Friday, September 26, 2014

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Fourteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story



In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Fourteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford
                                                                             

Chapter 14: Doing Business


Looking at his watch he said, "still some time 'fore Angel comes looking to hustle people off to class."

"Best we get back to 'Safe and Sound' Yurippe."

"In a minute." Yuri turned from Noda back to Duffy. "Y'know, I had no idea I'd be talking so much theology of any kind with anyone today or any day. Least of all you."

"Neither did I. The Purgatory remark was only a conversation starter."

"Or a conversion starter," the Front leader returned a knowing grin. "So what was it you DID want to talk about?"

Jack reached into the fanny pack, drawing out some metal objects with a couple sheets of paper.

"Wondering if we could discuss business."

"Business ..."

"Yes."

"As in ... " Her eyes widened slightly as they fell on the articles in Duffys' hand.

"I figure you don't really need ALL those meal tickets you uh ... aquire on your raids. Your school accounts should cover meals. My guess is they're going to someone else."

"Someone ... else?"

"Your group combined couldn't possibly eat all that food, not even with Matsushita. I understand he can be pretty carnivorous."

"Yeah," laughed Noda. "You gotta watch your hands around him when he's eating!"

"And that someone else would be ... ?"

"The ones' procuring your guns 'n ammo."

Yuri kept herself deadpan inscrutible.

"I've noticed from time to time, folks in work coveralls who don't seem to be part of the regular maintenance staff. No lanyard ID or anything ... Mostly see 'em along with that Saitou fellow in cafeteria or food court. Except for that one bearded, older looking gentleman, they seem to be a bit on the young side to be staff. They take great pains to avoid Angel too. My guess is they're the ones making your goodies.

"As you know, my job requires me being all over the grounds. In several places, I've found trap doors over shafts leading down to passages below. The one under the gym stage for instance. Sometimes I hear the sound of machinery coming from below.

"Having seen that mallet trap of yours in action, I've no doubt there may be other nasties ready to spring below. Not wanting to get clobbered ... well ... I know where I'm not welcome. Mama didn't raise no fools ..."

"You mentioned something about business."

"Yes. I've found as I'm sure you already have, that one can make things or rather parts of things from the very dirt this place stands on. Though I've been experimenting at my place, I know I have a long way to go.

"In the meantime, I want to keep in practice. Which means I'll be expending some ammo. As I'm not a chemist or metalurgist, I was wondering if we could work out some trade.

"While I'm being paid reasonably well, there's little opportunity to spend it aside from the more expensive cafeteria dishes. If possible, maybe Takayama could work out funds transfer, or perhaps I could just pay you off in meal tickets ... Could take a little pressure off in regard to those raids you pull."

Yuri took a quick glance at Noda, the campus, then back to Duffy.

"I'll ... see what I can do. Can't promise anything though. As for that ...," She pointed at the objects Jack held.

He handed the things and paper to the Battlefront leader.

"These are examples of what I'm looking for with the specs. Prices I've estimated are based on American retail calculated in yen according to the exchange rate I last remember. I've added extra for any difference. Of course inform me before going ahead."

Yuri briefly examined the sheet and objects before pocketing them. Cha would know more about it and maybe shed more light on Duffy-san.

"I'll call in a day or so and let you know one way or the other."

xxxxx

"Honest Yurippe. I keep telling you ... He knows a lot more about that religion of his than I ever have. I learned more about it in that talk we ... you ... had yesterday than in all the times my aunt was uh ... " Noda turned to a figure seated across the desk from Yuri. "What's that word again?"

"Evangelizing."

Yuri Swiveled in the desk chair toward the answerer.
Yuri swiveled in the desk chair toward the answerer. "What do you make of it?"

"When my wife and I searched for that 'perfect world', we ran across all sorts of beliefs. This one's unique in its' uh ... exclusivity... yet ... inclusiveness."

"?"

