Joy

Passages

Every passage tagged with this emotion in the Vela corpus. Search the body text, narrow by source or register, click through to a book’s profile to see how the passage sits with the rest of the work.

Page 174 of 299 · 20 per page

• From Henry Miller on Writing (1964)

  François, par exemple, ou le cimetière à Sète et l’esprit qui y trouve son sommeil tranquille, Paul Valéry. Salut a Frédéric Temple et au Pont du Gard. Je I’ai vu pour la première fois en 1928 quand June et moi ont fait un tour de France avec bicyclettes. Je n’oublierai jamais ma première vau de la Mediterraneé, des oliviers, des vignes, de tout un pays ensoleillé et sec et brillant comme une gemme . Ta-ta! Assez pour une séance . Henry From Henry Miller to Alfred Perlès Dear Fred, Just got your two letters to Larry and once again I can’t restrain myself … must add a few words. Of course I wept a little—le vieux pleurnicheur!— but then I began laughing and I couldn’t stop. (Haven’t laughed so hard since you left four years ago!) That same mail brought me the two volumes of Sexus (in Swedish). Thinking to restore my equanimity, I opened volume one at random, and then I began really laughing like a madman. Here is what I read—wouldn’t it make any man laugh his guts out? What a language! “‘Langa hit den bar a,’ sa jag, och tog honom i armen. ‘Det ar ingenting att sta och dividera om nu.’Vi gick ut i hallen och han stack at mig en sedel. Just som vi var pa vag mot dorren kom Irene ut ur badrummet. ‘Ni tanker val inte ga?’ … ‘Jo, han maste skynda sig ivag nu’, sa Ulric, men han har lovat att jomma tillbaka senare .” (Sweden’s greatest poet is now on his way to see me, dispatched by the Cultural Attaché in Washington. Must be serious when he comes.) How curious it is, this business of who owes whom, of master and disciple. When I added that final letter, from Spain, to our “Aller Retour” correspondence, I tried so hard to explain that it is I who am indebted—to you . Do you want to know the secret, or the test of “masterhood”? The master is he who can make you laugh the hardest and longest. And, Joey, that’s you! Somewhere there is mention of Rabelais’ humor. Yes, there were two great things (aside from the “word lists”) which I got from Master Rabelais: one, laughter; two, the holy bottle. The one who understands the meaning of the holy bottle always reaches you—and cures you—through laughter. (And in my peculiar way I connect such austere and democratic figures as Emerson and Whitman with Rabelais because all three knew, as few men do, the origin and the meaning of creation—or creativity. In Zen all this is resynchronized and reoriented: the humor, the leveling off, the annihilation of Buddhas, masters, genuises, and the sure knowledge that creation is endless and inexhaustible.) When I hear the word Culture I reach for my revolver.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  26 ‘THEREFORE MY HEART REJOICED AND MY TONGUE EXULTED EXCEEDINGLY ; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE [that is, will encamp in anticipation of the resurrection]; 27 ‘FOR YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE ME and ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES (the realm of the dead), NOR LET YOUR HOLY ONE UNDERGO DECAY [after death]. 28 ‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE ; YOU WILL FILL ME [infusing my soul] WITH JOY WITH YOUR PRESENCE .’ [Ps 16:8–11 ] 29 “Brothers, I may confidently and freely say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 “And so, being a prophet and knowing fully that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH THAT HE WOULD SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE , [2 Sam 7:12–16 ; Ps 132:11 ] 31 he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), that HE WAS NOT ABANDONED [in death] TO HADES (the realm of the dead), NOR DID His body UNDERGO DECAY . [Ps 16:10 ] 32 “God raised this Jesus [bodily from the dead], and of that [fact] we are all witnesses. 33 “Therefore having been exalted d to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this [blessing] which you both see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, yet he himself says, ‘THE LORD [the Father] SAID TO MY e LORD [the Son], “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND , 35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A f FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET .” ’ [Ps 110:1 ] 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Anointed)—this Jesus whom you crucified.” The Ingathering 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” [Is 57:19 ; Joel 2:32 ] 40 And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “g Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!” 41 So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about h 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God. 7 The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 8 Above all, have c fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. [Prov 10:12 ] 9 Be d hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. 11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Share the Sufferings of Christ 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. [Is 11:2 ] 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; 16 but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a e Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name. 17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God?

