Before I start this blog out, I just want to say that God is amazing. I want you all to know that if you ever have anything going on in your life where you feel like you can't handle it anymore, that you've finally reached the end, that God is going to be there to lift you up, and to hold you in His loving arms.
Now. The point of this blog, is to explain what God spoke to me about today. During prayer, I sat in my place between these two stacks of chairs. At first, I was extremely tired, and was praying, "Oh Lord, how am I going to get through this without falling asleep?" But then, I just began to read the passage of scripture I've been re-reading everyday. Ezekial 37:15-28. But, after I read the passage, I closed my bible and just started praying. I want to tell you something. Never underestimate God in your life. He will surprise you sometimes. Especially when you are about to fall over into a coma because you need sleep lol. So, I started to pray and the words that came out of my mouth were completely Spirit-Inspired, and I think I need to share with you what basically God had come out of my mouth.
So many of us seem to believe in God, and believe that He exists, and at the same time so many of us don't believe in him at all. Those of us who do believe, why do we believe? And, How do we know Him? Those who don't believe, why don't you believe? What evidence do you have? Let me tell you a way I experience God. Through the senses. Look at the tall trees, the night sky, the shining stars, the bright moon, and the ocean's splendor. You see God. Smell the flowers, the sweet aroma of your favorite food coming out of the oven, the smell of pine,of vanilla, or apples. You smell God. Touch the silky fabric of your favorite dress, the touch of your dog as it runs up to play with you, the touch of you holding your favorite stuffed animal as you lay down to sleep at night, the touch of two small fingers running down your face and knowing that you gave life to the child you are holding. In all this. You touch God. Listen to the sound of the piano, or the sound of a beautifully composed piece of music that causes shivers to go down your spine, listen to Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Strauss. Listen to the air, to the sound of breathing. To the french horn, and the flute. You hear God. It is through our four main senses, sight, smell, touch, and hearing that we are able to distinguish the beauty of God. I can't understand how anyone looks at the world, see's the world, hears the sounds, smells the aroma's, and touches the surfaces but reject's God. You reject God, but yet accept the trees? You reject God, but yet accept the piano? It is through God that all these were formed, and through God that we are able to experience such glory.
I praise Him for giving us such beauty. In times of trouble, in times of recession, and darkness, all we have to do is look, smell, taste, and hear, and we can know the presence of God is still there at work, everyday. Isn't that exciting to know? I think we all need to just take some time to sit back and really pay attention to our senses. If we do, we may find God in ways we never expected to before.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Of Knights and Princesses Part 2: The Wind and The Fire
John's Story =]
Once upon a time there was land called Rumo. Rumo was a land bordered by volcanos that spewed fire into rivers of fire that acted as a natural defense for the people that lived there. In addition to this formidable shield, the Rumoans saw fit to build walls and forts and castles to maintain a state of security for themselves. They built great roads and bridges that forded these rivers of molten rock as well as great canals to prevent their safeguard from becoming their doom. Upon one of these great roads our story begins with a Knight on an errand of personal significance. Now, this was no ordinary rider for two reasons: First, he was a knight from a distant country; and second, the steed upon which he rode was a giant wolf. Steel grey and as big as a horse, this was a Fordacian Wolf. Strong, swift and full of stamina the wolf pounded along the dusty red road, throught the checkpoints of the Rumo defenses and on toward the great Fortress Pyrasa that was home to the leader and guardian of Rumo. As he approached the castle he took in it's magnificence. It's mighty towers, it's impressive battlements and ever watchful was teh banner of Rumo, a crimson dragon blazoned upon a golden field a jet of flame issuing from between it's teeth. For the dragon was the emblem of rumo. Dragons were used as symbols of power and hope, as well as used as steeds for the Rumoan Cavalry and Air Corp. The gurards let him pass and stabled his wolf. The Chief Advisor to the Lady came to meet him, a dark skinned man by the name of Devinicus. "What brings you to Pyrasa good knight?" I have urgent need to speak with your mistress." "The Lady of Fire is, at this time, indisposed." "Don't give me the runaround Devinicus, I need to speak with her immediately." Devinicus looked uncomfortable for a moment and then led the knight into a chamber off the main courtyard. "I know why you have come and, if truth be told, I am glad of it. word has reached our ears of the battle you fought in Bentilus." "Then you also know that the Lady of Water sent for your mistresses aid and that that that call went unanswered, now why is that I wonder?" "If you must know, the Lady has been ill for quite some time." "Ill? What do you mean ill?" "I mean, she has not been herself of late. Everyone in the castle has been beside themselves with worry, but she has forbidden us to tend to her or to even send to our allies for aid." The knight pondered this for a moment and then said, "Take me to her." Such was the grimness of his face that Devinicus did not question the order he had just been given, but led him directly to the Lady's chamber. He knocked twice and a feeble voice said "Enter." The Lady was sitting in a chair by the window, her red hair fell neatly upon her shoulders, she was wearing robes of fine white linen with a flowered sash about her waist. She did not look up when they entered, but instead said absentmindedly, "Yes Devinicus, what is it?" The knight could hear a great weariness in her voice."The Wolf Knight of the Wind is come to see you m'lady." At this she turned and when she saw the knight standing there she leapt to her feet, but immediately swayed and would have fallen if the knight hadn't rushed to her side to catch her. He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her to the bed. When they had gotten her some wine to drink and a watersoaked towel for her her head, the Lady dismissed Devinicus and he bowed himself out of the room. "If I'd known you were coming I would have made you a better welcome, what brings you here so unexpectedly?" Ignoring her question, he said "Why did you not send to me that you were ill? I could have been here much sooner." "I did not want you to worry about me. You have your own affairs to look after without having to rush to my side whenever I feel a little faint." She tried to laugh, but it died in her chest and a cough took it's place. "Erica, you know as well as I do that this is no common cold." She sighed as she looked into his eyes. "I don't have the strength to pretend to you anymore. I fear that I may be dying. The flame that once burned bright within me has almost gone