Blackberry storm bird backgrounds

Hey, so i can't figure out why the audio sounds different(better) when i tab out to the other monitor while the game is running in windowed fullscreen. It sounds more echoey, surround and rich when im tabbed out.
As soon as i click back on the game it feels way more close but yet i can hear less background sounds(like birds chirping, ambient sounds for example).
Anyone knows why the audio quality switches like that ?
W10, asus b550 motherboard. Headphones are wireless and dongle is a usb-c.

I don't know if this is just me, like I am hearing a video playing in the background, but I was playing on Vietnam and was driving up to B and I heard the song Surfing Bird by The Trashmen playing. I don't know if gaijin added this recently or what? Whatever the answer to this question is but I am very scared.
https://reddit.com/link/1cx726i/video/jxsuy1g40s1d1/player

saw someone do this last year and it really helped me get an idea of the courses i would be doing so thought id do the same with my courses incase it helps anyone else!
First Semester: (2.5 credits)
CHM135: Chemistry: Physical Principles

• i found this course so hard at first. so hard i scored 50% on the first midterm which absolutely recked me bc i was good at chem in highschool. i decided to put a lot of effort in this course from then on and ended up getting a 100% on the 2nd midterm and above 90 on the final. ended up with a 94% on the course, so working hard gets you the grade for sure. do the tutorial questions theyre so helpful and v similar to what comes on the tests and finals. the lecturers were SO good for chm135, loved them all, they actually teach well.

BIO120: Adaptation and Biodiversity

• i hated this course with a passion. its about ecology which is the topic i find the BORINGEST thing to learn about. i hate it so much. i hated the labs, the lectures - it was all so boring. the lecturers for bio are so monotone and boring i hated them so much. all exams were multiple choice tho and not too hard EXCEPT for the final. i think the class average was probably really high before the final so they made the final SUPER hard, a lot harder than the midterms which was annoying bc i expected something similar in difficulty like the midterms were.

MAT135: Calculus I

• the most unorganized course. the lecturer was new and went in circles and didnt know how to explain any concept. the course coordinator was bernardo which is so bad lol. the tests were fine. the ACTs (applied communication tasks) were SO badly explained i had to go to sooo many office hours to get info. i think they ended up curving the grade cause i ended up with a A- which i know i couldnt have actually have gotten bc the course went SO badly.

CSC108: Introduction to Computer Programming

• LOVED this course. if ur looking for a good bird course to do this might be it! i only studied 4 hrs for the midterm and 4 hrs for the final and ended up with an A+ on the course. the lecturer was so bad, he was so unorganized, felt like he didn't prep at all for his lecs but that was fine since all content is learnt through videos they make u watch before class and do questions on (you can find this vids on yt btw). i had absolutely no programming experience when taking this course and yet it was fine, so if youre worried about that, dont be! the course is designed for those with 0 programming experience. the assignments were also so fun to do (although some parts def did make me want to throw my laptop across the room :))

PSY100: Introductory Psychology

• didnt think this was as bird of a course as uoft reddit made it out to be. its not a hard course, but it requires effort which you dont have time to give to an elective course. i took it with denton so maybe thats why, there were so many readings from the textbook and u had to buy the textbook to access the homework which was SO annoying. got an A- in the course through knowledge i had from a level psych.

Second Semester (2.5 credits)
BIO130: Molecular and Cell Biology

• again, hated the lecturers. SO monotone. felt like sleeping in lectures. ended up skipping majority of lectures and teaching myself through the textbook and slides. i also attended a few of yips lectures instead of the lecturer i was enrolled in bc i heard he was good. its true, yip is good he's phenomenal. if youre looking for a good prof, its him. lecture hall was ALWAYS packed bc i guess a lot of people did the same thing as me, skipped their own lecturer to go to this one. loved the content of this course, so much better than bio120. ended with an A+ thankfully. its kind of a memorization course.

CHM136: Intro to Organic Chemistry I

• had 3 different lecturers for different parts of the course, they all were AMAZING. explained concepts so well. i also loved organic chem from a level chem so this course was nice. it started getting pretty hard near the end but it was fine after watching youtube vids + going to office hours to understand the content better.

MAT136: Calculus II

• this course was SO AMAZING compared to mat136. i think it was bc there was another coordinator that wasnt bernardo. it was Lindsay shorster (idk if i spelt that right) but i had no complaints about inorganization as i did with mat136. lecturer for this course was SOOOOO good i didnt miss even one lecture bc he was that good. his name was Daniel Hudson. i truly felt like he was excited to teach and was so enthusiastic. the course progressively gets harder fs but not too hard to manage with background knowledge of a level math.

CSC148: Intro to Comp Sci

• i took this course bc i found csc108 easy so i was like why not, BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER. this course is so much harder than 108 lmao. it was fine until the midterm. after the midterm it was a shitshow for me lolll. the prof was so good i just found it so hard to understand the harder concepts like recursion and linked lists omg. ended up with an A on the course idk how. i feel like they curved. joonho was so good tho if ur looking for a good prof to pick, pick him. hes funny too.

CSC165 HPS110: The Science of Human Nature

• i took csc165 and then dropped within the first 2 weeks bc it was not for me with no background in proofs lol. that course made me cry so much. i couldnt seem to understand the course :(. frantically looked for other available courses and stumbled upon hps110 and heard that its an easy bird course so i took it. so this course is about different popular psych topics/ research. there were SO many readings every week like im not kidding they sometimes assigned 60 pages. i never did the readings fully lol. before the midterm and final they give u a bunch of questions that could come up and pick from those to put on the test. so i would just answer those questions fully by looking at the readings, memorize my answers and do the test with that. the TA was such a harsh marker for no reason like please no one cares about ur course. The worst thing about this course as an international student was that its final was scheduled to be on the LAST DAY possible. i had a 18 day gap between my second last exam and this last exam. i could have gone home 18 days before but had to stay for this stupid course. i learnt absolutely nothing from the course do not recommend it at all lmao.

First of all, I want to clarify that I have no intention of trading these. I’m simply curious. Over time, I’ve looked at 5 random tokens; I tracked all the wallets from minting to volume washing, identified coordinator accounts, calculated profits, etc. Their strategy became quite evident after a certain point, with few variables. The ones I examined closed completely between 2 minutes and 1 hour with profits ranging from 8 to 50 Solana. None of them had any real interest behind them. The websites, Twitter, and Telegram accounts were created the same day with minimal fake activity, and no real promotional efforts were made.
So, my question is, how do the people who buy into these tokens even find them in such a short time, and what criteria do they use to decide that a particular token is worth gambling on? Do they watch for new tokens on BirdEye and throw money at everything? Or do they use bots with no actual prior evaluation? But what bots do they use and with what settings, if they’re even buying into tokens where LP tokens aren’t burned and the Freeze Authority isn’t renounced? By the way, in the case of the 5 fully tracked tokens mentioned, these specific red flags were not present - I didn't see the point of investigate those to such an extent. I’m really curious about the background of this.

