#recommendations for hymns to sing at your wedding
Text
Just remembered I need to let everyone know that the title of Jeeves and the Tie that Binds is a reference to a hymn called “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” and these are the lyrics:
1. Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.
3. We share each other's woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
5. This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.
6. From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.
#presented without comment#ok presented with one comment and that comment is that i’m gnawing on the walls#jooster#jeeves and wooster#jeeves and the tie that binds#much obliged jeeves#jeeves books#recommendations for hymns to sing at your wedding
49 notes
·
View notes
Text
Perhaps you have heard this wedding story. It is a few minutes before the ceremony is to begin the bridesmaids, groomsmen, father of the bride, and the bride are huddled in the back of the church. The bride is nervous, shaking a little and her Dad is at a loss on how to calm her. The best man steps in to break the nervous tension. He calmly puts his arm around the bride and very soothingly says: “There is nothing to be nervous about, this is a piece of cake. All you have to do is walk down the aisle with your Dad, then stand at the altar and we will sing a hymn.” The bride nervously nods understanding and the best man continues: “Just repeat after me until you have it down. Aisle, altar, hymn.” She begins repeating this out loud, with the rest of the wedding party biting their tongues, and during her third repetition, she bursts out laughing thus calming everyone’s nerves.
This humorous story has nothing to do with the lifestyle but perhaps it can point thoughts to how people are “teaching” and others are learning about BDSM. A big complaint from many and sadly many newer dominants is that books as well as educational blog posts are too lengthy and they are pressed for time.
How does one learn about the lifestyle if they are not going to read?
Some people step out and become active in their in-person community, attend events, and have sought out experienced mentors but all of those routes also involve the investment of time. These are more time intensive because these involve scheduling around others as opposed to reading which can be done on your schedule. Looking around the kinky net, what passes as knowledge is disseminated in quick little 5, 10, or 20-step mantras or guides. Offering advice such as the five steps every good submissive follows or ten traits the top dominants in the Western World all share. These step-by-step instructions are typically paired with a sensual picture sexualizing the so-called educational component.
The lifestyle is very complex and deep and learning it cannot be completed in a few hours of perving on Tumblr, Reddit, or FetLife. While there is nothing wrong with investing in these quickies as many do contain wisdom but D/S requires a person to do a deep dive. There are no shortcuts to creating a base of knowledge. Even experienced people need to keep up with their continuing education because the lifestyle is vast. The more a person learns about D/S the more they know there is so much more to explore and discover.
Something else about the speedy quick, condensed book educational curve is these ditties often miss the most amazing part of the journey into the lifestyle. The best part of the trip to BDSMville is the self-discovery that occurs and is never-ending. There are no shortcuts on this voyage of enlightenment, no Google Maps to point out the quickest route or exactly where the journey will terminate. A person’s path to their lifestyle destination is created by pushing forward, learning, and growing with every step forward.
Size does matter because the amount of a person’s investment in learning and growth will impact what they get from the lifestyle. There is no shortcut on the road to being a better person while blossoming in the D/S role that fits one’s soul.
What lifestyle books or resources do you recommend?
As with all of my writings, please see this disclaimer.
©TLK2023
#d/s relationship#d/s community#d/s blog#d/s real life#dom/sub#bdsmblog#bd/sm community#bd/sm lifestyle#ds community#chattingwiththelightkeeper#my thoughts#my writing
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
Darklina Smut Fics Recs
For anyone looking for some darklina smut fanfics. Feel free to add any recommendations (including self recs!) or drop me an ask for other recs. If anyone is looking for general darklina fanfics, here's another recommendation list.
Winter Fete Smut
Colours by hanpersands
Summary: The night of the fete, the Darkling visits Alina’s room after all. A what-if scenario, based on the idea that Baghra never came, and he did.
i'll be waiting by larry_hysterek
Summary: or if alina stayed and didn't leave after the winter fete.
pretty much just smut with some implications of alina going slightly dark
good things come to those who wait by peachykeenjellybean
Summary: "Did you want me to come to you tonight, Alina?” He asks. His voice is deep. So low she can barely hear him.
She doesn’t answer. She stares with her mouth parted, ready to answer him, but nothing comes out. She’s too afraid to tell him yes.
He tips his chin down and raises an eyebrow expecting an answer."
OR: The Darkling visits Alina after the Winter Fete but he makes her wait. Wait until she's begging.
all of my goodness is goin' with you now by cursebreakker
Summary: The Darkling comes to Alina's room after the winter fete.
uninterrupted by cursebreakker
Summary: the winter fete make out session revisited, and this time they go all the way.
Embracing the darkness by beekathony
Summary: "Alina," he said, and I could see that he was fighting with himself, "can I come to you tonight?"
What should have happened if the Darkling visited Alina that night after the winter fete.
Canon Divergence
i am singing now as rome burns (mash your mouth against me) by bellemon
Summary: “Don’t say her name. You killed her,” he hisses, fingers closing around her neck, even as his thumb caresses the curve of her throat, even as his fingers intertwine with the fall of hair that lies at her nape. “She died for you.”
“She died because of you,” Alina snarls, even as she leans into his touch, even as she hates herself for it. “We both killed her.”
He gives a growl of rage and surges toward her. For a moment, the rage in Alina’s heart gives way to fear, to relief, to desire. He’s going to kill me.
But then he is kissing her, lips crashing against hers like flint on steel, and isn’t that the same thing?
---- Alina does not resist the pull of their tether. The Darkling welcomes her in his own way.
(Or, Alina and The Darkling are just two people hiding their Thirst through power plays)
in the dying lamplight by ellewhile
Summary: I looked into Mal’s eyes—his familiar blue eyes that I knew even better than my own. Except they weren’t blue. In the dying lamplight, they glimmered quartz gray.
He smiled then, a cold, clever smile like none I’d ever seen on his lips.
“I missed you too, Alina.”
Instead of responding with fear, Alina responds with anger. A different take on the scene where he comes to her.
Bedroom Hymns by destinies
Summary: “The consummation, no, that was not ‘fun.’ I have lived too long and done too much for mere physical release to be ‘fun.’ But it was necessary to seal the marriage, and you agreed to it… Every other time, I waited for you to seek me out. And I found that infinitely more rewarding.”
The Darkling and the Sun Summoner's wedding night, and other nights, scattered over the decades that follow.
Overcome by coldnightsandcoffee
Summary: In which Alina learns the Darkling's name and what would have happened had she stayed. AKA, I hate how that scene ended so I'm offering an alternate scenario.
Or: just another excuse to write Darklina smut. We can never have enough of that.
Whatever Our Souls Are Made Of by RoseAlenko (the_darkling)
Summary: This is the way it is between the two of them, an inexorable attraction that accompanies their every meeting. And if finally giving in means falling prey to his designs, then she’s happy to be devoured.
Midnight Prayers by vuas
Summary: “Shh,” he murmurs, cradling her face in his warm palm. “Stay still. No tears now, milaya. You’ll take what you’re given.”
“But—“
“Mercy,” he leans up to kiss her wet cheek. “Is for saints.”
Vsegda, Always by vuas
Summary: “An heir?”
Alina hacks up half her tea, spoiling one of her finer dressing gowns. She’s too busy dabbing at the mess with napkins, cheeks warm, to notice the bemused look her husband gives over the top of the newspaper from where he sat reading across the breakfast table.
She quickly learns he isn’t joking.
(Or: Aleksander Morozova asks his wife for a baby, and she doesn't find herself opposed to the idea.)
Between Midnights by vuas
Summary: “You’re my wife, my sun summoner,” he continues undeterred, hot breath fanning over her neck. “You’re mine. I can do whatever I please with you. Why shouldn’t I kiss you?”
#darklina#alarkling#darklina fanfic recs#the darkling x alina#aleksander x alina#i like making fic recs
427 notes
·
View notes
Photo
15th May >> Mass Readings (USA)
Saturday before Ascension Sunday
or
Saint Isidore the Farmer.
Saturday before Ascension Sunday
(Liturgical Colour: White)
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 18:23-28
Apollos established from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.
After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.
A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10
R/ God is king of all the earth.
or
R/ Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R/ God is king of all the earth.
or
R/ Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R/ God is king of all the earth.
or
R/ Alleluia.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For God’s are the guardians of the earth;
he is supreme.
