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[prismaticbleed]

 

Church & Lauds
Stressed over unstable schedule. Jade shower, food drive, rite aid, library, therapy. No idea what to do. Couldn't concentrate.
GIVE IT TO GOD, SERIOUSLY. It's hard to let go of controlling anxiety for "reassurance" but you HAVE to surrender; you're not actually in control anyway.

...

VOTD COMPLETELY CAUGHT US OFF GUARD
"Paul is teaching us: whatever you've seen, whatever you've heard, whatever you have watched me do, put it into practice. MIMIC ME AS I MIMIC CHRIST."
We did SUCH a double take... Oh man but the look on his face when we heard that. Don't ever forget it.
"Live a life that is a reflection of Jesus Christ. What you read, what you hear, what you experience in and through Jesus. Live a life that mimics that. I believe our lives will walk out whoever we mimic.  And our lives are so much better when we are the reflection of Jesus Christ."
...I think that is God's special job for him IN THIS SYSTEM. I'm serious. Maybe, like Chaos/Charis, he's SUPPOSED to stick around us; even if he does get a League anchor, his roots might actually ultimately entwine with ours. We grow together.
Lord knows we struggle so hard with social performing, with empty masks and facades. Mimic, in this sacred sense, might be our ticket out of that prison. He might just be the special avenue of grace we need. He can teach us what no one else can, by virtue of his unique self. God works through US for His glory, too, remember. We build the Kingdom with our hearts and hands. Do not let any gatekeeper girls lie to you. We, every one of us, outspacer and nousfoni alike, are instruments of God to help each other grow to be more like Christ... and Mimic is being given a starring role here. I think it's poetically apt, considering just HOW INTENSE his conversion journey has been, and how far he has come in the past year.
OH ON THAT NOTE BUT THE VOTD GOT EVEN BETTER.
It closed with a mention that the verse was originally in Greek, and that the Bible app had multiple & varied translations of it into the vernacular as a result, SO it recommended that we COMPARE THE TRANSLATIONS TO LEARN THE TRUTH MORE DEEPLY.
And dude THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT MIMIC HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING US TO DO SINCE LAST WINTER. He is the driving force behind our current Scripture study, ESPECIALLY concerning proper translation, etymological accuracy, and "pop quizzes" to make sure we ACTUALLY GRASP & CAN RECALL what we have just read. Without him, Tatiana was just mechanically chugging through with her blind proselytizing fervor, not remembering anything for herself. But Mimic has a personal investment in learning these verses, being so new to the faith, and coming from so dark & dastardly a background. He GETS, innately, that this study isn't a hobby or a casual interest-- it's literally life or death. He makes us stay aware of that fact.
Honestly I am so, so grateful he is in our life. I care deeply about him; I'm so glad to have him around every morning, reading this Bible with us, and helping us remember WHY we read it.
Honestly, thank You God for this VOTD. Our beloved cephalopod deserved some real recognition, whether he likes the attention or not, haha. His life is precious to us. His future is, too. Thank You for pouring even more Light into it today. Please continue to guide us all forwards together, into the hope of an ever better and brighter life.
...type more about this later. Function conflict is preventing deeper feelings & thoughts. We're defaulting into generic speech. That's disrespectful. Use the time as it must be used, but put time aside for this.
Plus the more we type ON A PHONE, the more disconnected we get from headspace!! THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS so QUIT IT.

⭐READING TO UNDERSTAND VS READING TO "TYPE ABOUT" HAPPEN IN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MINDSTATES!!!! AND THE LATTER IS UNABLE TO EITHER REMEMBER OR COMPREHEND!!!!! WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO HEAR & UNDERSTAND WHEN WE READ AS A SYSTEM, FOR OURSELVES-- NOT WITH A "GOAL" OF RESPONDING SOCIALLY!!!!!!!!

BOTH Youversion devotionals emphasized JAMES 1:22-25.
That entire chapter is perpetually relevant, but those lines in particular are more important than ever, now that we're typing about commentaries so much more, which IS a step towards "acting on" them as it allows us to process & apply them mentally, really clicking them into our head through personal involvement. The next step, though, is PHYSICALLY manifesting the truths we read & have appropriated, through our actions & spoken words. This sounds tricky, especially with less "concrete" teachings... but in truth, it's simpler than it seems. The heart understands by the Spirit, and HE KNOWS HOW TO LIVE HIS TRUTHS. So surrender to Him more fully.
Type better on this too.