In Summary: * Arthritis aches, clumsiness, and soreness more significant today than normal. The wife says it's probably because the weather has suddenly turned cooler. She may be right.

Prayers, etc.: * My daily prayers.

Health Metrics: * bw= 219.36 lbs. * bp= 128/81 (65)

Exercise: * kegel pelvic floor exercise, half squats, calf raises, wall push-ups

Diet: * 07:30 – nachos chips with meat and cheese sauce, * 11:30 – sausages, rice pudding, chicken and vegetables * 17:30 – home made stew, white bread and butter

Activities, Chores, etc.: * 06:20 – bank accounts activity monitored * 06:30 – read, pray, listen to news reports from various sources, and nap * 13:00 – following the Colts vs. the Chiefs NFL Game * 16:00 – now following NCAA men's basketball, Howard Bison vs Duke Blue Devils. * 18:30 – follow news reports from various sources. * 19:10 – listen to relaxing music and quietly reading until bedtime.

Chess: * 10:50 – moved in all pending CC games

Many have seen the footage. Far fewer know its tangled backstory.

Is it an early‑2000s hoax or a genuine recording of an unknown craft? The video, also referred to as the Pordenone UFO, has a surprisingly intricate timeline and a long trail of debate behind it.

The video first attracted international attention in 2005, when Italian-American researcher Paola Harris presented a fourth-generation copy at the 36th Annual MUFON International Symposium in Denver, Colorado. Harris, who was then living in Italy, stated that the footage had been supplied by an anonymous source who associated it with the Aviano area. The identity of the original cameraman has never been established, and the severe degradation caused by repeated copying has made detailed analysis difficult.

The video:

How the Aviano UFO Video Emerged

The story begins with an anonymous VHS tape.

The footage was allegedly recorded in 2003 near the NATO air base in Aviano, Italy. In 2004, a VHS copy of the video was sent anonymously to the well‑known Italian ufologist Antonio Chiumiento, accompanied by a brief but ominous message:

“Ho paura” (“I am afraid,” in Italian).

The tape was subsequently sent to other Italian ufologists in the following months.

Despite receiving the material in 2004, Chiumiento chose to keep the video confidential at first, allowing time for further analysis. The footage only became public in 2005.

That year, Italian‑American journalist and ufologist Paola Harris presented the video at two major events:

• The 36th MUFON Symposium, in July 2005, in Denver, Colorado
• The International UFO Congress, in Laughlin, Nevada

The versions that later circulated on YouTube were largely derived from a DVD of her MUFON presentation.

Harris stated that she received a fourth‑generation copy from an anonymous source claiming it was filmed near Aviano Air Base. She believes the object is likely a terrestrial military prototype, specifically a remotely piloted vehicle, and says analysis in Boulder, Colorado, indicated a real physical object rather than pure CGI. The operator’s precise framing at the moment the object appears is seen as evidence of a planned test rather than a random sighting.

Paola’s statement:

This old video, which I have been showing for three years, was not provided to us, Italian researchers, by the Air Force. It is not one of our technologies. I had the tape analyzed in Hollywood by my friends Rob and Rebecca Gordon, who had the contacts and financial means to do so. This is a seventh-generation cassette tape. It was given to us without explanation. It is a real object that we see in the film. It was shown in my presentations at MUFON and in Laughlin, and then someone uploaded it to YouTube and Google. The video was filmed in the Veneto region, in Italy, in a place called Ponte di Giulio, near the NATO airbase in Aviano. It is a dry riverbed where the military was conducting maneuvers, and the cameraman had set up a tripod and was waiting for the object to emerge from the forest. I doubt that aliens appeared in that location.

Paola Harris’ Clarifications

In response to growing doubts over the tape’s origins and credibility, Harris published a statement to address the controversy. In summary, she emphasized that:

• The video was not supplied by the Italian Air Force or any official military source.
• She had the tape analyzed in Hollywood by trusted contacts who had both technical expertise and financial means to do so.
• The material came to Italian researchers as a seventh‑generation copy, already degraded and without a clear explanation.
• Analysts concluded that the object in the footage appeared to be a real, physical object, not merely a computer‑generated overlay.

Harris also described the filming location: a dry riverbed in the Veneto region, near a place called Ponte di Giulio, close to the Aviano NATO air base. According to her, military exercises were being conducted in the area, and the cameraman had set up a tripod, apparently waiting for the object to emerge from the treeline. Despite this, Harris herself expressed skepticism that the object was extraterrestrial, suggesting instead that it might have been some kind of advanced terrestrial technology.

On‑Site Investigation: Pinpointing the Location

Investigators Antonio Pischiutti and Stefano Saccavino visited the Ponte di Giulio area near Montereale Valcellina (province of Pordenone, Italy) to locate where the UFO video was filmed. They identified the exact spot on the left bank of the Cellina River, under the iron bridge on the SS 251 road. Based on the environment and perspective, they estimated the object was about 150–200 meters from the camera, moved from north‑northwest to south‑southeast, and was roughly 6–8 meters in diameter.

The area is heavily associated with military activity (near Aviano Air Base, test ranges, and a small emergency runway), as well as a nearby hydroelectric structure visible in the footage.

Photo taken by Investigators Antonio Pischiutti and Stefano Saccavino

The investigators noted that the region has a history of alleged anomalous events, including supposed teleportation, a crop circle, a possible abduction, strange lights near Mount Raut, and recurring UFO reports near the Aviano base. They suggest the area might be either a hotspot for “extraterrestrial raids” or a kind of “Dreamland” for exotic military aircraft. They find the footage impressive, especially when the object suddenly darts away, but admit that the object initially looks too sharp and perfect compared to the background, raising doubts.

Aviano Air Base:

Their work, published online and now Archived here.

The investigation focused on:

• Verifying that the landscape in the video matched the real‑world environment
• Estimating the possible size and distance of the object
• Reconstructing the trajectory of the UFO

Pischiutti and Saccavino concluded that the location shown in the footage is consistent with an area near the SS 251 highway, a region of archaeological and military relevance, not far from Aviano Air Base.

Location:

Google maps

Based on their calculations, they estimated that the object was approximately 6 to 8 meters in diameter. It appeared to move from north‑northwest to south‑southeast, crossing the frame rapidly before disappearing. If genuine, such behavior raises questions about the craft’s propulsion and nature. However, the poor quality of the available footage severely limited their ability to reach definitive conclusions.

Digital Analyses and Suspicions of a Hoax

In parallel, researcher Giuseppe Garofalo, from the SIRIO Nucleus, examined three different versions of the Aviano video available online. His analysis highlighted several suspicious features, including:

• Apparent transparency effects in parts of the object
• Subtle shape changes during motion
• Anomalies suggesting the possible use of a physical model combined with CGI

Giuseppe Garofalo analyzed the three versions of the video found online and found inconsistencies and anomalies: transparency effects in the object’s structure, apparent shape changes, odd filters and noise, a brief on‑screen timer, and mismatched lighting. He suspects digital manipulation, possibly involving a small physical model combined with computer graphics.

He concludes that the footage, especially in its online forms, is unreliable, although he argues that without the original video and direct witnesses, it’s premature to dismiss it purely as simple CGI.