out." He put his hand on hers and she looked at him again. "Is there nothing that can be done?" he asked, fighting back the sorrow that was rising in the pit of his stomach. "Nothing that I have the strength to endure. There is only one thing can save me now I fear and that is Everfire that burns deep within the bowels of Mount Christia which lies at the heart of my country. Everfire gave me new life when I was but a child and I know that it could give me life again, but, alas, I have not the strength to make that journey and to face those perils." He stood, "Then I shall go. I shall go and retrieve this Everfire and bring it back here to you, that you may live." She suddenly looked fearful and grasped his hand in both of hers, "No, John, you must not. It is far too dangerous. I could never ask someone to brave the perils of that quest for me." "You did not ask me, nor do you have to. I will go, I will find this Everfire and I will save you or die in the attempt." Erica tried to get up, to try and persuade him not to go, but he gently pushed her back down onto the bed and her weariness returned and she did not rise again and could only look on him with pleading in her eyes. "I shall not fail you m'lady. I shall return." and with that, he left her chamber and made for the stables. Devinicus joined him shortly and after hearing all that had transpired he immediately set about explaing Everfire and the ancient safeguards that surrounded it. "Any man that seeks Everfire must pass three tests. The first, a test of strength. The second, a test of will. The third, a test of heart." "what are these tests?" "The scrolls do not say." Undeterred, John made his way to the gate where his wolf, Roshta was waiting. Waiting beside him was one of the Cavalry Dragons harnessed and ready to depart. The dragon was a little larger than Roshta with bright green skin dappled here and there by brown spots. It's yellow eyes followed the two men as they approached and it's talons clicked against the stones of the courtyard in anticipation of the race to come. A man dressed in the scarlet of the Rumoan Cavalry walked toward them and saluted John. "I am Raxos, I will be your guide to the mountain and back." Thank you, we must not tarry for great haste is needed." The two men mounted their steeds, turned their heads toward the open gate and kicked them into a run leaving the those that laid behind in a cloud of dust. Soon they were far away, galloping through the Nothern Plain on their road south to the mountain. Such was the speed of Roshta and the Rumoan Dragon that before the sun had reached it's zenith on the third day they came to the top of a small hill and looked out onto a wide plain. In the center of the plain, stood a great pinnacle of rock wreathed with flame about it's peak. They came to the base of Mount Christia just as the sun began to sink beyond the western horizon. "Here I must leave you, for the Mountain will not suffer both of us." said Raxos. Without another word, John proceeded up the mountain. He climbed for the better part of an hour until he reached a wide level shelf that led to a doorway carved into the side of the mountain. Now, the sun had nearly set and as the last fleeting rays retreated beyond the rim of the world John took a deep breath and plunged into the mountain. The passage went deep into the mountain and soon all was darkness but for the flickering light of the torch that he had brought with him. He continued on until he came out of the darkness and into a high chamber ringed with fire. On the opposite side stood another doorway. John did not stop to wonder at this chamber, but continued straight toward the other side. Immediately he was rooted to the spot by a deep, booming voice. "Who dares enter this sacred place? By what right do you tempt my wrath? Speak quickly that I might know you before I snuff out your life." In a clear voice John answered, "It is I, The Wolf Knight of the Wind. I have come on an urgent errand to seek Everfire for Erica, Lady of Fire and Guardian of all Rumo." "Why does the Lady of Fire send such a one as you to seek what only she has the right to claim?" "She has fallen terribly ill and is unable to make the journey and so I have come in her stead of my own will." The booming voice released a rumble of laughter. "So, you think you can claim Everfire? You think that you will succeed where so many others have failed?" "I will do what I must for the Lady." "Very well then knight, you must first face a test of strength before you can claim the Everlasting Flame." Suddenly fires burst into life all around the chamber and from those fires stepped shapes of warriors in blood red armor and with swords that shone with a terrible light. Drawing his own sword and feeling the urgency of his quest upon him, John reached down into himself and called upon the Wolf within. A snarl and a howl escaped his lips as he leapt into battle, his sword a mere flash of light as it slashed this way and that, felling foe after foe. Again and again his sword fell with such ferocity that even these wraiths of fire and steel quailed and fled. When all had been slain or driven off, john sheathed his sword and proceeded thought the second door. He wasn't in the tunnel long before it opened onto a chamber identical to the one he had just left. This chamber, however, was filled, from wall to wall, with gold and jewels and every sort of precious thing imaginable. A narrow path down the middle of the chamber led to another door and the booming voice rang out again. "Now, you must face a test of will. In this chamber is wealth beyond imagining as well as artifacts of such great power that he who possesses them could rule all the world. Now you must make your choice. All of these wondrous things are yours to do with what you will, in exchange for the abandonment of your quest. Turn back now and you will find all of these things waiting for you when you return to your home. Proceed and all of this shall be lost to you forever. Choose." The full weight of comprehension fell upon him then as images of what he could do with such wealth and power, of all the evils that he could conquer, the lives that he could improve with what was being offered him. What was one life against many? All these things passed though his mind in an instant and the next they were gone, replaced with a single burning motivation. He did not walk, but he ran down the narrow aisle between the mountains of gold and through the third door. He did not look back, though he could tell by a sudden of the lessening of the light behind him that all the treasures had vanished forever. He came into the third chamber and froze. Sitting before him, it's massive wings folded against it's crimson body, it's yellow eyes boring into him like beams of light, was an enormous dragon. For a moment the two just stared at each other and John felt as if the dragon was searching his very soul. Then the dragon said, "I am Firion the Great, Guardian of the Everlasting Flame and you, John SilverWolf have passed the third test. Your heart is true and you have proven yourself worthy to claim Everfire." The dragon shifted it's body to reveal a tree that was engulfed in flame, but that was not consumed by it. John stepped forward and felt the blazing heat of the fire and could go no further. Firion then extended a single claw toward the tree and scooped out a some of the flames as if he were picking apples. A