So background of my family dynamic… I am the youngest out of 3 kids… My mom and dad are still together but not legally married, both are in their 70s… My father is a veteran, who is at 100% disability status… We as a family take care of him, under the same roof.. Since my sister WFH, naturally she does more for our parents are far as taking them to Dr’s appointments and grocery shopping… Before we all moved into the house we are at now, my parents and I lived in another smaller home, and it was on me to get them places and do the shopping, since neither of them are able to drive anymore… IT WAS LITERALLY ALWAYS ON ME, since I was the only child there with them… Background of my parents relationship, my mother and father have always fought, as far back as I can remember, I am now 40 years old.. Their fights would range from arguing, yelling, and sometimes physical altercation…My mother has stated that she does not love my father anymore because of past issues, but has no problem spending his VA money, mind you mostly on frivolous Amazon buys, ie: Phone cases, apple watch cases, shoes and clothes, that she doesn’t even wear anywhere, remember my parents do not drive… Pretty much any extra money her or my father has, she spends it on herself, never puts it into the household to help everyone… She has always been money hungry and manipulative and very selfish… Which as you can imagine being who I am a very considerate person and mainly kind… I admit 2 years ago I wasn’t that kind, I realized I had mental issues, and sought help with therapy and medication… These days I am much more patient and kind… I was sick mentally and didn’t realize how bad my depression and anxiety got, until I had a nervous breakdown… Anyway, I resent my mother for her ways, and how she treats my sister compared to how she treats me, and how she treats my father, regardless of their past history, both parties have done wrong in my eyes back then… Of course I love my mother, I just see her for who she is as far character… Now, a friend of mine explained to me about becoming a caretaker for my father, and how the VA will give caretakers a stipend every month to help take care of the veteran in your life… I mulled it over for months before even bringing it up to everyone, mainly my dad.. Who was all for it because again it would help the household out with extra money… I told my mom about it and she was at first skeptical, and didn’t actually believe it was a thing, so she basically said I don’t care… Well of course that changed when I told her the amount a caretaker could receive… Weeks went by and no one asked anything about it…Fast forward to last week and I decided to go ahead and fill the applications out… I put me down as primary because I was filling it out and brought it to everyone’s attention about the program, and I put my sister down as the second caretaker… Again no one really cared about the program until I got the ball rolling… Today 3 envelopes from the VA came to the house addressed to my father, sister and me… I read my letter and it stated that our application had been withdrawn because the 2nd caretaker( my sister) withdrew the application…Confused ofc and slightly enraged, I asked my mom, how could they deny the application, she stated she didn’t know, smh… Then I asked if my sister withdrew it, she said to ask her.. So I called my sister downstairs to get to the bottom of this, atp I am irate… She comes downstairs and I ask if she withdrew the apps and she said yes, I asked her why, and she says because Im not the primary, not realizing she inadvertently caused no one to receive money, unless we apply again… She then says, in the mist of me going off on everyone except my father, that she had already applied again as the primary, I then looked at my mom and asked who is the second caretaker, which she implied she was, even tho she had just stated she didnt know what happened… I giggled to prevent myself from being more angry and from slapping the literal piss out of my sister, I grabbed my things and stormed off to my room, while my mom is telling me to calm down… They didnt even care about the program until I got that ball rolling, and then went behind my back and removed me all together…Side note, my sister does do a lot for the household, so im not disputing her being a caretaker, I am hurt and mad because they went behind my back and removed me, from receiving a stipend…And this is not the first time they have deliberately cut me out of something… So AITAH?

myprofile steam
​
I am selling Ti8 and ti9 and ti10 Immortals and Collector's Cache and not buying them.
​​
Buyer goes first, no exceptions unless you have a reputable rep
All conversations will be saved for safety and record.
Steam Rep: Steam Reputation
Buyers go first, add me now if interested for 30 days cooldown, make sure to leave a comment on my profile . 20% reserve fee required at the time of reserving cache sets.

August 2023 Collector's Cache 

Hero	August 2023 Collector's Cache	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Snapfire	Snailfire (Very Rare)	35$
Marci	Brightfist (Rare)	20$	2 Sold!
Spectre	Crescent Huntress	12$
Kunkka	Sea Spirit	12$	1 Sold!
Abaddon	Spectral Shadow	12$
Wraith King	Tyrant of the Veil	10$
Primal Beast	Primeval Abomination	10$
Storm Spirit	Beast of Thunder	10$
Legion Commander	Triumph of the Imperatrix	10$
Dawnbreaker	Astral Herald	10$
Jakiro	Ancestral Heritage	10$
Dazzle	Dezun Vipe	8$
Hoodwink	Tomo'kan Footsoldier	8$	1 Sold!
Alchemist	Taur Rider	8$	1 Sold!
Death Prophet	Darkwood Eulogy	8$

Diretide 2022 Collector's Cache II 

Hero	Diretide 2022 Collector's Cache II	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Void Spirit	Sublime Equilibrium (Very Rare)	30$	3 Sold!
Anti Mage)	Brands of the Reaper (Rare)	25$	1 Sold!
Treant	Grudges of the Gallows Tree (Rare)	20$	2 Sold!
Legion Commander	Bird of Prey	15$	2 Sold!
Phantom Assassin	Darkfeather Factioneer	12$	2 Sold!
Pudge	Cursed Cryptbreaker	10$	1 Sold!
Doom	Dawn of Darkness Foretold	10$
Brewmaster	The Wilding Tiger	10$	3 Sold!
Night Stalker	Feasts of Forever	8$	2 Sold!
Techies	War Rig Eradicators	8$	2 Sold!
Huskar	Sacred Chamber Guardian	5$
Vengeful Spirit	Acrimonies of Obsession	8$	1 Sold!
Clinkz	Withering Pain	8$
Alchemist	Darkbrew's Transgression	8$
Oracle	Transcendent Path	10$	5 Sold!
Silencer	Grand Suppressor	6$	1 Sold!

Diretide 2022 Collector's Cache I 

Hero	Diretide 2022 Collector's Cache	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Primal Beast	Dark Behemoth (Very Rare)	55$	4 Sold!
Invoker	Angel of Vex (Rare)	20$	4 Sold!
MARCI	Blue Horizons (Rare)	20$	5 Sold!
Hoodwink	Shadowleaf Insurgent	20$	10 Sold! - 2 left
Spectre	Spoils of the Shadowveil	10$	4 Sold!
Faceless Void	Chines of the Inquisitor	10$	2 Sold!
Ursa	Trophies of the Hallowed Hunt	8$
Riki	Scarlet Subversion	12$	3 Sold!
Terrorblade	Forgotten Station	10$	2 Sold!
Monkey King	Champion of the Fire Lotus	10$	2 Sold!
Snapfire	Whippersnapper	12$	6 Sold!
Chen	Hounds of obsession	8$	3 Sold!
Clockwerk	Seadog's Stash	8$	1 Sold!
Phoenix	Crimson Dawn	8$	1 Sold!
Undying	Dirge Amplifier	10$
Witch Doctor	Deathstitch Shaman	8$
Dawnbreaker	Starlorn Adjudicator	15$	8 Sold!

Aghanim's 2021 Collector's Cache 

Hero	Aghanim's 2021 Collector's Cache	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Ogre Magi	Pyrexae Polymorph Perfected	15$	4 Sold!
Phantom Lancer	Scales of the Shadow Walker	10$	3 Sold!
Clockwerk	Apex Automated	10$	4 Sold!- 1 left
chen	Perils of the Red Banks	5$	3 Sold!
Broodmother	Widow of the Undermount Gloom	10$	5 Sold!
Mars	Forgotten Fate	5$	3 Sold!
Alchemist	Cosmic Concoctioneers	15$	5 Sold! - 1 left
Abaddon	Blightfall	10$	2 Sold!

 Nemestice 2021 Collector's Cache 

Hero	Nemestice 2021 Collector's Cache	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Doom	Litany of the Damned	10$	2 Sold!
Dark Willow	Twilight Hex	5$	3 Sold!
Enigma	Astral Terminus	5$	4 Sold!
Enchantress	Caerulean Star	8$	2 Sold!
Winter Wyvern	Defender of the Brumal Crest	12$	8 Sold!

Collector Cache Sets 2020 1 + 2 

Hero	The International 2020	Price(USD)	Reserved/Sold
Faceless Void	Claszureme Incursion	65$	5 Sold! - 1 left
Keeper of the Light	The King Of Thieves	10$	4 Sold!
Rubick	Carousal of the Mystic Masquerade	10$	3 Sold!
Skywrath Mage	Secrets of the Celestial	10$	4 Sold! - 1 left
Phoenix	Blaze of Oblivion	8$	3 Sold!