"No reincarnation. Only one way to God, heaven ... nirvana, whatever. Dependence on a personal God who takes an active interest in you as an individual (Romans 8:28). They're compelled, at least the observant ones, by what their uh ... Bible ...  says to tell any and everyone of their beliefs (Mark 16:15, 2nd Timothy 4:2). Open to all and nothing passive about it. As it's seemingly based on non-violence I MIGHT doubt Angel's in on it in any way. May not have anything to do with the god we're up against ..."

"Well ... It really is a weird religion this Christianity thing. I swear ... At one point I thought he was trying to get Noda and I to disappear ... obliterated ... If we ... How'd he say it ... get saved? Yeah ... the 'salvation thing' he mentioned." (John 3:16, See also footnote 3 in Chapter 13.)

"Yeah ... 'getting saved' is what some of them call it. Others say 'born again'."

"'Born again'?"

"Being a changed person," explained Cha. (John 3:7 and 2nd Corinthians 5:17)

"I didn't quite exactly get what one would be 'getting saved' from. What exactly-"

"From being forever tormented in hell ... with the devil ... demons ... or something ... With no chance of getting out ... Separated from God for eternity ... I think ... ." (Matt 10:28, 1st John 5:18, 2nd Peter 2:4) (1)

"Darn it Noda! There you go again! You keep saying you don't know much about it then you come up with something like that."

"Honest Yuri! Just little bits 'n pieces from what I heard ... The way relatives put it ... In one ear 'n out the other."

"Be nice if you remembered more."

The halberd wielder only shrugged in reply.

"But then," the Front leader turned back to Cha. "You seem to know quite a lot about it yourself."

"Not really much more than Noda here. You could always talk further with Duffy-san about it, " suggested Cha.

"Hmm ... I don't know ..."

"There's some litturature in the library along with copies of that Bible of theirs."

"Well ... It's too weird for me," said Yuri. "I ... we ... have enough of the spiritual dealing with Angel and this place."

"Speaking of which," Cha interjected. "You think he's possibly working with Angel in SOME way? It'd really be strange dealing with him as he proposed if that's the case."

"No, not really. The only times any of us see him with Angel are incidental ... they don't talk much. Says he finds her strange and difficult to talk with."

"Hey! Maybe he could get her uh ... 'saved' and she'd get obliterated."

"Big help Noda," said Yuri as she eyed him with that goofy smile on his face. As he was on the desks' side opposite, he was out of slug range.

"All the same, you think it's wise to do business with him? We are talking munitions after all."

"I've some doubt but ... yes. As you as well as he said: They're told in that book of theirs to spread the word on their beliefs (Matt 28:19, Mark 16:15, ) It's probably not out any motivation to help Angel though I've already told everyone here to be on guard about him talking religion. That and he stated ... emphatically I might add ... He doesn't believe this place has any spiritual/theological basis ... that is ... none that he knows of.

"Then there's also the fact he doesn't have any powers or abilities like Angel. He's never made a move against us or displayed any hostility. If he's a threat, he's a very friendly one which might be the possibility. No ... For now ... If anyone's a wild card it would still be Angel."

"I find it interesting he was able to suss out the connection with the Guild and the meal tickets."

"He may not be Japanese, but he's no fool, Cha."

"So ... we go ahead?"

"Yes," Yuri declared. "Would be good to supplement our supply of meal tickets. Be nice every now and then NOT to have to do a raid. Build a reserve ... take some of the pressure off ... plan other operations ... So ... Think you can fill that order?"

"Definitely, With a little tweaking I know we can."

"Oh?"

"I find these cartridges interesting," said the machinist pointing to the objects on the desk. "Take the long one for instance. M1 .30 Ball ... Also known as the 'thirty ought six' ... .30 caliber, adopted by the U.S. military in 1906. The 7.62 millimeter Matsushita uses in his MG3 is a derivative of this.

"From the description Shiina gave me of his rifle, I think he has an M1A1 Garand semi-auto. The kind the Americans used during the War In the Pacific and Korea. Our own JSDF had it for a time after the war.