R/ God is king of all the earth.
or
R/ Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation
John 16:28
Alleluia, alleluia.
I came from the Father and have come into the world;
now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 16:23b-28
My Father loves you because you have loved me and believed in me.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
“I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saint Isidore the Farmer
(Liturgical Colour: White)
(Readings for the memorial)
(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)
Either:
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35
The community of believers was of one heart and mind.
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Or:
First Reading
Revelation 3:14b, 20-22
I will dine with him and he with me.
The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne.
“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Or:
First Reading
Revelation 19:1, 5-9
Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
I, John, heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying:
“Alleluia!
Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God.”
A voice coming from the throne said:
“Praise our God, all you his servants,
and you who revere him, small and great.”
Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder, as they said:
“Alleluia!
The Lord has established his reign,
our God, the almighty.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory.
For the wedding day of the Lamb has come,
his bride has made herself ready.
She was allowed to wear
a bright, clean linen garment.”
(The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Or:
First Reading
Revelation 21:5-7
To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.
The One who was seated on the throne said: “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Either:
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or
R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or
R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or
R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or
R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or
R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or
R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or
R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or
R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.
Or:
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Or:
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 16:1-2ab and 5, 7-8, 11
You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
You are my inheritance, O Lord.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me on right paths
for his name’s sake.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear and be glad.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
or
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1bc-2, 3-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18a
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
O bless the Lord, my soul!
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills,
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
O bless the Lord, my soul!
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
O bless the Lord, my soul!
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward his children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
O bless the Lord, my soul!
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
OR: --------
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,
so is my soul within me.
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 5:3
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Matthew 5:6
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Matthew 5:8
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
See Matthew 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Matthew 11:28
Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Matthew 23:11, 12b
Alleluia, alleluia.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
Luke 21:36
Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 8:31b-32
Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 13:34
Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 15:4a, 5b
Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Or:
John 15:9b, 5b
Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Either:
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12a
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Or:
Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
You are the light of the world.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Or:
Gospel
Matthew 7:21-27
The house built on rock and the house built on sand.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 11:25-30
Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike.
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 13:44-46
He sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus said to the crowds: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 16:24-27
Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each one according to his conduct.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5
Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 19:3-12
For the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.
Some Pharisees approached Jesus and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 19:27-29
You who have followed me will receive a hundred times more.
Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 22:34-40
Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 25:1-13
Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30
Since you were faithful in small matters, come, share your master’s joy.
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 25:14-23
Since you were faithful in small matters, come, share your master’s joy.
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 25:31-46
Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Matthew 25:31-40
Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine you did for me.’”
OR: --------
Gospel
Mark 3:31-35
Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Mark 9:34-37
Whoever receives such a child as this, receives me.
Jesus’ disciples had been discussing among themselves who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Mark 10:13-16
Let the children come to me; do not prevent them.
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
OR: --------
Gospel
Mark 10:17-30
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor; then come, follow me.
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Mark 10:17-27
Go, sell what you have and give to the poor; then come, follow me.
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 6:27-38
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 9:57-62
I will follow you wherever you go.
As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42
Martha welcomed him. Mary has chosen the better part.
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 12:32-34
Your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 12:35-40
You also must be prepared.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
OR: --------
Gospel
Luke 14:25-33
Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
OR: --------
Gospel
John 15:1-8
Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
OR: --------
Gospel
John 15:9-17
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
OR: --------
Gospel
John 17:20-26
I wish that where I am they also may be with me.
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
1 note
·
View note
Text
David’s Resolution: Day -2
Day -2 (December 30, 2018)
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
“And then the good Lord went on to say, ‘Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.’”
There have been plenty of actors who’ve tried their hand at directing films, with varying degrees of success. A big example is Ron Howard, who started out acting in The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, then went on to become an accomplished filmmaker with a lot of good films like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind. Clint Eastwood’s had a pretty solid career as a director, with films like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. Same with Rob Reiner, who went from being known as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family to being known as the director of This is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride and Misery (and also North, much as we’d like to forget that film exists).
Mel Gibson took on directing Braveheart himself, and that film was also a big success commercially and critically (also has a great soundtrack by James Horner); same thing with Tom Hanks and That Thing You Do!. But not every actor who goes into directing met big success, at least initially, and one such example is Charles Laughton.
Charles Laughton was a great actor whose more memorable roles include William Porterhouse in 1932′s The Old Dark House, Dr. Moreau in 1932′s Island of Lost Souls (a really good old horror movie where he is the best thing in it), and Quasimodo in the 1939 adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which portrayed Claude Frollo as a judge over 50 years before Disney’s animated adaptation of the story. He was a fantastic actor who sadly directed only one film, but at least the film he made is fucking incredible and one of the best thrillers of all time.
The Night of the Hunter is the story of one Rev. Harry Powell, played by Robert Mitchum. Powell is a traveling preacher who also happens to be a serial killer operating in the same vein as Bluebeard: he finds wealthy widows, marries them, kills them, takes their money, rinse, repeat. And his latest target is Willa Harper (played by Shelley Winters), a widow living in Depression-era rural West Virginia. Willa’s husband Ben (played by Peter Graves) was arrested, sent to prison, and executed for bank robbery and killing two men during the robbery, but it just so happens that Ben’s cellmate was Rev. Powell himself, who was serving time for car theft. And Powell learns that Ben, before his arrest, gave the money to his two children - his son John and his daughter Pearl - for them to hide, meaning that not only is Powell going to go after Willa, he’s going to go after her kids.
So after Powell is released from prison, he goes to Willa’s town and begins charming his way into the town and endearing himself to the townsfolk, which does two things. One is to show Robert Mitchum’s talents as an actor: he is legitimately charming and charismatic as he tells the now-famous story of why the words “hate” and “love” are tattooed on his knuckles, and he quickly endears himself to the town and to Willa and Pearl, even to the viewer in some degree. And that’s where the other thing comes in, and that is that it shows how goddamn terrifying Robert Mitchum can be.
I ended the It Happened One Night review saying “Robert Mitchum is a scary motherfucker”, and this movie shows why. There’s a reason the American Film Institute put Powell on their list of the 50 greatest movie villains of all time. The way Mitchum plays Powell is captivating not only in how charismatic he is, but also in how sinister he is. At all times, even when he’s singing hymns with the townsfolk at an outdoor picnic, there is always this sense that something doesn’t feel right. Even when he is played a little more for comedy, like when he’s peeking upside-down at Ben in prison like he’s Kilroy, or when he’s hollering like Daffy Duck after getting shot in the arm (we’ll get to that later), there’s still this feeling of unease around him. If anything, the fact he can be more comedic makes him scarier because it makes him feel more like an actual person. It makes him more grounded and fleshed out and all the more disturbing.
Powell soon marries Willa and kills her, but not before convincing her that she has been a wicked woman - their honeymoon is him making her feel ashamed for wanting sex in a marriage, and she soon adapts herself to her beliefs. This leads to what I feel is the most disturbing and terrifying scene in the movie, where Willa is preaching to the townsfolk about her “formerly wicked” ways, surrounded by torches as she preaches her rhetoric. It’s legitimately terrifying to see her indoctrinated into these beliefs and speaking these words in this way.
Willa dies at Powell’s hands, and it eventually leads to John and Pearl striking out on their own, travelling downriver to avoid the pursuing Powell. This eventually brings them to Rachel Cooper, an old woman played by Lillian Gish who takes care of stray children, and who takes them in to live with her. Rachel is established as a badass old lady who does have a very kind and understanding side. The film reaches its peak when Powell tracks the children to Rachel, who doesn’t buy his sob story about Willa’s death for one moment and, when Powell goes after John, immediately goes for her shotgun to force Powell off, leading into a tense nighttime standoff between the reverend and Rachel. And how it ends... yeah, not spoiling this one. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
Put simply, it’s really depressing that Laughton didn’t direct another film. This is one of those movies that took some time to be seen as a classic. When it first came out, it did not do very well with critics or audiences, and it really got to Laughton to where he didn’t direct another film. It sucks because I’d have loved to have seen him direct more films, because if The Night of the Hunter is anything to go by, he’d have given us more great classics like it. This makes me wonder if after his death, he saw the film’s reception even today and how so many see it as a classic.