• From The Decameron (1353)

  It seemed to Salabaetto as he were in Paradise and he cast a thousand glances at the lady, who was certes very handsome, himseeming each hour was an hundred years till the slave-girls should begone and he should find himself in her arms. Presently, at her commandment, the girls departed the chamber, leaving a flambeau alight there; whereupon she embraced Salabaetto and he her, and they abode together a great while, to the exceeding pleasure of the Florentine, to whom it seemed she was all afire for love of him. Whenas it seemed to her time to rise, she called the slave-girls and they clad themselves; then they recruited themselves somedele with a second collation of wine and sweetmeats and washed their hands and faces with odoriferous waters; after which, being about to depart, the lady said to Salabaetto, 'So it be agreeable to thee, it were doing me a very great favour an thou camest this evening to sup and lie the night with me.' Salabaetto, who was by this time altogether captivated by her beauty and the artful pleasantness of her fashions and firmly believed himself to be loved of her as he were the heart out of her body, replied, 'Madam, your every pleasure is supremely agreeable to me, wherefore both to-night and at all times I mean to do that which shall please you and that which shall be commanded me of you.' Accordingly the lady returned to her house, where she caused well bedeck her bedchamber with her dresses and gear and letting make ready a splendid supper, awaited Salabaetto, who, as soon as it was grown somewhat dark, betook himself thither and being received with open arms, supped with all cheer and commodity of service. Thereafter they betook themselves into the bedchamber, where he smelt a marvellous fragrance of aloes-wood and saw the bed very richly adorned with Cyprian singing-birds[417] and store of fine dresses upon the pegs, all which things together and each of itself made him conclude that this must be some great and rich lady. And although he had heard some whispers to the contrary anent her manner of life, he would not anywise believe it; or, if he e'en gave so much credit thereto as to allow that she might erst have cozened others, for nothing in the world could he have believed that this might possibly happen to himself. He lay that night with her in the utmost delight, still waxing more enamoured, and in the morning she girt him on a quaint and goodly girdle of silver, with a fine purse thereto, saying, 'Sweet my Salabaetto, I commend myself to thy remembrance, and like as my person is at thy pleasure, even so is all that is here and all that dependeth upon me at thy service and commandment.' Salabaetto, rejoiced, embraced and kissed her; then, going forth of her house, he betook himself whereas the other merchants were used to resort.

• From Lost Christianities: Christian Scriptures and the Battles over Authentication (2002)

  gnosis) to escape the trappings of this evil material world, a world that, in their belief, was not created by the true God but came into being as a result of a cosmic disaster. Since the nineteenth century, the issue of whether Gnosticism was principally Christian or not has been debated. Based in part on documents from the Nag Hammadi library, scholars have continued to question whether Gnosticism antedated or postdated Christianity. Christ was an aeon (divine being) who revealed the truth necessary for salvation. Salvation came by learning one’s true nature as divine and by acquiring the secret knowledge that can bring liberation from this material world. The Gospel of Truth is one of those gnostic books we had known about from the writings of Irenaeus but did not have in our possession until the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library. Its title comes from its opening line, which reads, in part, ““The Gospel of Truth is joy for those who have received from the Father of Truth the grace of knowing him...” This is not, however, a gospel in the way we usually think of one: There is no word about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Instead, it is the “good news” of the salvation he has brought by bringing the truth that can free the soul from its bondage to material things. This is one of the most powerful and moving expositions of the joy of salvation to survive from Christian antiquity. Among other things, it shows that gnostic Christians were not just wild profligates or misguided intellectuals, as their patristic opponents claimed. This is a text filled with heartfelt gratitude to God for the unexpected grace of salvation that has been received. 28 Many scholars attribute the work to a famous gnostic Christian, Valentinus. Valentinus was from Alexandria, Egypt, but moved to Rome sometime around the year 130 A.D. He was active as a Christian writer, orator, and leader over the course of the next thirty years or so. According to Tertullian, he turned on the church only after his bid to become bishop failed. We have some fragments of his writings. If the Gospel of Truth does go back to him, it shows that his opponents were right to attribute to him unusual poetic powers, as can be seen even in the Coptic translation of this text (it was originally in Greek). The book discusses many central issues for Christians in the second century: the nature of God, the character of this world, the person of Christ, and the work of salvation he brought and how one should respond to it. Strikingly, its views stand diametrically opposed to those that eventually became dominant in Christianity and have The gnostic Gospel of been handed down to the present. Truth maintains that people are saved by Eventually, Christianity maintained that this Sac receiving the correct world was the intentional creation of the one true God and, as such, was made good (even knowledge of who