"And this one," Cha picked up the wider, shorter one. ".45 ACP ... stands for Automatic Colt Pistol. Not like the nine millies some of you have. Shiina also said he has the hammer cocked back all the time. My guess is he carries a Colt/Browning derivative of some kind. Like TKs' Hi-Power it's designed for carry with the hammer back, safety on, so's to have it in a safe but ready condition.

"From what I gather, when it comes to guns ... Duffy-san is strictly traditional old school GI.

"GI?"

"American military slang referring to their equipment. Means 'general issue'. Soon came to mean the men themselves."

"So that's why they were called GIs?"

Both machinist and leader looked over at Noda, Yuri shaking her head.

"So tell him we can fill this in a few days. We're gonna have to up the price to ...," Cha scribbled a figure on one of the sheets, "... this on subsequent orders. We can let this one go on his quote as he's a ... uh ... 'first time customer'."

Let's see," Yuri thought aloud. "From what we know of his comings and goings, he should be at his place in about an hour ... I'll call him then."

xxxxx

It was Friday, three days after Yuri phoned him of the orders' approval. He was only about ten minutes from having gotten back from work when his doorbell rang.

Cautiously moving to the side of the door, pistol in hand, he called out, "who is it?"

"Your special order from the Guild. We deliver!"

After passing a hand over the peep lense and nothing crashing through, he chanced a look-see. In the hallway stood a lone bearded figure Jack had, up to now, known only at a furtive distance. Holding five small boxes and a shallow wooden crate at his feet. Holstering the Colt, he turned the knob.

"Well hi," Jack greeted, slowly opening the door. "Didn't expect it to be filled so soon."

"Just a simple matter of getting to it."

"So come on in," the American invited. "Just set those boxes on the table ... I'll get this ..."

The man placed the five 50 round boxes of .45 ACP on the living room table as Jack lugged in the 1000 round case of .30'06. Setting the case on one of the chairs, he turned to his guest, extending his hand in friendly greeting.

"Jack's the name ... I take it you must be Cha ..."

xxxxx

"He ... invited you in? Just like that?"

"Pardon the pun but he was very open about it. Like he had nothing at all to hide."

"Unless," Yuri speculated, "what he had to hide was already hidden. He didn't act strange or nervous?"

"Not at all. In fact, we talked shop for quite awhile."

"Talked ... 'shop'?"

"Yes. He has a reasonably extensive knowlege of firearms. You know, he actually worked for a time at a gun store/target range."

"Really? His file doesn't say a thing about past work experience."

"Not important here ... He also lent me these."

Cha placed a couple trade paperback sized books on the desk. Yuris' eyes widened slightly as she saw the covers. Picking one up, she leafed through it stopping every so often on seeing something familiar.

"My Romanjis' a bit rusty but I can see what they're about. Think you'll find them useful?"

"They're a couple of Haynes' firearms manuals. 'Exploded' drawings of various guns. Quite a few of them I never worked with. They don't give exact measurement dimensions on parts but I can now at least know what the components look like. With a little tweaking ...

"I find it interesting he opened up to you like that," said Yuri. "Why would that be?"

"Some guys find it easier talking with other guys."

"It's a guy thing Yurippe," quipped Noda.

Yuri decided to ignore the halberd carrying, would-be comedian.

"He didn't mention anything about God or try to ..."

"Not a thing. Though I did notice a few shelves of theological books and a copy of that bible of theirs sitting on the table. Looked kind of strange sitting next to those boxes of .45."

"Anything else about his place?"

"Well, he did show me around. He actually uses a sleeping bag on the floor. Can't use a bed. Says it hurts his back.

"Another thing ..."

"Oh?"

"He certainly likes his movies ..."

To be continued ...


xxxxx

1. See also  Matthew 25:34-40 and 41-46, 1st Peter 5:8, Rev 12:9 and 20:10-15.

xxxxx

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


In Gods' Good Time Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction story list at fanfiction.net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If there's more than one article on this page, you're already there!

Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, & events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.

Friday, September 19, 2014

A Couple of Quibcags ...



A Couple of Quibcags ...


So just what exactly is a "quibcag"? Simply put: Quote Illustrated by Cute Anime Girl.

These can be found at Karol Travens' Ex-Army blog.

I fell across this blog while searching for illustrations for my Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya fanfic story, Mr. John Smith Goes To Washington. I pirated about three of them as I thought they were appropriate.

The blog itself is a Libertarian website with a racist tone to it, so if you find that objectionable, I'd advise not going there. If you can get past that, you'll find the site to be witty, insightful (And INCITEFUL!) and bitingly blunt about any subject mentioned as well as critical of the "idealistic" (And UNREALISTIC!) "unicorns and rainbows" version of Libertarianism that has been bandied about for years. You know, if everyone in the world knew about the Libertarian world view, they'd all embrace it and become good little free enterprisers. Even the folks at ISIS/ISIL/ASSHOLE would drop their Islamic silliness and go for the gusto!

Not gonna' happen.

A feature of Mr. Travens' blog is the above mentioned "quibcag", of which a couple (Somewhat related to one another.) I have illustrated below:

Mr. Traven will also quote other writers for his 'cags'.


Maybe, maybe not. If one is not careful, you
could find yourself porn surfing for the rest
of your life.


A bit of irony here. In my aforementioned fanfic wherein I used some of Mr. Travens 'cags', the three white guys in the story "hook up" with the three Asian babes of the Haruhi series ... And we all know what an aggressive little sexpot Yuki Nagato can be!

Yeah ... Right!

Hentai is NOT canon.

Just sayin' ...


Mr. Travens' Ex-Army blog here.

Mr. John Smith Goes to Washington here.

C V Fords' profile page and fanfiction story list here.

Fanfiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If there's a buncha' articles under this 'un, yer already there ... uh ... Here!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Scooby Doo Meets Azumanga Daioh: Yeah, I'd Watch This.

L-R: Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, Chiyo-chan Mihama, Koyomi "Yomi" Mizuhara,
Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, Tomo Takino, Sakaki, Credit: Oku-chan at Deviantart.


Scooby Doo Meets Azumanga Daioh: Yeah, I'd Watch This.


I NEVER was a fan of Scooby-Doo. The repetitive formula (The same dang thing EVERY episode!) was a real turn off. The spin-off, The New Scooby-Doo Movies was even worse, especially the execrable Johnathan Winters episode (With the notable exception of  the "A Game of Pool" episode from The Twilight Zone series, Winters was at his quick minded, ad-lib best outside the confines of a script.).

So it was with some amusement I found the above graphic while cruising the web. If this was for real, I might actually give it a look.


Scooby Dooby Doo I Hate You here.

Azumanga Daioh: Too Much Cute here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

In God's Good Time:Chapter Thirteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story



In God's Good Time:Chapter Thirteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx


Chapter 13: Revelations


"Really ... and just what is it God's done to straighten things out."

"Hara kiri ... Or, as in your Kanji, seppuku."

"What!?"

"Well ...  Not a ritual suicide so to speak. Rather what Christ went through."

"That crucifixion thing, right?" Yuris' head cocked to one side. "I've seen pictures ... paintings ... Just what IS THAT about?"


"That salvation/redemption thing I mentioned before." (John 3:16)

"Now you lost me."

"Well, back to the beginning. Just before God evicted the first couple from that paradise, he killed two animals, using the skins to cover their nakedness. This was the first time blood was spilled in order to cover sin ... guilt ... shame ... from the sight of God. (Genesis 3:21-24)

"In the centuries after, the Hebrew people, starting with Abraham (Genesis 22) then through Issac, Jacob, later Moses and Joshua, set up a symbolic system of ritual observance in remembrance. This involved the spilling of animal blood for the covering of sin. The type of creature (Cattle, sheep, doves.) was determined by the magnitude of a particular sinful act. The ritual performed was a token gesture on the part of the sinner showing his sincerity.

