In 1887, Mr Arthur Henry Wallace of Houghton, Michigan came up with what he described as a new and useful improvement in shaving apparatus. And by shaving apparatus, Wallace clearly meant a doodad to hold and heat a brush.
Wallace’s doohickey was compact enough to be carried in a pocket or stowed away in a satchel. It would, he claimed, fulfil all the requirements for which it is intended. As long as the requirements is limited to forming a water reservoir, having a lamp to heat it, and having a built in shaving brush that wouldn’t touch the table when you put it down…
The drawing explain the thingamabob better than many words could. Which didn’t stop Wallace from using a lot of words.
Patent drawing for US patent 364,691
From the bottom up, we have:
A small spirit lamp, with a number of slits surrounding the wick. The slits would carry fresh air to the flame, as well as keep it from blowing out.
A conical cup forming a small water reservoir. This should be made of tin or other suitable metal. When the lamp was lit, the water would heat up quickly.
A cap or stopper that has a shaving brush attached to one side. The flange should be wide enough that the brush isn’t submerged completely The cap should also fit snuggly to keep the water from spilling.
On the other side of the cap is a handle made from flattened heavy metal. The shape and weight had two benefits. Firstly, it would make sure the brush couldn’t roll away. Secondly, the heavy handle would raise the wet bristles in the air.
And that is about it.
As for the use? Wallace offers this description in the patent text:

The water to be heated for use is placed in the reservoir of the body and the lamp lighted and fitted in the socket at the bottom of the body. The openings a in the wall B of the body permits the entrance of air to support combustion, and also the escape of all products of combustion. The flame of the lamp heats the water in the reservoir of the body in a very short time, and this water may be used both to temper the razor and provide the water for lathering the brush.

There is little doubt to my mind that Wallace’s thingamajig would work as intended. And it would make sense back in the day when people didn’t have hot water from the tap, or even an easy way to heat water in the bathroom. More than one and a quarter century later, Wallace’s gadget would be little more than a cupboard filler and dust collector.
I still want one though.
You can read the full patent on Google Patent. If you enjoy this sort of thing, why not check out some of my other posts on shaving patents and oddeties?

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

So I’ve seen a few similar posts about this same problem on the sister sub, but I think my situation is a little different. I commissioned some artwork from a very famous artist. They have a very distinct style, and it’s all based on a couple of characters they created. I have purchased at least 15, maybe more pieces from this artist through several different galleries. I once saw a sketch of theirs that I fell in love with, but it turns out that it was a piece made for their child, not for sale and not replicated.
Years later and I have now met the artist several times at various gallery showings and they were kind enough to sign pieces I had previously purchased that I had brought with me. This artist is known for being gracious, patient, and generous to their fans and the galleries they work with. A few years after that, I was still coveting the simple sketch I saw and so I contacted the gallery I purchase from the most and asked if the artist would do a commission. I couldn’t find the original sketch I fell in love with after a LOT of looking, so I described the piece to the best of my ability and even included some other work done by the artist that is very similar as an example. The sketch was very simple in that it didn’t have a bunch of stuff for me to describe. No background, just the character and one object. I specifically said that I didn’t care about the medium used, but that the situation the character should be in should be the same as the example piece I sent them and that I wanted the character to be wearing a specific hat, also the same as what was in the example piece. (The example piece just had a different character.)
The gallery told me that the artist doesn’t take commissions, but they would ask about the piece I had once seen. After speaking to the artist, the gallery told me they had good news: the artist would take the commission and they knew the piece I was referring to. That’s how I found out it was a sketch for their child and was not included anywhere in their works for sale. The gallery actually forwarded my email with all the description and example artwork to the artist.
They required half as a deposit. This amount alone was several thousand dollars. I agreed to pay the other half when I received the artwork, as is usual. I did not ask for a mid progress update because the piece I wanted replicated (essentially) was so specific, and the artist said they knew which one I was talking about. Their style does not ever change, no matter the subject. I have never commissioned anything before, and the gallery did not suggest it, so we did not have a contract. I didn’t even know that was a thing, although it makes total sense now.
Fast forward 6 months, and I just received word from the gallery that the piece is done and on it’s way to the gallery. The artist snapped a pic and forwarded it. I cannot even express how disappointed I am with it, especially after being so excited to get it. The situation of the piece is fine, but they didn’t just put the hat on the character, they changed the character! I don’t know how to explain it without identifying the character, but the artist put, let’s say certain features on their original character that changed it into a mixture of their creation and another very well known character from a major franchise who normally wears the hat I asked for. I hope that kind of makes sense. As an example, Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat wears a distinctive hat. I essentially asked for the artist’s character to wear an iconic hat, like the one from Cat in the Hat. But instead, they took their character, and combined it with the Cat plus the Hat. Like they took the tail and ears from the cat and put it on their character along with the hat. Anyway, I think it looks absolutely horrible and has ruined the character and artwork altogether, IMHO. The medium is pen and ink, so the artist would have to redo it completely.
I don’t know what to do. Who am I to critique an artist’s vision, their hard work, their creativity? I have since found a picture of the original piece that they did for their child. I like it 10x better than what I will be receiving. A friend suggested that I don’t say anything and just keep it because the artist is so famous that maybe the piece, being a one and only original might increase substantially in value, but I wouldn't know. The artist has become so prolific in the years since I first started collecting their artwork, that I don’t know if that will hold true. (FYI, I know nothing of art value, I just know what I like and I buy it when I can.) I could always talk to the gallery, who will then no doubt contact the artist, but the biggest problem with that is that the artist doesn’t take commissions, made an exception for me, and now I’m telling them I don’t like their work. I would feel absolutely terrible, and even if they took it well, I think how that would work is that I would be out my deposit at the least, and that’s a whole lot of money to lose. I don’t know if I’m allowed to sell it, and even if I am, is that morally ok? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