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many [of the people] spread their coats on the road [as an act of tribute and homage before a new king], and others [scattered a layer of] leafy branches which they had cut from the fields [honoring Him as Messiah]. [2 Kin 9:13 ] 9 Those who went in front and those who were following [Him] were shouting [in joy and praise], “Hosanna (c Save, I pray)! BLESSED (praised, glorified) IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD ! [Ps 118:26 ] 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest [heaven]!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple [enclosure]; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve [disciples], because it was already late [in the day]. 12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He was hungry. [Matt 21:18–22 ] 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening [to what He said]. Jesus Drives Moneychangers from the Temple 15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple [grounds] and began driving out [with force] the people who were d selling and buying [animals for sacrifice] in the temple area, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers [who made a profit exchanging foreign money for temple coinage] and the seats of those who were selling doves; [Matt 21:12–16 ; Luke 19:45–47 ; John 2:13–16 ] 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry e merchandise or household wares through the temple [grounds, using the temple area irreverently as a shortcut]. 17 He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘M Y HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS ’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN .” [Is 56:7 ; Jer 7:11 ] 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this and began searching for a way to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, since the entire crowd was struck with astonishment at His teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and His disciples would leave the city. 20 In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up. 21 And remembering, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!” 22 Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly].

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  The First Letter of Peter 1 Peter 1 A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation 1 P ETER, AN apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, T o those [elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen [Heb 13:14 ] 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God]. [John 14:27 ] 3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Matt 28:1–9 ; Mark 16:6 ; Luke 24:6 ; John 20:1–18 ] 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of a your souls. 10 Regarding this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace [of God] that was intended for you, searched carefully and inquired [about this future way of salvation], 11 seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that their services [their prophecies regarding grace] were not [meant] for themselves and their time, but for you, in these things [the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ] which have now been told to you by those who preached the gospel to you by the [power of the] Holy Spirit [who was] sent from heaven. Into these things even the angels long to look.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  The First Letter of John 1 John 1 Introduction, The Incarnate Word 1 [I AM writing about] what existed from the beginning, what a we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life [the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ]— 2 and the Life [an aspect of His being] was manifested, and we have seen [it as eyewitnesses] and testify and declare to you [the Life], the eternal Life who was [already existing] with the Father and was [actually] made visible to us [His followers]— 3 what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship [as partners] with us. And indeed our fellowship [which is a distinguishing mark of born-again believers] is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be made complete [by having you share in the joy of salvation]. God Is Light 5 This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 10 If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us. 1 John 2 Christ Is Our Advocate 1 M Y LITTLE children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law.

• From Confessions of the Flesh (The History of Sexuality, Vol. 4) (2021)

  Recall that the monastic life whose art and discipline Cassian defines has contemplation as its goal. One who renounces the world seeks to attain that “principal good” which is established “in theory, that is, in contemplation.” When the soul has entered that state, it will have “no other food than the knowledge of God and the joy of his beauty.” The knowledge relation underlies the soul’s relation to God. And even at the moment when the relation becomes a junction, a fusion, a possession, it’s still in the form of knowledge, or more exactly according to the model of the gaze and the light, that Cassian theorizes it. Consequently, for him chastity doesn’t have the same role that virginity has in the authors I spoke of previously. For them, it was a matter of preserving integrity that would allow the soul to reach the Bridegroom without ever experiencing any defilement. For Cassian, the role of chastity is to ensure a “purity of heart” or a “purity of mind” that makes the knowledge relation possible: such that there is no cloudiness in one’s gaze, nothing shadowy escaping the light, no stain to mar the transparency. In sum, Cassian, like Evagrius, replaces the series virginity-integrity-spiritual nuptials that one finds clearly developed in authors like Basil of Ancyra with the series chastity–purity of heart–contemplation.

