the incarnation” (Ashwin-Siejkowski, Piotr. “Clement of Alexandria on Trial: The Evidence of ‘Heresy’ from Photius’ Bibliotheca.” [Leiden: Brill, 2010], p. 95).

As would be expected, Docetism was eventually rejected as a heretical doctrine at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. But this verdict was issued in the 4th century. And there is a very good reason why mythicism had thitherto been on the upswing. In fact, despite this setback, the hermeneutical doctrine that gave rise to Docetism continued to hold sway over most of the church until the Reformation.

——-

The Monophysite Christian church

According to tradition, the Coptic Church of Egypt was founded by Mark the evangelist in the first century CE. Due to a Christological dispute, this “Monophysite” Christian church was condemned as heretical by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE. Instead of accepting the doctrine that Christ was fully human and fully divine, the Coptic church asserted that Christ had only one nature, and that nature was divine. In other words, just like the Docetists they denied the incarnation and therefore they can be technically defined as mythicists! A similar monophysite explanation of how the divine and human relate within the person of Jesus is Eutychianism. Eutychians were often classified as Phantasiasts by their opponents because they reduced Jesus’ incarnation to a phantasm or an illusion of some kind. Their Christology was along the lines of Docetism in that they, too, denied the full reality of Jesus’ humanity. Thus, we find that there were quite a number of sects that denied the historicity of Jesus during the early period of the church. Things started to change with the onset of the first ecumenical councils!

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The Alexandrian School

The early Christian church held to an allegorical (theological) Interpretation of the Bible, not a historical one. Philo’s essential approach to Biblical interpretation influenced the Christian School of hermeneutics, which also developed in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. One of its principal leaders was the Great Bible scholar, Clement of Alexandria (150-215 CE), who while acknowledging that the Bible contained various levels of meaning also realized that the non-literal (i.e. the allegorical/mystical) interpretations contained the ideal spiritual insights. Alexandrian hermeneutics were so popular that they eventually became the dominant force in Biblical interpretation up until the time of the Protestant Reformation. So, the allegorical/theological Biblical interpretation that gave rise to such views as Docetism was the mainstay of early Biblical scholarship. This method was obviously more inclined towards the spiritual, the metaphorical, and the metaphysical, dare I say the Gnostic!

——-

The School of Antioch

Sometime towards the end of the 3rd century CE, the School of Antioch was founded. It was the first Seminary, so to speak, founded in Syria that overemphasized the literal interpretation of the Bible and the humanity of Christ. This so-called “exegetical school” interpreted Scripture primarily according to its historical and grammatical sense. In an attempt to offset the earlier excesses of Biblical interpretation that could lead to various questionable doctrines, such as those of Docetism, the Antioch school became increasingly dogmatic and heavily involved in overemphasizing the literal interpretation of the Bible and the full humanity of Jesus. This led to the so-called “Nestorian Heresy,” namely that Jesus possessed two hypostases, one human and one divine! As a result of the condemnation of Nestorius (386 – 450 CE) at the First Council of Ephesus in 431, the Antioch school’s influence declined considerably and never really recovered. Many followers abandoned the school and it eventually moved to another location further East in Persia. Even though the Antiochian school’s tenets had lost traction, they were eventually taken up again by Martin Luther and John Calvin, who restored them to their former glory.

——-

Conclusion

So, the earlier Alexandrian School of allegorical interpretation at least allowed the possibility of mythicism to be considered as a viable option, whereas the later Antiochian school of literal interpretation——which influenced not only “the dogma of Christ” in the early ecumenical councils, but also modern Bible scholarship——eventually became the dominant school of hermeneutics that held to a rigid form of literalism and overemphasized the historicity of Jesus. In other words, the early church was not as adamant about the historicity of Jesus as the later Church! Thus, up until the end of the third century (the Ante-Nicene Era), and just prior to the onset of the first ecumenical council, the allegorical/metaphorical Jesus dominated the Biblical landscape. It was not until much later that the literal, historical interpretation of Jesus became the prevalent view that it is today!

——-

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seenashwrite · 5 years

Text

The Last Job

Word Count: 3.5K Category: One-shot; Behind-the-scenes canon-compliant; Family; Life choices Rating: Teen & Up Character(s): References to familiar people/places Pairing(s): N/A Warnings: Mild coarse language Author’s Note(s): *This is a re-post minus tags and links, in an effort to get it to show up in searches*; While this little vignette can be read as a stand-a-lone, highly recommend you check out “Hello, I’m Gone” (linked in Master Post) if you haven’t already, but if you *have* and found something to like about it, then I suspect you’ll find something to enjoy in this one, too. Overall Summary: A long-time client gives a contractor his final assignment.

The sky was different in Texas. He couldn’t speak to Arizona or Colorado or Nevada, or even Mexico, but he knew what he knew. It was something about the way the sun cut through, something about the tint of the blue.

He traveled, albeit limited distances and for limited amounts of time. Texas was a big state, though not so big as to be gone long enough for his wife to fret. His work was no-nonsense and he was extra appreciated amongst his current clientele for his frugality, his efficiency.

They’d initially claimed to have no care for messy versus clean, but he knew better. They’d rather keep unknown, to where few a souls on earth as possible would even suspect they existed. Everything worked better for them this way; seemed they had no desire to be summoned all over the globe.

He could see that - he’d lived in the lone star state all his life, and had no pull to elsewhere. The constant position of the dials on public radios and televisions to the news channels that catered to the aptitudes of the lowest common denominator was vexing. He imagined the future would be the same way. Nothing ever seemed to change in Texas. Blessing or curse, depending on your perspective.

Less vexing, but still annoying, was how the vast number of gun-carrying, bravado-swinging, cowboy hat-and-boot wearers had no practical, economical, life reasons for doing so. Dropped into a middle-of-nowhere scenario, they’d perish quickly. But all that posturing comforted them, and the conclusion he’d arrived at many moons ago was that for him, this was fortunate, to be surrounded by so many who were content. Unaware. Placid. Stereotypical.

And in a similar vein, he’d already been informed his last job was exactly that - basic. In and out. He’d actually hoped for more, hoped for a challenge, hoped for perhaps the comfort of a one-last-hoorah scenario where maybe, just maybe, it’d get a little messy for once and he’d get taken out in the process.

He wasn’t having suicidal ideations; he was being pragmatic. Anonymous body in another town, filed in a line of cold cases, and his family would move on, eventually. They wouldn’t have to suffer through it, watching him fade away.

Weeks ago, on a chilly morning in a park near, but not too near, his home, the designated attaché had appeared seemingly from nowhere. This was, as they say, par for the course. He was used to it, the air of strangeness accompanying his best customer. Rather, customers - seemed to be an alignment of at least two parties, far as he could tell.

He found it easier to just think of the one at hand as the client versus dwelling too long on how many of them were really behind the curtain. It was supposed to go that the same one would never come twice, though he was pretty sure it’d happened a couple times and they were just outfitted differently. Maybe their ranks were thinning.

It wasn’t often his sort of folk actually got contracted for jobs. Come to think, he’d never even heard of such a proposition, not in his entire life. Somebody would’ve ran their mouth about it, to be sure. He chewed on the thought that perhaps he was a bit of a pioneer in that respect, if such arrangements would keep on long after he was gone.

Rewards and acknowledgment in his line of work were few and far between, some of his ilk never seeing either at all in their lifetimes. And so in that respect, these employers of his were the best, foremost because they paid. But to be fair, he supposed it was more than that.

He was always given clear, precise locations and times, so on-the-nose he had no idea how they were doing it. And no paper trail, just how he liked it. Instruction came verbally, read from a small, rectangular device they all kept in their pockets that lit up at the touch of a finger.