"As the ritual would only cover in blood a particular act and being only symbolic, it was only a reminder of what was to come, falling far short of what was really needed." (Hebrews  10:3-4, context Hebrews 10:1-14)

"Kinda like what you said about nothing we can do of ourselves no matter how hard we try?"

"Yes. Like a loan where you're never gonna get enough money to pay it off. All you can do, if at all, is make small payments while the interest piles up. No end to it. All you can do is 'kick the can down the road.' Sorta like the U.S. national debt. Or Japans' for that matter ...

"So what was needed was a one time/for all time settlement. Perfect ... complete, resulting in total removal of guilt for the sin nature hanging over us." (Hebrews 10:14, context Hebrews 10)

"And that would be this Jesus of yours ... right?" Yuris' skepticism more than apparent. "Why's that?"

"The imperfect incomplete can't cover what the perfect complete can. Our sinful nature prevents that. What was needed was that which isn't under that bond. Something totally perfect, without sin." (Hebrews 9:11-15)

"He being the 'son of God' qualified him for it? My aunt talked about him like that."

"You hit the nail on the head, Noda."

"So Jesus wasn't just a man I take it," speculated Yuri. "If he wasn't under this 'sin nature' thing."

"Yuri ... Jesus was ... IS God. (Isaiah 9:6, John 8:58 and 10:30) (1) God coming in the form of man to shoulder the responsibility we ourselves can't (Galatians 1:4). Completely sinless, not under the condition we're in. It was through his death the debt is paid (Colossians 2:13-14). It's through his return from death we'll all live again one day."

"So if Jesus is God ... ," thought Yuri. "Face of the enemy?"

"So he had nothing to answer for? He was completely innocent?"

"It was through His innocence that our guilt could be lifted."

"But if he had nothing to do with the state we're in, WHY did he do it? And if so, why not just 'fix' everything else too?"

"You could say He owed it to himself. What others did with His creation wasn't His fault, but it was

His responsibility to set things right. He still had to fix what is His. The Bible mentions more than once, when there was no higher authority to answer to, He swore on Himself (Hebrews 6:13, Genesis 22:16, Isaiah 45:23). It's not in Gods' character to let things go.

"Then there's the fact ... strange as it may sound to you, God loves and cares about us. Not only in our being part of his creation, but also as individuals ... everyone ... me, Noda here, them." Jack swept his arm out over the grounds. "And you Yuri." (Ephesians 2:4-5, 1st John 4:9-11)

"If God ever did care about me or anyone else for that matter, he wouldn't have-"

"Don't blame God Yuri. Blame those three mutants for turning your life into a living hell. They, as well as everyone else will come individually, face to face before the Lord to be judged (John 5:27-29, Heb 9:27). If they've kept their backs on Him ... they'll get theirs." (Ephesians 5:3-7, Galatians 5:19-21 and 6:8)

"As for everything else getting fixed, Gods' word says that will happen eventually." (Revelation 21:4 and 5)

"So why not NOW ... or right after he got killed and came back? Why do we have to wait ... and why here?"

"Remember what I said about history being a long string of people making bad descisions?"

"Yeah."

"Well ... if we're made in the image of God then we have the ability to figure out the difference between right and wrong. God has written it in the hearts of all of us (Romans 2:12-16). We have the ability to make the right ... or wrong ... decisions. Including living correctly and making the ultimate decision ... that of accepting Christs' atonement personally. It's called free will, Yuri." (Proverbs 16:9 and Revelation 3:20)

"Free will ... as in ..."

"Each individual must make the choice for oneself ... To either accept the fact of the blood payment the Lord made for us personally and live accordingly ... or not. Right now, too many folks have ... are ... making the wrong one decision or are trying to ignore it. One day ... when enough people have made the right choice ... The Lord will return, PHYSICALLY setting things straight. Until then ... well ...

"The way things are now ... simplistically put ... That's the way life is. That's the way it is."

"Yeah ... right!"