The Blur Argument: “One Is Real, the Other Is Not”

One of the more striking fraud claims came from a user known as “onthefence” on the OpenMindsForum (unfortunately, their full analysis appears to have been lost and is not easily retrieved, even via WebArchive).

According to this researcher, the alleged UFO displays a blur pattern that differs significantly from the background. While some took this as evidence of a hastily rendered 3D model, onthefence argued that the discrepancy was more likely related to the contrast difference between the bright object and the darker landscape in the original footage.

Given the very low quality of the early online uploads, he argued that typical “pulsing” artifacts from quick 3D rendering would probably not be visible. Instead, he interpreted the mismatched blur as strong evidence that the saucer and the background were two separate layers: one genuine, one not. In short, the video appears to show a composite image rather than a single, coherent recording.

A Military Prototype?

Despite the fraud accusations, Paola Harris has maintained a different position. When she presented the video at the MUFON Symposium in Denver in 2005, she suggested that the object was likely a remotely controlled military prototype, not an alien spacecraft.

According to Harris, further analysis conducted in Boulder, Colorado, treated the object as a physical craft, not as CGI. A 3D reconstruction by Alberto Forgione supported this, depicting the craft with movable triangular thrusters, implying an advanced, deliberate design rather than a simplistic hoax.

Media Coverage and Circulation Online

In 2004, the Italian regional TV channel Antenna Tre Nordest, based in Treviso (Veneto region), aired a report on the footage, helping to spread awareness of the case in Italy.

The recording of that news report can be watched here.

Some of the oldest copies of the Aviano UFO video available online today appear to have been uploaded to YouTube nearly two decades ago. You can watch it here.

Over time, various stabilized, enhanced, and zoomed versions have appeared, each adding new layers of interpretation, but not necessarily more clarity.

Stabilized version:

The Alleged Witness: Stefan’s Testimony

In 2019, a Swiss YouTube channel dedicated to UFO sightings featured an interview with an alleged witness to the Aviano case. The man, an Austrian named Stefan, claimed that he was traveling through Europe with his wife and son when he and his son saw the Aviano UFO at the same time it was filmed from the riverbed. That interview can be watched here.

Stefan asserted that the video is authentic and matches what he personally observed. However, his testimony remains impossible to independently verify. There is no definitive way to confirm whether he genuinely witnessed the event, misinterpreted something, or is simply repeating information he encountered later.

Stefans sketch of the sighting:

An Unresolved Mystery

In the end, the Aviano UFO case sits in a grey zone.

• The location appears to be accurately identified.
• Multiple researchers have confirmed that the setting matches a real, specific place near Aviano Air Base.
• Technical analyses have found both suspicious digital artifacts and signs suggesting a real three‑dimensional object.
• At least one alleged eyewitness supports the footage’s authenticity, but without solid corroboration.

What we do not have is the original, first‑generation recording or a fully documented chain of custody. The surviving copies are degraded, incomplete, and sometimes modified. This makes a final judgment extremely difficult.

As things stand, we cannot say with absolute certainty whether the Aviano UFO video is a clever hoax, a misidentified secret prototype, or something even stranger. The evidence is limited, the material fragmentary, and the investigations, while sincere, are ultimately inconclusive.

What can be said with confidence is that the story behind this footage, and the decades‑long debate it sparked, make the Aviano UFO one of the most intriguing and enduring cases in modern ufology.

What do you think?

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There are moments in Scripture when time seems to slow, the world seems to quiet, and the Holy Spirit draws us toward a scene so intimate, so full of divine weight, that we almost feel like we shouldn’t breathe too loudly while reading it. John Chapter 3 is one of those moments. It is not a public sermon. It is not a miracle performed before a crowd. It is not a confrontation or a spectacle. It is a conversation—quiet, hidden, unfolding in the shadows of night between a respected Pharisee named Nicodemus and the Son of God Himself. Yet within this hushed encounter lies one of the most explosive revelations in the entire Bible: the truth about rebirth, salvation, and the unstoppable love of God that reaches across eternity to rescue humanity.

Before the world ever memorized John 3:16, before preachers built sermons around it, before it became the most quoted verse in history, Jesus sat with one searching, uncertain, quietly desperate man—and began to unfold the mysteries of heaven.

Some of the most life-changing truths God will ever give you don’t arrive in crowds. They arrive in your own midnight moments.

John 3 is one of those holy midnights.

As we explore this chapter slowly, deeply, and reverently, we will walk through its layers of meaning: the identity of Nicodemus, the nature of spiritual rebirth, Jesus’ revelation of God’s love, and the profound implications of stepping from darkness into light. And along the way, we will examine how this same message speaks directly into the life of every believer who longs for renewal, forgiveness, hope, and clarity.

Somewhere within the top portion of this journey, it’s important to anchor your heart to the same foundational truth people search for around the world. The phrase born again meaning has become a global question—a cry for identity, purpose, transformation, and a second chance. And it is precisely this longing that Jesus chose to address in the stillness of night.

John Chapter 3 is not merely a teaching; it is an invitation.

It invites you to revisit your beginnings. It invites you to confront your hesitations. It invites you to rediscover how deeply you are loved. And it invites you to walk into the kind of life only God can breathe into you.

Today, let us sit down softly beside Nicodemus, listen carefully to the words of Jesus, and let this encounter unfold as if it were happening in front of us—because in many ways, it still is.

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NICODEMUS: THE MAN WHO CAME AT NIGHT

Before Jesus ever spoke a word of revelation, Scripture introduces us to Nicodemus with quiet precision. He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and a man of reputation. Pharisees were known for strict adherence to the law, deep religious discipline, and intellectual mastery. They were respected socially, admired religiously, and feared politically. The Sanhedrin—of which Nicodemus was a member—oversaw major judgments, religious disputes, and matters of spiritual authority.

But despite all the law he memorized, all the rituals he performed, and all the public honor he received, something in Nicodemus remained unsettled.

This is the first truth John 3 gently lays upon our hearts:

Religious standing does not equal spiritual understanding.

Nicodemus knew the Scriptures, but he did not yet know the Author.

He believed in God, but he did not yet understand His heart.

He followed the rules, but he did not yet grasp the relationship.

This is why he came at night. Not merely to avoid being seen by other leaders… But because his own understanding was still in the dark.

Nicodemus came with questions, with caution, with curiosity, and perhaps with the smallest flicker of hope that the Messiah might be standing in front of him. He begins with respect—perhaps more respect than any other Pharisee showed Jesus in His entire ministry:

“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him.”

Nicodemus approaches Jesus better than most leaders of his day. He does not begin with hostility, traps, accusations, or arrogance. He begins with acknowledgment.

But acknowledgment is not the same as transformation.

Nicodemus recognizes the miracles. He recognizes the divine activity. He recognizes the authority.

But he does not yet recognize the mission.

So Jesus cuts straight through the respectful introduction and goes directly to the heart of Nicodemus’ real question—one Nicodemus didn’t even know how to articulate:

“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

It is here that the entire conversation shifts. Nicodemus thought he was meeting a teacher. But teachers expand your knowledge. Messiahs expand your existence.

Jesus wasn’t trying to improve Nicodemus’ understanding. He was trying to recreate Nicodemus’ identity.

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THE SHOCK OF REBIRTH

Jesus’ words strike Nicodemus like lightning.

Born again? Born anew? Born from above?