• From Who Wrote the Bible? Searching for Its Origins and Authors (2025)

  12. The Psalms in Tradition and Practice 74 Worship in ancient Israel didn’t look like worship does today. Most prominently, it involved bloody animal sacrifice. If a person wanted to address the deity, the only means of doing so was bringing a sacrifice. The psalm they might recite was welcome, but it came along for the ride. The best illustration of this process comes from the story of Hannah at the beginning of 1 Samuel. Hannah is famous as the once-barren mother of Samuel who is blessed with miraculous fertility after she prays for a child. She prays at the sanctuary, where she has come with her husband to offer their annual sacrifices. Once Samuel is born, she returns to the sanctuary, where she offers a sacrifice and then prays again. This prayer is given in full in 1 Samuel 2. However, with only the words of her prayer—and without the narrative context—it’s impossible to tell why she is there. Nearly at the beginning, she says, “My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.” The prayer ends just as confusingly: “The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered.” It’s a psalm of thanksgiving but a typically generic one. The only hint that the prayer is related to Hannah’s situation comes in the middle, as part of a litany of miraculous reversals wrought by God: The strong are weak, while the weak are strong; the full are hungry, while the hungry are full—and the one who is barren is fertile, while the one who has many children is forlorn. This example is an excellent representation of how psalms worked: A person would go to the Temple, make their sacrificial offering, and recite a psalm generically appropriate to their situation. In this sense, scholars can’t quite get a clear or specific answer to who wrote the psalms. The psalms in the Bible are poetry created by ancient Israelite literary artists who took up the traditional forms and themes of the liturgy and presented them as written texts. Some go back to perhaps the 8th or 9th centuries BCE; others date from after the destruction of the Temple and the exile in the 6th century. The book of Psalms is a collection of Israelite cultic poetry and song that was growing and changing up to the end of the biblical period and then beyond. Reading Gunkel, Hermann. An Introduction to the Psalms. Mercer University Press, 1998. Mowinckel, Sigmund. The Psalms in Israel’s Worship. Abingdon, 1962.

• From Every Woman's Battle: Discovering God's Plan for Sexual and Emotional Fulfillment (2003)

  What about you? Do you have this kind of love relationship with Christ? Do you experience the inexplicable joy of intimacy with the One who loves you with a passion far deeper, far greater than anything you could find here on earth? I know from experience that you can. HOW DO I GET THERE FROM HERE? Maybe you are wondering how to get from where you are now to this much deeper, more gratifying level of intimacy with Jesus Christ. It would help to look at where our spiritual journey begins as believers and how our relationship with God evolves as we travel down the path toward spiritual maturity. Life coach and international lecturer Jack Hill (www.royal-quest.com) explains that there are six progressive levels of relationship with God, as found in the following metaphors in scripture: • potter/clay relationship • shepherd/sheep relationship • master/servant relationship • friend/friend relationship • father/daughter relationship • groom/bride relationship I believe God gave us these metaphors to increase our understanding of His many-faceted personality and to help us comprehend the depth of His perfect love for us (although the human mind can not fathom such depth). These metaphors illustrate the maturing of our love relationship with God. Just as children develop physically until they reach adulthood, believers in Christ develop spiritually in stages as we walk down the road to spiritual maturity. As we examine the dynamics of each of these stages, perhaps you can discern what level of intimacy you are currently experiencing in your walk with God. You can also determine what level of connection you can anticipate as your relationship with God continues to blossom. POTTER/CLAY RELATIONSHIP

• From Every Woman's Battle: Discovering God's Plan for Sexual and Emotional Fulfillment (2003)