All the acting in the film is great, from Mitchum and Gish and Winters to the child actors, even to the Spoons, an old couple who are friends with the Harper family and whom the wife Icey (yes, her name is Icey Spoon) I absolutely fucking hate as a character. That’s not a bad thing, I think she was designed to be a character you hate, and if that is the case then it’s done very well. The music by Walter Schumann is excellent at conveying mood, especially when things get dark. But then you get to the cinematography and the lighting, and that’s the really good shit.
That screenshot I used for the film is the perfect example of that. The use of lighting in this film is god-tier and there are few films before or since that have used light like The Night of the Hunter. The symbolism behind it is very simple - light and dark, good and evil - but it’s absolutely striking. There are shots that are beautiful to look at and haunting at the same time: the ethereal depiction of Willa’s body in her car at the bottom of the river, the whole thing framed like a painting; the shot of John and Pearl sleeping in a barn when John sees Powell on horseback in the distance, searching for the kids; and the scenes with John and Pearl floating downriver, with the night sky above and the animals watching on the ground. There’s some really beautiful imagery in the film and it’s worth watching just for that.
I highly recommend this movie. Just the cinematography and lightning’s enough to make you want to see this movie for how great it looks, but it’s also a top-notch thriller with one of cinema’s greatest and most terrifying villains. Also, this is the first movie that I’d recommend you watch in the dark, preferably in the evening or in the early morning before the sun rises.
Next time: a Joan of Arc film, but not the kind you’re thinking of.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Here Comes The Bride - Music for Wedding Ceremonies
The formalities and legalities of a wedding can be regarded as the "bone structure" of the ceremony. Without those legalities, without the correct words, documentation, certificates and authorities, the ceremony cannot be a legal one.
But the bare bones of such a ceremony can be - and ought to be - beautifully "dressed" with things that add to the meaningfulness and fascination of the ceremony. The very word "ceremony" reminds us that a wedding is one of the important occasions of one's life, that it is something deserving all the pageantry and ritual that the couple may wish to include. This sense of something more than simply an official procedure can be expressed more informally, too - in which case the "ritual" is quite relaxed and with simplicity and charm.
Whether the marriage ceremony is formal or informal, whether it is traditional or modern, there is no doubt that beautifully chosen music adds to the atmosphere and character of the ceremony - and a first-class celebrant can help the couple to choose the music that best fits their occasion.
How Much Music Should We Have?
A marriage ceremony is not restricted to use only a set number of musical pieces. In fact, some weddings - usually elaborate ones - can include a quite astonishing amount of music. Some - very simple ones - might opt to include virtually no music. But my recommendation as an Authorised Marriage Celebrant is that the couple include a minimum of one piece, to be performed or played during the Signing of the Register.
Many wedding ceremonies also have music played as the bride walks down the aisle; this is called the Bride's Processional. Equally many wedding ceremonies include music to be played as the bride and groom walk out together once the final words of the ceremony have been spoken; this is known as the Recessional.
These are not the only places in the ceremony where music may be played or performed. Before the ceremony begins, there may be music quietly played to set the mood or keep the guests entertained; hymns may be part of a religious marriage ceremony; more music may be included before the vows or after the vows; and so on. There really are no bars to having as much music as one wants, or as little music as one wants. http://www.chrisbitten.com/
The most frequently used musical layout in a wedding ceremony is thus as follows:
Processional music
Signing of the Register music
Recessional music
What Traditional Music Is Played At Weddings?
Both the Processional and the Recessional tend to be Wedding Marches - that is, pieces which have a graceful beat and ceremonial quality that adds to the atmosphere of a traditional wedding. A wide variety of pieces fall into this category; for example, the Wedding March from Wagner's Lohengrin, pieces from Handel's Water Music, the Pachelbel Canon in D, the Wedding March from Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, virtually all Trumpet Voluntaries, to name but a few.
During the Signing of the Register, music by Mozart, Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Purcell, Monteverdi and many more can be used. The duration of this music should be at least 5 minutes.
Can Non-Classical Music Be Used In Weddings?
Couples may choose to include music from other cultures - Indian music, music from China or Japan, pop music from Italy or Volksmusik from Germany, for example. So much music can add quite a fascinating quality to the ceremony, and the sense of ceremony will not be diminished if the music is chosen for its meaningfulness to the couple.
Equally, the use of music not usually associated with weddings - rock and roll, country music, medieval music, any sort of music - can be used if the couple wishes. A first-class celebrant will be happy to explore whatever genre of music will be appropriate for the bridal couple, and can offer a multitude of suggestions.
Live Music Or Recorded Music?
Of course, the easiest (and least costly) method of including music in the ceremony is with the use of CDs. The Authorised Marriage Celebrant is able to use specially compiled CDs of music for the ceremony without breaching copyright, and of course will provide the audio equipment to enable the music CD to be heard by all the guests.
It is the celebrant's responsibility to organise the CD in the case of recorded music being used in the ceremony.
If the couple wishes to have musicians performing live and/or a singer performing live during the ceremony, it can add a very special quality to the wedding. The music choices would usually be decided upon by the couple with the help and advice of the Authorised Marriage Celebrant, and the celebrant may liaise with the performers on behalf of the couple. Alternatively, the couple may wish to speak directly with the performers.
The responsibility of hiring performers is the couple's. A first-class marriage celebrant will frequently have some excellent contacts with wonderful musicians who can do justice to the ceremony's musical requirements, and may be able to offer recommendations or suggestions to help the couple make their decision.
Is Music Necessary For The Wedding Rehearsal?
Because a wedding rehearsal is designed to sort out any potential problems beforehand, usually with a complete run-through, it is highly recommended for the music to be part of the ceremony. If a CD is being used, the celebrant will arrive for the rehearsal with the CD and the PA system, to make sure about volume, placement of the speaker, time length of the pieces, and so on.
If live music is to be played during the ceremony, it's strongly recommended that the musicians and singers be present at the rehearsal. They will need to know where they are placed for the ceremony, whether they are playing or singing loudly enough, at what points exactly they will be performing, and so on. To ensure that the ceremony runs as smoothly as possible, it is definitely worth having a complete run-through. The musicians and singers may charge an additional fee for this rehearsal, or it may be included in their fee; this is the responsibility of the couple.
Why Have Music?
The poet Longfellow said of music that it "is the universal language of mankind". Robert Browning described music as something that banishes aloneness: "He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once." Victor Hugo, the author of Les Misérables, said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." Tolstoy described it as "the shorthand of emotion". Anaïs Nin wrote that "Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together". And Beethoven - well, for him it was an incredible intoxication that gave meaning to life: "Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken."
Because of this sense of marriage between great truth and music, and our emotions and music, music plays an incontrovertible part in the lives of virtually every human being. It is especially important during ceremonies that define us; it heightens our emotions gives meaning to the moment.
A wedding ceremony is unquestionably made more momentous and lovely if music plays upon the strings of silence, enhancing the words that make each marriage real and unique. A first-class marriage celebrant will be aware not only of the music pieces that can be perfectly added to your ceremony, but also of the greatest performances of those music pieces, so that you will be left with a sense of something almost beyond feeling - where the vows of your marriage are clarified and distilled to the very essence of meaning, to be remembered for the rest of your lives together.
0 notes
Text
A wedding and also a “Anand Karaj” while it is generally labeled Lace Wedding Dresses*……&（）gOy
All of to consider pertaining to Sikh wedding parties -------------------- Sikhs don’t view wedding for a very simple association amongst soulmates mermaid wedding dress. Quite the opposite, while in the Sikh faith a married relationship connotes your holy un amongst not one but two people that happen to be u . s . collectively. When conduct a lot of sub cultures everywhere, brussels includes unique wedding and reception tradition, tradition this formidable plus have the ability disciples prize together with the the greatest admire. Wedding and reception tradition passionately represent a Punjabi customs by using audio, dances, food items plus outfits. A wedding and also a “Anand Karaj” while it is generally labeled Lace Wedding Dresses, signifies happy un but it specializes in a investment a small number would make at the Legend, who will be the middle of a couple’s everyday living. Primarily, to ensure a formal procedure will be to unite a people of your soulmates by using Parmatma (God). However there are certain rituals this arise in advance of plus following your formal procedure, the most important models will be all those based on this ceremony.