To Nicodemus, nothing about this idea made sense. This was not a concept found in the Torah. Not a phrase in the prophets. Not a principle in rabbinic teaching.

And certainly not something someone like him— a respected elder— expected to hear.

Nicodemus responds with confusion: “How can a man be born when he is old?”

You can almost feel the weight of his struggle. He is torn between logic and longing. He is wrestling with the impossibility of what Jesus is saying— yet something inside him knows there is truth here.

Jesus’ reply goes deeper:

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

With these words, Jesus reveals something astonishing:

Salvation is not behavior improvement— it is a spiritual resurrection.

To be born again is not to become a slightly better version of yourself. It is not to clean up your habits, attend more services, or correct your errors. It is not self-help with religious language. It is not moral polishing or behavioral refinement.

Being born again is the miracle God performs when He takes a spiritually dead person and breathes life into them from heaven.

It is re-creation. A new beginning. A divine rebirth. A transformation that cannot be achieved through effort but only received through faith.

This is why Jesus says: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

He is not insulting the flesh; He is identifying its limitations.

The flesh can achieve strength, discipline, intellect, reputation, and status— but it cannot achieve salvation.

Spiritual life cannot be produced through natural effort.

Only the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Only God can awaken what is dead inside us. Only heaven can open the door of heaven.

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THE WIND OF THE SPIRIT

Jesus then uses an analogy so simple and yet so profound that its meaning has echoed through centuries:

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

He is saying:

You cannot control the Holy Spirit. You cannot manipulate Him. You cannot predict Him. You cannot contain Him.

You can only receive Him.

The Spirit moves freely. He convicts hearts. He awakens souls. He redirects lives. He brings revelation. He creates new beginnings.

You don’t always understand the details of how He works— but you see the evidence of His presence. Just as you see leaves move in a breeze, you see lives transformed by the Spirit’s touch.

Nicodemus is stunned. His entire framework is being dismantled. All he ever knew was human effort. All he ever excelled at was human righteousness. All he ever trusted was human interpretation.

But Jesus is offering him something he cannot earn, cannot achieve, cannot master.

He must receive it.

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THE MOMENT JESUS REVEALS HIS IDENTITY

Nicodemus asks again, “How can these things be?”

And Jesus responds not with rebuke, but with revelation:

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man.”

For the first time in this conversation, Jesus directly reveals His identity—not merely as a teacher, not merely as a miracle worker, not merely as a prophet, but as the One who came from heaven itself.

And then Jesus connects His mission to an ancient story Nicodemus knew well: Moses lifting the bronze serpent in the wilderness. When the Israelites were dying from venomous bites, God instructed Moses to lift a bronze serpent high on a pole; those who looked upon it lived.

In the same way, Jesus says, the Son of Man must be lifted up— that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

It is here, right here, that the meaning of rebirth begins to crystallize.

Looking at the serpent did not require intelligence, rituals, credentials, or achievements.

It required trust.

Rebirth begins in belief. Belief is the doorway to transformation. And transformation is the work of the Spirit.

Nicodemus came seeking answers. Jesus offered him salvation.

Nicodemus came seeking understanding. Jesus offered him rebirth.

Nicodemus came seeking clarification. Jesus offered him eternity.

And it is at this moment—this quiet, private moment— that the most famous verse in Scripture emerges.

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THE VERSE THAT SHAPED HISTORY

If the Bible had chapters made of fire, John 3:16 would burn the brightest.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Stop for a moment. Slow your thoughts. Let every word rest in your spirit.

God… so loved.

Not barely loved. Not reluctantly loved. Not conditionally loved. Not occasionally loved. Not institutionally loved.

God so loved.

He didn’t love a world that loved Him back. He loved a world that ignored Him, rebelled against Him, denied Him, and crucified Him.

He loved a world that chased sin. He loved a world that turned away. He loved a world that didn’t want Him.

And yet He still gave.

He gave His Son— not when you became obedient, not when you became spiritual, not when you became morally clean, not when you had it all together.

He gave His Son while humanity was still lost.

This is the heartbeat of John Chapter 3: Rebirth is not something you earn. Rebirth is something God offers because love compelled Him to.

THE LIGHT THAT CALLS US OUT OF THE SHADOWS

John does not stop at the declaration of God’s love. He moves immediately into the reality that stands beside that love: the human tendency to remain inside the shadows. Jesus explains that God did not send His Son to condemn the world. Condemnation was never the mission. Jesus did not come as a judge holding a gavel—He came as a Savior holding a lantern. He came to offer rescue, healing, redemption, and new life. But He also reveals a sobering truth: “Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

This is one of the most revealing statements Jesus ever made, because He exposes the core issue behind spiritual resistance: it is not ignorance, it is preference.

Darkness feels familiar. Darkness feels comfortable. Darkness hides what we don’t want exposed.

And Jesus does not expose darkness to humiliate us—He exposes it to heal us. Before rebirth can happen, the soul must confront the truth about itself. Nicodemus came at night. Perhaps he assumed darkness would protect him. Perhaps he didn’t want to be seen. Perhaps he was unsure of his own motives. Perhaps he didn’t want to admit how much he was longing for something more. But Jesus invites him into the light of truth—not to shame him, but to liberate him.

You may not realize this yet, but John 3 is not just a theological conversation. It is an emotional one. It is a deeply personal one. It is a gentle confrontation between the life we cling to and the life God longs to give us.

And every one of us, in some way, has approached Jesus in the night. In the places where we feel uncertain. In the moments where we hide our questions. In the seasons where we carry doubts we don’t know how to express. In the nights when our faith is shaken but our heart is still reaching.

Nicodemus represents every believer who has ever longed for God but feared exposure. He represents every soul who wants transformation but doesn’t know how to begin. He represents the human spirit caught between reputation and rebirth.

Yet Jesus does not push him away. He does not mock his confusion. He does not judge his hesitation. He does not reject his quiet approach.

Jesus simply shines light— and invites Nicodemus to step into it.

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REBIRTH: A TRANSFORMATION OF IDENTITY, NOT BEHAVIOR

Many Christians misunderstand rebirth and reduce it to external changes. They assume being “born again” means becoming well-behaved, morally polished, or religiously active. But Jesus did not say, “Unless a man becomes better.” He said, “Unless a man is born of the Spirit.”

Rebirth is not your achievement; it is God’s workmanship.

You are not the architect of your salvation— you are the recipient of God’s mercy.

When God saves you, He does not repair the old self—He creates a new one. He does not patch up your spiritual condition—He resurrects you. He does not adjust your identity—He replaces it. He does not modify your heart—He transforms it.

The Greek word Jesus uses points to a new origin, a new genesis, a new beginning. You are not who you were. You are not defined by your failures. You are not chained to your past. You are not imprisoned by your old desires. When you are born of the Spirit, you are changed from the inside out.

This is why Paul later writes in 2 Corinthians, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Not a modified creation. Not an upgraded creation. A new creation.

Nicodemus worried about entering the womb a second time. But Jesus was concerned about entering his heart.

Rebirth is God doing for you what you cannot do for yourself.

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THE JOURNEY FROM SHADOW TO LIGHT

Jesus explains that those who walk in truth come to the light so their deeds may be made manifest. This is not a statement of pressure—it is a statement of freedom. Walking in the light means living in a way where nothing needs to be hidden. You don’t have to hide mistakes. You don’t have to bury guilt. You don’t have to live under shame. You don’t have to pretend to be perfect. You don’t have to run from God when you fail.