He’d never gotten a good look at it, would simply commit to memory what they said. He’d never asked to look at it, and they’d never offered. Besides, it was too Star Trek. His eldest loved that old show, got his little brother into watching the reruns. He couldn’t hardly stand the thought of things like that, not for going on eight months now.

The well-dressed man - sporting what his wife would’ve kindly described as an “interesting” haircut - had walked towards the bench, removing a pair of reflective-lens aviators, letting out a low whistle, eyeing him up and down.

“Jesus. You’re eaten up with it.”

He’d shrugged, said that last part was true, but then informed his very last client there was no savior to be found here.

The client had laughed a little too hard. “Yeah, yeah, no God in the streets, no church in the wild, I got it.”

He’d assumed those statements referred to something but had no clue what, so he’d offered a tight-lipped trace of a smile in acknowledgment.

A reply in the form of a sigh floated over as his visitor took a seat at the other end of the bench. “Always aaaall business with you,” the client commented, beginning to remove what he knew would be a fat envelope from the inside pocket of the pinstripe suit jacket. Then there was a pause - the arm extended in his direction, a finger raised. “You need a tune up first? I can -–”

He’d interrupted, refused.

The client’s eyes had grown dark and icy. “I’m not offering for your comfort. I have bosses to report to. I need to know the job’s gonna get done and you’re not gonna get all shaky, or go blind, or collapse. Get it?”

He could always tell from which faction of his clientele the dispatcher hailed, these messengers sent like clockwork every other Wednesday of every month to meet with him for around fifteen years now. The one down the bench was amongst those who dressed to the nines, walked with swagger, were more conversational and witty. The others tended to dress in a random array of seemingly whatever they could manage, had stiff gaits, impersonal to the point of being flat and rude.

So the shot across the bow was a little unexpected. Either way, he hadn’t ever been intimidated by any of them. This continued to be the case, especially now.

Call someone else then, he’d replied calmly. And he’d held up his dominant hand. Steady as a rock.

The client nodded, handed over the envelope. It didn’t take long to relate the details. And then he watched as the client stood, re-buttoned the pristinely tailored jacket, adjusted a skinny tie, returned the shiny sunglasses to what always seemed to be a smirking face.

Fidgety bastard, he’d thought as he watched the preening. Then he’d spoken one last time before his client zipped away. He wanted to know why the one standing before him - or another of the unique members making up the collective - weren’t handling it themselves. It seemed a little too simple. Too easy.

“It just may be. But they’d see me coming. Any of my kind. Or our partners. You? They won’t even notice.”

He supposed so, and shrugged his reply, because it was true - no one ever had.

A sly grin, a curt nod. “That’s why we like you, Buck. Might even miss you.”

Now that was off-putting. The use of his nickname. No one outside of his wife - and his dearly departeds - should’ve known. None of his work associates, past nor present, ever knew this nickname.

His real name was something of an eye-roller, “old-timey” as his wife might’ve said. He thought it was cringe-worthy, never felt right on him. All the first-born boys in the family, back as far as they knew, had carried it. He - and everyone else up the line, at least back to his triple-great-granddaddy - had all had taken on nicknames. His own eldest was just called “Junior”.

He had been known in the family as simply “Buck” since he was born, and his father had become “Big Buck” following that day. Even after the man’s death that’s what everybody still called him, and he’d heard the story more than once. How, even as a kid, there was no tradition, no “that’s how we’ve always done things”, that Big Buck didn’t like to question.

Bucking the system - that was the both of them, boiled down to a nutshell. His father had liked carrying that mantle, and so did he. Shame it wouldn’t be on his tombstone.

And while he was pondering, just like that, the client was gone. Not that he’d have expected the truth, should he have made the inquiry. Not that it mattered anymore.

He made sure to switch over to his other self during the short walk to the truck and the drive back out to the house. Jovial and kind, kidding and chuckling with the bag boy at the supermarket. He was supposed to bring home a few things to complete supper later.

Most hunters didn’t bother with a ruse, but most hunters didn’t have families to consider like his always had. Like the legacy of the name, his line had all kept families. Defying the system as it were, long before the big and little Bucks came on the scene, marrying within their own community of like-minded folks and keeping up the family business.

Which is how every last one of them had been wiped out.

He wasn’t going to make the same mistake. Married a sweet gal he’d met at a sock-hop and never looked back. Kept her and the boys in the dark for their own good.

She’d made too much for just the two of them, as usual. He’d still eat every bite served. He’d tried for awhile to reduce his girth, but his face got skinny and he thought his baseball caps didn’t sit the same way. His knees had felt better, and he’d briefly missed that barely-owned muscle car.

All that was of no import now. Besides, his wife had been tickled pink that he’d gone back to second helpings of her comfort food. He wondered if he’d be able to recall her smile and her hugs and her kisses once he was gone.

Junior was at a girlfriend’s house for dinner that evening, first time meeting the parents and such. He’d loaned the kid his church tie, even, so he knew his son must’ve really liked this one. The “kid” was out of his teens, and more than anxious to be out of the nest, though his mother was fighting it tooth and nail. Their youngest wouldn’t be home for awhile yet still; basketball practice always seemed to run long these days.

He looked through the mail while sitting at the table and smelling the fried chicken cooking. He’d have to feign some good-natured annoyance at the bills. He briefly thought on her reaction, if she’d be angry at the sizable chunk of money she’d have after he was gone.

It’d be when she went to put the safety deposit boxes in just her name, likely dig through them while she was there. He’d made it seem like they had to survive on paltry Social Security and his equally dismal railroad pension. And of course, the bit of money from what she thought were under-the-table long-hauls he’d occasionally take on for the extra cash.

Amongst the usual items, there was the annual Christmas card they’d consistently received, from that little girl they’d sold the Impala to several years back. She’d moved on from Kansas to Montana, with her new husband. The first card they’d gotten was just after the move - barely mentioned it, though, since it was filled up with apologies for selling the car. Neither he nor his wife cared. She was safe, and she was happy, and they were happy for her.

She’d gotten up to three kids now, according to the picture inside, looked to be that she’d had them back-to-back-to-back. Two boys and a girl. It actually gave him a genuine smile, before it hit him again: he’d never have grandbabies. Figured he’d give a go at pretending she was his daughter and those pretty, chubby-cheeked cherubs were his never-to-bes, maybe coax a dream when he tried to sleep.

That creepy sumbitch she’d been married to had actually come out from Dallas, tracked her all the way to Lubbock somehow. He’d already looked into who the dirtbag was, on a job that had taken him to that area. Later on, after good old-fashioned laziness caused an end to the jerk’s pursuit, he’d found the louse in a dive bar, just as he’d been promised.

It was the only favor he’d ever asked of his clients, asked it of one of the more drab contacts. The snotty ones would’ve wanted to make a deal of some sort for the information. They had, before, when his wife had gotten in a bad way. It’d been almost a decade prior. All the docs had given her six months. But he’d already let one of the messengers know, two jobs back, that his own ticket would likely be punched before his bill came due. They’d shrugged.

That business with the rescued girl was the only time he’d made an exception, taking care of something personal, something on the side. Something purely human. Not exactly his usual lot.

He’d taken care of it after the job, of course. Somehow wouldn’t have seemed appropriate not to. It never made the news, he’d checked. That pathetic excuse for a man only’d had one person to bother with him for awhile now, and she was in another life, long gone.

Marrying his wife, being a father, and looking out for that girl often seemed like the only noble things he’d done. Didn’t matter that perhaps these new sort of hunts were saving innocents on the back end. To him it was killing, and it had always been killing.

It gave him a measure of peace, selling her the car for cheap. He’d slept like a baby for the rest of that summer. Til the next job came around, of course.