silver flask appeared out of thin air and Firion siphoned the flames into it. When he had replaced the stopper and handed it to John he said, "Now go, the Lady of Fire is fading fast and it has fallen to you to save her. Go with all speed and the blessings of Firion." "Thank you, my lord. I shall not fail." and with that he turned and dashed out the way he had come. When he emerged from the mountain side he could see the sky turning gray in the east and he could hear the first few birds begin to sing their welcome to the coming dawn. He bounded down the mountain and reached the camp just as Raxos was readying the fire for breakfast. "No time for food my friend." he shouted as he readied Roshta's harness, "We must ride with all speed at once." Surprised and a little disappointed by the sudden dismissal of breakfast, he quickly readied his steed and within fifteen minutes they were thundering northward with the silver flask tucked tightly against John's breast. The days and night's flew by and finally, heaving and panting they came to a halt inside the gate at Castle Pyrasa. A short while later, John was holding the silver flask to Erica's lips and as the fire poured down her throat and spread all throughout her body she revived. She stood and went to the window, breathing in the morning air. She turned to them all and laughed, a strong, clear laugh full of mirth. That day a great feast was held to celebrate the Lady's return to health and the festivities lasted long into the night. The Lady and the Knight sat in her garden looking up at the pale moon sailing through the night sky. They said nothing. They didn't need to.
Until the next time...
Once upon a time there was land called Rumo. Rumo was a land bordered by volcanos that spewed fire into rivers of fire that acted as a natural defense for the people that lived there. In addition to this formidable shield, the Rumoans saw fit to build walls and forts and castles to maintain a state of security for themselves. They built great roads and bridges that forded these rivers of molten rock as well as great canals to prevent their safeguard from becoming their doom. Upon one of these great roads our story begins with a Knight on an errand of personal significance. Now, this was no ordinary rider for two reasons: First, he was a knight from a distant country; and second, the steed upon which he rode was a giant wolf. Steel grey and as big as a horse, this was a Fordacian Wolf. Strong, swift and full of stamina the wolf pounded along the dusty red road, throught the checkpoints of the Rumo defenses and on toward the great Fortress Pyrasa that was home to the leader and guardian of Rumo. As he approached the castle he took in it's magnificence. It's mighty towers, it's impressive battlements and ever watchful was teh banner of Rumo, a crimson dragon blazoned upon a golden field a jet of flame issuing from between it's teeth. For the dragon was the emblem of rumo. Dragons were used as symbols of power and hope, as well as used as steeds for the Rumoan Cavalry and Air Corp. The gurards let him pass and stabled his wolf. The Chief Advisor to the Lady came to meet him, a dark skinned man by the name of Devinicus. "What brings you to Pyrasa good knight?" I have urgent need to speak with your mistress." "The Lady of Fire is, at this time, indisposed." "Don't give me the runaround Devinicus, I need to speak with her immediately." Devinicus looked uncomfortable for a moment and then led the knight into a chamber off the main courtyard. "I know why you have come and, if truth be told, I am glad of it. word has reached our ears of the battle you fought in Bentilus." "Then you also know that the Lady of Water sent for your mistresses aid and that that that call went unanswered, now why is that I wonder?" "If you must know, the Lady has been ill for quite some time." "Ill? What do you mean ill?" "I mean, she has not been herself of late. Everyone in the castle has been beside themselves with worry, but she has forbidden us to tend to her or to even send to our allies for aid." The knight pondered this for a moment and then said, "Take me to her." Such was the grimness of his face that Devinicus did not question the order he had just been given, but led him directly to the Lady's chamber. He knocked twice and a feeble voice said "Enter." The Lady was sitting in a chair by the window, her red hair fell neatly upon her shoulders, she was wearing robes of fine white linen with a flowered sash about her waist. She did not look up when they entered, but instead said absentmindedly, "Yes Devinicus, what is it?" The knight could hear a great weariness in her voice."The Wolf Knight of the Wind is come to see you m'lady." At this she turned and when she saw the knight standing there she leapt to her feet, but immediately swayed and would have fallen if the knight hadn't rushed to her side to catch her. He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her to the bed. When they had gotten her some wine to drink and a watersoaked towel for her her head, the Lady dismissed Devinicus and he bowed himself out of the room. "If I'd known you were coming I would have made you a better welcome, what brings you here so unexpectedly?" Ignoring her question, he said "Why did you not send to me that you were ill? I could have been here much sooner." "I did not want you to worry about me. You have your own affairs to look after without having to rush to my side whenever I feel a little faint." She tried to laugh, but it died in her chest and a cough took it's place. "Erica, you know as well as I do that this is no common cold." She sighed as she looked into his eyes. "I don't have the strength to pretend to you anymore. I fear that I may be dying. The flame that once burned bright within me has almost gone out." He put his hand on hers and she looked at him again. "Is there nothing that can be done?" he asked, fighting back the sorrow that was rising in the pit of his stomach. "Nothing that I have the strength to endure. There is only one thing can save me now I fear and that is Everfire that burns deep within the bowels of Mount Christia which lies at the heart of my country. Everfire gave me new life when I was but a child and I know that it could give me life again, but, alas, I have not the strength to make that journey and to face those perils." He stood, "Then I shall go. I shall go and retrieve this Everfire and bring it back here to you, that you may live." She suddenly looked fearful and grasped his hand in both of hers, "No, John, you must not. It is far too dangerous. I could never ask someone to brave the perils of that quest for me." "You did not ask me, nor do you have to. I will go, I will find this Everfire and I will save you or die in the attempt." Erica tried to get up, to try and persuade him not to go, but he gently pushed her back down onto the bed and her weariness returned and she did not rise again and could only look on him with pleading in her eyes. "I shall not fail you m'lady. I shall return." and with that, he left her chamber and made for the stables. Devinicus joined him shortly and after hearing all that had transpired he immediately set about explaing Everfire and the ancient safeguards that surrounded it. "Any man that seeks Everfire must pass three tests. The first, a test of strength. The second, a test of will. The third, a test of heart." "what are these tests?" "The scrolls do not