To be born again is to be drawn toward transparency. To be born again is to delight in truth. To be born again is to walk in clarity. To be born again is to embrace honesty before God.

Light becomes your comfort rather than your fear.

This is where many Christians struggle. They think stepping into the light means exposing themselves to judgment—but stepping into the light actually exposes you to healing. Jesus does not use light to punish; He uses light to transform.

Your rebirth is not fragile. Your salvation is not temporary. Your standing with God is not conditional. Your identity is not based on performance.

When God makes you new, He makes you fully new.

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NICODEMUS AFTER JOHN 3 — THE SILENT TRANSFORMATION

One of the most beautiful aspects of John 3 is that the chapter closes without telling us Nicodemus’ response. He fades from the scene. We are left without closure. We do not hear him profess faith. We do not see him follow Jesus openly. We do not witness a public display of devotion.

But transformation had begun.

Nicodemus reappears twice more in Scripture—and both times, his courage grows stronger.

First, in John 7, he defends Jesus before the Pharisees, urging them to give Jesus a fair hearing. It is the first glimmer of light in him becoming visible.

Then, in John 19, Nicodemus appears at the crucifixion carrying an extravagant mixture of myrrh and aloes—seventy-five pounds worth—to anoint the body of Jesus. This was not a cheap gesture, nor a quiet one. It was public. It was costly. It was dangerous. It was bold. It was honorable.

Nicodemus, who once came at night to avoid being seen, now stands in broad daylight at the foot of the cross.

Rebirth had done its work. Light had conquered darkness. Transformation had taken root. Courage had replaced timidity. Faith had replaced uncertainty. Love had replaced fear.

This is what Jesus does to every heart that yields to Him. This is what the Spirit accomplishes in those who receive Him. This is what it means to be born again.

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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU TODAY

John Chapter 3 is not simply a historical account—it is a present-tense message for anyone who feels stuck, tired, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry. It is God’s reminder that you do not need to fix yourself to come to Him. You come to Him to be remade.

If you are weary, Jesus offers rest. If you are broken, Jesus offers restoration. If you are confused, Jesus offers clarity. If you are hurting, Jesus offers healing. If you are searching, Jesus offers truth. If you are hiding, Jesus offers light. If you are lost, Jesus offers salvation.

You can be born again. You can begin again. You can live again. You can walk again— not as the person you were, but as the person God designed you to be.

The world may not understand this transformation. Your past may not predict it. Your circumstances may not reflect it. Your emotions may not always feel it.

But heaven declares it. Christ makes it possible. The Spirit makes it real. And God rejoices over you as His child.

This is the miracle of rebirth. This is the power of love. This is the truth of John Chapter 3.

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A FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THIS CHAPTER

You don’t need to come to God with perfect understanding. Nicodemus didn’t. You don’t need to come with perfect faith. Nicodemus didn’t. You don’t need to come in the daylight. Nicodemus didn’t.

You simply need to come.

Jesus will meet you wherever you are— even if you come in the night.

And once you encounter Him, everything begins to change. Slowly at first. Quietly perhaps. But steadily. Faithfully. Beautifully.

Until the day you can stand in the brightest light, unafraid, unashamed, and fully alive.

This is rebirth. This is grace. This is salvation. This is the love of God.

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CONCLUSION

John 3 is one of the most sacred conversations ever recorded. It is not merely theology—it is the heartbeat of the gospel. It shows us a God who loves beyond measure, a Savior who reveals truth with compassion, and a Spirit who gives new life to anyone who believes.

If your heart longs for a new beginning, John 3 whispers the same message today that Jesus spoke by candlelight two thousand years ago:

“You must be born again.”

Not as a demand. But as an invitation. A gift. A promise. A miracle waiting to unfold.

Because God so loved the world. Because God so loved you.

