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jmreyes9 · 10 months

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PC - Jesse Reyes

A “MAGICAL” GARDEN WEDDING IN STA. ROSA, CALIFORNIA

By Jesse Reyes

It was a picturesque setting for a garden wedding—a large “old oak tree” (as sung by Tom Jones in “The Green Green Grass of Home,”) with rows and rows of grapevines (not the grapevine, the source of juicy news, rumor or gossip) scattered all around as far as the eye could see, with rolling hills of golden brown and green and distant mountains, silhouetted against a cloudless azure sky. It was a “magical” wedding where Ryan Baluyot and Kristen Damron exchanged “I do’s” under the old oak tree—a tree which gave some shade as the shimmering rays of the ardent sun lent its brightness, seemingly giving its nod of approval to this momentous occasion.

The day before Ryan had posted on Facebook that he felt that this wedding would be a “magical” one and magical, indeed, it turned out to be. From the lovely music played by a string ensemble that included a violin, a cello and several guitars, to the brilliant attire of the groomsmen and bridesmaids; the cute little flower girls; the Bible bearers, one of whom had to be carried by his mom all the way to the front; the beautiful bride, her eyes welling up with tears from the emotion that gripped her as she marched down the aisle with her dad, “all dressed in white”; the bright and happy face of the debonair, sharply-attired groom as he came to claim his bride from her father; the smiling well-dressed parents of the bride and groom; and the fashionably-attired sponsors, the male partners wearing their elegant barongs. It was a beautiful and "magical" garden wedding, indeed.

As the minister uttered his homily, there was a hush in the audience, everyone straining his/her ear to hear what he was going to say. He started out with some humorous stories about the groom and the bride both of whom he had met in Denver, Colorado where he was a pastoring one of the SDA churches. He alluded to the grapevines scattered all around—pointing out that they (the bride and groom) are like the grapes--they can only flourish if they stay connected to the vine, represented by Christ. He also opined that they should emulate the old oak tree under which they stood, still standing tall, its twisted and gnarled branches, signifying years of weathering the constant beating from the rain, the sun and the storms—representing the “storms” of life.

As we trudged along the dirt road from the site of the wedding ceremony to the Damron’s backyard for the reception, we passed along a grape vineyard, with clusters of grapes hanging from the vines. I was reminded of what Christ said about the vine and its branches, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV.

Written in Sta. Rosa, CA on July 6, 2014. Other writings and poems of Jesse Reyes can be found in his blog: anadventurecalledlife.com. Posted in FB in 2014 and reposted in 2023. Posted in my blog July 2023.

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shehasworktodo · 4 years

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“Do you want love, or...

... do you want the D?” An old friend had asked me this question back in college, using more colorful language. The crazy thing was that I actually had to think about my answer. I’m young, I’ve still got a lot to learn about love, and I’ve always associated love with SEX. So imagine... a lovesick teen-turned-young adult so obsessed with talking about sex even though she’s never had it before, thinking everything will be picture-perfect once it actually happens.

I’ve had my fair share of crushes, and I’ve crushed hard. I thought that if I prayed hard enough God would grant me the guy I had my eyes set on at the time. I thought these boys were property. I also thought that if I saved sex for marriage and committed my body to Christ that my husband would never cheat on me. Those were naïve and selfish thoughts. As if I had control over someone else being unfaithful.

Okay, why am I writing about this now? Why am I writing about this today? It’s 2020, so many heartbreaking things are happening in the world with every turn of our heads. We’re out here seeking love more than ever- or what we think is love. I can’t get this thought out of my head: we search for that spiritual intimacy by getting drunk and partying and going to clubs with others, dancing and kissing strangers to feel some type of high that we have to keep going back to. My flesh was satisfied for only a time. I remember getting wasted some nights so that I could make my friends laugh and have more “fun”. I turned into this bold flirt that danced until my feet got sore, and as the night went on I’d find one guy to ~fall in love~ and make out with until it was time for me to go. Those little moments, although not a lot, had a big impact on my life. I know exactly what I want in a relationship, but I always found myself running after or following things that I really didn’t. After experiencing my first major heartbreak I found myself going off the deep end. During my time with this guy, I followed “the rules” of dating and established what I wanted and what I didn’t want beforehand. I found myself conforming and compromising my beliefs because I thought that I wanted to be with this person so badly... because I wanted a relationship. I enjoyed feeling wanted. This was a one-way street that didn’t lead to anywhere. I was left out in the cold, lonelier than before. It took me months to truly believe that love still existed- because I know now that whatever I had with this guy, and the guys after, was NOT love.

All I know is that I wanted to feel something. I wanted to feel ALIVE, I wanted to feel appreciated, I wanted to feel true love. And the crazy thing is that I know what true love is and feels like, but I turned to the world for the answers I already knew I had. I had the One who was love and gave His own life not just for me, but for every person reading and not reading this post. I had my mother, who has gone and will go to the ends of the earth for me. I’ve experienced true love in many different ways, from family to friends, I just had this crazy idea thinking that it wasn’t enough. I felt as if I needed more.