Collector Cache Sets 2019 

Hero	The International 2019	Price (CSGO keys)	Reserved/Sold
Pudge	Dapper Disguise	15$	3 Sold
Warlock	Tribal Pathways	10$	1 Sold
Clockwerk	Directive of the Sunbound	10$	2 Sold
Bloodseeker	Fury of the Bloodforge	20$	4 Sold
Broodmother	Automaton Antiquity	10$	4 sold
Wraith King	Grim Destiny	12$	7 Sold- 1 left
Tusk	Distinguished Expeditionary	12$	2 Sold
Venomancer	Verdant Predator	15$	6 Sold - 1left!
Batrider	Prized Acquisitions	8$	3 Sold
Huskar	Pursuit of the Ember Demons	15$	7 Sold- 1 left
chen	Priest of the Proudsilver Clan	10$	7 Sold- 1 left

Collector Cache[1] + [2] Sets 

The International 2018	Price (CSGO keys)	Reserved/Sold
Stonemarch Sovereign [Wraith King]	15$	3 Sold - 1left
Pattern of the Silken Queen [Broodmother]	3$	1 sold
Shimmer of the Anointed [Nyx]	5$	3 Sold!
Pillar of the Fractured Citadel [Spirit Breaker]	5$	3 Sold
Loaded Prospects [Brewmaster]	5$	6 Sold

my profile steam
Inventor

This happened about 8 months ago. A little background, Me (19F) at the time and my boyfriend (23M) we both met at an open house for a college I both wanted to go to. He was a senior there. I saw him and I immediately thought he was cute. He was pretty handsome, had nice eyes, and a nice build. So I decided to talk to him and we both Instantly hit it off, ending with me getting his number. After I got his number he sent me dozens of messages about how he wanted to see me again and how beautiful I was. I have to admit I was a bit weirded out when he did this but like a stupid naive girl I loved the idea he wanted me so bad.
On our first date, he did everything a girl loves he took me out to a nice restaurant, was a complete gentleman, and completely swept me off my feet. We spent nearly all our free time together and when I was in classes or he was at his job we would text anytime we could. Now fast forward a year after dating I had some problems with my roommate that year and he suggested I move in with him as he had just bought a small apartment that had enough room for two people. I of course accepted and we moved into together.
This was when all the problems started, I moved in and everything was pretty normal then he started to act differently. He jealous, possessive, and insecure, and blame me for his behavior towards me. Always accusing me of cheating on him or doing something sneaky. Wanting me to cut off contact with close friends I’ve known since high school. Now one time, I had to study for an exam I had and stayed late at the library. I came home and he was angry about why I stayed so late. I tried to explain to him I did text him I would be staying late and that I would turn my phone on silent to concentrate. He was still upset and told me if I just “Love him enough.” We wouldn’t have these types of problems. As months passed his behavior began to get worse.
This was the situation that changed everything for the worse, One night I went out with friends for drinks as we had just finished our last exam of the year. And to note I did text him that I would be getting drinks with some friends and would be home late. I had to have been there for an hour before he stormed in and yelled at me saying I was cheating on him and how I didn’t love him. I was completely embarrassed In front of my friends and classmates l.
After this embarrassing incident, we went home and asked him how he knew where I was and he revealed to me that he had been tracking me. Not just my location but my every move he knew the places I went and the times I left them. He even admitted to having followed me when lying saying he was a work. I was shocked and disgusted at his actions. How do I tell him tracking/stalking me is not okay and an invasion of my privacy? I just really need advice on how to deal with this as I don’t wanna make this situation any worse.

When i start my pc and the Headset and go into dc/ts or something like that my mic is great/normal for the first minute but then it gets so much louder and slightly worse from the quality so that people in dc have to do me from 180% to 60%
Any tipps or suggestions?
Already tried:

• Pc reboot
• Headset restart
• dongle reconnect
• reconnect the clip-on microphone

Edit: of course you hear also every background sound like birds

Title: “Storm Hawks: Rise of Cyclonia”
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Company: New Line Cinema
Tagline: “Rise above the clouds to save Atmos.”
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Estimated budget: $100 million to $150 million.
Filming locations:
Matamata, New Zealand
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Tokyo, Japan
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Alaska, USA
Scotland
Crew:
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Producer: Brad Bird
Writer: Joe Robert Cole
Composer: Brian Tyler
Choreographer: Chad Stahelski
Cast:
Taron Egerton as Aerrow
Amandla Stenberg as Piper
Ryan Reynolds as Finn
Rob Gronkowski as Junko
Devon Bostick as Stork
Michael Cera as Radarr (Voice)
Chloë Grace Moretz as Starling
Charlize Theron as Ravess
Jason Momoa as Snipe
Dave Bautista as Repton
Kara Hayward as Master Cyclonis
James Euringer as Dark Ace
Henry Cavill as Lightning Strike
Clay Matthews as Carver
Fredric Lehne as Chief Registrar
Jean Reno as Wren
Léa Seydoux as Dove
Karen Gillan as Suzy Lu
Storyline:
In the Skylands, a group of young Sky Knights known as the Storm Hawks, led by the skilled Aerrow, protect Atmos from the forces of evil. Their peaceful existence is shattered when a new threat emerges from the dark and mysterious Cyclonian Empire, led by the ambitious and ruthless Master Cyclonis. As Master Cyclonis seeks to expand her empire and conquer the Skylands, the Storm Hawks must band together with their allies, including the legendary Sky Knight Council, to defend their homes and prevent Cyclonia's destructive plans. During their perilous journey, the Storm Hawks face dangerous challenges, epic aerial battles, and personal struggles that test their bonds of friendship and courage. Along the way, they uncover long-buried secrets about the history of the Skylands and the true nature of power. As the final showdown with Master Cyclonis approaches, the Storm Hawks must harness their skills, determination, and the power of their legendary Sky Knight ancestors to save their world from destruction and ensure a future of peace and freedom for all Skylands inhabitants “Storm Hawks: Rise of Cyclonia” is an action-packed adventure filled with aerial battles, daring rescues, and the triumph of hope over darkness in a world where the sky is never the limit for the Storm Hawks.

Hey There!

• I’m an easy going, no drama guy. The glass is half full.
  
• Love a night in cooking up a storm over a few drinks. I equally enjoy eating out.
  
• My espresso machine is my favourite appliance.
  
• Into health and fitness, but not at the expense of fun.
  
• Recent reads: Before The Coffee Gets Cold, To Kill A Mocking Bird, ACOTAR, Fourth Wing.
  
• Activities: The beach - Swimming, reading, walking, surfing - all year. Snowboarding / skiing, the gym, occasional golf.
  