"Let me put it this way. And I hope you don't get the impression that I'm trying to trivialize what happened to your brother and sisters explaining this ..."

"OK. Go on." Face darkening again.

"When you were little, did you ever break or steal anything? Like say from a neighbor?"

"Hmmm ... yeah."

"What about you Noda?" Duffy smiled. "BEFORE you came here that is."

"Uh ...," the young man looked aside with a sheepish grin.

"OK ... Now ... who paid the damages?"

"Well ... Mom and Dad of course." Yuri answered, Noda giving a nod.

"Why?"

"Why'd they pay for it? Because there was no way I could. Not even with my allowance."

"You had an allowance Yuri?'

"Oh geez," Yuri thought." Noda's back in dense mode."

"So just as you damaged or stole someones' property so the first couple damaged the world. As your parents monetarily paid for what you did, so God ... Jesus ... paid the perfect penalty." (2nd Corinthians 5:21)

"What about my brother and sisters killers?"

"You were disciplined in some way weren't you?"

"Ye ... ss. So what's this got to do with those three sick bastards? Like you say ... For all I know they're still running loose ... hurting ... Bastards! You-"

"Please ... Again ... I'm not trying to make light of what happened to your family. Just trying to make a point."

Yuri calmed a bit, left hand again gripping the railing.

"I'm also not trying to argue or score talking points. This is about something I'd like everyone to know about. It's important.

"Did it take awhile for your parents to come up with a fitting punishment?"

"About a day or two ... Got grounded ... other things."

"So it's going to take awhile before those three will see justice. The world is full of those who 'got away with it'. And you're right in thinking justice delayed is justice denied ... Those three WILL pay in the end."

"Won't bring my brother and sisters back."

"Though your neighbor was compensated he still had to cope with the damages somehow. Just as you have to with your situation and-"

"The neighbor fixed things with the money he got from my parents, my-"

"You WILL see your brother and sisters again, Yuri. Right now they're safe with the Lord ... happier now than they've ever been. I don't think they'd want you to miss out on what they're experiencing." (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Yuri slowly turned again toward the lower campus both hands now gripping the railing. Noda, on full alert, held tightly to his halberd. For his part Jack kept a mental eye on Noda as he unobtrusively hooked his right thumb in his belt, a preliminary to drawing the .45.

Jack heard the Battlefront leader curse softly. "Damn ... Damn ... this place ... "

"I don't usually tell many people this ... I had two sisters I never met. One before me ... the other after. Both died at birth. They didn't have to go through life ... through that ...  this ... krap. I know it's not the same but I think I have a faint idea how you feel. You at least knew yours. I envy you for that."

Stepping away from the railing, Yuri slowly relaxed. Looking straight at Duffy she remarked, "one would think you're trying to get me to disappear."

"Far from it. Don't like the idea of anyone going into eternity without the salvation Christ offers ... I also don't want anyone saying I didn't tell them about it when it's my time to be judged." (Matthew 25:31-46, 2nd Corinthians 5:10)

"Into eternity ... OKay ... If you know so much about this salvation thing ... " She took a long pause.

"Then ... Why are YOU here?"

"Oh?"

"Why aren't you in Heaven right now with your God?"

Though it seemed his turn to grip the railing, Duffy didn't. A wry non-grin spread across the left side of his face.

"That's something I've given a lot of thought about since I came here. I think I've come up with a couple possible answers."

"Really? ... OKay ... ." Yuri was always looking for some light to be shed on the present situation. Maybe the past half hour wasn't a waste to her after all. Maybe this foreigner might have some insight.

"The first is, if ... that's a big IF...if this 'place' is based supernaturally ... if it's 'valid' though extra-Biblical ... Then God has his hand in this. Maybe I'm being judged right now ... A trial of sorts. Who knows? Maybe this is a version of the 'valley of the shadow' the Bible mentions (Psalm 23:4, context Psalm 23:1-6).