  Communicating intimately with our husbands is very similar to giving a squirrel a nut. Requiring it is futile. Intimacy can, however, be inspired. I used to go to bed expecting that my husband would talk with me for a while, not just about superficial stuff, but really engage in deep conversation. Even though I had heard psychologists explain that a man is capable of speaking only so many words each day and that they are almost all used up by the time he gets home from work, I thought I could drag it out of him. Needless to say, I usually went to sleep disappointed. Sometimes I went to sleep devastated, as I was trying to carry on a meaningful conversation and the only response I ultimately got once I stopped talking was “Zzzzzzzzzz.” Then I heard about this squirrel-and-nut theory and decided I may as well test it. I would go to bed with my husband at a decent hour, but rather than expecting to talk, I would simply say goodnight and allow him to drift off to sleep. After a few nights of this, Greg asked, “Are you upset with me about something?” “No, why do you ask?” I replied. “You’ve just been awfully quiet lately,” he explained. I smiled and said, “I’m not trying to give you the silent treatment, honey. I just know you are tired at night after a long day at work, and I want you to get plenty of rest.” Later that same night, we were getting in bed when Greg began asking me about my day and what I planned to do tomorrow. I responded, but didn’t elaborate a great deal. Surprisingly, he kept asking more questions. Then he began telling me about some of the things that he’d had on his mind lately, asking me questions about what I think. We wound up talking for over an hour, and then moved closer to each other to lie in each other’s arms. We decided to pray together, and by the time Greg finished praying, my desire to give him my body was positively overwhelming! Did he mind staying up a few more minutes to receive the gift I longed to give him? Absolutely not! We stumbled onto something that night many years ago that we’ve never forgotten: True sexual fulfillment comes not just from a physical connection, but from an intimate mental, emotional, and spiritual connection as well. Although some nights we both drift off without much being said simply because we are both so tired, we have many nights when these intimate, brain-picking, heart-rendering, soul-searching conversations take place spontaneously. Sex doesn’t always follow, but when it does, it’s an incredibly fulfilling experience because the passion between us has been inspired, not required. SERVE YOUR SPOUSE AS IF HE’S YOUR BEST FRIEND

• From Girls & Sex (2016)

  A week after her blackout, Holly hooked up again with Robert, the boy she’d started seeing at the end of the previous semester, and the two finally had sex. It was amazing. “I woke up the next morning happy that I had sex with someone I wasn’t in a relationship with, who I know and like as a person, who is a sweet guy,” she said. “We were able to enjoy ourselves, experiment—and we both had orgasms. We’ve agreed we want to keep this casual. If there’s anything going on with us, it’s ‘friends with benefits.’ We are definitely friends. Maybe if it continues, perhaps I’ll want it to be something more. But that’s an ‘if,’ because this is all new.” Looking back, Holly couldn’t believe how far she’d come. Only a year ago, she was a virgin. Only a year ago, she would have said she’d need to be in a committed relationship for at least six months before she’d have intercourse. “That’s clearly changed,” she said. “I’ve pushed the line, pushed the line, pushed the line. But it’s interesting where it’s taken me. I don’t know if it’s the culture around me that tells me my behavior is okay, so therefore I’m fine with it, or if it’s because I’m older and more mature and have grown as a person.” She shook her head, incredulous. “It’s been such a strange journey.”

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  Anna also wrote at some length to her daughter. And won- der of wonders, from Violet Peacock there arrived an embar- rassingly gushing epistle. She would look Stephen up when next she was in Paris; she was longing, so she said, to renew their old friendship — after all, they two had been children together. Gazing at Mary with very bright eyes, Stephen’s thoughts must rush forward into the future. Puddle had been right, it was work that counted — clever, hard-headed, understanding old Puddle! Then putting an arm round Mary’s shoulder: ‘ Nothing shall ever hurt you,’ she would promise, feeling wonderfully self- sufficient and strong, wonderfully capable of protecting. 2 Tuar summer they drove into Italy with David sitting up proudly beside Burton. David barked at the peasants and challenged the dogs and generally assumed a grand air of importance. They de- cided to spend two months on Lake Como, and went to the Hotel Florence at Bellagio. The hotel gardens ran down to the lake — it was all very sunny and soothing and peaceful. Their days were passed in making excursions, their evenings in drifting about on the water in a little boat with a gaily striped awning, which latter seemed a strange form of pleasure to David. Many of the guests at the Florence were English, and not a few scraped an acquaint- ance with Stephen, since nothing appears to succeed like success in a world that is principally made up of failure. The sight of her book left about in the lounge, or being devoured by some en« THE WELL OF LONELINESS 423 grossed reader, would make Stephen feel almost childishly kappi; she would point the phenomenon out to Mary. ‘Look,’ she would whisper, ‘ that man’s reading my book! ’ For the child is never far to seek in the author. Some of their acquaintances were country folk and she found that she was in sympathy with them. Their quiet and painstaking outlook on life, their love of the soil, their care for their homes, their traditions were after all a part of herself, bequeathed to her by the founders of Morton. It gave her a very deep sense of pleas- ure to see Mary accepted and made to feel welcome by these grey- haired women and gentlemanly men; very seemly and fitting it appeared to Stephen. And now, since to each of us come moments of respite when the mind refuses to face its problems, she resolutely thrust aside her misgivings, those misgivings that whispered: ‘ Supposing they knew — do you think they’d be so friendly to Mary? ’