Now we know that the power of sex is overwhelming, so overwhelming that it affects our daily lives. From movies to music to ads to apps, we’re surrounded by sex 24/7. My teenage sister probably knows the lyrics to WAP better than I do, a song that’s been on the top of the charts for WEEKS- maybe months, I haven’t kept track. We see that as female empowerment in today’s society, kudos no doubt, but what are we looking at again? SEX! It feels good! Physical touch, attention, a short moment of a powerful release with whomever we desire, leading to polyamory, experimenting with different genders, etc. Now have you been fulfilled? Are you fulfilled? You felt “love” for the time being, am I right? I know that person, or those people, made you smile. I know you either felt really good or really awful afterwards. Sex is the one most intimate and close-knit act that you can ever perform with another person, that’s why everyone’s doing it! You want that high, you want that feeling, you want that closeness. Then, if you’re not really attached to that person, it’s as if it wasn’t a big deal. Mainstream society paints sex as something “really great, but not a big deal”. I can’t force you to prioritize what sex is on your list of importance, but I know what it’s like to scroll in search of another person for satisfaction. We don’t really analyze it, but we already know that you’re either inside of someone or someone is inside you. Believe it or not, whether you remember them or not, you carry a spiritual piece of them with you wherever you go.

I’ve learned that a lot of people’s experience with sex and love are different. Many have had their hearts broken after being in long-term relationships and go through this thing of what society calls a “hoe phase”. Like in a lot of songs you hear “f*** love, now I do what I want”, because all this energy spent on another person was deemed a waste of time. It’s our version of love that has ultimately let us down, to the point where we see that we don’t need anyone wasting our time the way someone else did before. I can’t speak from a full amount of experience, but I know what running around with someone for a brief moment of time is like. When it’s over, there’s a little dead-end sign that we hit, no matter how good or bad the experience. We just become less and less numb to the pain of rejection and discord and disagreement with each encounter we face. We have people out there that simply don’t see value in a long-term relationship. They want to love who they want to love without baggage or complications. They want that sense of freedom; it’s their God-given right. On a religious standpoint, serial-monogamists cannot stand being alone. They need to feel that sense of belonging with someone else, jumping from one failed relationship to the next.

Did we go wrong somewhere? From ghosting to who can care the least to casual intimacy... I want to know if we really are fulfilled. I don’t have all the answers, I don’t think I ever will. I can tell you I’ve honed in on people’s flaws when it comes to love and have made mistakes myself. Trust and vulnerability have gone out the window because “it makes us look weak”. In my opinion, being vulnerable and open are a couple of the strongest traits to have. It makes you real, it makes you human.

No, I’ve never experienced that kind of physical intimacy with anyone. Yes, I’m still super happy. It’s not even happiness, it’s joy.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with where I stand, but I’m going to share why I choose true love over everything else in today’s millennial/centennial society. The idea of sex is awesome, amazing, and I know why people are all about it. Sex is nothing to be ashamed of. I know the One who designed it, He’s pretty great, too. I know how powerful it is, and I know how it gives life new meaning. I’ve decided not to be selfish when it comes to sex. I don’t expect it to be perfect and breathtaking the first time, or the seventh time... but I expect it to be with someone I absolutely love. I expect to make mistakes, I don’t expect him to live his life the way I chose to live mine. I don’t have high expectations, but I expect to have love. You deserve that kind of love, too.

TLDR; Everyone wants to have a someone. Everyone wants to have... someone. Everyone deserves someone. Someone that makes them smile, makes them feel important, appreciated, in that way that only they can provide. Remember to do those things for yourself first before expecting it from another- but most importantly, consider being that person for someone else. Be vulnerable, be open, be honest, show that you care. Because down the road, if things take a turn for the worst, you won’t forget who you are, who you were designed to be, and how much you are loved. Your worth doesn’t deteriorate. The physical will always have its perks, but it’s the warmth of the soul that makes the most impact, I promise.

PS: I answered the question by saying right now I may want the D, but in reality I truly want love.

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hearts-not-troubled · 7 years

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Even in the midst of darkness there is hope.

Jesus is the Light that brightens up my path.

Though I stumble, He holds me in His arms

And lets me try again.

He heals my wounds.

When I can no longer take it,

He carries me.

He is with me all along.

Through every moment of my life,

He has never left my side.

#hope #poetry jesus christian forgiveness regret shame god elohim poem #christian blog #jesus #my poem #christianity #sda

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t3event · 7 years

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1st TT Anniversary

It all started exactly one year ago, on 30th of June 2016.

25 TT editions, 259 stories, 508 drawings, and 14 poems, songs, music tracks and photo edits later it’s probably a good idea to pause for a while and appreciate the result of hard work, talent and dedication of dozens of wonderful and talented people from all over the world.

Below you will find a small selection of submissions from every edition to date.

Revisiting old editions was a great pleasure and a whole lot of fun and I hope you will enjoy this little post as well.