On the whole, a titanium wedding bands arises frequently along at the dwelling of your star of the event and also other site where Legend is often offer v neck prom dress, nonetheless continually in the am. The destination this buildings a basic organ of the formal procedure provides a term with Gurdwara. During pertaining to 11 o’clock, a attendees as well as small number boost to your most important prayer arena when everyone seems to be likely to explode its boots and shoes plus gals have got to insure its travel inside an best suited style. A Sikh ceremony is completed using a clergyman, frequently male or female, who seem to takes place by using music and singing a Holy Hymns and also Gurbani. As you move iopuyhuih2020 attendees show up, orlando performers that happen to be available on your step at the arena situated a distance of your fundamental step of your legend attract best suited hymns. The earliest hymn (kirtan) is definitely sang by couple this hymn is definitely chanted so that they can take care of the formal procedure absolute. Just after quite a few hymns will be chanted, a clergyman (Giani) steps about the thank you's. Extra precisly, a clergyman deciphers with the documents of your junior high Sikh legend. The following formal procedure makes up three portions this revolve all over is an excellent karma, religious beliefs plus great thing. A three hopes will be labeled Lavaan plus its factor will be to complience seal a wedding. Simply, a small number is required to ribbon and bow to a holy e book plus put it off through to the upcoming saying. Should the lavaan is definitely carried out, a small number is definitely showered by using roses as well as star of the event as well as soon-to-be husband will be theoretically wed. Cherished formal procedure is definitely with your wedding ceremony party social gathering along at the groom’s dwelling that is definitely extra for any excitement. Attendees will be provided by using refreshments, also people love popular music plus fun. A couple will be expected so that you can have fun with quite a few activities this exemplifies a agreeable while in the innovative relatives. In the end, lots of young families plan gatherings in advance of plus following on from the ceremony. A tactics are usually not orlando by itself, but instead societal. Those of you that are usually not section of the following customs its tricky to comprehend the benefits of your Sikh titanium wedding bands. A main focus is definitely for holy un without for venture. More information pertaining to plus, i highly recommend you take a look at all these one-way links!
Related recommendations:
one dark-colored promenade acquire dressed The white gray ball gown wedding dressUYFTO&*^KFvghjk
special and also beautiful in which can easily entice everybodys consideration prom dress……&&%7@
Are you looking to add a little drama to your bridal gown? Then mermaid wedding dresses under 200HG）7tfi65dfgky676dfg
short *&RTPuytfp8976rfgh'of freeze through the point-of-impact plus size wedding dresses under $200
#lalamira wedding dresses#mother of the bride pant suits#cheap flower girl dresses#sparkly belts for dresses#grey prom dresses#slutty bridesmaid dresses
0 notes
Text
THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY: WEEKEND ROUNDUP FOR AUGUST 16, 2019
This week we continued our college month with articles from collegian Aly Lee (This is Not Us? Thoughts from Charlottesville) and college pastor Francis Chow (Back-to-School Exhortations).
Just in time for wedding season, Pastor Ben Shin published Pick Your Battles - his final installment in the AA Guide to Premarital Counseling. After finishing her series on fashion, the fall season finds Judy Lee starting a new two-part series on sports by interviewing Pastor Justin Kim.
Our monthly newsletter will be sent out today and it is a great way to stay connected with SOLA. If you missed this month’s edition, subscribe today so you get our next installment in September. And if you have any links or recommendations to share, please tweet me @musicgoon or email me at [email protected].
LINK ROUNDUP
1. Moses Lee: How the Korean Pentecost Can Guide Revival Today
Moses Lee tweets: “My latest piece for TGC distinguishes common notions of revival with what actually occurs in history.
The Pyongyang Revival, in particular, began at the end of a 2 week Bible study. No emotionalism. Justice was also central, emphasizing reparations and the common good.”
2. Donny Cho: Why Church Interns Are More Valuable Than You Think
Writing for The Gospel Coalition, Donny Cho details why church interns are beneficial, specifically for the church planter, the intern, and the church member.
3. George Brahm: Skillet’s John Cooper on Apostasy Among Young Christian Leaders
“My conclusion for the church (all of us Christians): We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or “relevant” people the most influential people in Christendom. (And yes that includes people like me!) I’ve been saying for 20 years(and seemed probably quite judgmental to some of my peers) that we are in a dangerous place when the church is looking to 20 year old worship singers as our source of truth. We now have a church culture that learns who God is from singing modern praise songs rather than from the teachings of the Word.”
4. Caroline Anderson: The Posture of Prayer: A Look at How Buddhists Pray
“Defining prayer in Buddhism is challenging because the prayer rituals are varied in practice just as the fundamental doctrines and tenets are varied across the different Buddhist sects. Buddhism in Thailand looks different from Buddhism in Nepal. And, Buddhism in Nepal looks different from Buddhism in the East.
Here’s a quick overview of the various Buddhists sects and how they practice prayer differently.”
5. Chase Replogle: Bonhoeffer Convinced Me to Abandon My Dream
“I'm not sure Bonhoeffer could have written anything about leadership more fundamentally opposed to what I had learned and imagined practicing in ministry. Bonhoeffer’s words collapsed the scaffolding on which I had erected my ideal vision of a church and my role as its pastor. His words exposed something shameful. I had traded a real congregation for a dream one, blind to the work God was doing right in front of me.”
WEEKEND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Themelios: Volume 44, Issue 2, August 2019
Read Fulfill Your Ministry by Brian J. Tabb, Strange Times: Never Say ‘the Phones Are Quiet’ by Daniel Strange, The Doctrine of Scripture and Biblical Contextualization: Inspiration, Authority, Inerrancy, and the Canon by Jackson Wu, and more.
2. Shane & Shane: Power of the Cross
One of my favorite Christian artists covering one of my favorite hymns.
3. Jared C. Wilson — Faithfulness in Writing
Host Chase Repogle interviews Jared C. Wilson - Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Spurgeon College, Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and General Editor of For The Church - on the latest episode of the Pastor Writer podcast.
FROM SOLA
1. Francis Chow: Back-to-School Exhortations
“Some of you will experience test scores that fall on the wrong side of the curve, rejection letters, unexpected changes in your career path, a regretful stewardship of your time, relational fallout, breakups, unmet expectations, and disappointment. More significantly, many of you will come face to face with your own sin.
There are a number of ways you can respond to this. Some people see the sinfulness of their own hearts and they don’t care. Others see it and despair, or they believe that they just need to get their act together. Don’t neglect your failures and even your sin because it is a reminder to you of your desperate need for grace.”
2. Judy Lee: God Over Sports, Jesus Over Hockey - An Interview with Pastor Justin Kim
Justin Kim: “I think a lot of people can relate who are passionate about their favorite teams. It’s okay to be passionate. But our love for Jesus must always be preeminent and supersede any other love for anything else, including sports.
I remember seeing guys get so angry on the basketball court. But winning can be an unhealthy obsession because winning isn't the most important thing. You can win a game but lose your witness for Christ. Playing with passion and playing with the right attitude helps us to play sports in a God-honoring way. One can play sports for God's glory. One can be thankful to the Lord for the ability to exercise and to celebrate their physical health. Sports are a gift from the Lord but not when it replaces Jesus as the center of one's life.”
3. Ben Shin: Pick Your Battles: The AA Guide to Premarital Counseling (Part 4)
“The big question then to ask is “which issues or hills should a couple ‘die on’?” So first, do not die on every hill. It simply is not worth it. When a couple cannot agree with older parents who may represent either a different cultural or even generational custom, they will find tremendous hardship and stress. The better attitude would be to have the following simple slogan: give and take.”
4. Aly Lee: This is Not Us? Thoughts from Charlottesville
“This reflection on the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia was written two years ago, before my second year at the University of Virginia. I am now entering my last year in college.”
“The events of August 11-12, 2017 radically shaped my perception of my school and America. They left a lot of fear in my heart and a lot of questions for the Lord as I packed my bag semester after semester to return to this place with a deep history of hate. That being said, the Lord has been incredibly gracious to this community. He has opened places for healing and communication and has spoken so much truth to my fears.”