say." Undeterred, John made his way to the gate where his wolf, Roshta was waiting. Waiting beside him was one of the Cavalry Dragons harnessed and ready to depart. The dragon was a little larger than Roshta with bright green skin dappled here and there by brown spots. It's yellow eyes followed the two men as they approached and it's talons clicked against the stones of the courtyard in anticipation of the race to come. A man dressed in the scarlet of the Rumoan Cavalry walked toward them and saluted John. "I am Raxos, I will be your guide to the mountain and back." Thank you, we must not tarry for great haste is needed." The two men mounted their steeds, turned their heads toward the open gate and kicked them into a run leaving the those that laid behind in a cloud of dust. Soon they were far away, galloping through the Nothern Plain on their road south to the mountain. Such was the speed of Roshta and the Rumoan Dragon that before the sun had reached it's zenith on the third day they came to the top of a small hill and looked out onto a wide plain. In the center of the plain, stood a great pinnacle of rock wreathed with flame about it's peak. They came to the base of Mount Christia just as the sun began to sink beyond the western horizon. "Here I must leave you, for the Mountain will not suffer both of us." said Raxos. Without another word, John proceeded up the mountain. He climbed for the better part of an hour until he reached a wide level shelf that led to a doorway carved into the side of the mountain. Now, the sun had nearly set and as the last fleeting rays retreated beyond the rim of the world John took a deep breath and plunged into the mountain. The passage went deep into the mountain and soon all was darkness but for the flickering light of the torch that he had brought with him. He continued on until he came out of the darkness and into a high chamber ringed with fire. On the opposite side stood another doorway. John did not stop to wonder at this chamber, but continued straight toward the other side. Immediately he was rooted to the spot by a deep, booming voice. "Who dares enter this sacred place? By what right do you tempt my wrath? Speak quickly that I might know you before I snuff out your life." In a clear voice John answered, "It is I, The Wolf Knight of the Wind. I have come on an urgent errand to seek Everfire for Erica, Lady of Fire and Guardian of all Rumo." "Why does the Lady of Fire send such a one as you to seek what only she has the right to claim?" "She has fallen terribly ill and is unable to make the journey and so I have come in her stead of my own will." The booming voice released a rumble of laughter. "So, you think you can claim Everfire? You think that you will succeed where so many others have failed?" "I will do what I must for the Lady." "Very well then knight, you must first face a test of strength before you can claim the Everlasting Flame." Suddenly fires burst into life all around the chamber and from those fires stepped shapes of warriors in blood red armor and with swords that shone with a terrible light. Drawing his own sword and feeling the urgency of his quest upon him, John reached down into himself and called upon the Wolf within. A snarl and a howl escaped his lips as he leapt into battle, his sword a mere flash of light as it slashed this way and that, felling foe after foe. Again and again his sword fell with such ferocity that even these wraiths of fire and steel quailed and fled. When all had been slain or driven off, john sheathed his sword and proceeded thought the second door. He wasn't in the tunnel long before it opened onto a chamber identical to the one he had just left. This chamber, however, was filled, from wall to wall, with gold and jewels and every sort of precious thing imaginable. A narrow path down the middle of the chamber led to another door and the booming voice rang out again. "Now, you must face a test of will. In this chamber is wealth beyond imagining as well as artifacts of such great power that he who possesses them could rule all the world. Now you must make your choice. All of these wondrous things are yours to do with what you will, in exchange for the abandonment of your quest. Turn back now and you will find all of these things waiting for you when you return to your home. Proceed and all of this shall be lost to you forever. Choose." The full weight of comprehension fell upon him then as images of what he could do with such wealth and power, of all the evils that he could conquer, the lives that he could improve with what was being offered him. What was one life against many? All these things passed though his mind in an instant and the next they were gone, replaced with a single burning motivation. He did not walk, but he ran down the narrow aisle between the mountains of gold and through the third door. He did not look back, though he could tell by a sudden of the lessening of the light behind him that all the treasures had vanished forever. He came into the third chamber and froze. Sitting before him, it's massive wings folded against it's crimson body, it's yellow eyes boring into him like beams of light, was an enormous dragon. For a moment the two just stared at each other and John felt as if the dragon was searching his very soul. Then the dragon said, "I am Firion the Great, Guardian of the Everlasting Flame and you, John SilverWolf have passed the third test. Your heart is true and you have proven yourself worthy to claim Everfire." The dragon shifted it's body to reveal a tree that was engulfed in flame, but that was not consumed by it. John stepped forward and felt the blazing heat of the fire and could go no further. Firion then extended a single claw toward the tree and scooped out a some of the flames as if he were picking apples. A silver flask appeared out of thin air and Firion siphoned the flames into it. When he had replaced the stopper and handed it to John he said, "Now go, the Lady of Fire is fading fast and it has fallen to you to save her. Go with all speed and the blessings of Firion." "Thank you, my lord. I shall not fail." and with that he turned and dashed out the way he had come. When he emerged from the mountain side he could see the sky turning gray in the east and he could hear the first few birds begin to sing their welcome to the coming dawn. He bounded down the mountain and reached the camp just as Raxos was readying the fire for breakfast. "No time for food my friend." he shouted as he readied Roshta's harness, "We must ride with all speed at once." Surprised and a little disappointed by the sudden dismissal of breakfast, he quickly readied his steed and within fifteen minutes they were thundering northward with the silver flask tucked tightly against John's breast. The days and night's flew by and finally, heaving and panting they came to a halt inside the gate at Castle Pyrasa. A short while later, John was holding the silver flask to Erica's lips and as the fire poured down her throat and spread all throughout her body she revived. She stood and went to the window, breathing in the morning air. She turned to them all and laughed, a strong, clear laugh full of mirth. That day a great feast was held to celebrate the Lady's return to health and the festivities lasted long into the night. The Lady and the Knight sat in her garden looking up at the pale moon sailing through the night sky. They said nothing. They didn't need to.