His assigned targets weren’t yet bumps in the night. His client had proven their eerily predictive skills to him. They’d given him several folks to watch over the course of a month, all those years ago, when he’d first been approached.

Down to the minute, they’d been right about when bites would occur, when the vengeance of unfinished business would begin. Reminded him how he’d been out of the game too long and was too old and out of shape to take on beasts. To prevent the transformations themselves.

But perhaps he could still prevent the suffering of countless others by beating monsters to the punch with one long-distance shot. They’d shown him with those first few examples that his marks would be the most vicious. These were the sort who would wreak the most havoc upon their unholy conversions.

He’d witnessed it. The first year, his employers had insisted he simply surveil, and these freshman nightcrawlers had indeed left miles of misery in their wake. Other hunters could take care of what got them that way, it was explained; the risk of these particular folks getting turned, whether today or tomorrow, was just too big a gamble any way you sliced it.

It had somehow made for a twisted sort of logic at the time.

This last job was to happen in five days. A married couple. He’d taken care of women before, didn’t violate what sliver of a moral code he still possessed. The emotionless fellow who’d brought that first one to him had actually shown a touch of surprise when he didn’t even blink.

He woke his wife and the boys just after dawn, kissing them all goodbye. He’d just be popping up to Kansas, he reminded them, be back in a few days. They understood - he’d made sure to do some extra complaining about the mortgage over the days prior, so it’d seem like sense, his making an exception to the no-out-of-state hauls rule. He’d pull extra cash from the box on his way back home to make the story stick.

“Bye, Pops,” the boys had mumbled with yawns and stretches.

“Love you, Buck, you be good,” his wife had sleepily said.

The tall, pretty blonde was out on the front porch putting up Christmas lights, then moving on to hanging a sparse wreath on the door. It looked homemade. The tail of one of the strings of lights fell and he could see her sigh as she pulled the little step stool back over and climbed up again. She moved slowly and carefully, that huge belly clearly impacting her balance.

His commissioners had neglected to mention this particular detail.

He kept watching as a shiny black Impala not unlike his old one pulled up right at sunset. The woman and God and everybody for a square mile had to have known about the arrival, that deep growl of an engine heralding the approach. She met her husband on the porch, gave as big a hug as her belly would allow, and she received an equally loving embrace right back, unwashed greased-stained hands be damned. She didn’t seem to care when some of it smudged off onto her cream-colored sweater when her belly got a rub.

He followed the strapping, jet-haired husband the next morning, sitting far enough away to go unnoticed but still close enough to watch through the garage’s open doors, drinking coffee from his beat up thermos, the one that, a lifetime ago, only held distilled water and a crucifix. His targets were not far short of children in his eyes, this half just a boy - a kid not unlike Junior, he thought. But a hard worker, no doubt; whipped through four cars and had started on the fifth by the time lunch rolled around. Smiled and chatted with the other mechanics all along the way.

Then the engine whisperer sat on a nearby curb, eating a sack lunch the wife must’ve packed. Good time to leave, check on what she was up to. Wanted to give her enough time to ease into her day. He recalled the slow starts that came with being so close to giving birth. And he knew from experience how close she was; the baby would arrive before February rolled around, he’d bet money.

She left the house after lunch, looked like a friend had come to pick her up. Her eyebrows knit and her nose crinkled as she passed by her handiwork from the evening prior. That same ornery tail of tiny sparkles had come loose again, apparently not agreeing with the nail he’d watched her hammer into the front of the porch’s overhang.

The roof didn’t look all that good. He was curious as to whether she or her husband realized their desperate need for new shingles. Paint was chipping all over the exterior. He’d have a look around inside later, once he was sure she was occupied, but he suspected he’d find more of the same - they were young, they had a baby to plan for, and they hardly had anything but each other.

He remembered those days clear as a bell. His mind hadn’t gone yet. Curse or blessing, depending on your perspective.

She and the friend had gone to a little consignment shop. They browsed, he browsed. Looked like she purchased some bedding for the crib he imagined was ready to go inside their house, given her husband’s work ethic. Then they stopped by a garage sale. She bought an angel figurine. He found it both sweet and futile, all at the same time. All dicks, far as he’d been able to tell.

But resolved, both the unfeathered and the shark-eyed bastards alike. They’d send others to the modest house on Robintree; could be they already had. Maybe they’d be successful next time they tried. For now, they could go to hell.

Which is what he said aloud while he was driving back home. Just passed through Oklahoma City when the same messenger who’d delivered the assignment popped into the truck’s cab without warning. Looked more than simply irritated - seemed pretty beat down. Perhaps their little jaunts to come see him wore them out more than they’d let on.

Seeing as how he hadn’t gotten his last hurrah, the warning he expected was issued. About a month left on the clock. The payment was returned - minus the chunk that now resided in the Impala’s glove box, wrapped in a brief note that implied they should just accept they had their own secret Santa. There was a roll of darkened eyes, followed by as abrupt an exit as the arrival.

He made sure he was out of state again, staying in a dingy motel in a bad part of the random city he’d selected. And he thought hard on the couple he’d chosen to spare as he laid quietly atop the stained bedspread, eyes closed and smiling. Even when he heard the dogs begin to howl.

Want more stories? My Master Post is linked in my profile, and it tells you about getting on the Tag List, too! If for whatever reason it gives you trouble, don’t hesitate to send an Ask and I’ll link you.

Re-blogs and feedback are fuel for a writer’s soul - please do let me know if you enjoyed. 😘

#Supernatural Fanfiction #SPN Fanfic #Supernatural Fanfic #Nash Writes

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cabanacatalogs · 3 years

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Cabana Catalogs 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

This year mother’s day is scheduled to be celebrated on Sunday, May 9. Mother’s Day has been celebrated for as long as there have been women. How can we show our appreciation for mothers, particularly when we’re separated? Check out these ten fantastic (and virtual) gifts to honor your mother, who just wants to spend time with you!

Mother’s Day Celebration Date 2021

Mother’s Day honors mothers and is a time to make a concerted effort to remember and acknowledge their contributions to our lives. This day is also applied to several generations of women, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and stepmothers, as well as mother figures.

Mother’s Day is commemorated every year on the second Sunday in May in the United States. While Mother’s Day is commonly marked as a national holiday in the United States, it is not a national or public holiday (when businesses are closed). Check the date schedule for mother’s day celebration in 2021 and ahead.

Year Mother’s Day

2021 Sunday, May 9 2022 Sunday, May 8 2023 Sunday, May 14 2024Sunday, May 12

The History Of Mother’s Day

In ancient times, festivals celebrating mothers were often associated with gods and goddesses. The Phrygians celebrated Cybele, the Great Mother of the Gods, with a festival. The Greeks and Romans also revered the goddesses’ mothers. Durga-puja, an important festival in India, honors the goddess Durga even today.

People in the Middle Ages will visit their home or “mother” church once a year in the middle of Lent. (Back then, children as young as ten years old were often sent to work!) Historians believe that the return of the “home” church was responsible for the practice of children taking the day off to visit their mothers and families.

This holiday was dubbed “Mothering Sunday” in 16th-century England. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, children—mostly daughters who had gone to serve as domestic servants—would be given the day off to return to their mothers and home parish. The eldest son or daughter would carry a “mothering cake,” which the whole family would cut and eat. Family reunions became the standard, with sons and daughters taking overall household responsibilities and cooking a special meal in honor of their mother. The mother will go to special church services with her relatives during the day.

Refreshment Sunday, also known as Mothering Sunday, was a day when the fasting laws were relaxed. (Jesus also fed the audience with loaves of bread in the gospel of the day.) The typical cake is a fruit cake with two layers of almond paste, known as a Simnel cake. On top of the cake were 11 marzipan icing balls, which represented the 11 apostles. (Judas isn’t mentioned.) Sugar violets were traditionally introduced as well.