• From The Decameron (1353)

  All commended the queen of that which she had said, holding it sagely spoken, and rising to their feet, addressed themselves, this to one kind of diversion and that to another, the ladies to weaving garlands and to gambolling and the young men to gaming and singing. On this wise they passed the time until the supper-hour, which being come, they supped with mirth and good cheer about the fair fountain and after diverted themselves with singing and dancing according to the wonted usance. At last, the queen, to ensue the fashion of her predecessors, commanded Pamfilo to sing a song, notwithstanding those which sundry of the company had already sung of their freewill; and he readily began thus: Such is thy pleasure, Love And such the allegresse I feel thereby That happy, burning in thy fire, am I. The abounding gladness in my heart that glows, For the high joy and dear Whereto thou hast me led, Unable to contain there, overflows And in my face's cheer Displays my happihead; For being enamouréd In such a worship-worthy place and high Makes eath to me the burning I aby. I cannot with my finger what I feel Limn, Love, nor do I know My bliss in song to vent; Nay, though I knew it, needs must I conceal, For, once divulged, I trow 'Twould turn to dreariment. Yet am I so content, All speech were halt and feeble, did I try The least thereof with words to signify. Who might conceive it that these arms of mine Should anywise attain Whereas I've held them aye, Or that my face should reach so fair a shrine As that, of favour fain And grace, I've won to? Nay, Such fortune ne'er a day Believed me were; whence all afire am I, Hiding the source of my liesse thereby. This was the end of Pamfilo's song, whereto albeit it had been completely responded of all, there was none but noted the words thereof with more attent solicitude than pertained unto him, studying to divine that which, as he sang, it behoved him to keep hidden from them; and although sundry went imagining various things, nevertheless none happened upon the truth of the case.[422] But the queen, seeing that the song was ended and that both young ladies and men would gladly rest themselves, commanded that all should betake themselves to bed. [Footnote 422: The song sung by Pamfilo (under which name, as I have before pointed out, the author appears to represent himself) apparently alludes to Boccaccio's amours with the Princess Maria of Naples (Fiammetta), by whom his passion was returned in kind.] HERE ENDETH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON _Day the Ninth_ HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF EMILIA EACH DISCOURSETH ACCORDING AS IT PLEASETH HIM AND OF THAT WHICH IS MOST TO HIS LIKING

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  Do not let what you eat destroy and spiritually harm one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else]; 17 for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men. 19 So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. 21 It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brother and weakens him spiritually. 22 The faith which you have [that gives you freedom of choice], have as your own conviction before God [just keep it between yourself and God, seeking His will]. Happy is he who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves. 23 But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he eats, because he is not acting from faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin [whatever is done with doubt is sinful]. Romans 15 Self-denial on Behalf of Others 1 N OW WE who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his a neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU (the Father) FELL ON ME (the Son).” [Ps 69:9 ] 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. 2 Corinthians 6 Their Ministry Commended 1 W ORKING TOGETHER with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. 2 For He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME (the time of grace) I LISTENED TO YOU , AND I HELPED YOU ON THE DAY OF SALVATION .” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME ,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION ”— [Is 49:8 ] 3 we put no obstruction in anyone’s path, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], 8 amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; 9 as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. 11 We are speaking freely to you, Corinthians [we are keeping nothing back], and our heart is opened wide. [Is 60:5 ; Ezek 33:22 ] 12 There is no limit to our affection for you, but you are limited in your own affection [for us]. 13 Now in the same way as a fair exchange [for our love toward you]—I am speaking as [I would] to children—open wide [your hearts] to us also. 14 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith].