• 5’7”
  

I'm here looking for a relationship. Hopefully we hit it off over a bit of fun, flirty banter and then we can meet in person. I want to share real life experiences. Ideally you’re in Geelong or the Western side of Melbourne, but it’s not a show stopper for me, I’m happy to travel. Oh, and I don't expect an exact match on my interests either.
The photo is me and there are more in my profile. Please be ok with sharing too. 😊
https://imgur.com/a/ZaLXSVT

Or, to put it more specifically, is the presence rippling in the sky throughout Authority and Acceptance actually the biologist?
I think we glimpse this presence for the first time in Authority, ignored in the background of Lowry's expedition footage. But we clearly see it in Acceptance:
Across the deepening blue, high up, something drifted that resembled ripped and tattered streamers. Long and wide and alien. Its progress so far up, so far away … Control thought of an invisible shredded plastic bag, eviscerated to elongate and drift through the sky … except it was thicker than that and part of the sky, too. The texture of it, the way it existed and didn’t exist, made him recoil, made his hand twitch, become numb, skin cold, remembering a wall that was not a wall. A wall that had been breathing under his touch.
[...]
Stitching through the sky, in a terrifying way—rippling, diving, rising again, and there came a terrible whispering that pierced not his ears but all of him, as if small particles of something physical had shot through him. He cursed, frozen there, watching, afraid. “The wavery lines that are there and not there.” A line from Whitby’s report he hadn’t shared because he hadn’t understood it. Images from the video of the first expedition coming back to him.
And then, when we finally encounter what the biologist has become, I initially thought this was the same creature, even though the latter isn't described in the sky. For comparison:
The sonorous sound now rising. The distant sense of weight and movement and bulk and substance and intent, and something in Ghost Bird’s mind linked to it, and no way to undo that.
[...]
Ghost Bird saw it from the landing window. How the biologist coalesced out of the night, her body flickering and stitching its way into existence, in the midst of a shimmering wave that imposed itself on the reality of forested hillside. The vast bulk seething down the hill through the forest with a crack and splinter as trees fell to that gliding yet ponderous and muffled darkness, reduced to kindling by the muscle behind the emerald luminescence that glinted through the black. The smell that presaged the biologist: thick brine and oil and some sharp, crushed herb. The sound that it made: as if the wind and sea had been smashed together and in the aftershock there reverberated that same sonorous moan.
I think it's the particular descriptor "stitching" that makes me think that, plus the fact that the first paragraph ("the distant sense of weight and movement . . .") that introduces the biologist reads like something coming back.
So: are these three all the same creature, with the biologist, now freed from the chains of location and time, manifesting in an earlier time to haunt Lowry?