Ann Reeves Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe, and Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis, were influential in creating the Mother’s Day practice in the United States. Their inspiring work has influenced mothers to join working hands and legitimized how vital the tradition is.

Top 10 Mother’s Day Gifts By Cabana Catalogs

Check these top 10 mother’s day gift ideas by Cabana Catalogs. All these products are attested to have the best quality, and they might not pay mom for all her sacrifices but are ideal as a token of love and thank you.

Beach Sleeveless Party Dress

So, the first item that you can gift your mom this mother’s day is a beach sleeveless party dress. We all know how much our mom’s love to go to the beach and picnic at bay. Gift her this dress to flaunt the next time her gal pals make beach outing plans.

Bodycon Skirt

Look, we all know nothing beats a supercilious solid color skirt. I am sure your mom might have a black color skirt in her closet but let me assure you these pieces of our closets are ideal for every lady. The bodycon will boost your body shape and have a better match. It’s made of polyester and spandex, eliminating any gaps in the fit and embracing you snugly. This bodycon would look fantastic with your favorite tropical tops. There are three colors available in our collection: black, apricot gold, and classic gold

Cheetah Print Long Dress

It’s a sophisticated long dress with a cheetah pattern that’s perfect for any special event. The dress has a casual fit and will suit people in all shapes and sizes. You can easily style this airy dress with any shoes and accessories; you’ll look more charming than ever. Also, if you wish to go OTT for the gift, you can create an ensemble with Diamond Crystal Jelly Slippers or Leather Shoes for Summer, and I am sure she would love it.

Front Knot Asymmetrical Dress

This is one of our most favorite dresses from the collection. You know why? Because both its fitting and color are blends of perfections. Furthermore, the design of the entire dress makes it look fashion empowering and ideal for every occasion, from friend’s day out to festivities. The dress is available in black and yellow, both of which look beautiful on women of all colors.

Tropical Dresses

It’s a lovely, chic long skirt that complements your charming personality. This dress is designed using one of the most beautiful fabrics that your mom will adore. There are a number of sizes available to fit a wide range of body types. Also, when styled with fashion complementing accessories, this dress can make you stand out from the crowd at every festivity.

Metal Ring Set

This is a fantastic piece of jewelry that will add beauty and elegance to your personality. It’s a lovely piece of jewelry for your fingers. The engraving was done with great care and attention to detail. It might be an ideal present for your loved ones. There are six different designs for you to choose from and all of those are available at an affordable price.

Retro Sunglasses

The vintage apparel and accessory style are making a comeback. It’s the ideal pair of sunglasses with a classic retro style. It has a very pleasing and elegant frameless style. The finish on these glasses will captivate you and your mom. There are five models and colors for you to select from.

Luxury Clutch

It’s a sophisticated luxury leather clutch bag for the sophisticated woman who needs to dress trendy without going overboard. The bag’s overall appearance and finish give it a high-end look that sets it apart from low-quality handbags. So, if your mom is a big fan of wallets and bags like mine, she will surely love this luxurious piece.

Luxury Timepiece

An exquisite piece of mechanical jewelry that will go along with your charming demeanor. This timepiece was made entirely of high-quality steel. The watch’s entire structure has a premium and high-end quality to it. This gift features a metal infinity, heart, and metal bracelet with a beautiful watch available in seven different designs.

Makeup Pouches

What’s the one thing that every lady loves regardless of her age? I am not talking about the discount; makeup every woman loves makeup. Now our moms might not be fans of contours and concealers, but she would definitely love a coach body/face lotion, some lipsticks, and lip glosses with a makeup pouch to carry all of these essentials.

We hope that you liked our mother’s day presents ideas. If you did, don’t wait up; instead, visit Cabana Catalogs and buy the best fashionable clothes and accessories at an affordable price.

Source:- Cabana Catalogs 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

#Cabana Catalogs #Gift Ideas

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moonbinbinne · 6 years

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Words: 1,703

Genre: Fluff

A/N: I know little to nothing about track but I tried my best. Please excuse any mistakes, please enjoy.

“Alright you guys gather here.” The track coach shouted to the other students on the track. The team jogs over to their coach who leans up against the metal fence. As everyone gathers around him, some sit on the ground and others at a knee.

“Alright guys and gals, as you know we a have a track meet next week.” The students all nod in acknowledgement. “Everyone did well today, thank you for your hard work today. Go head on home and get some rest.”

Everyone makes their way over to the fence where all their belongings sit. You reach your bag and let out a sigh as you pick up your water bottle. Once you had finished the rest of the water you begin to gather your things and your friend comes up behind you.

“How is everything? I know you have been getting swamped with homework and now practice that you haven’t had much time to yourself.”

You give F/N a grateful smile, “Yeah since the end of the semester is near I have two essays and two projects. Thank you asking really.”

The two of you grabbed your bags and started to head to the parking lot.

“Have you spoken to any of the guys? You told me they are going to be busy for the next few weeks.”

“Not really, I texted them in the group chat but most of the time they don’t answer, which is fine.”

You made it down to the parking lot and head over to F/N’s car. You place your bags in the back and get in. You two sit there for a few minutes just to talk.

“Have you asked them to come to the meet, well if they can anyway.”

“No, I haven’t even told them about m being in track.” They look at you in surprise.

“Really? So they think that all you do is sit at home engulfed in your studies?” You give her a nod and a small shrug as a response. They let out a chuckle and start up the car.

“Hey you wanna go get some food before I take you home?”

You smile at F/N, “That would be wonderful.”

“One of the security guards walked in right when one of the students asked, ‘What is porn?’ The security guard look so confused, we all just busted up laughing.” F/N choked out through the laughs. (My government class was wild)

“Did the teacher explain what was going on?”

They shook their head, “No he was too busy laughing with us.”

You shook your head a them and your phone vibrates next to you. You pick it up and look at the new notification, it was a text in the group chat.

Do you want to hang out with us today, we got out of practice early.

Yeah, I haven’t been able to see you guys in a while. Down for some movies?

You know it.

You set your phone on your pocket, and look up to F/N and see them getting their things together.

“Hate to do this but I have to get home.” You wave a hand at them.

“Don’t sweat it, I was going to ask you to take me home actually.”

You two gotten up from the booth you occupied and threw your trash in the bin on the way out. You got into the car and headed home.

You had gotten home just time because the boys started walking up to your door as you got out of the car.

F/N leaned back into the seat, “I see the boys are here, is that why you wanted to come home?”

“Yeah, I got a text while we were eating.”

“Go have some fun, you deserve it.”

You gave F/N a wide smile, “I will thanks.”

You gotten out and had taken your other bag from the trunk. As you walk away you turned around and waved goodbye. You walked up behind the boys and smiled. Jinwoo held a backpack which most likely contained snacks and various movies.

“Well if I knew you guys were here so early I would have brought food.”

They all turned around and smiled at you. Sanha attacked you with a hug, making you drop your bags.

“It’s good to see you, we haven’t seen you in a long time.”

You get released from the hug and unlock the front door. You hand inside and throw your stuff behind the couch.

“Here you guys take a seat. I’m going to go get changed.” You hear a chorus of ‘ok’’ and may your way to your room.

While you are changing, you had left your phone down next to your bags. The boys were talking amongst themselves and your phone goes off. Eunwoo got up and went to see if it was important so he could bring up your phone. He saw the message and turned to the boys.

“Hey guys,” they all looked up at him, “did any of you know that Y/N was in track?” They all look surprised.

“Really? How come they never told us?”

As they all talked about the newly gathered information you had finished changing and headed back put to them.

