#ezra

[aromantisystem]

someone lingering in the back saw our bodily age being 23 and went “i don’t think that’s right that’s not how old i am” and the irony is really getting me

[insomniamamma]

Wip Wednesday

Thanks for the tag @oonajaeadira! I haven't written much lately, but i've got a couple little things I've been chipping away at.

This is a contemporary AU Ezra story, as an answer to @the-blind-assassin-12 's A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words challenge. This is the image i was given.

“Well that is an impressive armload of stories.” The man with the drawl grins at you from behind the help desk.You plop a good stack of science fiction bricks on the counter. Your eyes find his, deep and warm and bracketed in crows feet, all scruffy cheeks and dimpled smile, errant streak of brilliant white among his dark curls, like a splash of cream in black coffee. “I’m guessing you need a card before we get down to business.” “Yeah. How’d you know?” “Haven’t seen you around before,” he says, “Library patrons tend to be creatures of habit. And folks who are new to the library system or are returning after a long absence tend to grab as much as they can carry.”

This other thing is the barest sketch of a story. A flower shop AU, but Ezra is the florist and the reader is the tattoo artist. They share a grimy parking lot and a stray cat they both feed. One of the reader's clients requests a very specific floral tattoo, and reader struggles finding a non-ai reference photo so she pays her neighbor a visit. Unfortunately, this one already feels like it's going to have miles of backstory because i am incapable of keeping things short.

When the landlord flicks on the lights it doesn’t look like much. A tiny hair salon before, space enough for your chair and station and little else, but you can see the possibilities. The rest of the building split up into tiny studio apartments, including one just for you, lone window looking into the alley, battered dumpster and a riot of sunflowers growing against the chainlink fence. Space enough for your mattress and your computer desk. Bathroom that looks like something you might have designed in the Sims circa 2001, fridge and stove and sink and two feet of counter. It’s perfect

NP Tags: @writeforfandoms @grogusmum @quicax3 @artemiseamoon @the-blind-assassin-12 @fromthedeskoftheraven @bergamote-catsandbooks @keldabe-kriff and anyone else who wants to play

[tales-of-a-baked-jellyfish]

[tales-of-a-baked-jellyfish]

[christian-perspectives]

The Grace Of God, The Most Amazing Gift Ever

Grace is mentioned only ten times in the Old Testament. Most of what was written in that Testament centers around the Law. This writing, however, is not about the Law but about the grace of God.

God's grace is a free gift offered to anyone who wants it. This gift is amazing—indeed, it is the greatest gift you will ever receive.

“But now we have been given a brief moment of grace, for the Lord our God has allowed a few of us to survive as a remnant. He has given us security in this holy place. Our God has brightened our eyes and granted us some relief from our slavery.” Ezra 9:8

In the book of Ezra, his name isn't even mentioned until chapter 7. The king of Babylon permitted him to return to Jerusalem and help restore the worship of God among the people.

Only two chapters later, Ezra received a very disturbing report.

“Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.” Ezra 9:1

The people had intermarried with those pagan nations. Even worse, Scripture says that the leaders and officials had led the way in this outrage.

Upon hearing the news, Ezra sat down utterly shocked. He remained there all day in mourning until the time of the evening sacrifice.

“At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord my God and prayed.” Ezra 9:5

Recognize the Grace of God

It was during his prayer that Ezra recognized the brief moment the grace of God toward the nation. God had allowed a remnant of the exiles to survive and return.

That statement may sound exclusive at first, but it wasn't. Ezra understood that God's people needed to maintain an attitude of purity and holiness. Not a legalistic holiness based on rules and regulations, but a sincere devotion to God.

Ezra spoke of a brief moment of grace. As New Testament believers, however, we live under the fullness of the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

It's only through the grace of God that we can experience genuine purity and holiness. Yet God's grace does much more than that. It touches every area of our lives.

- We were saved by the grace of God when we believed. Ephesians 2:8 - Our strength for living comes through His grace. 2 Timothy 2:1 - Grace gives us right standing with God. Romans 5:21 - His grace is sufficient for us in all things. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - We receive grace and help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 - Grace trains us to live in a way that honors God. Titus 2:12

We Are Given a Choice

Romans 6 reveals an important truth about grace.

One of the remarkable features of grace is that it gives us the freedom to choose whom we will serve. Yet that same freedom carries responsibility, because our choices determine the direction of our lives.

“But choose carefully, for you surrender yourself to become a servant—bound to the one you choose to obey. If you choose to love sin, it will become your master, and it will own you and reward you with death. But if you choose to love and obey God, he will lead you into perfect righteousness.” Romans 6:16

The window to make your choice remains limited. Who or what you serve during this life remains your choice. The consequences of that choice, however, extend into eternity.

The grace of God makes salvation available to everyone, but each person must decide whether to receive it and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Life Application

- Never Take God's Grace for Granted. Every blessing of salvation, forgiveness, and spiritual growth flows from God's grace. Thank Him daily for what He has freely given. - Depend on Grace Rather Than Self-Effort. Holiness does not come through human determination alone. Grace empowers us to live in a way that honors God. - Run to the Grace of God in Times of Need. When you fail, struggle, or face difficulty, don't pull away from God. His throne remains a place of mercy, help, and restoration. - Choose Your Master Carefully. Grace gives us the freedom to choose whom we will serve. Make daily decisions that strengthen your obedience to Christ rather than your attachment to sin.

Dear God, thank You for Your grace. We are certainly not worthy of it. Yet because of Your love and mercy, You have made it available to us all. Help us to walk in Your grace, depend upon it daily, and use the freedom You have given us to serve You faithfully.

Check out these related posts on the grace of God. - How To Continually Rely On The Grace Of God - God Gives Grace To The Humble - His Yoke Is Easy - Rely On The God Of Grace - Draw Close To God And Not To The World - Romans 16, Paul's Final Instructions - Remember The Faithfulness Of God

[tales-of-a-baked-jellyfish]

[rubydreamsuwu]

i liked the new intervallo a lot