"I don't think this is the punishment of hell. It's too mild in comparison to the Biblical descriptions of it." (Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50 and 25:41) (2)

"Say if it is hell or this ... what was it? ... Purgatory ... then what?"

"I wasn't what God would have me to be."

The two younger looked at Duffy quizzically.

"I know. From what I told you previous, you'd think I was bucking for sainthood. Heh ... Far from it.

"No ... Though I had this knowledge of God ... Though I knew of his offer of forgiveness and salvation ... I just wouldn't live it."

"How do you mean? After all, if you knew of what this Jesus did for you ... everyone ... why wouldn't you get to Heaven and all?"

"The word of God also teaches that when one is, as they say ... 'saved' ... You're to live in such a way as to be an example to others ... I didn't." (Acts 26:20)

"Hypocrisy?"



"Yes ... in spades. Salvation involves living as God would have you. A thing called repentance. An active turning away from our sin nature ... not letting our baser selves control us. It involves putting our backs on sinful acts while countering every evil thought through prayer, faith and confidence in that God will help you to resist. Through that, one gains strength and the will to live a believers' life (Ezekiel 18:30, Matthew 3:8).

"I haven't. In spite of what I know, I turned from God, living mainly for myself. Indulging in what I could afford and yearning for what I couldn't. This cut me off from Him ... The same mistake done by the first humans ... I did. The one we all do (Galatians 5:19-23).

"The only explanation ... and that's all it is ... not a defense or an excuse ... Is that as a fallible human being, I do what fallible human beings do ... Being fallible. The fault ... the blame are all mine."

"So what's the other explanation?"

"Maybe simpler. Say I'm not dead somehow. Maybe this is a very long and detailed near death experience or waking dream I'm having. For all I know, I could be lying somewhere in a coma hashing out this ... amazing fantasy ... to pass the time. I could think up all sorts of sci-fi scenarios from secret government projects to the pharmacist messing up my prescription.

"The fact the Bible doesn't mention anything like this or a 'purgatory' for that matter, leads me to conclude that this may not be supernatural in any way.

"For me, supernatural or not ... Wether I'm at the steps to the gates of Heaven or something else ... I haven't faced Gods' judgement yet. I have not yet been face to face with Him. I still have a chance ... Both in having acknowledged what He's done for me  ... and living accordingly." (Romans 6:1-6) (3)

"So ... You a praying man?"

A large grin broke across Duffys' face.

"Hon, you and that Brigade of yours-"

Nodas' snickering was cut off sharply  by a soft elbow jab from Yuri.

"-er ... Battlefront ...  are enough to put the fear of God in anybody. When I saw you and your bunch barreling off that entrance bridge the second night I was here ... with all those wonderful toys I might add ... I didn't know what to think. Like I said, it's up in the air as to what I've been dropped into.

"Right after, Angel shows up with her sci-fi weirdness ... I started thinking I was a protagonist in the middle of a bad anime that never ends."

"Yeah ... Too bad we don't have an audience we can knowingly wink at."

Turning in the direction of the lower campus, Duffy held his arms straight out from his sides.

"Hey! ... Anybody!? ... In the audience! ... Yeah, you! ... Mind dropping your popcorn 'n gettin' your sorry posterior up here to the screen n' clue us in as to what's going on?"

xxxxx

He could be heard below by some passersby. Two of which, Fujimaki and Oyama, looked up.

"Geez! What's the crazy gaijin going on about?" Asked a confused Fujimaki.

"No idea ... Yurippe and Noda seem amused ..."

xxxxx

The American turned back to his two conversationalists, hands hitting his thighs with a slap.

"Didn't think so ... So much for breaking the fourth wall ..."

"I'm gonna ask the same question for a different reason. Knowing ostensibly why this place exists ... Why ARE you here? You don't have to say anything. A lot in the Battlefront haven't said anything personal about themselves either. It's enough to know they're with us."

"You recruiting?" Smiling.

"No, just curious. It's not like anyone comes here without weight of some kind. You've played it close to the vest, probably for personal reasons. I respect that."
Jack thought but a moment.