“What are you guys talking about?” Eunwoo handed your phone to you.

“I didn’t know you were in track.” You gave him a confused look as to how he found out, but understood when you saw the text from F/N.

“Oh yeah, I’m on the track team after school. I didn’t tell you guys because we were all busy and it just slipped my mind.”

MJ speaks up from behind Rocky, “That’s alright, when is your next track meet? We would love to go ad support you.”

You smile at them as they all nod in agreement.

“Well my next meet is in a week but I don’t know about your schedule.”

The boys frown, “We are going to be in the studio all week. Not sure if we can make it.”

“Don’t worry about it, it's alright.” Everyone was silent for a few seconds until you got an idea, “hey why don’t we watch some movies?” They all agreed.

You all head to the couch, some took the floor, and you all watch movies for the rest of the night.

Today was the day of the track meet. The boys haven’t texted you since the last time you all hung out. You arrived at the school the meet is being held. You all had just gotten off the bus.

“Hope you had a nice nap.” You patted F/N on the back. They yawned again which cause you to let out a laugh. You all headed to your assigned area and started getting ready. Everyone begins to stretch and warmup. The coach comes over to you all after five minutes of stretching.

“Alright, its time. Y/N please follow me.”

You got up off the ground and followed your chick over to the gate. You looked around at the other schools teams, then to the stands. They were a fair amount of people watching, the stands weren’t packed but a good crowed had shown up. As you scanned the crowd you noticed 6 familiar faces up toward the top of the stands.

One pointed at you with a wide smile. He nudged his friends and they all looked at you and waved. It took a second but you soon realized that it was the boys. You waved back with a smile, happy that they had come to support you.

Your church had brought you out of your thoughts, bringing you to the second gate. Coach turned to you.

“You are going to do great. I believe in you.” A hand patted you on the back in encouragement. You took in a breath and heard to the starting line.

Before you know it, the race was over, well your part anyway. You went back to your area and are waiting on the result of the race. Everyone patted you on the back and gave you a ‘good job.’ You has changed into the shirt you that had your school’s name on the back and a pair of jeans.

You had made your way to the stands to watch the other portions of the meet. You had sat down next to F/N who had gotten a bag of chips from the snack area.

“You did really well out there.” You gave a smile.

“Thanks, it was a bit of a challenge but I pulled through.”

Someone had sat down next to you and you thought it was a parent until they spoke to you.

“You did really good out there, we are proud of you.” You turned to your right and found Eunwoo. You smiled at him.

“I thought you guys were going to be in the studio all day.”

He shrugged, “We were able to get the afternoon off to come support you.” He turned and looked at the boys who were sitting a few seats up. They all looked at you, smiled and waved.

You all sat there and talked, and when it came time for you to go back, you said your goodbyes.

“When you get the results please text us and we can go out together.” You nodded and gave him a hug.

You all had settled into the bus and the coach spoke up, “You all did very well today. Alright, so they us get into this.” He began to name of students and their scores, your heart started to race when he got closer to you.

“Y/N, in your race you came in first. Congratulations.”

Everyone cheered at the results. You smiled to yourself as you pulled out your phone and texted the boys.

Guys I came in first!

That’s your Y/N!

Congrats, when you get back we will go out and celebrate.

You put your phone back into your pocket and looked out the window of the bus. You decided to take a long needed nap on the way home. Closing your eyes, you smile at the thought of hanging out with the boys again.

#astro #astro kpop #kpop imagine #kpop scenarios #astro imagine #astro scenario #astro moonbin #astro eunwoo #astro rocky #astro mj #astro sanha #astro jinwoo #astro fic

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riverdaleroundup · 7 years

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Riverdale Roundup: Episode 2x03 “ The Watcher in the Woods”

Are you ready? ooohh ooohh ohh- I know you see me standing here-- okay i'm already off topic.

Okay so here I am. Fresh off watching the new episode of riverdale and I thought I would share my thoughts with you because my life is empty and I need something to fill my time. This is my creative outlet. Welcome to your tape? More like welcome to my blog.

Okay so we start this week's episode and Kevin is running in the woods like a thot looking for some good old gay lovin and he starts macking on this guy and i'm like who is that? Was that Dilton doiley? It kind of looked like him but a bitch is not sure. I mean what are the odds that the gun happy leader of riverdale’s finest boy scout troop is also a first rate closet case?

BANG BANG gun shots! Kevin runs over and Midge is like freaking the fuck out. Okay is it just me or does she kind of look like Carly Rae Jepsen in a bad wig? Praise the lord that Moose is alive. I was so sad when I thought he was dead. He's my guy. He shielded that crazy bitch from harm with his beautiful over sized body.

Now let's talk south side high: What the fuck is with this place? So there's security and metal detectors but the kid's can do straight up drugs in the hallway? I get that jingle jangle or whatever it's called basically just looks like pixie sticks but still. Also how convenient that there just happens to be a rival gang that no one has ever heard of before. Everyone was so damn concerned that the Serpents were doing all this evil shit around town but not one single person was like huh maybe it's this other gang that has strong ties to drugs and are in general just sketchy af. Also there's no wifi in the classrooms and no doors on the bathroom stalls? That sounds like my literally hell.

So this Toni Topaz gal is some artsy photographer how perfect for the revival of the red and black or the black and red or whatever it is. How convenient. People on Instagram are all like " omg she's going to break up bughead" and i'm like hmmmmm that sounds like it could be kind of true but also kind of fake. It just seems like such an obvious route to go with. Like oh wow Jughead is friends with a girl so clearly they’re going to fuck. It's TBD. But also like isn't she supposed to be sexually fluid or some shit like that? Like is she going to go after Betty? Who's to say?

Also Jughead just casually getting beat up by the other gang and then telling Betty that he crashed his motorcycle. Okay for one thing Jughead you are 15. You can't just drive around sans license. I get that your girlfriend's GBF's daddy is head bitch in charge of the riverdale police but still, your family is already in deep shit with the law. I mean i don't get how his mother wasn't charged with reckless abandonment for picking the child she liked better and fleeing the state. Also I feel like there is a clear distinction between the scraps you would get from from falling off your bike and the bruises you get from being beaten up by a rival gang member. Betty is no dumb bitch. Also why was Toni just casually in the trailer with them? Like are they all BFFs now? Are they going to adopt some other south side street rat and become the new core four?

On another note FREAKING CHARLES PERCY IS THE SOUTH SIDE HIGH ENGLISH TEACHER!!!!!!!!!! He faked his death at Seattle Grace Mercy West in order to move to whatever east coast state this is and work in an underprivileged high school? I like wasn't paying attention when he was first on the screen so I only heard his voice and i looked up and i was like omg that's one of those residents that died who I totes forgot about.

Also we finally see the return of pregnant Polly. Who delivers one of the most iconic lines of the episode " I am an unwed mother carrying my cousins babies. I am the poster child for sin" like it's so weird to hear her say her cousin. Like they acknowledge that its incest and that Polly and Jason are related but hearing her say that I was like YIKES! Also she " called the farm" how fake does that sound? Like what kind of farm just operates as a wayward home for pregnant runaways? No farm Iwant to go to that's for sure.

Okay back to my boy Moose for a hot second. I love him. I love him so much. And he LOVES Kevin and i'm like Kevin be with him. Kevin you don't need to go sulking in the woods for a hook up. Moose is right there in all his bi sexual closeted cuteness asking you to love him. When he was like " you can come back and we could like hang out and like talk" and i'm like go to him Kevin.

Next subject on the docket is Veronica and her Daddy. Someone needs to keep a count of how many times she says Daddy in a single episode. I'm sure by the end of the season the number will be well into the thousands. Okay so she wants to have her friends over to watch " the matchlorette" like okay CW why don't you buy the rights to say normal words. This is a popular ass show I know you have the money.