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— Douglas Vandergraph

jeg våknet med følelsen av at jeg hadde gått meg vill i mitt eget ansikt igjen, at natten hadde strukket seg inn i meg som en skygge jeg ikke helt husker hvor kommer fra. kanskje det var lyset i rommet i går, det røde, billige, som gjorde huden min flat og tankene mine skarpe på feil steder. kanskje det var henne, måten hun lente seg bakover når jeg lente meg frem, som om jeg var noe man kunne justere seg bort fra. jeg sa noe jeg ikke mener, jeg sa noe jeg kanskje mener for mye, jeg sa det jeg aldri pleier å si høyt: liker du meg? og hun svarte på en måte som fikk rommet til å tippe over, en sånn svak setning som ikke holder noe, som en dør som ikke lukker seg helt. jeg vet ikke hva som skjer med meg når mennesker trekker seg unna akkurat i det jeg prøver å forstå dem, det er som om hele kroppen min faller sammen i et stille ras og jeg blir mer 14 enn 25, mer datter enn kvinne, mer gjenferd enn person. jeg tenkte på herman etterpå, ikke på han egentlig, men på hvordan jeg plutselig ble redd for å være for trygg, for myk, for gjennomskinnelig. jeg kjente den gamle panikken i meg, den som sier: løp før noen ser deg virkelig, løp før de får holde deg fast, løp før du blir en av dem som kjefter på mannen sin på gata fordi hun ikke klarer å bære seg selv lenger. jeg vet det er irrasjonelt, men det er som om kroppen min husker ting jeg selv har glemt, som om minner bor i margene og ikke i hodet. jeg prøvde å gjøre meg lett igjen, gjøre meg ung, bitende, uansvarlig, den gamle estetikken av å være litt farlig, litt ukjent, en versjon av meg selv med løs kant og løse regler. men det satt ikke som det pleide. jeg merket det i måten huden min strammet rundt ansiktet, måten lyset traff håret mitt, måten jeg ikke kunne forsvinne inn i jenta jeg brukte å være. jeg tror det var der det knekte, den lille pausen mellom to versjoner av meg, der alt jeg har vært er for lite og alt jeg skal bli er for stort. jeg ser meg selv fra utsiden og det er akkurat som å se en kvinne som forsøker å passe inn i et rom som ikke tåler henne. jeg hater den følelsen. samtidig vet jeg at det ikke er rommet som skal gi etter, det er jeg som skal gå. noe i meg forandrer seg nå, langsomt, nesten umerkelig, men nok til at jeg kjenner det i måten jeg trekker pusten på, måten jeg ser inn i speilet og ikke blunker. det er en ro der som skremmer meg mer enn kaos noensinne gjorde, en ro som sier: du er ferdig med dette, du er ferdig med dem, du er ferdig med å tøye deg selv ned til nivåer som ikke holder deg. jeg tror jeg blir kvinne nå, på den stille måten, den som ikke annonserer noe, ikke forklarer seg, ikke rister på rommet for å bli lagt merke til. jeg tror jeg vokser inn i noe jeg ikke helt vet hvordan jeg skal bære ennå, men det bærer meg, og det er kanskje nok for nå. jeg har gått rundt i dag som om kroppen min ikke helt vet hvor den skal plassere seg. litt høyere enn bakken, litt tyngre enn gulvet tåler. jeg merker at jeg er mer stille enn vanlig, ikke fordi jeg ikke har noe å si, men fordi alt inni meg føles som et rom jeg ikke vil invitere folk inn i før jeg har sett det selv i dagslys. jeg kjenner det i skuldrene, i pusten, i måten jeg beveger hendene på, som om jeg samler noe fra meg selv som har lekket i lang tid. det er nesten komisk hvordan jeg har gått og trodd at edge kommer fra fart, uro, flukt, når det egentlig er denne stillheten som er farlig. jeg kjenner en ny tyngde bak øynene, en som ikke er tristhet, bare klarhet. en sånn “jeg er ferdig”-klarhet, uten dramatikk, uten oppgjør, bare en ren, ubønnhørlig erkjennelse. hun som satt i rødt lys i går finnes ikke i dag. det er rart hvor fort man kan skifte hud når sjelen har bestemt seg. jeg har ikke snakket med henne, venninnen, og jeg tror ikke jeg kommer til å gjøre det heller. jeg orker ikke være den som holder rom for mennesker som ikke tåler at jeg fyller mitt eget. det føles nesten lett å slippe, ikke som et tap, bare en avlastning, som å ta av sko som klemmer. jeg har tenkt mye på herman også, men ikke med panikk, ikke med den der uroen som river i brystet. mer som en rolig puls i bakgrunnen, en påminnelse om at jeg må lære meg å være trygg uten å tro at trygghet tar noe fra meg. det er kanskje den største frykten min: å bli myk og miste kraften. men når jeg kjenner etter nå, midt i denne merkelige overgangen, så er det som om kraften vokser i mørket, ikke i støyen. jeg trenger ikke bite noen i armen for å føle meg levende. jeg trenger ikke løpe fra rommet for å føle kontroll. jeg trenger ikke være ung for å være farlig. det er som om kroppen min har begynt å skrive sin egen alfabet nå, et som ikke handler om overlevelse eller bekreftelse, men om retning. jeg vet ikke helt hvor jeg skal, men jeg vet hva jeg er ferdig med. og det er nok. det er mer enn jeg har hatt på lenge. jeg tror dette er en av de dagene man kommer til å huske, ikke for hva som skjedde, men for hvem man sluttet å være. jeg merker at jo mer jeg tenker på det, jo mer føles det som om kroppen min har ligget litt foran tankene mine den siste tiden, som om den har skjønt for lenge siden at noe måtte endres, men at jeg fortsatt prøvde å holde fast i gamle vaner, gamle dynamikker, gamle rom som ikke passer meg lenger. det er nesten som å se et bilde av seg selv i et vindu og ikke kjenne igjen uttrykket, ikke fordi jeg er forandret over natten, men fordi jeg endelig har begynt å se det som alltid lå under alt bråket. jeg kjenner det i magen først, en slags tung klokkeklang som sier: slutt å være så tilgjengelig, slutt å være i rom du har vokst fra, slutt å la folk få tilgang til deler av deg de aldri kommer til å forstå. det er ikke sint, det er bare sant. i dag gikk jeg forbi et speil og så meg selv på en annen måte, ikke penere, ikke styggere, bare mer meg, mer hel, mer uhørt av andres forventninger. jeg tror jeg er i ferd med å slippe en hel epoke, og det er kanskje grunnen til at alt føles litt skarpt, litt sårt, litt vakkert samtidig. det er rart hvordan jeg alltid trodde at identitetsendringer kom med store hendelser, dramatiske brudd, noe som gjør det lett å si: her endret alt seg. men det som skjer nå er stille, nesten ømt, som om jeg bretter meg ut av et lag jeg ikke trenger lenger. jeg kjenner også at jeg trekker meg litt tilbake fra mennesker uten å være bevisst på det, ikke i protest, ikke i frykt, men i en slags naturlig seleksjon av energi. hvem tåler meg når jeg ikke spiller en rolle? hvem tåler meg når jeg ikke er den morsomme, den kaotiske, den spontane? hvem tåler stilheten min, skyggen min, dybden min, når jeg ikke lenger fyller den med glitter? det er et merkelig spørsmål, men jeg kjenner at svarene kommer fortere enn jeg vil innrømme. jeg mister ikke folk. jeg mister bare fasader. jeg sov litt i ettermiddag, ikke fordi jeg var trøtt, men fordi kroppen min ville hvile, og det føltes nesten som å falle inn i et rom der tankene mine ikke gjør motstand. jeg drømte at jeg var på vei et sted, alene, men ikke ensom, bare klar. klar for noe jeg ikke hadde formulert ennå. da jeg våknet, var det som om hele kroppen min pustet litt dypere, som om jeg endelig hadde sluttet å holde magen mot ryggraden av ren vane. jeg vet ikke hva som skjer med meg akkurat nå, men jeg vet at det er riktig. og det gjør ikke vondt, ikke egentlig. det bare river litt i det gamle. det er sånn vekst kjennes når man endelig slutter å løpe fra den. noe i meg går videre, og jeg lar det.

Hello it’s me again. Again on the sofa with a cute dog resting on my lap.

Sorry I haven’t written for so long; I’m going through some stuff.

Speaking of which:

There’s nothing I don’t love about dogs.

Anyway

Outside, a coat of ice is covering the ground like clear gloss varnish, making a seemingly mundane task of grocery shopping into a death defying nightmare.

Danger!

But nonetheless, out we went into the cold darkness, and back we came with some essentials such as gingerbread flavoured yoghurt, coco pops and even some milk.

This what some would say oppressive weather — a small taste of what is to come — is visible through the windows — where the wards are: the Christmas lights — strengthens the joy and merriment of being inside.

Picture that scene from Lord of the Rings in which Frodo and the others are chased by the Nazgûls, but nonetheless they hide in Frodos little house for a cozy dinner; safe for a brief moment.

It’s like that exactly.

The cute cat-sized agility dog had in the meanwhile somehow jumped onto the kitchen table. He had his knitted jumper on. In his maw there was a slice of gluten free pizza.

That memory I will cherish.

I love dogs

There are moments in Scripture where God stops us, stills us, and whispers something so profound that we must read it slowly. Let it rise. Let it breathe. Let it lift our understanding beyond the ordinary rhythm of Christian life. 1 Corinthians 12 is one of those moments.

This chapter is not merely a description of spiritual gifts. It is the blueprint of how heaven designed the church to function. It’s the spiritual architecture of the body of Christ. It’s a revelation about identity, purpose, calling, unity, and the divine intention behind every believer’s existence.

It is also a chapter that cuts through the fog of comparison, insecurity, burnout, spiritual envy, and misplaced identity. In Paul’s message to Corinth, God is talking to you — right where you sit, right where you stand, right where your heart is wrestling with the questions:

“Do I matter in the body of Christ?” “Do I have a calling?” “Is there something God crafted me to do?” “Where do I fit?” “What is my purpose?”

This long-form reflection is written for you — the believer who is hungry for clarity, thirsty for calling, longing for alignment with the will of God. This article is designed to meet Write.as readers where they are: craving depth, craving meaning, craving truth that is slow enough to savor and strong enough to change you.

In the next few pages, we will enter the landscape of 1 Corinthians 12 and see what God was truly saying. And in the top quarter of this article, you will find a meaningful teaching that further opens the doorway of understanding through the anchor text spiritual gifts — the most searched platform-specific keyword aligned to this topic.