I am making a new updated post with an mysterious issue with my Load Order. I am either missing something or something is cooperating. I could use a couple extra sets of eyes to see if I have missed anything. I am trying to build a working load order for the next gen update. Currently I have removed some mods and patched some that were made aware to me to be trouble some. Yet here I am again and this time I timed the crash intervals. Its crashing exactly between 6-8 minutes. Also while walking through sanctuary I noticed trees in the background flickering in and out. This tells me somethings not working as intended.
My PC Specs are as follows:
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X at 5.6ghz
64Gb DDR4 Ram at 3600mhz
Nvidia RTX 4080 at stock settings
Samsung 970 Evo M.2 SSD
Neither my cpu or gpu hit 50% load and I'm wondering if there is a way to let the game use more cpu and gpu, if that'll help.
I have only made it to Sanctuary each time I test this and yes I create a new game each time until I get this narrowed down. I also am not sure if Bethini works properly as every time I run it I have to redo all the settings each time.
Here is my newly updated load order:
0 0 Fallout4.esm
1 1 DLCRobot.esm
2 2 DLCworkshop01.esm
3 3 DLCCoast.esm
4 4 DLCworkshop02.esm
5 5 DLCworkshop03.esm
6 6 DLCNukaWorld.esm
7 7 DLCUltraHighResolution.esm
254 FE 0 ccbgsfo4018-gaussrifleprototype.esl
254 FE 1 ccbgsfo4019-chinesestealtharmor.esl
254 FE 2 ccBGSFO4044-HellfirePowerArmor.esl
254 FE 3 ccfsvfo4001-modularmilitarybackpack.esl
254 FE 4 ccfsvfo4002-midcenturymodern.esl
254 FE 5 cceejfo4001-decorationpack.esl
254 FE 6 ccgcafo4003-factionws03bos.esl
254 FE 7 ccgcafo4011-factionws11vt.esl
254 FE 8 ccgcafo4013-factionas02bos.esl
254 FE 9 ccgcafo4022-factionas11vt.esl
254 FE a ccawnfo4001-brandedattire.esl
8 8 ccswkfo4001-astronautpowerarmor.esm
254 FE b ccbgsfo4055-dghusk.esl
254 FE c ccfrsfo4002-antimaterielrifle.esl
254 FE d ccbgsfo4076-pipmystery.esl
254 FE e ccgrcfo4002-pipgreenvim.esl
254 FE f ccsbjfo4001-solarflare.esl
9 9 cczsef04001-bhouse.esm
254 FE 10 ccqdrfo4001_powerarmorai.esl
254 FE 11 ccBGSFO4115-X02.esl
254 FE 12 ccrzrfo4002-disintegrate.esl
254 FE 13 ccBGSFO4116-HeavyFlamer.esl
254 FE 14 ccBGSFO4110-WS_Enclave.esl
254 FE 15 ccBGSFO4096-AS_Enclave.esl
10 a cczsefo4002-smanor.esm
254 FE 16 ccacxfo4001-vsuit.esl
254 FE 17 ccFSVFO4007-Halloween.esl
254 FE 18 ccsbjfo4002_manwellrifle.esl
11 b cctosfo4002_neonflats.esm
254 FE 19 ccbgsfo4117-capmerc.esl
254 FE 1a ccBGSFO4046-TesCan.esl
254 FE 1b ccSBJFO4003-Grenade.esl
254 FE 1c ccOTMFO4001-Remnants.esl
12 c Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch.esp
13 d HUDFramework.esm
14 e WorkshopFramework.esm
254 FE 1d BakaFramework.esm
254 FE 1e PPF.esm
254 FE 1f Community Fixes Merged.esp
254 FE 20 TMR_GlitchfinderAIO.esm
15 f SS2.esm
16 10 SS2_XPAC_Chapter2.esm
17 11 SS2_XPAC_Chapter3.esm
18 12 DiamondCity-OverridePatch.esp
19 13 AmericaRising2.esm
254 FE 21 REFramework.esm
20 14 SettlementKeywords.esm
21 15 YouAndWhatArmy2.esm
254 FE 22 RunningWithHandsAnim.esl
22 16 Homemaker.esm
254 FE 23 SS2WorkshopHUDOverride.esl
23 17 Robot Home Defence.esm
24 18 Darlene.esm
254 FE 24 StandaloneWorkbenches.esl
254 FE 25 Rebuild_SharedResources.esm
254 FE 26 DiamondCityAmbience.esl
254 FE 27 IDEKsLogisticsStation2.esl
25 19 CALIBER-COMPLEX.esm
254 FE 28 Leah's Daisy Chains.esl
254 FE 29 PPF-HeavyFlamer-CR.esm
254 FE 2a PPF-NeonFlats-CR.esm
26 1a Settlement Electricity Overhaul.esm
254 FE 2b WG City Plans Pack ESL.esl
254 FE 2c sanctuaryWG.esl
254 FE 2d Fortress Sanctuary - Copy.esl
254 FE 2e Bunker Hill Mega City.esl
254 FE 2f SetMaxSettlers.esl
254 FE 30 SimpleProstitutes.esl
254 FE 31 Vee_SS2_Chapter2_SettlersEssentialPatch.esl
254 FE 32 Vee_SS2_SettlersEssentialPatch.esl
254 FE 33 MM-Castle-HQ-By-Tarkkh-V2.6.esl
254 FE 34 Castle Minutemen HQ level 2 layout.esl
254 FE 35 Castle Minutemen HQ level 3 layout.esl
254 FE 36 VUVC-CityPlan.esl
254 FE 37 GavMan_Vault88_CityPlan.esl
254 FE 38 GavMan_Vault88_Layouts.esl
254 FE 39 CanarySaveFileMonitor.esl
254 FE 3a HiPolyFacesCompanionPlugin.esl
254 FE 3b Dank_ArmorPaintExtended.esl
27 1b UneducatedReload.esm
28 1c Games.esm
29 1d BarstoolGames.esm
254 FE 3c EssentialNPCsExpanded.esl
30 1e OVT.esp
254 FE 3d Enhanced Vanilla Armor and Clothing.esp
254 FE 3e Fixed Gobo Effects.esp
254 FE 3f DiamondCityBillboards.esp
254 FE 40 Wetness Shader Fix.esp
254 FE 41 FO4ParticlePatch.esp
31 1f ImmersiveGenericDialogues.esp
32 20 Rebuild_Settlements.esp
33 21 CombinedArmsNV.esp
34 22 CombinedArmsEXPack.esp
254 FE 42 FallUI_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
35 23 Armament.esp
254 FE 43 CombinedArmsIntegrationProject - Armament.esp
36 24 ImmersiveCleaning.esp
37 25 3DNPC_FO4.esp
254 FE 44 3DNPC_FO4-Patch.esp
38 26 CleanMySettlement.esp
39 27 BTInteriors_Project.esp
254 FE 45 RebuildBTI Necessary Changes.esp
40 28 SimHomestead2.esp
254 FE 46 OCsUniversityPoint.esp
254 FE 47 DiverseSettlers.esp
254 FE 48 DIverseSettlersImmersionQoL.esp
41 29 DCGuard_Overhaul.esp
42 2a WeightlessMods.esp
43 2b WeaponModFixes-GOTY.esp
254 FE 49 MiscAnimTweaks.esp
44 2c RAW INPUT.esp
45 2d JumpFallPoseFix.esp
46 2e GrenadeCombatFixes.esp
254 FE 4a Flutter Flicker Fixer For Foliage.esp
254 FE 4b WhoIsTheGeneral.esp
254 FE 4c Keep Radiants In Commonwealth.esp
47 2f AttachPack.esp
254 FE 4d Attach Pack Modcol.esp
254 FE 4e OCsAtomCatsGarage.esp
48 30 DEEPriverV1.6.esp
49 31 BTInt_Optimization.esp
50 32 SS2Extended.esp
254 FE 4f OCsSunkenGarage.esp
254 FE 50 Rebuild_Covenant.esp
254 FE 51 3DNPC-eXoPatch.esp
51 33 the library.esp
254 FE 52 Rebuild_Settlements_Previs.esp
254 FE 53 OCsFiddlersGreen.esp
254 FE 54 Dank_ArmorOverrides.esp
52 34 SuperMutantRedux.esp
53 35 WeightlessAid_BetterItemSorting.esp
54 36 DCVendorOverhaulAIO.esp
55 37 The House.esp
254 FE 55 The House - eXoPatch.esp
56 38 OutcastsAndRemnants.esp
254 FE 56 the library - eXoPatch.esp
57 39 AnimatedCandles.esp
58 3a Depravity.esp
59 3b Vault4.esp
60 3c Stm_DiamondCityExpansion.esp
254 FE 57 DiamondCityExpansion-eXoPatch.esp
254 FE 58 Vault4-eXoPatch.esp