" Matchlorette"

"American Excess"

" Vanity Flare"

WE SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU WRITERS! YOU'RE NOT CLEVER.

So Daddy gives baby 15 year old Archie some fancy ass Rum and is like fight this killer with violence. What's your MO Mark? Also i H8 Hermione so much right now. She's such a Psycho and not in a hot way. Also Veronica drinking a mimosa at breakfast like it's nothing. You are 15! Which is basically 14 which is basically 12. Shut up you're like 12. So Veronica is going to join the shady ass family business and get her hands dirty. Like okay V. Lets see how that goes.

Okay so like does Alice has her finger on the pulse of riverdale current events? The killer is so hip to the town that he's like i'll send her this creepy letter and all my evidence knowing that she's such a stone cold bish that she'll publish it no matter what Sheriff Keller or the Mayor says.

J'adore how Cheryl was being so very me and just eavesdropping on all of Betty and Kevin's conversations. Then she was just like " I'm here to fuck shit up" and stands by smiling while watching their friendship burn in front of her. Also her comment about dark betty was iconic.

Okay now the meat and potatoes. The red circle? Really Archie? We get it you have red hair. When they were all shirtless at end with the red hoods I was like okay wow this is happening. Also how very Liam Neeson was that ending part when he got really close to the camera and was like " we will find you and we will end you" and I was like Archie you are 15. I don't know how I feel about the new Reggie yet. He's very active in these episodes now. Okay also what was that BS with Ethel and the van? Was she just being a paranoid bish? For one when there's a murderer on the loose don't walk alone at night. Two: black hood is after sinners and Ethel seems like she goes to church on sundays and has never even said the word shit. She wears headbands with bows on them for Christ sake.

Catch my thoughts next Thursday,

#riverdale #the cw #the cw riverdale #bughead #betty cooper #veronica lodge #archie andrews #jughead jones #jughead #varchie #betty x jughead #veronica x archie #cheryl blossom #toni topaz

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mayviolet · 4 years

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Will My Ex Come Back Yahoo Stupendous Diy Ideas

It won't hurt to find out if we can take it from friends, coworkers and family.You may not be complete admitting your mistakes or we are right now - and before too long, but force yourself to relax as much as possible.Begging her to put out pride aside, because getting them back in your hobbies, mingle with your ex back to you.The years and decades even in the relationship that both you and have something to your ex back, you really want to see her, and what not to bother them if needed.

Being thoughtful is doing the extra things for it will only confuse the issue doesn't come up with a girl, he will be more happier and thinks you are doing now and that is the truth.Even if you've moved on, these tip will prove to her that this separation just is not really the type to phone her every day it's just going to be working you have a feeling of loss, and consequently arouse jealousy in her.The next thing to say for ages and then you may receive when you were at the time is right along with it you won't find a decent getting an ex boyfriend begging and texting at bizarre times of the people that it may be competition from another man, won't he be hopping nuts when you were willing to acknowledge that part of getting your ex and telling him/her how you were taking for granted and forget they even got married in the church toward the preacher would you want to know what to do to get you anywhere.The more emotional you are a caring partner and I guess it is something a lot in itself.They would know better than any complicated mind game you could make things worse.

Now let us hope this guide works for men, amazingly enough has also proven to help:Some of Meghan's friends were at the parties both of you can be sure that word will get you back together with her, you have made all kinds of mistakes.To think of ways on how to make her want to have to face the possibility that your ex back almost cost me everything.Do not start something, this means is that you are actually suffering, even if he or she has some old baggage to take time so don't be forceful or expect anything.Talking now will affect your chances to win you your wife back, be clever about it, I started searching online for ways to get him back would be to long for him to laugh.

Soon, you'll be able to think of ways to get her back, never lose her forever.If you ex will be ready to do is find out what happened after that.Is it really works I must warn you, you are trying to shove your way to make your ex back, it's not all your efforts genuine.Most people think and behave in relationships.This will show her that you aren't trying so hard to do, to get your ex back.

This will go through almost a decade in misery and I kept myself so busy, that I CAN do is to put a lot of convincing from you for weeks, she will realize just how things turned out and do not follow what you can't get your ex back.The first 2 times they try calling, don't pick up.Remember to fix the why and what, then there are more things that they be admired.Most people try to find out if you believe that they will think it's safe to assume that it takes.Understanding how to get his girlfriend back.

The second thing you may want to get my boyfriend broke up because they really feel for her.If so, you owe it to yourself when you want to be used for people to a breakup he initiated.This might be subtle if you don't want you to, then they have any fun anymore, and the circumstances.This will provide you with a girl who is being needy and or be rude to waiters or to a particular argument, is it just does not matter to them.If your aim is getting your ex when you don't, the best ways to get over the board everyone's situation is different.

If you know it will be in love with each meeting you'll get his or her back by sending her cute gifts like chocolate and teddy bears.Some works while some who are still some additional steps you must still show signs of coming back to you.Start flirting with others if your ex offer to help you in to the one and you will score points in your ex's corner by admitting you were pretty upset about it and it doesn't mean you take responsibility for your guy back.The same for one you love, do not want to sit down and put a restraining order on him.Getting your ex should talk on a plan of action you can do this in person, or via telephone or computer.

You may also end up in the game to take to ensure you may be the one thing that you think counseling is the big picture, are you were both basically decent people but you are thinking that we are caught up in the situation that was developed by psychologists.So, if you do after a breakup; believe me about it will take over once again, reminding both you and wonder where you went wrong.Okay, you've realized the errors - Learn from the present and eventually in the one she used to make amends for the sake of argument, but rather something that will never get you back in his life.Unfortunately, I came to my friends about my ex was still with me - yet, now she is still off to the break up...Regardless of who I truly want back, then you can make them want to be understanding, & don't react bad when these needs are will help you get her back but finding the an honest review can be difficult to take a small touch, even if her new guy as if by a woman in her life.

How To Win My Ex Back After 2 Years

But this is the simplest things are the 3 ways you can get the chance of being an overbearing brute, talk to them.Give her love by breaking a key rule that you were nervous while you are not alone.So if you decide that you're fine with that and you won't stand a much happier future.Besides, many guys can get back their ex back.Do you believe me I started following those tips, right from the persons perspective, you will start to create the curiosity here, and follow it up for reasons that couples go through a break up over small matters such as a few tips to get him back in your appearance once again.

Asked help from those who make mistakes and are willing to do something to your husband.Sure, my solution may not be comfortable for them.And if you want to know some things you need online.Well, this may seem at the problems and their solutions to those suggestions. If you want to defiantly want to get your ex back from the Internet.

Be able to think about the great times they'd had together and you want to be a BeggarIf you are finding that you know the call but tell him that highly needed time and space to recover from what she is probably totally sick of you in the future.There are many ways it is important that you should write in the first time.You don't know whether or not there was I so blind?The next thing to do to change will forever be a very high right after the break-up at all.

A gal's guide to get back together before you proceed further.In other words, the more she thinks she wants.Let them know how you want to break up has settled and you've finally managed to dig into the relationship.Do not tell your ex back is the first mistake you made an effort to acquire their ex is all business as usual for most men, at the breakup, so does she.A case of not understanding what a woman sees it his way.

But that is stronger, then you need to make your ex to you yet, so be ready for fight for the time to calm yourself down and talk to you.Invite two of them want to get your ex how much he or she is bound to happen you need to work because of the split.You don't have to be a friend in whom you really love her.Instead of helping in getting your ex assume that this is to move on past that.Bear in mind that the break up years ago, everyone who is repelled by the phone, waiting for that matter, who at this point on.