Never change, /ztg/.

Nocturnal District

Judy Trapped fic by anon

http://pastebin.com/YbHA01LB

“Nocturnal Lament” by Pandanon https://soundcloud.com/user-594411020/nocturnal-lament

a_signature

/fit/ Zootopia

Everyday Routine by SmugBeverage

http://archiveofourown.org/works/7551562

Exercise, scentplay, and sloppy makeouts, NxJ

Rainy day

“Boopersnootle” by trashSavage

http://pastebin.com/VaMZKFXV

https://soundcloud.com/comicanon/boopersnootle

Cyberpunk

Natural Symmetry by Toga

http://pastebin.com/q8TrYzYV

Drunk

Years too late by Popo

http://imgur.com/iAAnogE

Species-specific customs

Ermine by Simpletheater

http://pastebin.com/q3Ymvvxs

Date night

Not tonight

http://imgur.com/92Lgu1n

Military/War/Law Enforcement

Rats of Tobruk by Magonel

http://archiveofourown.org/works/8284126

Halloween

At home on board by Lovelymayor http://imgur.com/fSV0H1z

Noir

VRbit - Noir detective

http://imgur.com/coFwMfH

Fantasy/Mythos

The Lion and the Gazelle by Biscuit

http://pastebin.com/NpjYXPqF

Winter

Things left behind by Otterly

http://pastebin.com/vCENdF0Y

Christmas and winter holidays

Christmas TV by trashweasler

http://archiveofourown.org/works/8967190

Illness

Sleep it Off by Falke

http://archiveofourown.org/works/6727384/chapters/21266426

Medieval

Olden Days, Olden Ways

http://pastebin.com/TSx4mZDz

Valentine’s Day

A New Dawn, by Raccoonfg

http://archiveofourown.org/works/9788321

Teenage Years

Teenage Years by SDA

http://pastebin.com/eR1RV4yV/

Camping Trip

In the Wilde-rness by Caesar’s Cousin

https://pastebin.com/BPnT5G6k

Can I Stay Over?

When Marty met Ozzy by zorotokon

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10507698

Sci-Fi

Reflections in My Mind by: RT_Pilon

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10662465

High Seas

Captain Jack Savage by Noxious_Photon

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10747635

Opposite Day

What We Gave Away by NotAnotherUsername

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10818711/chapters/24190383

Private Eye

Remmy Cormo; Private Eye by EyeOfTheTempest

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10943661

Late Night

Meanderer by Hasty

http://archiveofourown.org/works/11110557

Bad Weather

Snowy Holiday by AgentClank

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11276106

#Zootopia #TT #Thematic Thursday #T3event

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codgenesis · 4 years

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“It was only after a friendly discussion with a SDA who questioned my belief in ‘a real talking snake’ rather than Satan in disguise that I freed myself to read Genesis chapters 2 and 3 as a powerful allegory. Later I learned to read chapter 1 as a grand celebratory poem of creation, suitably positioned at the very beginning of the Bible – and it’s not the only poem about creation in the Bible,…

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sendmenot · 6 years

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9/22/18 Preggo dreams

For the past few weeks, I kept on having dreams of being pregnant and giving birth to a lovely baby boy. Just moments before waking up, I remember holding this beautiful child in my arms and being the happiest being in the whole world. I felt weak after delivering the baby, but oh, how content I was when I finally saw his smiling, innocent face!

The dream then jumps into a different scene. I saw my old art teacher at uni who I’ve had a beef with. She was my professor again, and she told us to write a poem and draw symbols associated with the poem that we wrote. Mia, one of my grade school classmates was my classmate again in that class! She was telling me the things I have missed, and that I can catch up again. At first, I was scared of having Miss C as my professor again, but it seems like she was also scared of handling me again, too. We kinda befriended each other in this dream...

Mia then got a call from her mother, who told her to go home immediately.

Next dream sequence happens inside my very home. I saw my aunt (who was now working abroad irl) looking like what she used to look like, after giving birth to one of my cousins. In this dream, she just also gave birth and was weak af. She was looking at me in the most kindest way, and was giving me tips on how to handle my baby. My uncle was at home; so were my cousins K, L, and D. They were the picture of a happy family. My aunt was telling my uncle to lend her some of his t-shirts, and my uncle jokingly said that she has to pay him with “something” (wink wink). At this point, I was just observing them from a distance until the next jump began.

Suddenly, I found myself on the 9th-floor lobby of the SDA building of our school. There were posters everywhere saying “Cats aren’t evil!”. It was weird as you can imagine! Those posters were ironic, tho, for they are saying that cats aren’t evil, but were showing menacing photos of cats. Poor advertising on their part, hahaha!

Whilst I was in the lobby, I saw my old world history teacher from a different uni. I asked him for advice regarding the homework Miss C gave us, and he was enthusiastic about talking to me about literary devices and whatnots. He also told me that he’s heard I’ve had a baby and congratulated me for being a trouper and raising a lovely kid.

And then I woke up.

#journal #dream journal

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