5. Thank God It’s Friday: Weekend Roundup
In case you missed it, here are some headlines from last week: White Nationalist Terrorism and the Gospel, 15 Pieces of Writing Advice from C. S. Lewis, Consuming Culture: Food and the Shaping of Asian American Identity, and How Should Missionaries Help Create Indigenous Worship Music?
0 notes
Text
they accessorize it terribly wrong that ruins the beauty and the charm of the dress burgundy and gold dress（）*&…fikgh…
Cocktail dresses are foremost of every modern woman’s wardrobe. Sometimes it can be difficult for you to find the best pair of dresses to wear on various occasions. Many of the ladies buy cocktail dresses to hide their ugly side of their bulky and heavy body in order to look great at parties and other occasions. Some of the ladies have an awesome pair of cocktail dresses, but they accessorize it terribly wrong that ruins the beauty and the charm of the dress burgundy and gold dress. So in this article today we are going to suggest you some of the styling tips so that you can look your best at varied occasions in the coming future. In the contemporary world, Internet has completely changed the way people use to the sale and buy things, now you can buy at very attractive price from various platforms on the Internet. You will certainly feel ashamed once you see someone else wearing exactly the same dress as yours in a prom. If you desire to buy unique gowns for prom and other school events, then The Formal Wear of Brisbane is the very best choice. They have a formal gown register to make sure their dresses are always exceptional. Once you buy a dress from them, it will be registered. Meaning, other girls won't have the same dress as you. This will give you the confidence that your formal wear Brisbane isn't the same with other girls in the prom.
As a general rule, the marriage ceremony takes place either at the home of the bride or some other place where the Guru can be present, but always in the morning. The place that houses the formal part of the ceremony bears the name of Gurdwara. At about 11 o’clock, the guests and the couple advance to the main prayer hall where everyone is expected to take off their shoes and women have ihdpiyhjsjlijk_ouiols to cover their head in an appropriate manner. The Sikh wedding ceremony is performed by a priest, either man or woman, who begins with singing the Holy Hymns or Gurbani. While the guests arrive, religious singers that are found on a stage in front of the hall located in the proximity of the central stage of the guru enchant appropriate hymns. The first hymn (kirtan) is sang by the bride and groom and this hymn is chanted in order to maintain the ceremony pure. To have a perfect wedding is just what all brides is looking for plus size homecoming dresses. The bride as well as the bridesmaid should both seem lovely throughout the wedding event long homecoming dresses. After all, they are the individuals who will march across the aisle first. Brisbane has some of the most stunning areas that are ideal for weddings. Because of this, it is obvious to see a lot of stores giving Bridesmaid Dresses Brisbane, and other clothing that would go well with the wedding ceremony. A boutique showroom of Formal Wear of Brisbane not just gives wonderful dresses which are perfect for the prom but also wedding dresses Brisbane, too. You can choose from their wide variety of dresses that are made by numerous designers. Actually, some of the designs are so unique that you'll never find them in other boutiques. It will be a good idea to ask the employees of the boutique which dress appears perfect on you particularly if you are doubtful which dress to choose out of the countless options. They've got an extensive experience in this business that is why you can ensure that they can present you the guidance that you need.
Related recommendations:
Long term care insurance is typically needed by the elderly bridesmaid dresses under 70UYGFlghbns
one of the places that should never be missed on the Barcelona beach bridesmaid dresses under 70&^%RIKfgs
UYGOTLUghnj keeping a presence on page one with maybe two or three positions on the first page plus size wedding gowns under 100 "
jie125(*&TOIKygfmore powerful than the traditional text based communication floor length bridesmaid dresses under 200
0 notes
Note
Marie-mun, you've mentioned your husband is a musician and from what I gathered (correct me if I'm wrong), he supports you and your son? I really want to pursue my music for a career but I'm scared to take that leap. You make me feel like I could do it. Any advice?
Yes, Mr. Frenchie is a musician and he is by far the breadwinner. The bacon bringer homer.
I can, and will, give you a full lowdown on how it works for us but let me just tell you right off the bat that there are some ah, extra, things that really helped drive his career along.
1. He’s a musical prodigy. It helps. A lot lol.
2. He’s a people person. Again, this helps a l o t.
3. He went from living the bachelor life to having a new girlfriend and a babu on the way in a span of 3 months so. There was a very strong fire under his butt that motivated him. That helped a lot.
4. He plays multiple instruments {piano, guitar, bass, vocals, and organ professionally, mandolin and uke he can teach but doesn’t play out}
I also want to say before I begin that everything I’m about to say isn’t a requirement to have a career as a musician, it’s just what he does to support his family and also to give us the lifestyle we want. (we like nice things and we aren’t ashamed to admit it.) You may not have a family to support. You might not live in an area where buying a house is sensible. You might be a minimalist. Who knows, I don’t, but I’ll still do my best to help maybe clear your brains up a bit.
One thing (and most career musicians will tell you the same thing) that you need to know is there is no one-and-done as far as music goes. Unless you’re a sound engineer or schoolteacher or something, very few “music” jobs pay a livable salary. Performance jobs especially as I imagine this is what you’re referring to.
Because there is no one-and-done, prepare to work odd hours, drive or commute otherwise a lot, and also be asked “what’s your real job”. a l o t. So. How to pay your bills on your music career? Here are some options for you, built out of literally everything Mr. Frenchie does. {read more for obscene length lmao}
Gigs:
The first and most obvious answer. For this, you will have to pay your dues. 4 hour gigs @ $50-75 a pop, bringing all of your own sound equipment and possibly playing to 4 drunks passed out on the tables. DO IT. Make friends with the bartenders. Make friends with management. Make friends even with those guys at the tables. You never know who has connections to better paying jobs. You never know. {Mr. Frenchie has gotten jobs playing private birthday parties @ $700+ for two hours from making friends with people at shitty bars. GET IN WITH THE PEOPLE.}
This will suck at first. It will suck so hard and you will be tired, and you will probably hate the music you’re playing and if you have a s/o at home they will be annoyed and frustrated at times. It’s okay. It’s part of the job.
But here’s the thing. Don’t get stuck in these gigs. Regardless of the music you like, learn everything. Learn one hit wonders for the has-been hotties at the bar. Learn classic rock, learn country, learn the songs everyone is so fucking sick of hearing. Learn top 40 pop tunes, learn jazz standards, learn 40’s and 50’s ballads. Learn holiday music. Learn traditional music (traditional Irish tunes are what’s popular here) LEARN IT ALL.
The more songs you have in your repertoire, the more versatile you’ll be. You don’t want to get offered a gig at an elderly community brunch (sounds snoozy but trust me, those people are some of the most fun and tip well ;) ) and have to turn it down because all you know is Glam Rock and a couple U2 tunes. Trust me.
If you work at it, you will reach a point where you can turn down those $50 gigs. You’ll get to a point where you can say no to anything that doesn’t pay your minimum + bar tab & food. Though gigging is not Mr. Frenchie’s main income, he does love to do it. He rarely plays out at bars and is now doing upscale restaurants and local bay cruises instead. :)
Meeting people at gigs is a good way to get Cocktail Hour jobs at weddings as well. This is something Mr. Frenchie only does here and there as it often interferes with his salary job, but the pay is good. :)
Teaching:
One of the main parts of our household income. Private lessons aren’t exactly “performance” but they pay. Lessons privately (on your own, outside of a studio) will obviously pay more, but if you don’t have a name in the music industry of your area yet, I highly recommend poking around at music schools/studios looking for instructors.
Teaching is a much steadier source of income than gigs (as most bars and restaurants either rotate or “call when they need you”), but unlike gigs, it’s not for everyone. You can be a great musician and a poor teacher. This is the area where “being a people person” helps the most lol. Having a strong grasp of music theory also greatly helps in this area.