On the first part of the journey I was looking at all the life There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings — Some British Band

I'm taking my R1S on its first long trip! The cat and I are going from the San Francisco Bay Area in California to Illinois. The cat isn't used to being in a car or traveling. What could go wrong?!
The visit to Illinois isn't for fun. I'm spending a month there for random health stuff that's not the purpose of this post. But the trip there and back should be fun. I've never seen some of those states before, except from the air, which doesn't really count, neither does being in an airport in a state. We're going to rough it as well. I would love to have had the top-of-car tent, but it wasn't in the cards. Instead, we would find a campsite and sleep inside.
Nibbler (a.k.a. cat) and I (a.k.a. food giver) left on Memorial Day. Now, before you tell me how stupid I am, firstly I all ready know, but also everyone in the Bay Area heads to Tahoe for a long weekend (or really every weekend, if we're being honest). We got to skip some pretty bad traffic jams that we saw in the opposite lane.
I can't describe to you how beautiful the Sierra Nevadas are—the towering mountains, the Truckee River, the fresh air, the sudden drop with only a 6-inch lip of asphalt to keep you from tumbling to your doom, the sun. Arriving in Truckee, we pass Donner Lake. I reflect upon how the Donner Party left from my hometown, late in the year, and with far too much luggage for the trip (including an absolutely ridiculous two-story covered wagon). How they decided to take a route no one else had ever taken. How they ended up dying and eating each other. And I realize that I hadn't eaten for a good three hours and can empathize. Luckily, Truckee has some pretty good restaurants! Ahhh....Margherita Pizza...
There's a paradigm shift when you own an electric vehicle. You begin to notice how many gas stations there are and how few chargers are around you. There's a lot more planning around how far it is to the next charger. This comes around to bite me in the butt not once but twice on this trip. Though the first time I blame on the guidance system...
The day ends uneventfully. We set up "camp" at a place south of Silver Springs, NV.
The next day, the first butt biting!
To Be Continued

I've been driving small roads on and off for a while. Long story short I was driving and me and mom got lost (we pretty much were driving around the back side that's usually not busy and missed a turn somewhere and ended up driving down a mountain) My driving was fine the people behind me kept having a crap attack...
5 people passed me illegally today even though I was doing the speed limit. 3 of them on the damn curvy ass mountain, I got honked at the green light even though it literally wasn't green for one second, had a corvette driver ride my ass the entire time on the mountain because I slowed down for the super tight curves in an unfamiliar road. I also had 2 pull out in front of me without using a blinker today.
I'm a new driver this was my first time in a bigger town and I hated every second of it. I can drive fine. Driving isn't my issue, it's the fucking idiots that damn near cause me to wreck and give me a headache the 2nd I get home.