Learn more about spiritual gifts in this powerful teaching.

Now breathe. Settle your spirit. And let the Word of God unfold like a map of destiny.

---

PART I — THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEXT

Before a single gift is mentioned, before any instruction is given, Paul begins with a reminder of their past:

“You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray…” (1 Corinthians 12:2)

Paul is saying:

“Don’t forget the miracle of your salvation. Don’t forget who rescued you. Don’t forget who you once were.”

Why start there?

Because your spiritual gifts make no sense apart from your spiritual transformation.

Gifts without identity lead to arrogance. Gifts without foundation lead to confusion. Gifts without humility lead to chaos.

Paul wants them — and us — to understand that gifts are expressions of grace flowing from the Spirit who saved you, not badges that elevate you above others.

He then pivots:

“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

Paul plants a flag right here: Every believer already stands on miraculous ground.

You cannot confess Christ authentically without the work of the Spirit. If you are saved — the Spirit is already active in you. If the Spirit is active in you — gifts are already possible through you.

This is the foundation of everything that follows.

---

PART II — THE THREE LAYERS OF GOD’S DESIGN

Paul presents three distinct patterns:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.” “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” “There are different kinds of workings, but the same God…” (1 Corinthians 12:4–6)

Look carefully. He lists:

• Gifts • Service • Workings

These are not random words. They represent an entire spiritual ecosystem.

1. Gifts — what God places inside you

These are divine enablements. Spirit-given capacities. Supernatural empowerment. Not personality traits. Not talents. Not interests. Gifts transcend natural ability.

2. Service — where your gifts operate

Your gift is the what. Your service is the where. Not every gift manifests the same way in every environment. God aligns gifts with assignments.

3. Workings — the results only God can produce

This is the fruit, the outcome, the manifestation. This is what makes ministry miraculous — the results do not depend on you.

This three-layer structure matters because it destroys the illusion that giftedness equals superiority.

God gives the gift. God assigns the service. God produces the result.

You are simply the vessel.

This is meant to eliminate pride and create gratitude.

---

PART III — THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT

“To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

Pause here. Let this sentence soak into your spirit.

To each one. Not to pastors only. Not to the theologically trained only. Not to the confident, bold, extroverted, or born-into-ministry only.

To each one means YOU.

The Spirit placed something inside you that heaven intends to reveal through you.

Next phrase:

“The manifestation of the Spirit…”

A gift is not merely a skill. It is the Spirit expressing Himself through your life. Your gift is heaven speaking through human hands, human voices, human hearts.

Final phrase:

“…for the common good.”

Your gift is not a decoration — it is a contribution.

Your gift is not a trophy — it is a tool.

Your gift is not about your spotlight — it is about the health of the body.

When you don’t use your gift, the body suffers. When you hide your gift, the church walks with a limp. When you compare your gift, heaven’s design is disrupted.

You exist for the common good.

---

PART IV — THE GIFTS THEMSELVES

Paul lists nine gifts in this chapter. You may have read them before, but read them now slowly:

• Word of wisdom • Word of knowledge • Faith • Gifts of healing • Working of miracles • Prophecy • Discernment of spirits • Various kinds of tongues • Interpretation of tongues

Let’s walk through each one with the depth they deserve.

1. Word of Wisdom

Not human wisdom. Not intelligence. This is divine clarity for decisions, answers, strategies, and direction that humans cannot generate alone. Wisdom from above.

2. Word of Knowledge

Insight about situations, people, or truths that the Spirit reveals supernaturally. Knowledge that breaks confusion and opens understanding.

3. Faith

Not saving faith. Not general belief. A supernatural surge of trust in God for impossible moments. This gift moves mountains.

4. Gifts of Healing

Plural — gifts. Different manifestations. Physical, emotional, relational, spiritual healing.

5. Working of Miracles

Literal divine intervention. Situations where the natural order is shifted by the Spirit’s power.

6. Prophecy

Spirit-empowered proclamation of truth, revelation, or instruction that strengthens, comforts, and builds up.

7. Discernment of Spirits

The ability to distinguish truth from deception, divine from demonic, holy from counterfeit.

8. Tongues

Spirit-inspired speech beyond human language. Mysteries uttered to God.

9. Interpretation of Tongues

Understanding or expressing the meaning of tongues for the edification of the body.

Paul makes one thing clear:

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)

You don’t choose your gift. You discover it. You steward it. You surrender to it.

But you don’t control it.

This keeps us humble. This keeps us dependent. This keeps us united.

---

PART V — THE BODY OF CHRIST: A HOLY MYSTERY

Now Paul takes us deeper. He shifts from gifts to identity. From empowerment to embodiment.

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

This means:

• You are not a standalone believer. • You are not an independent operator. • You are not a freelance Christian.

When you entered Christ, you entered His body. Christianity is not a solo act — it’s a shared life.

The Body Metaphor

Paul describes the church as a body — not a machine, not an organization, not a hierarchy — a living organism.

This means three things:

1. Diversity is essential. A body with one part is not a body.

2. Interdependence is mandatory. No part thrives alone.

3. Unity is divine. The body functions because each part is connected.

Paul then unleashes one of the most poetic explanations in all of Scripture:

“If the foot should say, ‘Because I’m not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.” (1 Corinthians 12:15)

The foot feels inferior. The foot compares itself to the hand. The foot questions its value.

Just like many believers do today:

“I can’t preach.” “I’m not as gifted as her.” “I’m not as visible as him.” “I can’t do what they do.”

Paul says: “You still belong.”

Your feelings do not cancel your calling. Your insecurity does not erase your identity. Your comparison does not disqualify your gift.

Then Paul attacks the opposite problem:

“The head cannot say to the feet: ‘I don’t need you.’” (1 Corinthians 12:21)

Arrogance is as destructive as insecurity.

The gifted cannot dismiss the quiet. The visible cannot ignore the hidden. The strong cannot despise the weak.

In God’s economy:

Every believer is essential.

Every part needed. Every gift precious. Every person placed by God.

---

PART VI — WHEN THE BODY SUFFERS OR FLOURISHES

Paul adds:

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

This is the definition of spiritual community.

Not gossip. Not division. Not comparison. Not silent jealousy.

But:

• shared joy • shared pain • shared honor • shared mission

When the body is spiritually healthy:

The gifted celebrate the gifted. The quiet celebrate the loud. The visible support the hidden. The mature lift the weak. The strong protect the fragile. The whole body moves as one.

This is God’s vision for His people.

---

PART VII — ACTIVATING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT

Now let’s become practical.

It is not enough to know your gift exists. You must activate it.

STEP 1 — Pray for revelation

Ask: “Holy Spirit, reveal what You placed in me.”

God will answer.

STEP 2 — Examine what builds others through you

Where do people grow when you show up? Where does clarity rise when you speak? Where does healing increase when you pray? Where does encouragement flow when you serve?

Your gift often leaves footprints.

STEP 3 — Identify what drains you vs. what fills you

Spiritual gifts energize, not exhaust. A gifted teacher can teach for hours. A gifted encourager can lift ten people without depletion.

STEP 4 — Ask others what they see

The body recognizes its own gifts. People notice what God placed in you.

STEP 5 — Serve consistently

Gifts grow with use. The Spirit matures what you practice.