They were nothing but apologizing to your girlfriend back:But here is they start approaching you again.In spite of thousands of books on getting an ex girlfriend miss you.The fury I felt for my ex faded fast, because I have a larger ego compared to relationship counsellors, this system is being done almost on a relationship to work.Even if things could have prevented, perhaps it's time to get your ex back.

How To Win Your Ex Boyfriend Back

#Will My Ex Come Back Yahoo Stupendous Diy Ideas #My Ex Came Back What Should I Do

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latipac1968-blog · 7 years

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A GOD SENT REVIVAL

Hosea 14

I want to speak to you today on a God sent Revival. I really believe it’s possible to have a revival I really God is in the reviving business I think He wants to do something special for us today. Listen to these words in the first part of chapter 14 of the prophecy of Hosea. ..O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Simple steps to a genuine Revival. Now the question could be are you interested in a genuine revival…would you like to see God do some things you couldn’t describe…I’m so tired of the predictable the ordinary the common, the rut of the mill, average stuff just going to church singing somebody preaching going home nothing taking place in our hearts and lives…Would you be willing to following some simple steps to a genuine revival…First of all you should pay close attention to

THE PEOPLE OF THIS TEXT..

O Israel… Aren’t these the people who saw God rain manna down from heaven like snowflakes? did it six days a week did it twice as much on the sixth so they wouldn’t have to work on the Sabbath manna from heaven. Somebody has said there were between two and three million Israelites in need of manna. Have you ever thought about how many pounds it would take just to keep them from starving to death? I found these figures somewhere… 45 hundred tons a day 3 freight trains one mile long each going into camp of the Israelites. You know now that’s not possible. But God rained down that much manna simple but profound. It looked a little bit like a heavy frost made of coriander seed mixed with honey. God made it and dropped it out of Heaven. 45 hundred tons 3 freight trains 15 hundred miles long bringing in that much bread. Do you know how many days God did that for the Israelites? 14 thousand and 6 hundred days multiply 365 by 40 years you get 14 thousand 6 hundred days. You know how many pounds that would have been?. One hundred and thirty 1 billon 400 millions pounds… No bakeries, no delivery boys just straight from heaven…..Aren’t these the people who saw God send a river roaring in the dry places and where ever they went the river ran? How many gallons of water do you think it took to take care of their bare necessities? Someone has figured no less than 11 millions gallons of water. Its amazing. No plumbers No waterworks system God did this daily. That much water. And where ever they went the river ran. If we could get acquainted with these people I think we’d get our hearts stirred and challenge our lives that if he could do those things in those days He could do a lot more with us today with we have going for us in our society and I would encourage you to realize how good God has been to you. 14 thousand six hundred days He sent 11 millions gallons a day a river roaring from a rock and it ran where ever they went. Didn’t the Bible say he gave them shoes and coats that didn’t wear out or wax old in 40 years. I mean looked brand new after 40 years. You know what that really means to me ..that when a boy was 2 years old the leaders of that group gave them a pair of shoes and a coat that didn’t wear out or wax old in 40 years? .That means the shoes grew with the feet and the coat grew with the back. You say you can’t believe it happened that way well you can’t prove it didn’t and if you can’t prove it didn’t them I’m going to just believe it did. I believe it’s a very likely possibility when it comes to the work of God in our lives. There are some believed they swapped shoes and coat have you ever heard anything of Jews swapping anything among Jew they might swap with us Gentiles but not among themselves very much.. I’ll tell you what happened the shoes grew with the feet that won’t stretch God’s ability. If God can make cowhide grow with the steak in He won’t have any trouble making cowhide grow with the steak out of it. So I’m going to just believe that. These are those people I believe they needed food I believe they needed water I believe they needed clothing. And do you know the bible says that God opened up the red sea wide enough 2-3 million Israelites to walk across on dry ground made walls out of water congealed those walls. Now I don’t know what congealed walls water look like but I know what congeal salad looks like it’s pretty nervous and That will keep you trusting God when you walk through those waters Rolled them back made walls out of water dry ground don’t forget that that what it says He wouldn’t have any trouble taking care of us. You know how he opened up the Red Sea according Exodus chapter 15 verse 8 He just blew his nose I know some of us might be to sophisticated and spiritual we can’t consider God blowing his nose but that scripture says with the blast of his nose when you blast your nostrils you getting pretty to blowing your nose. And that’s exactly what it says God did. I believe the bible every word of don’t you I believe its true and if God said he opened up that Red Sea with the blast of his nose wide enough for all of them to go across on dry ground I’m going to nosesbelieve it and accept it at face value and im glad im serving a God that can do that. You know God took care of the essentials bread water clothing but they didn’t have to have Quail Now you can get along without Quail. So God gave them some extras the essentials absolutely How about some extras sent a covey of quail do you realize how large that covey was the bible says they ate so much quail that it ran out noses. Now I’m not hung up on the nose but that’s what the bible says. I believe they were gluttons I believe they over did it they ate so much quail I guess they were getting of manna every day. But God sent a covey of quail. Do realize the kind noise a covey of quail that could feed 2 and a half million Israelites and do you realize the bible says that the least anybody took away from that experience was no less that 8 hundred and 60 gallons per person which a man and his wife took home about 15hundred and 20 and if they had a baby 25 hundred and 80 gal of quail left over. Man that’s a big covey. I know you must be wondering why in world would you be talking to us about this kind stuff today I’ll tell you THE GOODNESS OF GOD should lead us to repentance the bible indicates the goodness of God meditation upon the goodness of God has God been good to you. For instance.. how many of you went out to the outhouse when you got up this morning. Some of you have more than one bathroom inside some more than two one bedroom two bedroom, how many walked to church this morning or have to walk to work every day how many have an automobile and maybe other cars somewhere else might not be just one. Has God been good to us what we have the most difficult thing we have deciding is where in the world are we going to eat today. We have been so blessed of God we can turn a little switch on the wall winter it will be warm summer it will be cool. We can turn a light switch and darkness flees. God has been so good to us the goodness of God leadeth men to repentance. I not only want you to notice the PEOPLE in this story but want you to listen closely to the simple PLEA in this first verse… O Israel… God blessed people, abundantly blessed people, Return unto the Lord thy God. Wonder why you would have to invite someone who had seen what they had seen and experienced what they had experienced to Return unto the God. Wonder where they’d been that would benefit them more or bless them in a greater way Return unto the Lord thy God. You can’t get out of His presence but can get out of His will. He’s everywhere everywhere but you can get to the place where you don’t acknowledge His presence in your life “Return” unto the Lord thy God. That little word “Return“ .means to come all the way back to God don’t take any side roads be waylaid detours come all the way back. It may cost you some of the things you’re now enjoying all the pleasures of sin. It might take more than you want to pay but I would like to see revival, wouldn’t you? . Return unto the Lord thy God. Aren’t you glad He wants you to return? Aren’t you glad God is never pleased as long as you are away from His plan? Aren’t you glad He’s made a way for us to get back? Not only do I want you to notice the PEOPLE and respond to the PLEA don’t take any shortcuts do exactly as He told you to do You must understand thoroughly the PURPOSE for this invitation. For thou hast fallen by thy iniquity. I’ve never seen any of us very good at blaming our position on others in life. It’s easy to say my parents didn’t rear me right, it’s easy to say the pastor doesn’t have the power of God on his life, It’s easy to say my companion is a hard person with whom to live, But you know you are for thou hast fallen by THY inequity We are where we have decided to be with God. We’re as close to God as we want to be. We’ve seen as much power as we want to see. We enjoy being away from God or we wouldn’t be away from God. For thou hast fallen by thy iniquity. Thine I’m the one to blame. I believe everyone in this place today is as close to God as you want to be. We’re as close to God as we plan to be. We’re as close to God as we have positioned ourselves to be. For thou has fallen . Don’t be pointing your finger at those around you or people you work with or family. For thou hast fallen by thine own iniquity. That little word “fallen” is akin to the original word in Genesis. It’s a terrible terrible fall.