The 3.5e rogue had some interesting, albeit situational abilities they could use at the cost of sneak attack die on a successful hit. Some of them don’t really work in 5e, or are not balanced very well. If you were to bring those into 5e, what would you change? It would be nice to add some options to your turn instead of just attacking sometimes.

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

So… I ate the Spider-Verse Whopper from Burger King. Everybody warned me not to. My stomach is slowly glitching like the spider that bit Miles. My body’s atoms are deteriorating as a super collider is opening inside of me, and it feels as though the entire spider society is crawling through the inside of my body. Because of this whopper, my immune system is now a multiversal threat, with Doctor Strange, Kang, and Spider-Man 2099 already on their way to help save the world of this burger that has entered into me. I feel as though this burger gave me something special. A “Spider-Sense” of sorts. I think this Spider-Sense also made my thoughts a lot louder. I now sense danger before it happens. I can also stick to walls, turn invisible, and Venom blast things. My muscles have grown increasingly stronger. My eyesight is above and beyond. I can jump higher than I used to. My speed, reflexes, agility have grown. This burger has transformed my human capabilities into something… more. Along with that I’ve developed a sticky substance called “web fluid” that allows me to swing off of buildings, and slingshot myself across the city. I feel like I too can wear the mask. I too am THE Spider-Man, the Spider-Man dedicated to this universe. Instead of New York, I will protect my own city from all the evil that may be lurking around. Because, as this Burger told me before I ate it, With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility. Remember, anyone can wear the mask. Peter Parker wore the mask, Miles Morales wore the mask, and now I can wear the mask. They got their start from a radioactive spider, I got mine from a radioactive burger. Because this is my story now. Now, it’s my turn. My time to take a leap of faith, because the city needs me, it needs its very own Spider-Man.

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

PC

Discord Username: jade#8765
Character Name and House: Robin Royce
Age: 23
Appearance: There is a roguish charm to Robin Royce, or at least there was. It's the kind of charm that shocks those who see it. His face is scarred, and when he rarely smiles those scars shift and crease. Brown, shaggy hair falls down over his head and his jaw is marked with a thin beard, a sign of a lack of focus on his appearance.
He stands at six feet flat, with broad shoulders and a muscular frame that is constantly hidden beneath thick clothing and plate armour. It is almost as if he has something to hide - and he does, with his back covered in runes reading 'Run Before Your Blood Runs', the words inscribed around the sigil of his house, and a reminder of his time in the captivity of the Mountain Clans.
Gift: Duelist
Skills: Swords (o), Berserker, Defender (e), Logistician
Talent(s): Walking in Nature, Drinking, Training Regimens
Starting Title(s): Lord of Runestone
Starting Location: King's Landing
Family Tree: Here
Alternate Characters: Not. Yet.

AC

Character Name and House: Deana Royce
Age: 22
Appearance: If her brother's roguish charm is diminished by loss and grief, it is like Deana has never experienced a bit of that in her life. If her face is ever absent a smirk, it is because she is grinning, or has her lips together to kiss some pretty woman. Brown hair covers nothing - it frames small features, sharp like knives - pulled back as it is.
She is five feet and nine inches, with a slight and soft build. Deana oft dresses well, in rich fashions purchased at Gulltown markets and commissioned from tailors renowned the world over, but so too does she dress in cloaks and jerkins and other clothes that allow for freedom of movement. After all, you can't sneak into a girl's bedroom in a ballgown, can you?
Gift: Autodidactic
Skills: Burglar, Cautious, Espionage, Beastmaster (Cat)
Talent(s): Swimming, Writing, Drinking, Singing
Starting Title(s): Scion of Runestone
Starting Location: King's Landing