61 3d DiamondNewVendors.esp
62 3e TrainBar.esp
63 3f Sanctuary Pre-Walled.esp
64 40 AA FusionCityRising.esp
65 41 3DNPC_FO4_DLC.esp
254 FE 59 fakeInt.esp
254 FE 5a OCsDartmouthSkyscraper.esp
66 42 BTInt_Menus.esp
254 FE 5b BG_UnderArmor_Fix.esp
67 43 W.A.T.Minutemen.esp
68 44 AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp
69 45 DCVendorClutter.esp
254 FE 5c VCM_Sanctuary_Navmesh_Update_W_Roof.esp
70 46 f4killingthebugs2.esp
254 FE 5d Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCCoast.esp
71 47 KOTOR.esp
254 FE 5e CombinedArms_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
72 48 CheatTerminal.esp
73 49 InstituteSettlements2.esp
74 4a TU3SD4Y'S Commonwealth Responders.esp
254 FE 5f 3DNPC_FO4[Previsibines].esp
75 4b Settlement_Markers.esp
76 4c MinutemenPropaganda.esp
254 FE 60 SS2_RobotMod.esp
77 4d Flashy_CrimeAndPunishment.esp
78 4e MilitarizedMinutemen.esp
79 4f 3DNPC_FO4Settler.esp
80 50 SS2_FDK_TinyLiving.esp
81 51 AA 50 Ways To Die.esp
254 FE 61 CutContentNPCsAiO.esp
82 52 Mercenary.esp
254 FE 62 Nova Uniques Combined Arms.esp
254 FE 63 Dank_ECO.esp
254 FE 64 Diamond City Supplements.esp
83 53 WattzLaserGun.esp
254 FE 65 Dank_WOP-WattzLaserGun.esp
254 FE 66 GoodneighborView.esp
84 54 0_Vault120.esp
254 FE 67 Dank_WOP-CombinedArms.esp
85 55 ProjectValkyrie.esp
86 56 Eli_Armour_Compendium.esp
87 57 BosskCompanion.esp
254 FE 68 FiddlersGreenTftCPatch.esp
88 58 CloneTrooperCompanion_1.esp
254 FE 69 PRP-SS2-Fixes-Ch2.esp
CloneArmoryWeapons2.0.esp
89 59 SS2-Jampads2.esp
254 FE 6a Rebuild_Covenant_Previs.esp
90 5a llamaCompanionHeatherv2.esp
254 FE 6b FiddlersGreenTarberrySwap.esp
91 5b SS2WastelandVenturers.esp
92 5c [SS2 Addon] SimSettlements SuperStructures.esp
254 FE 6c TerrainUndersides.esp
93 5d FO4 NPCs Travel.esp
94 5e Cho1_SS2_Encv_Plots.esp
254 FE 6d ss2c23dnpcpatch.esp
95 5f RU556.esp
254 FE 6e OCsDartmouthSkyscraperExperimental.esp
96 60 RosieAtSomervilleAiO.esp
254 FE 6f PRP-SS2-Fixes-Ch1.esp
97 61 SigMCX.esp
98 62 Beretta92FS-SwordCutlass.esp
254 FE 70 PuddleReflectionFix.esp
99 63 Less Annoying Berry Mentats.esp
254 FE 71 Dogmeat Follow Behind.esp
100 64 EasyHacking.esp
101 65 OutlineWorkshopShader.esp
254 FE 72 M8rDisablePipboyEffects.esp
102 66 LooksMenu.esp
103 67 Complex Vendors.esp
104 68 BlockingOverhaul.esp
254 FE 73 Chemfluence AI Combat Dynamics.esp
105 69 DLC Timing.esp
254 FE 74 DLC Timing - UFO4P Patch.esp
254 FE 75 WTG - KRIC Patch.esp
106 6a dcc-molotov-nerf.esp
254 FE 76 LegendariesTheyCanUse.esp
254 FE 77 No Sneaking in Power Armor.esp
107 6b Faster Terminal Displays (20x).esp
108 6c WeightlessJunk.esp
109 6d WeightlessSpecialAmmo.esp
110 6e CarryWeight99999.esp
254 FE 78 Legendary Mutation Messages Fix.esp
254 FE 79 Gloomy Glass.esp
254 FE 7a VividFallout - AiO - BestChoice.esp
254 FE 7b Targeted Textures.esp
254 FE 7c WAVE.esp
111 6f ScopeOverlayDOF.esp
112 70 RemoveBlur.esp
113 71 dD-Enhanced Blood Basic.esp
254 FE 7d Robot_Textures_Redone.esp
114 72 ValiusHDTextures2K.esp
115 73 TrueGrass.esp
116 74 4estGimp - SuperMutantRedux4FallUI-TAGS.esp
117 75 SuperMutantRedux VIS Patch.esp
118 76 SettlementMenuManager.esp
119 77 Homemaker - Streetlights Use Passive Power.esp
120 78 Homemaker - Unlocked Institute Objects.esp
254 FE 7e SS2_DLCSettlerPatch.esp
254 FE 7f SS2Extended_OutfitInjectionPatch.esp
121 79 SS2_CityPlanPack_RiseOfTheCommonwealth.esp
122 7a Quieter Settlements - Contraptions.esp
123 7b Quieter Settlements - Vanilla.esp
124 7c Quieter Settlements - Wasteland Workshop.esp
125 7d Robot Home Defence - Settlement Keywords.esp
126 7e nimroutroguesyntharmorstandalone.esp
127 7f SGOWastelandExpansion.esp
128 80 Brick_By_Brick_Master.esp
129 81 AtomicRadio.esp
130 82 FunctionalDisplays-Collectibles.esp
131 83 BetterCompanions.esp
132 84 DarleneDLC.esp
254 FE 80 LiveLove - Heather_Valkyrie.esp
133 85 ImmersiveVendors.esp
134 86 KSHairdos.esp
135 87 LooksMenu Customization Compendium.esp
136 88 AzarPonytailHairstyles.esp
137 89 BetterSettlers.esp
138 8a BetterSettlersCleanFacePack.esp
139 8b WorkshopTurretsDontHarmPlayerPerk.esp
254 FE 81 DiverseSettlersFarHarbor.esp
140 8c HiPolyFaces.esp
141 8d CBBE.esp
142 8e Extended weapon mods.esp
143 8f CROSS_Cybernetics.esp
144 90 CROSS_Cybernetics_NoRobotFootStepSounds.esp
145 91 LightsaberMod.esp
254 FE 82 CROSS_CourserStrigidae.esp
146 92 Craftable Armor Size - Fix Material Requirements.esp
147 93 Craftable Armor Size.esp
148 94 ChineseStealthSuit.esp
149 95 RichMerchants.esp
150 96 LooksMirror.esp
254 FE 83 Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCNukaWorld.esp
254 FE 84 SS2_XDI Patch.esp
254 FE 85 Attach Pack Mod Description Fixes.esp
254 FE 86 SprintOutOfCombat.esp
151 97 DynamicOutfitting_CBBE.esp
152 98 The Eyes Of Beauty.esp
254 FE 87 aBitPrettierNWRaiders.esp
153 99 [LOUDER] PowerArmorVoiceChanger.esp
254 FE 88 DiverseMinutemen.esp
254 FE 89 WeAreTheDiverseMinutemen.esp
254 FE 8a DiverseBoS.esp
254 FE 8b DiverseDCSecurity.esp
254 FE 8c Face Fixes - All in One.esp
254 FE 8d Dank_ECO-INNR.esp
254 FE 8e Dank_ECO_DLCCoast.esp
254 FE 8f Dank_ECO_DLCNukaWorld.esp
254 FE 90 Dank_ECO_DLCRobot.esp
254 FE 91 Eli_Armour_Compendium_LIF.esp
254 FE 92 Combat AI Empowered - Tweaked Accuracy.esp
FakeIntNacXTrueStormDApatch.esp
154 9a VATSFreezeFixNextGen.esp
155 9b Vault88AreaExtension.esp
156 9c Wu9DoubleGeneratorPower.esp
254 FE 93 SS2_Addon_Favelabulous.esp
157 9d SS2_Addon_R2R.esp
158 9e SS2_ruined_simsettlement_addonpack.esp
159 9f SS2_STRA_Buildings_and_Skins.esp
160 a0 SS2_STRA_Support_Buildings.esp
161 a1 SS2ConveyorStorage.esp
162 a2 PiperOverhaul2F1E.esp
254 FE 94 SS2_MagnussonTerminalFix.esp
163 a3 BlasTech E-11.esp
254 FE 95 Lightsaber_NoLL.esp
164 a4 CW Stormtrooper.esp
165 a5 BosskBountyHunter.esp
254 FE 96 OCsAtomCatsGarageGenericAtomCats.esp
166 a6 ProjectSynth.esp
167 a7 FO4LaserBolts.esp
168 a8 CloneArmory4.0.esp
169 a9 CloneTrooperCompanionArmoryPatch.esp
170 aa Thematic and Practical.esp
171 ab Thematic and Practical - DLC.esp
172 ac JunkTownTwo.esp
173 ad GarageHomesAndSensibleSecurity.esp
174 ae BMW_ALA.esp
175 af SKKGlobalStashScrapping.esp
254 FE 97 CompanionStatus-Settings.esp