Until the next time...
Of Knights and Princesses Part 1: The Wind and The Water
John's Story =]
Once upon a time, in a land now lost to fairytales, there was a princess who lived in a castle on the sea. Of course, you are probably thinking that I mean that her castle was by the sea, but there you would be mistaken. Her castle was on the sea, that is to say it floated upon the waves. This was no ordinary castle for she was no ordinary princess. This was the Castle Aqua Marina and she was the Lady Rebekah, Princess of the Water. The towers and parapets of Aqua Marina shown of coral and peal and glistened in the sunlight reflecting off the water, her banners fluttered in the sea breezes and her battlements were manned by guards in shining mail that resembled the scales of fish. Aqua Marina was famous, not only for it's beauty and strength, but also for the grand balls that the Lady of Water often hosted. Many fair lords and ladies traveled from far and wide to attend these extravagant parties, including a certain knight who came from a far away country. this knight had long been a friend of the Lady and was always welcome in her court. Few enough knew his right name, but all knew him as the Wolf Knight of the Wind. A mighty warrior was he who had fought in many battles and had gained many victories by virtue of his valor, cunning and prowess. While the Wolf Knight was terrible in battle, he was always known as a kind and generous man in times of peace and was a marvel to see at parties.
While Aqua Marina was by no means a stranger to guests, on this day her halls were empty but for it's normal inhabitants. The Lady Rebekah was in her chamber looking out upon the water that she loved so much and her heart was troubled. Strange tidings had she heard of late, tales of darkness and of dread. A shadow had crept into her realm like some creature rising from the blackest depths to rear it's ugly head against the peace of her realm. a knock at her door brought her our of her thoughts. "Come" she said. A servant entered and bowed, "The Wolf Knight of the Wind to see you m'lady." The Wolf Knight entered and bowed to the Lady. she nodded at her servant, "Thank you Perseus, that will be all." "Yes m'lady." he said as he bowed out of the room. The princess and the knight looked at each other for a moment, then she smiled. The knight bowed and said, "Lady Rebekah, I am at your service, as always." She laughed, "Come now, John, surely we can dipense with the formalities by now." He smiled back, "One must give respect where respect is due, m'lady." She brushed aside his explanation and gestured to the seat facing the one she had just taken. "May I offer you something to eat or drink?" she said, offering a platter of sandwiches and pointing to a pitcher of crystal filled with the purest rain water. "Yes, please." he said. After they had snacked and chatted for a while about this and that they turned to more serious matters; the reason, in fact, that John had come with such haste to her summons. "John, I will speak plainly. I have need of your sword. Long ago you swore that it would be t my service whenever I called. Well, I am calling for it now. A shadow has crept into my realm, a blackness that darkens my fair waters and threatens the welfare of my subjects." "Whence came this darkness and what is it's purpose?" John asked. "I do not know, but I've had envoys from the Dolphins, the Sea Turtles, the Reef folk, even the Sharks knocking at my gates requesting an audience." "The Sharks are coming to you for aid in battle?" he asked in surprise, "This must indeed be serious." She nodded and then said, "That is why I have called you here. I sent a squad of my best men to investigate these claims last week and they haven't been heard from. I fear the worst for them, but more than that I have a feeling in my heart that this darkness is more than I can handle on my own." "Have you sent to your other allies? What of Pyrasa? Forestia? Skylos?" "I have sent messengers to them as well as to Desertium and Montanera." "Well? Have you had any responses?" "Erica and Devon have not responded yet, Stephanie and Nancy have expressed sympathy and a willingness to help, but I don't know what help they can render and their soldiers are ill equipped for marine combat, Ashley has promised to send her forces to patrol the skies and send word of trouble, but if the enemy comes from the deeps they may not be of much help. Which is why I need your help." "I will do what I can, m'lady." "Thank you, John." John rose and bade Bekah farewell. He had not brought any of his troops with him and there was no time now to send for them. The Oceanic Army would have to do. The soldiers of the sea were hardy and fell. It would take a powerful enemy indeed to overpower even a small force of Marines. He sought out one Major Nemo and gave him the official seal of the Lady of the Water, thereby authorizing him to mobilize whatever force he deemed necessary to meet this threat. He had chosen Nemo because of their past experiences in combat and because the reputation his battalion had made for themselves had earned them the name the Sea Wolves; needless to say John liked the Major's style. The entire battalion embarked from the castle to the sweet calls of silver trumpets. They rode upon the Great Sea Horses that the Lady bred for her Army's private use. The Wolf Knight's mount was a silvery gray beast called Stormcrest. They raced along the sea floor, scattering shoals of fish in their haste. For they had received a distress call from a village called Sandolara. They sliced throught the water like knives, bubbles streaming out behind them in the wake of their speed, but when they arrived at Sandolara, it was to find the village in ruins. The once thriving market town was now a somber cemetery where the dead were left unburied, but scattered here and there in the streets and in doorways. No fish came near this place of death and desolation. Anger burned in the hearts of the Marines as they searched for survivors and found none. There was a foul taste in the water that mingled itself with the blood and the sorrow to the point that it was nearly unbearable for even the stoutest of the Marines. They went about burying the dead and when they had finished they searched for some sign that would tell them whither their prey had gone. On the edge of the ruined town there was a small cave and