Timeline

• 184 AC - Robin Royce is born to Ser Gilwood Royce and his wife Aemma Grafton, their eldest and only son.
• 185 AC - Only a year later, Deana Royce is born.
• 187 AC - Ser Gilwood and his brother Ser Godric go to war in Dorne, answering a request from the elder brother’s friend - the then-Crown Prince Maelor Targaryen. Both men prove themselves in the conflict. Gilwood retains the respect of his brother-in-arms, commanding the small detachment of Valemen in the Red Mountains, whilst Godric proves himself as a swordsman. It is not all glory, however - Godric’s legs are wounded in a charge, and he will never walk again. When they return, they are heroes. Those who are left, at least.
• 189 AC - In the wake of the conflict, another child is born, a sign of the restored peace. She is named Arwen Royce.
• 193 AC - Yorwyck Royce, Lord of Runestone, passes. Gilwood inherits his title, and only moments after his ascendance puts a sword in his son’s hand and tells him to use it. Robin begins his training, and at a young age is put on a path for violence.
• 197 AC - Gilwood is more a commander than a swordsman, and with his brother’s injuries failing to heal, he chooses to end his son’s stay in Runestone. Robin is sent off to squire for Ser Elys Corbray, a man who he knows can teach the skills required to wield Lamentation. At Heart’s Home, the young man meets and befriends Rolley Grafton and Roslin Corbray. They become an inseparable trio, though Rolley and Roslin are far closer. Robin finds himself drawn to the daughter of House Corbray, but knows his limits. He finds himself drawn to other pursuits, along with honing his skill at arms.
• 199 AC - Deana listens to her sister talk her ear off about a boy she met, and realises she has never felt the same. Instead, the eyes of serving girls have met hers for far too long. She fails to come to terms with it quite then.
• 199-202 AC - Robin finds his ability to fight outmatches those of his friends, and builds a confidence bordering on egotism. He begins to drink, and by the time he is of age, he begins to sleep around. On a return to his home, he finds himself embroiled in more than a few arguments with Ser Roland, a knight of Coldwater Burn. The two become fierce rivals.
• 202 AC - Ser Elys knights his squires. Roslin and Rolley are betrothed, and Robin congratulates them - in a note, that is, as the newly minted Ser Robin leaves Heart’s Home in the night. He does not return home for a while. Deana is betrothed to Alesander Hawthorne, of the West. She is quite unhappy with the arrangement, but Gilwood promises her it is for her own good.
• 202-203 AC - Robin tours Westeros, using his absence and his relative lack of fame to get away with everything. He drinks, he fights, he spends nights in the beds of women all across the realm. Some adventures are successful - lovers across the realm remember his name and rivals remember the bite of his sword - and some are not. One particularly poor example happened on a visit to the capital, where an attempt at seducing Princess Daena turned into the first scar upon his face. It would be one of many. In the meantime, in the Vale, Deana Royce avoids the danger of the Remonstrance, visiting a friend in Gulltown. She is shocked by the event, and thanks the gods for her survival.
• 203 AC - News of the Remonstrance finally reaches the knight, and he is distraught. Present in King’s Landing at the time, a letter is sent from Runestone summoning him home. Irresponsible though he is, Robin does not deny his father’s demand.
• 203-204 AC - The reason for his summoning becomes imminently clear. Lord Gilwood is gathering armies for a war against the Mountain Clans with the approval of the High Steward, and men from all across the Vale gather at Runestone. For the first time in a few years, Robin finds himself reunited with Roslin and her betrothed. He finds himself a section of the army as far away from the pair as possible, initially, but cannot stay away. They remain his friends, and they fight together. WIthin only a few battles, things become a terrible mess. As the first of many tragedies, Ser Rolley is slain by a man of the mountains. He is quickly avenged, but saving him becomes impossible. Both of the surviving members of the trio have little time to grieve, as Roslin is almost captured. Only Robin’s self-sacrifice, surrendering himself in her place, saves her from a grim fate. Beaten, bruised, and bleeding, the young heir to Runestone is carried off into the hills. Meanwhile, Lord Gilwood fights his own battle. Lamentation keeps him strong, but the ageing man cannot match up to his many foes. Hearing of the capture of his son, the Lord of Runestone is distracted and distraught. He is fatally wounded. As he lies bleeding, he summons his son’s rival to his side. Bestowing the Valyrian Steel of his house upon Ser Roland, he bids the knight to save Robin as he passes. He follows his duty. Sneaking into the clan’s camp, the knight of Coldwater Burn finds the newly ascended Lord of Runestone caged and battered. He looks unrecognisable, besides a few consistent scars upon his face. And, branded into his back, are the runes written around the edge of his house’s sigil - in the old tongue, ‘Run Before Your Blood Runs’. Lamentation is placed into his hand as they make their escape, and he proves that not even a thousand wounds can stop him from fighting. In the wake of his saving, Ser Robin apologises to the knight for his previous actions. From that day onward, he begins to change.
• 204 AC - Now a quieter, more caring man, Robin assumes his duties as Lord of Runestone well. He does his duties, and carries his grief upon his shoulders. United in loss, Robin finds himself growing closer to his old friend, Roslin Corbray. His old affection turns to something more as he trains her beyond even the lessons Ser Elys taught them. No longer does he travel the realm, searching for pleasure in distant places. He finds his purpose in the mountains of his home. In the meantime, his sister does travel. Grief affects Deana differently. Her brother dissolves her betrothal, much to the amusement of her betrothed and the anger of her betrothed’s father. Instead, he arranges a betrothal between their younger sister Arwen and Garlan Crane, son of the Warden of the Prince’s Pass. In the meantime, Deana seizes her newfound freedom. Her tour is narrower and less violent than her brother’s, but the purpose is much the same. She spends much of her time in Gulltown, though sails down to Driftmark and the capital when she can.
• 207 AC - Very little changes for the Royces. Robin finds himself building the confidence to admit the truth to his student and closest companion, and Deana finds herself torn between her freedom and her budding love for one of her many flings. As they head to King’s Landing, the lives they have led threaten to close in on them. What matters, mostly, is that they are ready to confront them - well, Robin is. Deana… is like to be taken unawares.