176 b0 CompanionStatus.esp
177 b1 DCE_female_body_replacer.esp
254 FE 98 DCENS.esp
254 FE 99 CBBEHR.esp
254 FE 9a CBBEHR_3DNPC.esp
254 FE 9b CBBEHR_SS2.esp
254 FE 9c CBBEHR_SS2Ch2.esp
254 FE 9d SS2-3DNPC-Settlers.esp
178 b2 SKKCompanionWeaponLL.esp
179 b3 SS2-PraRandomAddon.esp
180 b4 X12Plasmacaster.esp
254 FE 9e SigMCX_LvlListPatch.esp
254 FE 9f SigMCX_MaterialPack.esp
254 FE a0 OCsSunkenGarageGhoulSettlers.esp
254 FE a1 No More Fake Puddles - Nuka World 1-0.esp
254 FE a2 IDEKsLogisticsStation2_SS2_Patch.esp
181 b5 SS-ILS2 patch.esp
182 b6 DX_Predator.esp
254 FE a3 Eli_Armour_Compendium_Tweaks_ECO.esp
254 FE a4 CombinedArmsEX_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a5 Deliverer_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a6 DLCCoast_RadiumRifle_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
FG-42 Ausf.E ParaTroop Rifle_No TR_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a7 SIGMCX_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a8 Combined Arms EX_LLI.esp
254 FE a9 Combined Arms_LLI.esp
254 FE aa Star Wars - The Lightsaber_LLI.esp
183 b7 DT_GunnerOutfitPack.esp
254 FE ab Gunner Outfit Replacer.esp
254 FE ac Rebuild_Workshop.esp
184 b8 MyCityPlans(4).esp
185 b9 Passthrough.esp
186 ba ConnectedWorkshops.esp
254 FE ad Invisible and Longer Power Lines.esp
187 bb DEEPriver NoRads.esp
188 bc SimSettlements2_AddOnPack_ApocalypticAdditions_SirLach.esp
189 bd SS2_SIMPDDDD.esp
190 be ohSIM_Sim2_Settlements_Scrappers_Addon.esp
254 FE ae SS2Addon_MS_BareEssentials.esp
254 FE af SS2AOP_VaultTecTools.esp
191 bf SS2_WastelandDefense.esp
192 c0 AutoDoors.esp
254 FE b0 Rebuild_SharedResources_AutoDoors.esp
193 c1 Faction Pack Template.esp
254 FE b1 ProjectValkyrie-SS2-Patch.esp
194 c2 RandomSettlers.esp
254 FE b2 RandomSettlers - LevelUp.esp
195 c3 SS2UI.esp
254 FE b3 WastelandResources.esp
254 FE b4 Raze My Settlement.esp
254 FE b5 Armament - Caliber Complex Patch.esp
254 FE b6 Armament-ECO_PatchUpdate.esp
196 c4 KSHairsFemsheppingRadbeetle.esp
197 c5 KSHairdos_oel.esp
198 c6 Lots More Facial Hair.esp
254 FE b7 LKsAbbot.esp
254 FE b8 LKsAllanLee.esp
254 FE b9 LKsAnnCodman.esp
254 FE ba LKsAnneHargraves.esp
254 FE bb LKsArturoRodrigues.esp
254 FE bc LKsBeckyFallon.esp
254 FE bd LKsBlakeAbernathy.esp
254 FE be LKsCarla.esp
254 FE bf LKsCathy.esp
254 FE c0 LKsClairHutchins.esp
254 FE c1 LKsConnieAbernathy.esp
254 FE c2 LKsDarcyPembroke.esp
254 FE c3 LKsDeacon.esp
254 FE c4 LKsDeb.esp
254 FE c5 LKsDesdemona.esp
254 FE c6 LKsDoctorCarrington.esp
254 FE c7 LKsDoctorDuff.esp
254 FE c8 LKsDoctorSun.esp
254 FE c9 LKsElliePerkins.esp
254 FE ca LKsFahrenheit.esp
254 FE cb LKsFather.esp
254 FE cc LKsFredAllen.esp
254 FE cd LKsGeneva.esp
254 FE ce LKsGeorgeCooper.esp
254 FE cf LKsGlory.esp
254 FE d0 LKsHarvey.esp
254 FE d1 LKsHenryCooke.esp
254 FE d2 LKsJoeSavoldi.esp
254 FE d3 LKsJohn.esp
254 FE d4 LKsJunLong.esp
254 FE d5 LKsKasumiNakano.esp
254 FE d6 LKsKay.esp
254 FE d7 LKsKellogg.esp
254 FE d8 LKsKenjiNakano.esp
254 FE d9 LKsKessler.esp
254 FE da LKsLucyAbernathy.esp
254 FE db LKsMamaMurphy.esp
254 FE dc LKsMarcyLong.esp
254 FE dd LKsMariner.esp
254 FE de LKsMarovski.esp
254 FE df LKsMaxson.esp
254 FE e0 LKsMayorMcDonough.esp
254 FE e1 LKsMoeCronin.esp
254 FE e2 LKsMyrna.esp
254 FE e3 LKsOldLongfellow.esp
254 FE e4 LKsPaladinDanse.esp
254 FE e5 LKsPastorClemens.esp
254 FE e6 LKsPaulPembroke.esp
254 FE e7 LKsPickman.esp
254 FE e8 LKsPolly.esp
254 FE e9 LKsPorterCage.esp
254 FE ea LKsPrestonGarvey.esp
254 FE eb LKsProfessorScara.esp
254 FE ec LKsReiNakano.esp
254 FE ed LKsRexGoodman.esp
254 FE ee LKsRonnieShaw.esp
254 FE ef LKsRufusRubin.esp
254 FE f0 LKsScarlett.esp
254 FE f1 LKsScribeHaylen..esp
254 FE f2 LKsSheffield.esp
254 FE f3 LKsSierraPetrovita.esp
254 FE f4 LKsSolomon.esp
254 FE f5 LKsStanSlavin.esp
254 FE f6 LKsSturges.esp
254 FE f7 LKsTinkerTom.esp
254 FE f8 LKsTonySavoldi.esp
254 FE f9 LKsTravisMiles.esp
254 FE fa LKsTrudy.esp
254 FE fb LKsVadimBobrov.esp
254 FE fc LKsVaultTecRep.esp
254 FE fd LKsWolfgang.esp
254 FE fe LKsX6-88.esp
254 FE ff LKsYefimBobrov.esp
254 FE 100 Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCRobot.esp
254 FE 101 Dank_INNRoverride.esp
199 c7 TGF_TrueGrassFix.esp
200 c8 NPCRespawnFix.esp
254 FE 102 Dank_ECO_UneducatedReload.esp
254 FE 103 SS2_AFT.esp
254 FE 104 AFTSpouseTweaks.esp
201 c9 AFT_Alt_Names_Pack1.esp
254 FE 105 Community Fixes Merged - Weapon Mod Fixes Patch.esp
254 FE 106 MinutemenPropaganda SMM.esp
202 ca BarstoolGames_FH.esp
203 cb BarstoolGames_NW.esp
204 cc SS2_CLB_WATMPack.esp
254 FE 107 REPatch_AmericaRising2LegacyOfTheEnclave.esp
205 cd Revy_Stand_Alone_Follower.esp
206 ce AA HotC - Standalone - SE.esp
207 cf BetterSettlersCCAPack2.0.esp
208 d0 BetterSettlersMostlyFemale.esp
209 d1 BetterSettlersNoLollygagging.esp
210 d2 VaultSuitUnzipped.esp
Lacy Underwear ExtraColors.esp
CustomCombatArmor_SynthOverhaul.esp
254 FE 108 Vault4-PreVis.esp
254 FE 109 Lightweight Lighting.esp
254 FE 10a WET.esp
254 FE 10b PRP.esp
254 FE 10c 3DNPC_BTI_Optimization.esp
254 FE 10d RebuildBTIPrevisPatch.esp
254 FE 10e OCsBreakHeartBanks.esp
254 FE 10f OCsProspectPark.esp
254 FE 110 OCsLakeQ.esp
254 FE 111 PRP_IC.esp
254 FE 112 OCsCochituate.esp
254 FE 113 OCsCharlesviewAmpitheater.esp
254 FE 114 PRP-SS2.esp
254 FE 115 the library_Patch.esp
254 FE 116 The House_Patch.esp
254 FE 117 3DNPC_FO4_Patch.esp
254 FE 118 OCsV81TradeCamp.esp
254 FE 119 DiamondCity-PreVis.esp
254 FE 11a Em_Vault4_Previs.esp
254 FE 11b Em_3DNPC_FO4_Previs.esp
254 FE 11c 0_Vault120_NordhagenHaven_PRP.esp
254 FE 11d DiamondNewVendors_Patch.esp
254 FE 11e OCsV81TradeCampGrassReduced.esp
254 FE 11f OCsCochituateReducedGrass.esp
254 FE 120 OCsProspectParkEBA.esp
254 FE 121 OCsBreakheartBanksSS2QuestPatch.esp
254 FE 122 CharlesviewHappyCult.esp
254 FE 123 OCsV81TradeCampEarlyUnlock.esp
254 FE 124 OCsNukaTransitCenter.esp
211 d3 EnhancedLightsandFX.esp
254 FE 125 EnhancedLightsandFX - Automatron.esp
254 FE 126 PRP-ELFXOPC.esp
254 FE 127 ELFX-PreVis.esp
254 FE 128 ELFX-eXoPatch.esp
254 FE 129 ELFX Crash fix.esp
254 FE 12a Vault4-ELFX-PreVis.esp
254 FE 12b WorkshopFramework_ScriptOverride.esp