Teaching also opens windows to networking. People who put their kids in music lessons tend to be on the upper end of the pay grade (generally, not always), as it is an expensive activity. As you build a relationship with your students and thus their parents, you might find yourself hired for live music at their restaurants, cocktail hours for older children’s weddings, or of course, referrals to you as a music teacher for children of their friends. (currently Mr. Frenchie has a waiting list of parents who will not put their child with any instructor except him, but his teaching schedule is full up right now)
Musically Directing:
This one is probably one of the more difficult things to do, depending on your skill level. Musically directing local musicals is not easy or quick, but the pay is usually pretty good, and if you’re into musicals it’s a lot of fun. Of course, as you’re required to work with the full cast, you’d have to have knowledge of:
a. how musicals work
b. the show you’re musically directing
c. vocals (you’re essentially a voice coach for a large part of it)
d. conducting a pit band.
This though is the area I know the least about in regards to what he does, to be honest. All I know is that during a show I basically never see him because he’s at rehearsal 4x a week on top of everything else on this list lmao. That and his struggles with cast members who simply will not practice.
If directing doesn’t seem like your bag, musicals are always looking for pit musicians! Check in with colleges and universities for these opportunities first, as most community theaters tends to have “their people” and likely won’t hire without prior experience or “knowing a guy”.
Music Ministry:
This is our biggest loaf of bread.
This particular loaf of bread though, is definitely not for everyone. One thing to know though is that you don’t actually need to be a person of faith to acquire a music ministry job, though it um, obviously helps. It not only helps get you hired, but you’ll have a better grasp on what you’re doing as well as the reverence the Mass (or other service depending on which direction you take) deserves.
The thing about music ministry though, is if you can find a place of worship in need of a music director in the right place, you can get…
…
BENEFITS.
B E N E F I T S.
That’s right, my friend. Healthcare, vacation time, 401k, life insurance, the whollleeee kit and caboodle. I, of course, can only speak for the Catholic churches (as this is where Mr. Frenchie works), and even then, as he’s worked for several, only some have the financial stability to offer benefits. (though if the church has a school attached, your children can attend at reduced or 0 tuition! :D Our parish… does not have a school lmao, but he’s been offered jobs at some that do.)
Now this of course is also for the position of a music director. If you don’t qualify for this but wish to contribute in other ways (guitarist, violinist, cantor etc etc), you’ll most likely still receive a stipend, but you probably won’t be considered a “full time” employee as your responsibilities are literally just showing up and playing or singing lol.
One thing that music ministry does open the door for (especially on the off chance you’re an organist! You aren’t? Get yourself some lessons, stat), is funerals. Funerals are a really really good source of income, depending on the location, typically $125-200 per. (Again, speaking solely for Catholic funeral Masses) So if you’ve got a grasp on how a Mass works and can learn yourself some hymns, put your name in.
Music directors, of course, will get first refusal for funerals and weddings but there are a ton of times they either can’t or they’re on vacation or any other number of reasons and churches really like to keep lists of people who can fill in. If you do well, and you make connections in the ministry world, friends will refer you and your network will grow and grow. It’s also a good way to be in people’s ear in the event music director jobs open up (if you’re waiting on one) and to get offered one. :)
There was one point Mr. Frenchie was playing weekly across 3 parishes, plus College Campus Ministry on Sunday nights but we’ve finally managed to get it down to just our home parish where he is the music director, though he will take funerals from any parish that comes calling so long as there’s room in his schedule for it.
—
Okay I think that’s everything. Through all this he works easily 60-90hrs/week, commuting roughly 3 hours a day on average.
Hopefully I didn’t discourage you hahahaha but I didn’t want to just say “oh yes if you work hard enough you can totally do it!!
If you’re ride or die set on having a career solely on music you’ve written, you’re definitely in for a bad time, but if you open yourself up to literally everything on your journey to promote yourself, you might find some things you really enjoy doing all while supporting yourself and kicking the starving artist trope to the curb. :)
1 note
·
View note
Photo
Announcements
I got together with Phillip, Angie, and Juli to record one of our favorite songs! Listen to Your Grace Is Enough performed by Phillip Zachariah.
Features
On the Walnut Blog: A New Perspective on our Adoption Journey by Jess Lee
Sound Words: Garden Bistro with Phillip Zachariah - teaching worship theology to the youth music leaders, playing at Ben and Fiona’s wedding, creating a YouTube channel, and the pros and cons of being an extrovert.
On my blog: Asian American Worship Leaders (Part 2) - Encouraging and exhorting music leaders in the Asian American church.
Recommendations
Lifeway: When the Downcast Can’t Reach Our Hymns
TGC: Sing the Psalms
Resources
Bookmark our team Tumblr, where you can find chord sheets, admin documents, and more.
Visit our church website.
Subscribe to Walnut Weekly - our social media newsletter.
Recognition
Thank you Victor and team for leading in English!
Thank you Joyce and team for leading in CW!
English
11/4 Ray
11/11 Bambang
11/18 Ray
11/25 Victor
12/2 Ray
12/9 Victor
12/16 Aaron
12/23 Bambang
12/30 Victor
Children
11/4 Aaron? (Daylight Savings - Fall Back)
11/11 Ryan
11/18 Vince
11/25 Serena
12/2 Samuel
12/9 Serena
12/16 Ryan
12/23 Aaron
12/30 Vince
Youth
11/4 Phillip
11/11 Erika/Isabella
11/18 Ashley
11/25 No YW (Last Sunday of the month)
Unikoi
11/2 Ryan
11/9 Not Chloe
11/16 No Unikoi (OCC/YORN)
11/23 No Unikoi (Day after Thanksgiving)
11/30 No Unikoi (Last Friday of the month)
12/7 Phillip
12/14 Not Chloe
12/21 TBD (Christmas Party)
12/28 No Unikoi (Last Friday of the month)
In-Transit
11/1 Ryan
11/15 Joyce (Prayer Night)
12/6 Matt
12/20 Matt
0 notes
Note
Quarintineask 2 &3?
2. Have you made any new playlists since quarantine times? If they’re on Spotify, maybe drop a link?
Nothing new, but I have been listening to, on loop, a playlist I updated a few weeks before quarantine set in. It's musicals!
Before I post the link to the musicals playlist I'm going to link to a previous playlist I made that I love. And then I'll post the musicals playlist, and bc it's so long I'm going to mention some of my favorite musicals.
My playlist for my codywan fic "broken little lives". I still listen to this one a good bit.
Now the musicals playlist
Next, musical recommendations. These are the ones I have attached myself to the most, or just liked the best.
1. Heathers- yeah, I know this one is like dumb popular, but whatever, I loved it. I recommend the westend album as it's more up to date in terms of what the creators wanted. My favorite song right now is "dead girl walking". My husband's is "you're welcome".
2. Hadestown- this one got me started listening to newer musicals. I love it so much. My favorite song is "If It's True".
3. Waitress- can literally loop this one constantly. Current favorite song is "When He Sees Me".
4. Anastasia- I don't know if it will happen now, but I'm supposed to see the musical when it comes to town in the summer. Favorite song is "My Petersburg".
5. School of Rock- I am not certain this movie aged totally well, and the musical has the same problem. Because yeah, Dewey should like contribute, but Ned's girlfriend also shouldn't bully him into not even playing music anymore. I have a couple songs I love, so you get a list. "Give Up Your Dreams", "Faculty Quadrille", "Stick It to the Man", "Where Did the Rock Go".
6. Six- this placement was not intentional, but is perfect. My favorite (and my husband's) is "Don't lose your head".
7. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comment of 1812- rec'ing this one just to recommend the song "Dust and Ashes", but the show is also excellent.
8. Beetlejuice- rec'ing this one because my husband loves it. The absolutely stand out number ia "Creepy Old Guy".
9. Come From Away- this whole this is a masterpiece. Honestly, it's amazing, has so many characters, but is very narrative and easy to follow. It is about the 38 planes diverted to Newfinland sfter the 9/11 attacks, and manages to be a reminder of the time, while being joyful and extremely funny, but not preachy at all. The only song that can even vaguely lift from the narrative to be it's own thing is "Me And The Sky". But it's honestly amazing.
10. The Prom- this one feels silly compared to the previous one, but the singing is easy to understand, and every song is at least pretty damn decent. My favorites are "Breathe" and "Barry is Going to Prom".
11. Tuck Everlasting- literally rec'ing this one for the score. I found the premise even on the movie hard to swallow (I rarely like the ending on immortality stories), but they do such a good job with the music.