Archetyped NPCs

• Ser Godric Royce - b. 162 AC - Skill: Tactician - Once a phenomenal fighter, and the wielder of Lamentation, Ser Godric suffered an injury to his legs in the Red War that forced him to give up the sword for good. That has not made him a docile man, however. Spending time with his brother has honed his mind for battle, and now Gilwood is gone he has stepped into his position. With a specially constructed saddle, the ageing knight of the realm has once more returned to the battlefield as a commander.
• Lorra Royce - b. 188 AC - Skill: Architect - House Royce’s position as one of the realm’s powerful houses gives them the opportunity to undergo some of the greatest education known to Westeros. None have utilised that more than Lorra, the only daughter of Ser Godric. She has a perceptive and sharp mind, and as her cousins find themselves distracted by their passions and own talents, it has started to fall on the young woman to ensure Runestone keeps up with a developing realm.

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

And after the tech left at 4pm, my house was at 75 degrees with an outdoor temp of around 87/88. It took 4 hours for my house to drop 1 degree to 74. Is this normal? I originally called the company because this has been an ongoing issue since last year. The system never cools or cycles. I have to continually turn the temp up on the thermostat to give the thing a rest. Tech determined txv valve was the issue. It almost seems like nothing has changed and I’m out $700. The air coming out of the vents is somewhat cold so could it be a insulation issue? I’m in south east MI and my house has no problem maintaining heat in the winter so I’m not sure. Also to add This AC unit is only 8 years old, a 2.5 ton unit on a 1200 sq ft house. The air also blows pretty strong through the vents. Not sure what to do. Ecobee thermostat.