there the knight found a young sea lad cowering in the shadowed recess of his hiding place. "Come out from there boy, no one will hurt you now." The boy did as he was told and floated facing the fell warrior before him. The lad had never seen so many soldiers before and he was frightened. He was pale and his lip quivered slightly as he looked from one grim face to the next, but his attention was soon called back to the Knight. "What happened here,boy? Who did this? Which way did they come from and whither did they go?" The boy whimpered pitifully and a tears began to fill his eyes. The Knight put his hand on the lad's shoulder and knelt down to bring them face to face with each other. "Help me find them, boy. Help me find them and we will avenge the deaths of your friends and neighbors." The boy swalloed the lump that was rising in his throat and described what he had seen; the dark scales, the yellow eyes, the black armor of the creatures that had ravaged his kinfolk. When he had told all he could he pointed the way that the horde had took when they had had their fill of carnage. They quickly followed the trail and took the boy with them as far as a nearby ridge where they left him in the care of a pod of dolphins that the Knight had instructed to see him safely back to Aqua Marina where he was to be cared for by the Lady. On and on they went, here and there seeing signs that their quarry had passed this way. Finally they came to the top of an underwater hill and down in the seavalley below they saw the horde. They were indeed as fearsome as the lad had described. Ugly, brutish, with hearts as black as their armor. There were, perhaps, eleven thousand creatures noisily making camp in the sea valley and the Knight had a single battalion of six hundred and sixty Marines. He turned to them all and said "Our enemy is before us, our homes are behind us. We have no time to call for reinforcements. A choice is now before us. do we go and return with greater numbers and risk the lives of the next village that this horde happens upon? Or do we take them now, outnumbered as we are, and avenge the lives already lost? What say you? Major Nemo looked at his men, a cold fury burning in every eye, then he turned to the Knight and said, "We're with you, sir. To victory or death." The wolf Knight donned his helm and drew his sword. "Forward men, let's show these beasts what it means to fight with Wolves." And with a mighty howl they uirged their steeds forward and in a torrent of foam and fury they smashed into the unsuspecting flank of the horde. They drove deep in to their midst before the enemy could gather their wits and rally a defense against this sudden onslaught. They were outnumbered by many times, but still they fought on. Their swords slashed through the water like barracudas and everywhere the water was darkened by the dark blood of those foul creatures and by the valiant red of the Sea Wolves. When all was said and done and the Wolves took account of their losses, one fourth of their number had been slain. One hundred and sixty-five souls sought the halls of their forebears to drink the wine of the victorious dead. Not a single Horde-Beast had survived the battle. The Horde-chief lay hewn before the Knight's feet. They gathered their dead and buried them on the edge of the battlefield, they raised a mound over them and set up a marker to serve as a reminder to all who passed by of what had happened here. The bodies of the beasts they piled in a heap far from the mound and left them for the sharks and eels and assorted scavengers that were even now making their way onto the field to claim their share of the spoils of war. They would never dare disturb the mound lest they stir up the wrath of the Sea Wolves and all Marines. The Knight and Major Nemo led the remaining men back to Aqua Marina where they were welcomed by fanfare and flowers. Meade and wine flowed from every cup and the celebrations lasted long into the night. A moment of silence was observed during the festivities out of respect for those who had lost their lives and many a glass was raised in toast to the memory of the dearly departed. The Lady stood by the Knight and watched her courtiers as they reveled. "I owe you a great debt. Thank you for saving my kingdom." "Your thanks should go to Major Nemo and his batallion, they saved your kingdom, I just helped to lead them in the right direction." "All the same, I'm glad that you came." "So am I, m'lady, so am I." The moon rose high over Aqua Marina and the stars reflected their light off of the dark ocean so that it seeemd the castle floated in the night sky. And so it was that the Wind and the Water bade each other goodnight as the ever lapping waves sang a sweet lullaby until at last all the castle slept in peace.
This is generally the part where one would expect to read the words The End, but as this is not the end of the story nor is there ever an end to any story really, I shall instead say to you, until the next time...
Once upon a time, in a land now lost to fairytales, there was a princess who lived in a castle on the sea. Of course, you are probably thinking that I mean that her castle was by the sea, but there you would be mistaken. Her castle was on the sea, that is to say it floated upon the waves. This was no ordinary castle for she was no ordinary princess. This was the Castle Aqua Marina and she was the Lady Rebekah, Princess of the Water. The towers and parapets of Aqua Marina shown of coral and peal and glistened in the sunlight reflecting off the water, her banners fluttered in the sea breezes and her battlements were manned by guards in shining mail that resembled the scales of fish. Aqua Marina was famous, not only for it's beauty and strength, but also for the grand balls that the Lady of Water often hosted. Many fair lords and ladies traveled from far and wide to attend these extravagant parties, including a certain knight who came from a far away country. this knight had long been a friend of the Lady and was always welcome in her court. Few enough knew his right name, but all knew him as the Wolf Knight of the Wind. A mighty warrior was he who had fought in many battles and had gained many victories by virtue of his valor, cunning and prowess. While the Wolf Knight was terrible in battle, he was always known as a kind and generous man in times of peace and was a marvel to see at parties.