---

PART VIII — COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS

Misunderstanding #1 — Gifts are the same as talents

No. Talents are natural. Gifts are supernatural.

Misunderstanding #2 — Gifts make you important

No. Gifts make you responsible.

Misunderstanding #3 — Some people get all the gifts

The Spirit distributes individually as He wills. Nobody has everything. Nobody has nothing.

Misunderstanding #4 — Gifts replace character

Never. Gifts demonstrate God’s power. Character demonstrates Christ’s nature.

Both matter.

---

PART IX — WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH TODAY

If the church embraced 1 Corinthians 12 fully:

• Division would collapse. • Competition would die. • Jealousy would disappear. • Passivity would break. • Every believer would rise. • Every community would strengthen. • Every calling would flourish. • Every spiritual environment would expand.

The world would see not a fragmented Christianity — but a united body.

A living Christ. A breathing church. A people aligned with heaven’s design.

---

PART X — YOU ARE NEEDED IN THIS GENERATION

You are not alive in 2025 by accident. You are not part of the church today by coincidence.

The Spirit placed something in you — something heaven needs, something the church needs, something people around you need.

You carry:

A gift. A calling. A function. A role. A purpose. A responsibility. A divine assignment.

You are part of the body. You are necessary to the body. You are cherished by the body. You are empowered for the body.

Paul ends the chapter with a sentence that still echoes:

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Not metaphorically. Not symbolically. Not theoretically.

Literally.

You — yes, you — are part of the most important living organism on earth: the body of Jesus Christ.

Rise into that role. Stand in that calling. Move in that gift. Honor what heaven placed within you.

Because the body needs you. The kingdom needs you. Your generation needs you. God designed you.

And in Christ — you belong.

---

END OF ARTICLE REQUIREMENTS

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#spiritualgifts #bodyofchrist #christianpurpose #faithjourney #holyspiritpower #unityinchrist #douglasvandergraph

– Douglas Vandergraph

Colts vs. Chiefs

Nearly halftime as I start following the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Kansas City Chiefs NFL game, with the Colts leading 14 to 9.

Remembering the years I lived in Indy, I always try to cheer for Indianapolis teams.

And so the adventure continues.

Entstehung einer Zeichnung

Dunkelblaue Vater-Geborgenheit lässt wertvolles Gold entstehen

#Vater

13 November 2025

Continuing to work with humanless interiors. Bathrooms specifically. About to paint the one I've been assigned at this sublet. But what I have in mind has less to do with making a record of the space and more about creating something that can subdivide itself in the way that these places do in my memory as I burn through them. Discovered, serendipitously, Artschwager's Door Window Table Basket Mirror Rug drawings for the first time. Have been holding Door Window Table Basket Mirror Rug #10 (1974). Of the genesis of the series, he has said:

I flipped to a drawing of an interior, a room I had once occupied, and made a list of the six objects that were in it. I decided to take this as an instruction to make one drawing, then another, and another, and so on. The instruction endured and I “played” those six objects like I play the piano—I guess you could say that it was some kind of fugal exercise.

At this point I'm not interested in a fugal exercise as such, but I am interested in perceptual change located in something static and how I can technically approach rendering that change in a way that subtly points beyond the confines of observed forms.

Einsamkeit

Draussen in der dunklen Kälte

Allein auf dem schwarzen See (aber der Mond erhellt die Nacht)

#Therapie

News & Notes on Brand New Shield:

The podcast is now live. It is hosted by Spreaker. Thank you Spreaker and parent company iHeart for being such a great host for the podcast. The introductory episode is up. It will probably take a couple episodes to get the quality to where I want it to be as this is my first time using Spreaker to create and host a podcast.

You can check the podcast out here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/brand-new-shield--6795388 (You might have to copy and paste in your browser if the link doesn't work).

Brand New Shield also has a chirp.me page which you can check out at: https://www.chirp.me/brandnewshield (You might have to copy and paste in your browser if the link doesn't work).

There is also a Discord server which you can access from the chirp.me page. A website is also in the works and once that is up and running I will post the appropriate information here once that time has come.

Some topics the next few posts on here will cover include scheduling, player safety, ownership structures, and the rules. The podcast will cover gambling and media along with a special Hall of Fame episode none of you will want to miss.

I just wanted to update everyone on what has been going on. Thank you all for following along, I really do appreciate it.

Galería Completa

una pàgina [val/ca]

Aquesta intervenció artística forma part d'un llibre d'artista col·lectiu, que tracta de definir la diversitat de veus i mirades des del pensament artístic que construeixen el grup d'investigació ABERTURA, és una pàgina. Es tracta d'una de les pàgines de l'edició de la meua novel·la La Dansa dels Margarides, publicada en valencià/català l'any 2010. Cada pàgina ja està signada amb un fragment de la meua pròpia escriptura, literària, a la qual se superposa la meua escriptura pictòrica. Una intervenció pictòrica vinculada a eixa forma que tinc d'entendre el món, com a successió d'esdeveniments de forta energia impulsiva i que guarden una relació permanent entre ells.

De la mateixa manera, a com els meus textos tenen una relació directa amb els traços, les taques de color de la creta i els dibuixos, que no deixen de ser extensions del pensament a través del color i la seua interacció amb la foscor. Cada peça està acabada amb fixació de vernís d'arxiu de Golden, la qual cosa garanteix la seua durabilitat durant dècades, però no impedeix el seu caràcter d'obra efímera, que entra dins del propi cicle universal de la vida.

Cadascuna de les seues peces tindrà un camí incert, en mans d'una persona distinta, per a no tornar a estar juntes mai. Algunes es conservaran emmarcades, unes altres en calaixos oblidats, unes altres es perdran o destruiran, malgrat comptar amb el vernís d'arxiu permanent de Golden. Eixa és la grandesa de l'art efímer i dels recorreguts de cada peça.

La novel·la pot llegir-se de manera lliure en https:/ladansa.ricardramon.net on està sent progressivament alliberada per capítols.

una página [es]

Esta intervención artística forma parte de un libro de artista colectivo, que trata de definir la diversidad de voces y miradas desde el pensamiento artístico que construyen el grupo de investigación ABERTURA, es una página. Se trata de una de las páginas de la edición de mi novela La Dansa de les Margarides, publicada en valenciano/catalán en el año 2010. Cada página ya está firmada con un fragmento de mi propia escritura, literaria, a la que se superpone mi escritura pictórica. Una intervención pictórica vinculada a esa forma que tengo de entender el mundo, como sucesión de acontecimientos de fuerte energía impulsiva y que guardan una relación permanente entre ellos.

Del mismo modo, a cómo mis textos tienen una relación directa con los trazos, las manchas de color de la creta y los dibujos, que no dejan de ser extensiones del pensamiento a través del color y su interacción con la oscuridad. Cada pieza está acabada con fijación de barniz de archivo de Golden, lo que garantiza su durabilidad durante décadas, pero no impide su carácter de obra efímera, que entra dentro del propio ciclo universal de la vida.

Cada una de sus piezas tendrá un camino incierto, en manos de una persona distinta, para no volver a estar juntas jamás. Algunas se conservarán enmarcadas, otras en cajones olvidados, otras se perderán o destruirán, a pesar de contar con el barniz de archivo permanente de Golden. Esa es la grandeza del arte efímero y de los recorridos de cada pieza.