"Remember our little discussion? The one after the break-in?" Duffy again smiled at Noda who again looked away. "I said my life had its' ups and downs. Let's just say that when I was a kid, one of those 'downs' I let affect me later in life. Led to some descisions ... regrets I'd soon not go into for the time being."

"Good enough I guess. Don't wanna' talk about it ... I'll take your word for it." This partly confirmed to Yuri that Duffy wasn't here by accident or mystery.

"I'm still flummoxed as to why THIS place. I certainly don't fit the demographic. The only connections I can possibly think of are minor ... I'm a casual student of history and I've some Japanese media in my vid collection. Other than that ..."

To be continued ...


xxxxx

1. See also Philippians 2:5-11 and Colossians 1:13-17.

2. See also Mark 9:43, 2 Peter 2:4 and Rev 19:20.

3. The proceeding is a repeat of "the Roman road" (Most of the verses are from the Book of Romans.) from after the end of Chapter 12. This pretty much explains the plan of salvation God has provided for the individual.

Romans 3:10-12 - 10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11) There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. 12) They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable; there is none that does good., no, not one.

Psalms 14:3 - They are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
 No one is blameless. If you have trouble wrapping your mind around this, think of it as you would an illness or physical condition. It is a state which we are born under.

Romans 5:12 - Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The how and why we are that way. Adam is the reason we're under the weight of sin and trapped in this deadly cycle of entropy, decay and death.

Romans 5:8 - But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus is the way out. The other side of the equation. With our acknowledgement of our sinbound state we can go on to have the Lord correct that.

Romans 10:13 - For whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 - 9) That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10) For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

This is the how in regard to Jesus. Do these and the cycle has no spiritual claim on you.

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus is waiting for you to answer. He has been there all along knocking. It could be you just didn't (Or didn't want to.) hear it.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Of course, it goes without saying, "Go and sin no more". I really stink at this. However, one should always keep going back and asking the Lord for guidance and strength to resist (It's called prayer.).

This is what's known as repentance, an active turning away from giving in to ones' baser instincts and it's an ongoing thing.

For guidance I strongly suggest one get in touch with a strong bible believing pastor/church in your area.

xxxxx

Again, I would like to thank Pastor Jon Powers, Chaplain of Ohio Wesleyan University, for his input during the writing of Chapters 12 and 13 of In Gods' Good Time.

xxxxx

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


In Gods' Good Time chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.


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Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Stupid Little Feminist Twit



Stupid Little Feminist Twit


So I'm at work at that cut-rate would be Wal-Mart that shall remain nameless. The night before, I passed a kidney stone. One of those star shaped ones with all the points. A real screamer.

I'm talking to one of my co-workers when I'm RUDELY interrupted by another. An annoying little adolescent just barley in her teens. Seems she was a bit put out about what I had just said.

I had just barely finished mentioning that I had a vague idea of what it was like to give birth when this tin pot Steinem ran over and jumped my case.

"Just what would you know about giving birth!?" She indignantly cried with a leer."Men know nothing about that! Men know nothing about blah blah blah this 'n that" and on and on she went.

Lets see ... Here I am, being berated by a mere slip of a girl who may have just passed menarche about a year or two ago at most, about giving birth. I doubt she had even had any experience at being "experienced" let alone at dropping at least one as the result of such. Of course, you can never tell these days. She was, after all, about the same age Traci Lords started out.

"Well, first of all hon," I started in reply, "I only said I had a vague idea. I made no claim of having first hand knowledge. Now you seem to be a young lady experienced in the ways of the world so maybe you can clue me in."

The would be crusader/PC warrioress drew back her head and stiffened up.

"So tell me ... How difficult was it with your first child and did it get any easier with your second and third?"

The little jerk turned, walking away, muttering something under her breath.

You know the old saying: "Engage brain before putting mouth in gear."

Also: "If you don't like what you overhear, then don't eavesdrop."

Just sayin' ...


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