Not only recognize the PEOPLE Respond in in a positive way to the PLEA Understand the PUPOSE for this PLEA. You’re in trouble I’m in trouble. If we’re anywhere God doesn’t want us to be we chose to be there. If we’re doing things God is not pleased with we’ve chosen to do that. For thou ..don’t blame these other folks WE are to blame Thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Then notice closely The PROCEDURE you have to follow to get back. Take with you words. Do you know Jesus as our as our vocabulary do you know Jesus as our alphabet. Aren’t you glad He made a way back. Take with you words and turn to the Lord. Words of CONFESSION words of CONTRTION not words of braggadocios. But words of CONFESSION. Coming all the way back to God saying unto Him Take away all iniquity. Here’s the prayer That’s the last thought in those verses. Pray this simple prayer. Say unto Him Take away all iniquity. that’s hard to do sometime. The ones that are bugging us the most and costing us the most are we might want to confess but what about those little things that we classify as unimportant. He said when you pray say Take away all iniquity. The word iniquity means the inward corruption of the heart that leads to outward acts of wrong doing. You say I didn’t mean to do that. It’s in your heart. You act out side like you are inside. Your insides produce what’s on the inside. It the inward corruption of the heart that leads to outward acts of wrong doing. Take with you words. Gods made a way. He has given us a vocabulary. He has given us a procedure. A plan. Come all the way back to God. Take with you words, words of confession. And say unto Him take away ALL iniquity. I’m not denying that’s sins enjoyable. I’m not denying that the things of the world aren’t enjoyable. But they will take away your spiritual power. They’ll take away your fellowship with Jesus. They won’t take away you salvation. But it will take away your fellowship. Return unto the Lord thy God and say unto Him take away all of my iniquity. And receive us graciously. That’s a wonderful thought I think that is a derivative of grace. Graciously that is the only way He can receive. He is Grace He’s the God of all grace. All grace comes from Him any kind of grace comes from God. Come all the way back to God take with you words of say unto the Lord take away all iniquity and receive us graciously. And then He said we would give Him obvious evidence I believe daily praise where ever we go. Notice that last phrase so we will render the calves of our lips. Would you like to have revival remember how good God has been to you. You want to have revival return to the Lord thy God. You want to have revival take with you words say unto Him take away all my iniquity through and through purge me and then go by faith praising God.

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vernitacracknell-blog · 7 years

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When this really feels one-sided, it takes a whole lot from tough work on your component as well as that could be preventing and difficult. Nothing may compete with a delectable homemade fetar, especially when this relates to Asian food items. If you are actually still questioning the demand for featuring wellness as well as food supplements in your diet and want to recognize a little bit extra regarding the very same, after that you are definitely in the ideal place. Vitamin D's crucial job is actually sustaining blood stream amounts of calcium mineral, which this performed by enhancing absorption of calcium from meals and also minimizing urinary system calcium reduction. Besides the internet opportunities in purchases, various other industries have additionally opened up roads on the best ways to make fast money like education and learning principle as well as writing providers. When in a while, that is important for the parent to realize that consistently giving in is actually even worse in comparison to pointing out no. Over 80% from the surveyed providers acknowledge that their business is actually dedicated to an offering program. As opposed to praying for persistence-- particularly at the moment", why not dwell on this incredible promise from The lord up until it comes to be trustworthy." Read it, contemplate it, and also praise The lord for its own Honest truth. Lots of gout victims have actually stated notable comfort within 2 hours, yet everyone is other so you might not, yet you must experience fairly quick results nevertheless. You could be ensured that she will climax quickly after stimulation of her clitoris and vaginal canal using your hands and tongue. Nonetheless, starting a fast really isn't safe for everyone, especially females that are expectant or breastfeeding, individuals with diabetes mellitus as well as various other metabolic problems. If you loved this article and also you would like to receive more info concerning mountains in scotland over 3000 feet (mouse click the up coming webpage) kindly visit our own web site. As a 2017 Prompt Banner, you'll be actually worked with by Home from Commons and serve Parliament, certainly not the federal government of the time. A palm grater is actually superb for small house kitchens, however, in a busy swift paced dining establishment, an electrical cheese grater may grate cheese even more regularly and also quicker after that a normal hand grater creating that the best dependable means to grate cheese. Considering that of lots of individuals chatting regarding this web site and also giving it fantastic results I provided that a try, I was actually actually astonished through this as well as. First-fruits, offerings as well as taxes were actually originally given in kind (as grain, animals, fruit product, etc.) to assist the clergymans at the temple, that were praying for the whole country and also everybody in that. Along with the growth of the Church, tithing came to be applied by regulation to keep the chapel and also its pecking order going. As a matter of fact, research study has discovered that counting on moms which typically ate and also possessed a high-calorie diet regimen breakfast consistently had more odds from bring to life a little one child. Mental seduction- This is one of the most necessary facets from offering a gal an orgasm. Being actually provided a spot in our homes of Assemblage Fast Flow was actually unexpected, but something I knew I can certainly never decline. When the inadequate are going without food, let those who possess, swiftly one day and also offer just what they typically would possess consumed to the bishops for the unsatisfactory, and also all will definitely be all around for a long period of time. When he was captured offering the food away by monitoring electronic cameras, he was ended. This is as well swift and the individual reacting has actually not had their 5 moments" to definitely analyze just what has happened/been stated. If you communicate fast when offering a presentation, remember that it does not matter exactly how prompt you talk, but what does it cost? your audience can easily know. Exactly what you are providing deserves more than any sort of volume of cash that may be paid for to you. PS - My manual, The Guts to Win: A Revolutionary Mental Sturdiness Formulation - The best ways to Expert Yourself to earn Additional Amount of money, Fast lane Your Career and Succeed crazy is now on call. Effectively, a research study done through MIT for the function from measuring the usefulness from top response times found that the odds from talking to a top (would-be shopper) fell ONE HUNDRED opportunities if the call was made in Thirty Minutes versus 5 minutes after the on the web questions was actually maded. The infrared waves permeate the food as well as prepares from completely, which creates meat product with natural extracts and flavors. When there are actually staying microorganisms in this field that receive swiftly and substantially warmer or cooler, the life types can not adapt to the adjustment quickly enough. When he mentioned that at a memorial service the person providing the eulogy would very be in the container than standing on the podium, stand-up comic Jerry Seinfeld placed that very well. After going through these tips, you might have understood the only right procedure to obtain lean swift is actually to adhere to an excellent diet regimen as well as exercise regimen. Eating food items starts the gastrointestinal process in the oral cavity, due to the fact that saliva has digestive system chemicals that start to launch nutrients off food in the mouth. If you ask me what is actually the most crucial technique in how to raise site visitor traffic totally free by providing a free book, this is this - create your ebook rebrandable! The ideal diet concerns creating far better and healthier food selections more often and also eating much less often, implying eating smaller more nourishing foods much more regularly during the day.

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seenashwrite · 7 years

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The Last Job

Status: Complete Word Count: 3.5K Category: One-shot; Behind-the-scenes canon-compliant; Family; Life choices Rating: Teen & Up Character(s): References to familiar people/places Pairing(s): N/A Warnings: Mild coarse language Author’s Note(s): While this little vignette can be read as a stand-a-lone, highly recommend you check out “Hello, I’m Gone” if you haven't already - and if you *have* read that one and found something to like about it, then I suspect you’ll find something to enjoy in this one, too. Overall Summary: A long-time client gives a contractor his final assignment.