12. Brightstar- another on the list for my husband because he loves bluegrass. I also really like this one. This alsk features possibly the worst person ever as one of the characters. You'll know him when it happens
13. Bandstand- I can get why this one isn't as well known, it seems like the show is pretty white, but it still goes in depth on ptsd and the fall out of soldiers coming home after ww2. Also, the band music is extremely good. I really love this one.
3. Make a three-song-minimum playlist of songs that make you happy!
So I am going to pick songs where cheer me up basically no matter what. And I list it below as well.
So here's the link
1. "Walk Like and Egyptian"- the Bangles.
2. "Sky Walker"- Miguel, Travis Scott.
3. "October"- Alessia Cara
4. "Death of a Bachelor"- Panic! At the Disco (aka, my wedding song).
5. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"- from "Amy Grant Home for Christmas". (Other wedding song, involves bagpipes).
6. "Lord of the Dance"- The Dublinera (the hymn is also my favorite).
7. "Chief Don't Run"- Jidenna
8. "I Really Like You"- Carly Rae Jepsen
9. "Crazy, Classic Life"- Janelle Monae
10. "That's Enough"- Janelle Monae
11. "Elephant Love Medley"- Moulin Rouge
12. "Bring It On Home to Me"- Temuera Morrison
13. "I See the Light"- Tangled
14. "Eternity"- Dreams Come True (Swan Princess)
15. "Good Life"- Tracy Grammar
0 notes
Text
My lifelong conversion story
What is Spiritual Awakening?
Spiritual awakening/enlightenment/mysticism, to me are also known as conversion, spiritual rebirth or spiritual transformation and is the ultimate goal of any religion. It is the positive result of an existential or identity crisis. See Jewish devekut https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devekut Buddhist Boddhi https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightenment_in_Buddhism, Islamic Sufism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism and Hindu Moksha .https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha
Spiritual awakening/enlightenment/conversion/rebirth is a lifelong journey of coming to know God, finding and and living our divine nature.
To put it simply, God taught our first parents Adam and Eve in Moses 6: 59: "That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory."
Another way of saying it is this: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Articles of Faith 1:4, Joseph Smith, Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?verse=4&lang=eng#p4
If you'd like to see how our first parents Adam and Eve received this awakening, "quickened in the inner man" and scripture recounts on how God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost each personally taught at different times how to be spiritually awakened/reborn and purified in heart to see God, go here http://choosingfaithingodoverfearoftheworld.godfaithsite.com/2018/06/how-god-father-son-and-holy-ghost-teach.html
Here are 3 main parts I have learned of spiritual awakening from my experience
1. Personal relationship/revelation
Just before He suffered for us in Gethsemane during His intercessory prayer, Jesus said "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17?lang=eng
Therefore, perhaps the most important part of spiritual awakening/rebirth and purification is the lifelong personal relationship building with God, getting to know God by conversing with God in mighty prayer & scripture study daily to build our faith in Christ for repentance and purification.
I think I first started really seeking that personal relationship with God when I was about 14 when my parents weren't able to take care of me because of divorce and my mom's mental breakdown. It's interesting how difficult times turn out to be positive because they turn our hearts to God. At that time I started reading the scriptures every day, specifically the Book of Mormon because someone recommended that to me to help me get through a difficult time. The Book of Mormon brought me peace, love, comfort, and joy like no other book could.
This personal relationship with God starts with faith, just faith that God would care enough to give each of us the time of day to minister to us through his Spirit, constantly encouraging and guiding us each step of the way. As we pray and study scriptures daily, we open ourselves up to receive and follow more promptings of the spirit. As we do those things we are filled with more faith, hope and love from and for God, others and self. It's an upward spiral, staircase to heaven. This seed of faith will then grow up into a tree of eternal life, whose fruit is sweetest above all, full of grace, truth, love, joy, and peace to each of us personally. See Alma 32: 27-43
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng
Oh, the joy and beauty of Repentance! Repentance literally means a change of mind. With our free will we decide to sacrifice or give up the desire for a particular sin or sins. We plead to God for forgiveness, confess our sin to anyone else we may have offended and do our best to stop doing that sin. As we consciously decide to sacrifice sin(s) to know God, God can forgive our sin and purify and change our heart, which literally transforms our sinful desires into righteous desires.
And how joyful and beautiful is receiving forgiveness! It is the peace we feel when we are able to let go of our sins and embrace God's love. When I was 19 headed on a mission to share the gospel of faith, repentance, and baptism I remember not feeling worthy to teach because of my past sins, even though I tried hard to repent. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourself.
Then I stumbled upon this verse: "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:12
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/heb/8?verse=12&lang=eng#p12
That verse brought tears to my eyes; I was so happy and relieved because I knew at that moment, God was speaking sweet mercy and peace to me directly, through his Spirit from reading the scriptures.
Atonement is literally at-one-ment, meaning we make a conscious decision to sacrifice our fallen nature's will to sin and then embrace God's and our divine nature's will to do good and right. Our will, desires, and needs for us become God's will, desires and needs for us and his will for us become ours. We become one in mind and heart with God and each other because we become pure in heart. God is intimately aware of our hopes, fears, and dreams and has a special calling and plan for each of us personally to use our talents, dreams and experience to do good in this world.
And we can find out God's will for us each day. President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints said in April 2018:
"Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng
For daily scripture study, the prophet Nephi also said "feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/32?lang=eng
I heard one person put it simply at church one time, "I talk to God when I pray, God talks to me when I read the scriptures." Many times in my life I've had a question, concern or desire from my prayer or in my mind and heart which God answered as I read his holy scriptures.
For instance one time, summer 2017, I lost my keys at a wedding in a church building. I said a prayer and had a feeling to go into the nursery room. My eyes were drawn to a hymn book (hymns are a form of scripture and prayer). So I felt to sing a favorite hymn "I am a child of God" as I walked back into a dark hallway to find my car keys. My eyes were drawn to under the water fountain and sure enough there they were!
2. Biological/inner transformation- the mighty change of heart from God
I like this biological explanation of inner transformation of our mind, heart, spirit and body. It involves the pineal gland in our brain which is also responsible for melatonin-sleep/wake cycles- and serotonin-mood balance.
https://prepareforchange.net/2018/04/15/sacred-secretion-christ-oil-true-annointing-heaven-on-earth/
The first time I felt like my physical body was completely encompassed with Jesus' love for me was when I was about 15 in 1999. I had been struggling with a certain sin I was addicted to. I swear my Bishop must've been tired of me coming back to confess to him the same thing almost every week. But he was patient with me and with God's Spirit encouraged me to read the scriptures every day and keep serving like at Sunday meeting, which gave me strength to withstand temptation. I went with family to go watch a video at a Salt Lake Temple visitor center about Jesus Christ, called the Testaments.
I didn't feel worthy to be in Jesus' presence, even just to watch him on the screen. But I wanted desperately to be worthy of God's presence, enough to feel his love. Then, toward the end of the movie, after I watched the depiction of Jesus suffering for me, and when I saw him come back resurrected and smiling. I felt my whole body filled with tingling energy, warmth, light, and love, directly from Jesus, as if he was smiling directly at me, to save me from my desire to sin, because of his sweet grace.
Much later I had a major transformational event in January 2015 when I felt my heart broken and spirit crushed under the weight of several major life changes and vulnerable mental health. My thoughts and feelings were spiraling my existence into nothingness. For a moment I felt completely separated from God's presence, trapped alone in the deepest, darkest abyss; the void. I was experiencing a moment of eternal spiritual death which is separation from God.
Then, with all the will and energy I had left, I willed myself to believe God was still there for me. I put all my faith in Jesus, even if just a glimmer of hope was left in me. Then the words came to me: "Nothing shall be impossible with God." Luke 1. Then, the flood gates opened inside my heart, soul, mind and body like rushing waters of God's eternal life, love, peace and joy for me personally. God's presence and energy filled me overflowing, as if exploding in me like a supernova.
Then I saw evidences of God's love for me all around me for the next several months and I studied in the scriptures and through the believing community online the next 3 years trying to understand what had happened to me spiritually. That's how I came across all of these things about spiritual awakening.