While Aqua Marina was by no means a stranger to guests, on this day her halls were empty but for it's normal inhabitants. The Lady Rebekah was in her chamber looking out upon the water that she loved so much and her heart was troubled. Strange tidings had she heard of late, tales of darkness and of dread. A shadow had crept into her realm like some creature rising from the blackest depths to rear it's ugly head against the peace of her realm. a knock at her door brought her our of her thoughts. "Come" she said. A servant entered and bowed, "The Wolf Knight of the Wind to see you m'lady." The Wolf Knight entered and bowed to the Lady. she nodded at her servant, "Thank you Perseus, that will be all." "Yes m'lady." he said as he bowed out of the room. The princess and the knight looked at each other for a moment, then she smiled. The knight bowed and said, "Lady Rebekah, I am at your service, as always." She laughed, "Come now, John, surely we can dipense with the formalities by now." He smiled back, "One must give respect where respect is due, m'lady." She brushed aside his explanation and gestured to the seat facing the one she had just taken. "May I offer you something to eat or drink?" she said, offering a platter of sandwiches and pointing to a pitcher of crystal filled with the purest rain water. "Yes, please." he said. After they had snacked and chatted for a while about this and that they turned to more serious matters; the reason, in fact, that John had come with such haste to her summons. "John, I will speak plainly. I have need of your sword. Long ago you swore that it would be t my service whenever I called. Well, I am calling for it now. A shadow has crept into my realm, a blackness that darkens my fair waters and threatens the welfare of my subjects." "Whence came this darkness and what is it's purpose?" John asked. "I do not know, but I've had envoys from the Dolphins, the Sea Turtles, the Reef folk, even the Sharks knocking at my gates requesting an audience." "The Sharks are coming to you for aid in battle?" he asked in surprise, "This must indeed be serious." She nodded and then said, "That is why I have called you here. I sent a squad of my best men to investigate these claims last week and they haven't been heard from. I fear the worst for them, but more than that I have a feeling in my heart that this darkness is more than I can handle on my own." "Have you sent to your other allies? What of Pyrasa? Forestia? Skylos?" "I have sent messengers to them as well as to Desertium and Montanera." "Well? Have you had any responses?" "Erica and Devon have not responded yet, Stephanie and Nancy have expressed sympathy and a willingness to help, but I don't know what help they can render and their soldiers are ill equipped for marine combat, Ashley has promised to send her forces to patrol the skies and send word of trouble, but if the enemy comes from the deeps they may not be of much help. Which is why I need your help." "I will do what I can, m'lady." "Thank you, John." John rose and bade Bekah farewell. He had not brought any of his troops with him and there was no time now to send for them. The Oceanic Army would have to do. The soldiers of the sea were hardy and fell. It would take a powerful enemy indeed to overpower even a small force of Marines. He sought out one Major Nemo and gave him the official seal of the Lady of the Water, thereby authorizing him to mobilize whatever force he deemed necessary to meet this threat. He had chosen Nemo because of their past experiences in combat and because the reputation his battalion had made for themselves had earned them the name the Sea Wolves; needless to say John liked the Major's style. The entire battalion embarked from the castle to the sweet calls of silver trumpets. They rode upon the Great Sea Horses that the Lady bred for her Army's private use. The Wolf Knight's mount was a silvery gray beast called Stormcrest. They raced along the sea floor, scattering shoals of fish in their haste. For they had received a distress call from a village called Sandolara. They sliced throught the water like knives, bubbles streaming out behind them in the wake of their speed, but when they arrived at Sandolara, it was to find the village in ruins. The once thriving market town was now a somber cemetery where the dead were left unburied, but scattered here and there in the streets and in doorways. No fish came near this place of death and desolation. Anger burned in the hearts of the Marines as they searched for survivors and found none. There was a foul taste in the water that mingled itself with the blood and the sorrow to the point that it was nearly unbearable for even the stoutest of the Marines. They went about burying the dead and when they had finished they searched for some sign that would tell them whither their prey had gone. On the edge of the ruined town there was a small cave and there the knight found a young sea lad cowering in the shadowed recess of his hiding place. "Come out from there boy, no one will hurt you now." The boy did as he was told and floated facing the fell warrior before him. The lad had never seen so many soldiers before and he was frightened. He was pale and his lip quivered slightly as he looked from one grim face to the next, but his attention was soon called back to the Knight. "What happened here,boy? Who did this? Which way did they come from and whither did they go?" The boy whimpered pitifully and a tears began to fill his eyes. The Knight put his hand on the lad's shoulder and knelt down to bring them face to face with each other. "Help me find them, boy. Help me find them and we will avenge the deaths of your friends and neighbors." The boy swalloed the lump that was rising in his throat and described what he had seen; the dark scales, the yellow eyes, the black armor of the creatures that had ravaged his kinfolk. When he had told all he could he pointed the way that the horde had took when they had had their fill of carnage. They quickly followed the trail and took the boy with them as far as a nearby ridge where they left him in the care of a pod of dolphins that the Knight had instructed to see him safely back to Aqua Marina where he was to be cared for by the Lady. On and on they went, here and there seeing signs that their quarry had passed this way. Finally they came to the top of an underwater hill and down in the seavalley below they saw the horde. They were indeed as fearsome as the lad had described. Ugly, brutish, with hearts as black as their armor. There were, perhaps, eleven thousand creatures noisily making camp in the sea valley and the Knight had a single battalion of six hundred and sixty Marines. He turned to them all and said "Our enemy is before us, our homes are behind us. We have no time to call for reinforcements. A choice is now before us. do we go and return with greater numbers and risk the lives of the next village that this horde happens upon? Or do we take them now, outnumbered as we are, and avenge the lives already lost? What say you? Major Nemo looked at his men, a cold fury burning in every eye, then he turned to the Knight and said, "We're with you, sir. To victory or death." The wolf Knight donned his helm and drew his sword. "Forward men, let's show these beasts what it means to fight with Wolves." And with a mighty howl they