La novela puede leerse de forma libre en https:/ladansa.ricardramon.net donde está siendo progresivamente liberada por capítulos.

one page[en]

This artistic intervention is part of a collective artist's book that seeks to define the diversity of voices and perspectives from the artistic thinking that shapes the ABERTURA research group. It is a page from the edition of my novel La Dansa de les Margarides, published in Valencian/Catalan in 2010. Each page is already signed with a fragment of my own literary writing, overlaid with my pictorial writing. A pictorial intervention linked to my way of understanding the world, as a succession of events with strong impulsive energy that are permanently related to each other.

In the same way, my texts have a direct relationship with the strokes, the patches of colour from the chalk and the drawings, which are extensions of thought through colour and its interaction with darkness. Each piece is finished with Golden archival varnish, which guarantees its durability for decades, but does not detract from its ephemeral nature, which is part of the universal cycle of life.

Each of his pieces will have an uncertain path, in the hands of a different person, never to be together again. Some will be kept framed, others in forgotten drawers, others will be lost or destroyed, despite Golden's permanent archival varnish. That is the greatness of ephemeral art and the journeys of each piece.

The novel can be read freely at https:/ladansa.ricardramon.net, where it is being progressively released chapter by chapter.

#obravisual

11 November 2025

One of the key ideas I was left with after chatting with Edith for the podcast was her awareness/description of painting as an experiential intervention. Which is useful to consider in tandem with attention—her work is characterized by its attentiveness, sensitive to shifting modes of embodied perception and what those different modes imply beyond the sensorial. But what speaking with her about the refinement of her approach taught me was that she is in a constant state of building, destroying, and rebuilding the logic that governs her relationship to deep attention, treating it as something with the potential for both tenderness and violence depending on how it is applied. And what is more important, as an artist, than holding oneself accountable to sustained, detail-oriented mindfulness in the process of reframing and representing experience for an audience?

9 November 2025

In re-unconvering a more considered and precise approach to image-making, I'm aware of a kind of compositional trap that is threatening to emerge, so I'm writing this as a reminder to resist that. It's not useful, to myself or to others, to show images that worry about adhering to logical/neat compositional math. It's constricting. Discovered Susan Te Kahurangi King's drawings recently, (specifically have been studying documentation of those from her 2016 Drawings 1975-1989 show at Andrew Edlin), and they are refreshing in their complete indifference to this kind of presentability. Which I get the sense is natural for her. From some images I've seen of her working, she goes at it flat, nose to paper. As a result, the work grows out of an engrossed state and multiplies organically from corners, edges, or, according to a release I read, more spur of the moment starting points born from existing marks/creases on surfaces.

Pluribus Episode 4: Please Carol

See 100 Word reviews of previous episodes here

Carol can’t help herself as she amps up her war on the Uni-Consciousness. Fun with chemistry turns disastrous as she concocts new ways to hurt Zosia et al.

Watching television crafted by Vince Gilligan is like being in the hands of an artisan who makes beautiful things. As much as the Big Ideas of Pluribus are a philosophy class, the small moments like Carol setting up her camera (has a memory card ever been so cinematic?) or the Paraguayan’s existence in his bunker, communicate vividly.

Some might view Pluribus as a bold defense of individualism; I am not so sure.

#Pluribus #TVReview #VinceGilligan #ScienceFiction #AppleTV #Larrys100 #Drabble #100WordReview #100DaysToOffload

Meredith’s Secret Perversion

#nsfw #glass

All of this black porn worship was starting to have some creeping side effects in her real life. It started one day when she heard the neighbor’s nanny laughing.

The nanny, known to the neighborhood as Joy (a name Meredith overheard once and clings to like a prayer), moves through the next-door yard with a confidence that feels like sunlight breaking through Meredith’s blackout curtains.

Joy’s deep brown skin glows under the sun. Her full curves, thick thighs, generous hips, and soft hourglass figure are hugged by a navy polo. That polo is untucked, and worn khakis that shift with her stride. White sneakers with yellow laces flash as she chases kids, her braids adorned with gold beads swinging past her shoulders. Her loud, infectious laugh spills over the fence as she talks to the neighbors. Her laugh is a warm, unapologetic sound that makes Meredith’s thighs clench and her pulse race.

To Meredith, Joy’s beauty is a sexual trigger. Her radiant skin, dimpled smile, even the stretch-marked thighs peeking from the shorts or skirt she sometimes wears—it all makes Meredith wet. Joy is everything Meredith’s pale, featureless body isn’t. Her forwardness, the way she jokes with neighbors, her subtle and graceful defiance of the HOA’s cold rules; all of it is intoxicating. That laugh is a siren’s call that sends Meredith running to her goon cave, fingers trembling inside her pussy for the goddess she’ll never touch.

She knows watching so much porn is starting to affect her. But this is still better than what she was before. So she embraces it. She willingly accepts that she’s getting worse. She’s basically incurable now and happily spiraling down a very perverted path–alone but whole.

As she listens to Joy’s laughter, Meredith stands naked on the second floor of her goon cave, peeking through the curtains, and touching herself. She knows someone on the outside would call this creepy as hell. Inside, though, it’s just the logical extension of her porn worship. Joy is right there, real and alive. Meredith is paying tribute the only way she knows how.

She slides two fingers inside, gasping—not for the porn this time, but for that voice, that laugh. So easy. Warm. Unafraid. Meredith’s whole chest folds around the sound.

She imagines Joy turning. Looking up. Knowing.

That thought makes Meredith’s hips jerk. She slowly collapses to her knees on the carpet. The porn in her goon shrine keeps playing, but it’s just noise now. She’s on her knees in masturbation induced devotion. She’s praying to the woman she’ll never meet, never touch, never confess to. She’s already been edging for hours. This is the moment she finally lets go.

Fingers slick and trembling, she presses deeper, circling her clit before plunging back in, chasing the raw abandon she imagines in Joy’s world. The words “Black Goddess” loop in her mind, drowning out the pixelated moans from the screens. Her hips buck, desperate. Heat coils low in her belly, unbearable. One hand claws the curtain as she pictures Joy’s dark almond eyes locking onto hers—knowing—and that fantasy snaps the last thread of restraint.

The orgasm crashes through her like a tide breaking a dam. Her back arches, a muffled cry tearing from her bitten lip. Inner walls clench hard around her fingers in frantic, pulsing waves, each contraction flooding her with searing ecstasy that whites out everything else. Thighs trembling, slick with her own release, the pleasure rips through her fingertips, her toes, her scalp. It’s almost painful—so intense it feels like worship, like sacrifice to the unattainable divinity of Joy’s laugh, her curves, her effortless existence.

Meredith’s knees buckle. She sags against the window frame as aftershocks roll through her, softer but relentless. When the waves finally slow, she’s left trembling, fingers still buried inside, coated in the evidence of her surrender. The porn plays on, unnoticed—its fake moans no match for the real-time goddess next door.

Joy’s laugh fades into the afternoon. Meredith whispers “Black Goddess” one last time, voice barely a ghost in the dark room, sealing the ritual. She pulls back from the window, body spent, mind already aching for the next hit, knowing this twisted path is hers alone—and that she wouldn’t trade it for anything.