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

So… I ate the Spider-Verse Whopper from Burger King. Everybody warned me not to. My stomach is slowly glitching like the spider that bit Miles. My body’s atoms are deteriorating as a super collider is opening inside of me, and it feels as though the entire spider society is crawling through the inside of my body. Because of this whopper, my immune system is now a multiversal threat, with Doctor Strange, Kang, and Spider-Man 2099 already on their way to help save the world of this burger that has entered into me. I feel as though this burger gave me something special. A “Spider-Sense” of sorts. I think this Spider-Sense also made my thoughts a lot louder. I now sense danger before it happens. I can also stick to walls, turn invisible, and Venom blast things. My muscles have grown increasingly stronger. My eyesight is above and beyond. I can jump higher than I used to. My speed, reflexes, agility have grown. This burger has transformed my human capabilities into something… more. Along with that I’ve developed a sticky substance called “web fluid” that allows me to swing off of buildings, and slingshot myself across the city. I feel like I too can wear the mask. I too am THE Spider-Man, the Spider-Man dedicated to this universe. Instead of New York, I will protect my own city from all the evil that may be lurking around. Because, as this Burger told me before I ate it, With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility. Remember, anyone can wear the mask. Peter Parker wore the mask, Miles Morales wore the mask, and now I can wear the mask. They got their start from a radioactive spider, I got mine from a radioactive burger. Because this is my story now. Now, it’s my turn. My time to take a leap of faith, because the city needs me, it needs its very own Spider-Man.

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)

The Holy Spirit is a fire that grows inside us. The greater this fire grows, the more of Yah’s work can be done, the more His will is made manifest, and the greater faith and peace we feel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
Our goal should be to have the Holy Spirit burn brighter in us, to let the fire grow. The way we do this is by doing spiritual activities like reading the Bible, meditating on it, and watching Biblically-related videos. Working on self-improvement through exercise and education is also important, so long as we do these activities for the purpose of glorifying Yah, and do not let them feed us prideful thoughts.
In addition, we should avoid activities that “quench the Spirit”. What happens when a bunch of dirt and earth is thrown on top of a fire? The fire begins to fade. Similarly, when we do earthly activities, the Holy Spirit starts to dim in us. (I got this analogy from the Philokalia)
This dynamic of either growing or quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit becomes very apparent once we seriously depart from worldly activities and commit much more time to spiritual activities.
For example, my old friends and I used to often gossip and speak rather vulgarly with each other. Eventually I removed those people from my life, and starting spending much more time alone, studying the Bible and listening to Biblical preachers. As a result, the fire of the Holy Spirit started to grow in me; I started to feel the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Then one day I found myself amidst co-workers who were chatting in the vain manner that I regularly used to. I didn’t say anything, but just being in their circle truly pained me. When I finally removed myself from their company, I felt like I had been drained, like the fire of the Holy Spirit inside me had been dimmed. Thankfully, the fire can be reignited so long as we bring our focus to Yah and spiritual activities.
Another example occurred yesterday. I was spending a lot of time on social media viewing things that serve no good purpose. I used to do this every day, but recently I had cut back significantly. When I started doing it again yesterday, I could feel my energy and focus being wasted, but the prideful nature of social media kept me distracted. Thankfully, I was able to reignite the fire once I separated from the technology, and started reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying.
This is one of the many blessings of having the Holy Spirit burning inside you, that it clearly lets you know when you are moving in the wrong direction and doing things that dim Its fire. We just need to have the guts to listen to it and take action.
Something that has let me avoid quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit in the first place is striving to be patient, and asking myself before turning on the TV, opening my laptop or checking my phone — Is there a good purpose for doing this, or am I feeding my vain desire, the pride of the life, lust of the flesh and eyes? Ask yourself before doing anything, do I really care to do this thing, or is this just a vain habit? What is controlling me? Even more important is keeping Yah on our minds as much as possible. Remain in prayerful conversation with Him. Pray that every action you take aligns with His perfect will. Desire to be controlled by Yah.
How do we get the Holy Spirit in the first place? First and foremost, ask Yah for it, genuinely desire it.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Then, do a combination of the things that grow the Holy Spirit and prevent it from being dimmed. Stop spending time with bad company, stop watching dirty websites, and start reading the Bible more, watch more Biblically-relevant videos. Spend much more time seeking to grow and educate yourself than entertaining and pleasing yourself. And even when you occasionally do something entertainment related, keep Yah on your mind the entire time, and keep your eyes open for Biblical lessons. When you become entrenched in studying the Bible and spiritual growth, you realize that there is a Biblical lesson in just about everything.
Overall, we must be willing to actually depart from the ways of this world, learn the truth, apply the truth to our lives, and be set apart.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yah. (Romans 12:2)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of Yah abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, that Yah has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yah: for Yah cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:12-17)