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  those men and women who were faithful to God before the old covenant and those faithful to God after its establishment, those mentioned in this chapter. b 11:17 Lit has offered . Even though Abraham did not follow through with the sacrifice per the fact that it was a test from God, from Abraham’s perspective the offering was completed although he did not physically offer Isaac. c 11:26 The author is probably suggesting two things here: 1) Moses’ reproach was like what was endured by Jesus in His suffering and death, and 2) Moses’ reproach was for the sake of Christ. Whether typology is involved here is debated. Hebrews 12 a 12:1 I.e. the people commended for their faith in ch 11 . See 11:2 , 39 . b 12:2 Sometimes the public shame of the cross is overlooked when one thinks of the pain and agony inflicted by it, but in the Roman Empire crucifixion was a shameful and disgraceful way to die, a form of capital punishment from which Roman citizens were exempt; and in Roman comedy it was used in a curse: “Go to a bad cross!” c 12:5 Or have you forgotten . d 12:7 Or who is a son whom . e 12:9 The meaning seems to be that God is the Father of that which is spiritual as well as that which is physical. Hebrews 13 a 13:13 I.e. leaving the ways and traditions of Judaism (the Levitical system, the old covenant) and adhering to the teaching (new covenant) of the Christ. The Letter of James James 1 Testing Your Faith 1 a J AMES, A bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, T o the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! 2 Consider it nothing but joy, my b brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7 For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  38 “So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; 39 and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is k justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses. 40 “Therefore be careful, so that the thing spoken of in the [writings of the] Prophets does not come upon you: 41 ‘LOOK , YOU MOCKERS , AND MARVEL , AND PERISH and VANISH AWAY ; FOR I AM DOING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS , A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE , even IF SOMEONE DESCRIBES IT TO YOU [telling you about it in detail].’ ” [Hab 1:5 ] 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving [the synagogue], the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, talking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God. Paul Turns to the Gentiles 44 On the next Sabbath almost the entire l city gathered together to hear the word of the Lord [about salvation through faith in Christ]. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him. 46 And [at the same time] Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and confidently, saying, “It was necessary that God’s message [of salvation through faith in Christ] be spoken to you [Jews] first. Since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, now we turn to the Gentiles. 47 “For that is what the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES , SO THAT YOU MAY BRING [the message of eternal] SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH .’ ” [Is 49:6 ] 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior]. 49 And so the word of the Lord [regarding salvation] was being spread through the entire region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district. 51 But m they shook its dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. [Matt 10:14 ; Mark 6:11 ] 52 And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their hearts and souls] with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

• From Another Country (1962)

  They were almost there. Come on come on come on come on. Come on! He began to gallop her, whinnying a little with delight, and, for the first time, became a little cold with fright, that so much of himself, so long damned up, must now come pouring out. Her moans gave way to sobs and cries. Vivaldo. Vivaldo. Vivaldo. She was over the edge. He hung, hung, clinging to her as she clung to him, calling her name, wet, itching, bursting, blind. It began to pour out of him like the small weak trickle that precedes disaster in the mines. He felt his whole face pucker, felt the wind in his throat, and called her name again, while all the love in him rushed down, rushed down, and poured itself into her. After a long time, he felt her fingers in his hair and he looked into her face. She was smiling—a thoughtful, baffled smile. “Get your big, white self off me. I can’t move.” He kissed her, weary as he could be, and peaceful. “Tell me something first.” She looked sly and amused and mocking; very much like a woman and very much like a shy, little girl. “What do you want to know?” He shook her, laughing. “Come on. Tell me.” She kissed him on the tip of his nose. “It never happened to me before—not like this, never.” “Never?” “Never. Almost—but no, never.” Then, “Was I good for you?” “Yes. Yes. Don’t ever leave me.” “Let me get up.” He rolled over on his back and she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He watched the tall, dusty body, which now belonged to him, disappear. He heard water running in the bathroom, then he heard the shower. He fell asleep. He woke up in the early afternoon. Ida was standing before the stove, singing. If you can’t give me a dollar, Give me a lousy dime— She had washed the dishes, cleaned up the kitchen, and hung up his clothes. Now she was making coffee. Just want to feed This hungry man of mine. Book Two: ANY DAY NOW Why don’t you take me in your arms and carry me out of this lonely place? —CONRAD, Victory 1 Eric sat naked in his rented garden. Flies buzzed and boomed in the brilliant heat, and a yellow bee circled his head. Eric remained very still, then reached for the cigarettes beside him and lit one, hoping that the smoke would drive the bee away. Yves’ tiny black-and-white kitten stalked the garden as though it were Africa, crouching beneath the mimosas like a panther and leaping into the air. The house and the garden overlooked the sea. Far down the slope, beyond the sand of the beach, in the thunderous blue of the Mediterranean, Yves’ head went under, reappeared, went under again. He vanished entirely.