54 : Never Again ##BEST##

Asta decides to call it a night and heads to his room. Magna and Noelle Silva are worried because it is unlike Asta to get tired. Finral reveals to the group what he overheard. Owen had told Asta that his arms would never be the same again. It is because a curse was placed on them and his bones are shattered. Vanessa Enoteca cannot believe it. Asta does not have any magic and now he cannot even use his only weapon. Instead of going to his room, Asta sits on a rock in a field. Everyone is hiding behind the trees watching him. Suddenly, Asta stands up and yells that he is not going to give up. That he will find some kind of way to fight. Everyone is relieved and proud of Asta for not giving up. Vanessa wonders if magic from a certain country could help Asta heal.

54 : Never Again

The next day, Asta goes into the living room but finds no one there except for Yami. Asta wonders where everyone could have gone to. He senses someone's ki so he follows it to find Noelle and Finral talking. Finral has just finished sending the team to different places. Their excuses were that something came up but he knows that they are all looking for a cure for Asta. Asta overhears this. Magna and Luck went to search a dungeon in the Forsaken Realm. Gauche and Gordon are researching hexes in the royal library. Charmy and Grey went searching for some unknown ingredients that might work against curses. He also overhears both Finral and Noelle calling him a no-magic peasant. But then both of them say that despite having no magic he is still the first one out in the field. Noelle says that it is their turn to help him.

For some, Studio 54 was a phenomenon that could never again exist. Writer Mick Joest described it as "one of those unique places that came around at the right place and right time, and nothing like it will ever happen again."

Chapter 54 The increase of the church by the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles. (1-5) Its certain deliverance. (6-10) Its triumphant state is described. (11-17) Verses 1-5 Observe the low state of religion in the world, for a long time before Christianity was brought in. But by preaching the gospel, multitudes were converted from idols to the living God. This is matter of great rejoicing to the church. The bounds of the church were extended. Though its state on earth is but mean and movable, like a tent or tabernacle, it is sometimes a growing state, and must be enlarged as the family increases. But the more numerous the church grows, the more she must fortify herself against errors and corruptions. Thy Maker is thy Husband. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. Long he had been called the God of Israel; but now he shall be called the God of the whole earth. And he will cleanse from sin, and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We never can enough admire this mercy, or duly value this privilege. Verses 6-10 As God is slow to anger, so he is swift to show mercy. And how sweet the returns of mercy would be, when God should come and comfort them! He will have mercy on them. God's gathering his people takes rise from his mercy, not any merit of theirs; and it is with great mercies, with everlasting kindness. The wrath is little, the mercies great; the wrath for a moment, the kindness everlasting. We are neither to despond under afflictions, nor to despair of relief. Mountains have been shaken and removed, but the promises of God never were broken by any event. Mountains and hills also signify great men. Creature-confidences shall fail; but when our friends fail us, our God does not. All this is alike applicable to the church at large, and to each believer. God will rebuke and correct his people for sins; but he will not cast them off. Let this encourage us to give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure. Verses 11-17 Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, think they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when full of the knowledge of God; for none teaches like him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All that are taught of God are taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times to succeed the tribulations of the church. Holiness, more than any thing, is the beauty of the church. God promises protection. There shall be no fears within; there shall be no fightings without. Military men value themselves on their splendid titles, but God calls them, "Wasters made to destroy," for they make wasting and destruction their business. He created them, therefore he will serve his own designs by them. The day is coming when God will reckon with wicked men for their hard speeches, ( Jude 1:15 ) . Security and final victory are the heritage of each faithful servant of the Lord. The righteousness by which they are justified, and the grace by which they are sanctified, are the gift of God, and the effect of his special love. Let us beseech him to sanctify our souls, and to employ us in his service.

As the former chapter is a prophecy of the humiliation and exaltation of Christ, of his sufferings and death, and the glory that should follow; this is a prophecy of that part of his glory which relates to the flourishing estate of his church, as the fruit of his death, and explains and enlarges upon the promise of his having a numerous seed. The prophecy reaches from the death and resurrection of Christ to his second coming; and describes the state of the church during that time, which had been like a barren woman, but now fruitful, which was matter of joy; and would increase, and have yet a more numerous issue, through the conversion and accession of the Gentiles; and therefore is bid not to fear, since she should not bear the shame and reproach of widowhood, Isa 54:1-4, the reason confirming which is, because Christ was her husband, who was her Maker and Redeemer, the God of Israel, and of the whole earth, Isa 54:5, and though she might for some time be under some dark providences, and seem to be forsaken of God, and lie under his displeasure; yet she is assured of the love of God towards her, that it is constant and perpetual; which is illustrated by the oath and covenant of God with Noah, and by its being more immovable than mountains and hills, Isa 54:6-10, and though she would sometimes be in a very afflicted and uncomfortable condition, yet should be raised again to a state of great honour and splendour, of spiritual knowledge, peace, and safety, Isa 54:11-14 and that all her enemies, that gathered together against her, should perish, and all their attempts be unsuccessful, since the Lord was on her side, and would defend her cause, and protect her, Isa 54:15-17.

I can see a strong parallel between these two shows. Both starts off with teenage boys who have no powers. Both of these boys have goals that at first seem unachievable. Then they both miraculously obtain an ability that sets them apart from everyone else. There are also other minor details such as rivaly between childhood friends and they both have entrance examinations. Also, Izuku and Asta both possess great determination. Both of them do not let their weaknesses hold them back. They continue to fight despite the fact that the odds are against them.

6 You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief, and God welcomed you back, Like a woman married young and then left," says your God. 7 Your Redeemer God says: "I left you, but only for a moment. Now, with enormous compassion, I'm bringing you back. 8 In an outburst of anger I turned my back on you - but only for a moment. It's with lasting love that I'm tenderly caring for you. 9 "This exile is just like the days of Noah for me: I promised then that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth. I'm promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down. 10 For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won't walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart." The God who has compassion on you says so.

I have learned more about myself in this past year than any other year, perhaps with the exception of becoming a mother for the first time. I have been faced repeatedly with stories I told myself that were simply not true. I believed that friends and acquaintances (and, of course, enemies) wanted to see me fail, that people would love nothing more than to see me unhappy. As if anyone is ever thinking about me that much. I believed I would never have sex again, period. Never be desired, never be happy, I would get everything I deserved by which, of course, I meant everything bad. I believed I was old and used up. That my life was over and I had wasted it on just one person, one relationship. What was the point?

This year has been a process of understanding the lenses and trick mirrors I have been viewing my life through, not just in the past year or two but almost since the beginning. I have needed other people to reveal these lenses and trick mirrors to me, over and over again. Frankly, I think there is only so much we can all do about this sort of truth seeking and fact finding on our own. Our self-perception is inevitably tied up in how others see us, too. Think of any major transition in your life where your social structure has been wiped clean, moving away to college or to a new city where you knew no one. Who are you, really? Are you who you think you are? Or who others think you are? And who gets a say?

All of the photos in this newsletter are from just the past 12 months, with the exception of the half photo in the header (from 2020). I wanted to remember the moments I decided to capture. How I physically looked. My weight dropped and rose and dropped and rose again, from depression then lust then happiness. I remember every single reason for every single image. I could never write anything that could press these memories into permanence for me the way these photos do. I know what each represent: despair, hunger, satisfaction, restoration, devastation, isolation, loss, anticipation, afterglow, joy, worry, fury, confidence, calm. The before and the after. And in one case in particular, straight-up ongoing hilariousness. 041b061a72