There are many examples of people in the scriptures receiving a spiritual awakening event/baptism by fire/conversion. Jesus said, "Come unto me with a broken heart and contrite (crushed) spirit and I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost."
So how do we do that? I know one good way is to pray and fast (skip meals) until we receive a sure answer, then apply it to our life. There is power in mighty fasting or "wrestling with God" in mighty prayer and fasting, like Jacob when his name was changed to Israel (symbol of his rebirth) in genesis 32 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/32?lang=eng. There's also Saul when his name was changed to Paul as the Lord Jesus Christ came to him, Acts 9
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/9?lang=eng.
Also there's Enos of the book of Mormon, who prayed all day and night for mercy and the joy of the saints until he received a sure answer and his guilt was swept away, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/enos/1?lang=eng.
The greatest miracle I know of in the scriptures is when the 12 Nephite disciples of the book of Mormon all prayed mightily to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, God the Holy Ghost's literal spirit presence in them, which Jesus promised they'd receive with baptism by fire after their baptism by immersion.
After the native American (Nephite) disciples received those gifts, they prayed to be purified as Jesus is pure or in other words to become Christ's, sanctified by the blood of the Lamb. Then the crowd watched as Jesus blessed each of the disciples. Then the disciples' countenance, the aura, became as bright and pure white as Jesus. Jesus Christ's literal spirit presence was now gifted to them, as I understand. Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 19:25.
Jesus has also come to me and my children to comfort us. He comforted me in 2016 at the psych crisis recovery unit for bipolar suicidal depression when I saw his hand reaching out to me in a vision. Then again in October 2017 when he hugged me in a dream. Then again in June 2018 when I sawhis beautiful white robe and him smiling at me and my family. But I don't feel that we need to experience a crisis to come to Christ, his hands are always open for us to make the sacrifice or ' wrestle' required to come unto him and his everlasting embrace.
3. Covenants with God in priesthood ordinances
A covenant with God is a promise we make with God of obedience to his commandments to receive more promised blessings from God dependent upon our willingness to be obedient. Priesthood ordinances are outward expressions of inward commitments or covenants.
The priesthoods that perform ordinances are Aaronic, the priesthood John the Baptist used to baptize Jesus, and Melchizedek- the priesthood Jesus used to heal the sick and give the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The priesthood ordinances I have received are baptism by immersion, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, initiatories (washing and anointing), endowment, and the sealing of families together forever.
On July 6, 2017 I had the wonderful experience of kneeling across from my sweetheart Tiffany at the altar of the Mount Timpanogos temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity. Now our children are also sealed to us forever because they were born in the covenant.
What about those who didn't receive a decent chance to choose to receive these ordinances? That's why we do ordinance work for the dead in their place to give them the chance to choose to receive the ordinances on the other side. Jesus organized missionary work in the spirit world during those 2.5 days before his resurrection and it still goes on today. If you have questions about family history/temple work, see familysearch.org. Anyone can use familysearch.org for free to learn more about their ancestors. I've had the pleasure of researching information on my Dutch, Danish and English ancestors and taking their names to the temple to enable them to receive the priesthood ordinances by acting in their place.
It's also important to note that people can receive these ordinances spiritually e.g. baptism by fire/purification of heart, before they have an opportunity to receive them physically like the Gentiles in Acts upon whom the Holy Ghost fell upon before they had a chance to receive that priesthood ordinance. That's why I mentioned at the beginning that people can receive this spiritual awakening in any religion. This makes it easier for us not to judge each other because only God knows who's received the Holy Ghost and this great purification of heart. But, the physical ordinances are important, too, just like how Jesus was baptized to keep that commandment even though he was already innocent.
If you need a friend in the gospel, find me on Facebook Steven Blake Elzinga or email me at [email protected].
I invite you to chat with missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints and order a free book of Mormon at mormon.org
0 notes
Text
the 1
In This Edition
In this week’s edition, I share an early recording of an upcoming interview, what's new with my book reviews, and what I've been recently enjoying in entertainment.
August has arrived and honestly feel ready for the Fall season. Thanks for spending your weekend with me here!
Book Reviews
Free eBooks
Extended Play
Lightning Links
Playlists
Coming Soon
Weekly Review
Book Reviews
My book reviews this week focused on issues of racial reconciliation and understanding. Many churches and ministries are talking about reconciliation. But do they have an action plan for moving forward? In the landmark work Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0, Brenda Salter McNeil provides a plan to move communities into unity, wholeness, and justice.
Author Robert Chao Romero was born in East Los Angeles to a Mexican immigrant father and Chinese immigrant mother. He was raised in the small San Gabriel Valley town of Hacienda Heights. In Brown Church, Romero introduces us to his rich spiritual and cultural history as he guides us through five centuries of Latina/o social justice, theology, and identity.
Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0 by Brenda Salter McNeil
Brown Church by Robert Chao Romero
Free eBooks
In case you missed it, A Holy Ambition by John Piper is free to download at the DesiringGod website. You can read my review here. And while you're there, check out all of their other free books in their library.
Money Counts by Graham Beynon is the free eBook this month from The Good Book Company. And the August issue of Ligonier's Tabletalk Magazine explores the Bible’s teaching on Christian discourse.
Extended Play
The article that impacted me the most this week was Leadership Savvy Doesn’t Make a Pastor by Chase Replogle. Leadership is definitely needed in our churches, but it should not take away from the primary calling of our pastors. Here is the standout quote: "We can’t afford for the uniqueness of our pastoral vocation to be replaced with the image of a mere organizational leader. When we do, we risk far more than our careers: we risk the power of the gospel—the power that frees us to live out this peculiar way of being in the world."
I was happy last week to teach the first Sunday School lesson of the 2020-2021 academic year, and I was reminded of the difficulties that come with being a student. Our schools here in SoCal are not set to reopen this fall, classes will be conducted online, and 2021 is up in the air. For my throwback article this week, here are Three Observations on Today’s Teenagers.
Throwback: Three Observations on Today’s Teenagers
Article: Leadership Savvy Doesn’t Make a Pastor by Chaes Replogle
Movie: Ant-Man
TV: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
Book: Compassion & Conviction by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler
Music: the 1 by Taylor Swift
Lightning Links
These quick hits are exclusive to my newsletter readers. Some struck immediately before writing this newsletter. I don’t necessarily endorse the positions or lives of these authors. Some may contain adult language.
Celebrities Have Used Their Platforms to Speak Out on Social Justice Issues. But Why Won’t They Stand Up to China?
Playlists
MUSICGOON: 7 songs I enjoyed this week.
SVRGNLA: Jess and I love these songs.
ETJ: Music that inspires my band.
DIDD: A crowd-sourced worship playlist.
TGIF: SOLA Network friends and faves.
This is FCBC Walnut: The songs we sing at church.
Coming Soon
Upcoming book reviews include Companions in Suffering by Wendy Alsup and A Week in the Life of Ephesus by David A. DeSilva, and both books are from my friends at InterVarsity Press.
I interviewed Rachel Seo for SOLA Network, and we talked about her article: "What 'Wedding Night' Videos Say about Christian Influencer Culture." You'll see it on the SOLA website sometime soon, but here is the early YouTube video link for my newsletter readers.
Weekly Review
SOLA: Despair and Light from the Rubble of Beirut / Popsicle Philosophy / How Can I Be a Workplace Servant But Not a Doormat?
Thank God it’s Friday: Lighthouse Community Church: A MESSAGE FROM THE KIM / Kristyn Getty: Hymns and the Joy of Singing
Article: 3 Reasons Why I Do Not Plan To Go All-In With eBooks
Book Review: Brown Church by Robert Chao Romero
Book Review: Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0 by Brenda Salter McNeil
Recommended Reading: Let Your Dream Church Die: How Discontentment Destroys Community / Leadership Savvy Doesn’t Make a Pastor / Why I'm Writing About My Miscarriage / Where Will Your Twenties Take You? Six Lessons for Beginning Well
0 notes
Last Seen Blogs
ssozo
ozo's selfship blog
vavvie-blog
tease it
squirmmm
o weary mantle for eternity!
loqovowenu
Untitled
marshalllange52
The Journaling of Perkins 601