uirged their steeds forward and in a torrent of foam and fury they smashed into the unsuspecting flank of the horde. They drove deep in to their midst before the enemy could gather their wits and rally a defense against this sudden onslaught. They were outnumbered by many times, but still they fought on. Their swords slashed through the water like barracudas and everywhere the water was darkened by the dark blood of those foul creatures and by the valiant red of the Sea Wolves. When all was said and done and the Wolves took account of their losses, one fourth of their number had been slain. One hundred and sixty-five souls sought the halls of their forebears to drink the wine of the victorious dead. Not a single Horde-Beast had survived the battle. The Horde-chief lay hewn before the Knight's feet. They gathered their dead and buried them on the edge of the battlefield, they raised a mound over them and set up a marker to serve as a reminder to all who passed by of what had happened here. The bodies of the beasts they piled in a heap far from the mound and left them for the sharks and eels and assorted scavengers that were even now making their way onto the field to claim their share of the spoils of war. They would never dare disturb the mound lest they stir up the wrath of the Sea Wolves and all Marines. The Knight and Major Nemo led the remaining men back to Aqua Marina where they were welcomed by fanfare and flowers. Meade and wine flowed from every cup and the celebrations lasted long into the night. A moment of silence was observed during the festivities out of respect for those who had lost their lives and many a glass was raised in toast to the memory of the dearly departed. The Lady stood by the Knight and watched her courtiers as they reveled. "I owe you a great debt. Thank you for saving my kingdom." "Your thanks should go to Major Nemo and his batallion, they saved your kingdom, I just helped to lead them in the right direction." "All the same, I'm glad that you came." "So am I, m'lady, so am I." The moon rose high over Aqua Marina and the stars reflected their light off of the dark ocean so that it seeemd the castle floated in the night sky. And so it was that the Wind and the Water bade each other goodnight as the ever lapping waves sang a sweet lullaby until at last all the castle slept in peace.
This is generally the part where one would expect to read the words The End, but as this is not the end of the story nor is there ever an end to any story really, I shall instead say to you, until the next time...
Friday, July 24, 2009
One Nation Under One King
Working at my church has taught me one important thing. God speaks to you a lot more when you take time out of your busy schedule each day to just talk with him. During my prayer time today I grabbed the Fire Bible that's been sitting in Ground Zero with no name in it for months, and so I decided no one is claiming it and so I was going to keep it unless someone came looking for it. You know how most bibles have book marks already made into them, well fire bibles have two, and the two book marks were both in Ezekiel 37:15-28 which is about the two kingdoms of Israel being united as one. Two sticks were taken one from Judah and one from Ephraim and united into Ezekiel's hands to represent the union of these two kingdoms. You know, what's strange? This is found in Ezekiel. Also, what's strange is the passage mentions peace, and mentions union, and mentions saving from sinful backsliding. "They will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God."
Last night, I was in service and gave everything in my life to God. Especially in a certain area. It's still His. I am done having a slow fade, but the devil tried to make me fall again as I started to spazz. So I spazzed for awhile last night after service. However, today during prayer I got hit in the face with this scripture. I could just be reading into things, but the way I took it is that right now I am one kingdom. My future guy whoever he may be (John or not) is another kingdom, and he is going to unite us together into one. Yes, I understand that's what marriage is, but it was kinda important to me to read today. And it was in Ezekiel, my future son's middle name. I don't know. God has strange way's of making me think. No, i'm not thinking omg John marriage meeee. I am thinking, hey, He really does have it in control. It really is going to be okay. So, I guess the point of this blog is to get it out there that I am done having a slow fade. That I am done slowly dying. This is my accountability blog. I no longer will fall, because through Christ all things are possible. I will run. I won't sit. It's over with. I am going to be strong. If it's meant to be, God will bring it to pass. I feel free for the first time in a long time, and it feels great. I can't wait to be One Nation Under One King, and that will be the Lord Jesus Christ.
Last night, I was in service and gave everything in my life to God. Especially in a certain area. It's still His. I am done having a slow fade, but the devil tried to make me fall again as I started to spazz. So I spazzed for awhile last night after service. However, today during prayer I got hit in the face with this scripture. I could just be reading into things, but the way I took it is that right now I am one kingdom. My future guy whoever he may be (John or not) is another kingdom, and he is going to unite us together into one. Yes, I understand that's what marriage is, but it was kinda important to me to read today. And it was in Ezekiel, my future son's middle name. I don't know. God has strange way's of making me think. No, i'm not thinking omg John marriage meeee. I am thinking, hey, He really does have it in control. It really is going to be okay. So, I guess the point of this blog is to get it out there that I am done having a slow fade. That I am done slowly dying. This is my accountability blog. I no longer will fall, because through Christ all things are possible. I will run. I won't sit. It's over with. I am going to be strong. If it's meant to be, God will bring it to pass. I feel free for the first time in a long time, and it feels great. I can't wait to be One Nation Under One King, and that will be the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, July 3, 2009
I am blessed.
God has blessed me with the greatest group of friends anyone could ask for. They are always there for me through all the trials that are thrown in my face, and they always care and make me smile. It's going to be so difficult when I leave for college, because even though I won't be that far away some of the people I care about most are gonna be even farther. With Hoffman and Nancy going to Gainsville it's gonna be difficult to just SEE them because they will be over 3 hours away from me. It's going to be hard leaving Orlando area...but I will do EVERYTHING to come back every chance I get and to go visit everyone important to me. I believe I have found my core. The people I am friends with now, like my best friends, I believe they are gonna be the group I am ALWAYS best friends with. I can't see any of us ever leaving each other. I have really been blessed. I thank God for them every day of my life, because I honestly would not have made it without them.
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