Alright so besides the funny title, I am making a new updated post with an mysterious issue with my Load Order. I am either missing something or something is cooperating. I could use a couple extra sets of eyes to see if I have missed anything. I am trying to build a working load order for the next gen update. Currently I have removed some mods and patched some that were made aware to me to be trouble some. Yet here I am again and this time I timed the crash intervals. Its crashing exactly between 6-8 minutes. Also while walking through sanctuary I noticed trees in the background flickering in and out. This tells me somethings not working as intended.
My PC Specs are as follows:
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X at 5.6ghz
64Gb DDR4 Ram at 3600mhz
Nvidia RTX 4080 at stock settings
Samsung 970 Evo M.2 SSD
Neither my cpu or gpu hit 50% load and I'm wondering if there is a way to let the game use more cpu and gpu, if that'll help.
I have only made it to Sanctuary each time I test this and yes I create a new game each time until I get this narrowed down. I also am not sure if Bethini works properly as every time I run it I have to redo all the settings each time.
Here is my newly updated load order:
0 0 Fallout4.esm
1 1 DLCRobot.esm
2 2 DLCworkshop01.esm
3 3 DLCCoast.esm
4 4 DLCworkshop02.esm
5 5 DLCworkshop03.esm
6 6 DLCNukaWorld.esm
7 7 DLCUltraHighResolution.esm
254 FE 0 ccbgsfo4018-gaussrifleprototype.esl
254 FE 1 ccbgsfo4019-chinesestealtharmor.esl
254 FE 2 ccBGSFO4044-HellfirePowerArmor.esl
254 FE 3 ccfsvfo4001-modularmilitarybackpack.esl
254 FE 4 ccfsvfo4002-midcenturymodern.esl
254 FE 5 cceejfo4001-decorationpack.esl
254 FE 6 ccgcafo4003-factionws03bos.esl
254 FE 7 ccgcafo4011-factionws11vt.esl
254 FE 8 ccgcafo4013-factionas02bos.esl
254 FE 9 ccgcafo4022-factionas11vt.esl
254 FE a ccawnfo4001-brandedattire.esl
8 8 ccswkfo4001-astronautpowerarmor.esm
254 FE b ccbgsfo4055-dghusk.esl
254 FE c ccfrsfo4002-antimaterielrifle.esl
254 FE d ccbgsfo4076-pipmystery.esl
254 FE e ccgrcfo4002-pipgreenvim.esl
254 FE f ccsbjfo4001-solarflare.esl
9 9 cczsef04001-bhouse.esm
254 FE 10 ccqdrfo4001_powerarmorai.esl
254 FE 11 ccBGSFO4115-X02.esl
254 FE 12 ccrzrfo4002-disintegrate.esl
254 FE 13 ccBGSFO4116-HeavyFlamer.esl
254 FE 14 ccBGSFO4110-WS_Enclave.esl
254 FE 15 ccBGSFO4096-AS_Enclave.esl
10 a cczsefo4002-smanor.esm
254 FE 16 ccacxfo4001-vsuit.esl
254 FE 17 ccFSVFO4007-Halloween.esl
254 FE 18 ccsbjfo4002_manwellrifle.esl
11 b cctosfo4002_neonflats.esm
254 FE 19 ccbgsfo4117-capmerc.esl
254 FE 1a ccBGSFO4046-TesCan.esl
254 FE 1b ccSBJFO4003-Grenade.esl
254 FE 1c ccOTMFO4001-Remnants.esl
12 c Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch.esp
13 d HUDFramework.esm
14 e WorkshopFramework.esm
254 FE 1d BakaFramework.esm
254 FE 1e PPF.esm
254 FE 1f Community Fixes Merged.esp
254 FE 20 TMR_GlitchfinderAIO.esm
15 f SS2.esm
16 10 SS2_XPAC_Chapter2.esm
17 11 SS2_XPAC_Chapter3.esm
18 12 DiamondCity-OverridePatch.esp
19 13 AmericaRising2.esm
254 FE 21 REFramework.esm
20 14 SettlementKeywords.esm
21 15 YouAndWhatArmy2.esm
254 FE 22 RunningWithHandsAnim.esl
22 16 Homemaker.esm
254 FE 23 SS2WorkshopHUDOverride.esl
23 17 Robot Home Defence.esm
24 18 Darlene.esm
254 FE 24 StandaloneWorkbenches.esl
254 FE 25 Rebuild_SharedResources.esm
254 FE 26 DiamondCityAmbience.esl
254 FE 27 IDEKsLogisticsStation2.esl
25 19 CALIBER-COMPLEX.esm
254 FE 28 Leah's Daisy Chains.esl
254 FE 29 PPF-HeavyFlamer-CR.esm
254 FE 2a PPF-NeonFlats-CR.esm
26 1a Settlement Electricity Overhaul.esm
254 FE 2b WG City Plans Pack ESL.esl
254 FE 2c sanctuaryWG.esl
254 FE 2d Fortress Sanctuary - Copy.esl
254 FE 2e Bunker Hill Mega City.esl
254 FE 2f SetMaxSettlers.esl
254 FE 30 SimpleProstitutes.esl
254 FE 31 Vee_SS2_Chapter2_SettlersEssentialPatch.esl
254 FE 32 Vee_SS2_SettlersEssentialPatch.esl
254 FE 33 MM-Castle-HQ-By-Tarkkh-V2.6.esl
254 FE 34 Castle Minutemen HQ level 2 layout.esl
254 FE 35 Castle Minutemen HQ level 3 layout.esl
254 FE 36 VUVC-CityPlan.esl
254 FE 37 GavMan_Vault88_CityPlan.esl
254 FE 38 GavMan_Vault88_Layouts.esl
254 FE 39 CanarySaveFileMonitor.esl
254 FE 3a HiPolyFacesCompanionPlugin.esl
254 FE 3b Dank_ArmorPaintExtended.esl
27 1b UneducatedReload.esm
28 1c Games.esm
29 1d BarstoolGames.esm
254 FE 3c EssentialNPCsExpanded.esl
30 1e OVT.esp
254 FE 3d Enhanced Vanilla Armor and Clothing.esp
254 FE 3e Fixed Gobo Effects.esp
254 FE 3f DiamondCityBillboards.esp
254 FE 40 Wetness Shader Fix.esp
254 FE 41 FO4ParticlePatch.esp
31 1f ImmersiveGenericDialogues.esp
32 20 Rebuild_Settlements.esp
33 21 CombinedArmsNV.esp
34 22 CombinedArmsEXPack.esp
254 FE 42 FallUI_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
35 23 Armament.esp
254 FE 43 CombinedArmsIntegrationProject - Armament.esp
36 24 ImmersiveCleaning.esp
37 25 3DNPC_FO4.esp
254 FE 44 3DNPC_FO4-Patch.esp
38 26 CleanMySettlement.esp
39 27 BTInteriors_Project.esp
254 FE 45 RebuildBTI Necessary Changes.esp
40 28 SimHomestead2.esp
254 FE 46 OCsUniversityPoint.esp
254 FE 47 DiverseSettlers.esp
254 FE 48 DIverseSettlersImmersionQoL.esp
41 29 DCGuard_Overhaul.esp
42 2a WeightlessMods.esp
43 2b WeaponModFixes-GOTY.esp
254 FE 49 MiscAnimTweaks.esp
44 2c RAW INPUT.esp
45 2d JumpFallPoseFix.esp
46 2e GrenadeCombatFixes.esp
254 FE 4a Flutter Flicker Fixer For Foliage.esp
254 FE 4b WhoIsTheGeneral.esp
254 FE 4c Keep Radiants In Commonwealth.esp
47 2f AttachPack.esp
254 FE 4d Attach Pack Modcol.esp
254 FE 4e OCsAtomCatsGarage.esp
48 30 DEEPriverV1.6.esp
49 31 BTInt_Optimization.esp
50 32 SS2Extended.esp
254 FE 4f OCsSunkenGarage.esp
254 FE 50 Rebuild_Covenant.esp
254 FE 51 3DNPC-eXoPatch.esp
51 33 the library.esp
254 FE 52 Rebuild_Settlements_Previs.esp
254 FE 53 OCsFiddlersGreen.esp
254 FE 54 Dank_ArmorOverrides.esp
52 34 SuperMutantRedux.esp
53 35 WeightlessAid_BetterItemSorting.esp
54 36 DCVendorOverhaulAIO.esp
55 37 The House.esp
254 FE 55 The House - eXoPatch.esp
56 38 OutcastsAndRemnants.esp
254 FE 56 the library - eXoPatch.esp
57 39 AnimatedCandles.esp
58 3a Depravity.esp
59 3b Vault4.esp
60 3c Stm_DiamondCityExpansion.esp
254 FE 57 DiamondCityExpansion-eXoPatch.esp
254 FE 58 Vault4-eXoPatch.esp
61 3d DiamondNewVendors.esp
62 3e TrainBar.esp
63 3f Sanctuary Pre-Walled.esp
64 40 AA FusionCityRising.esp
65 41 3DNPC_FO4_DLC.esp
254 FE 59 fakeInt.esp
254 FE 5a OCsDartmouthSkyscraper.esp
66 42 BTInt_Menus.esp
254 FE 5b BG_UnderArmor_Fix.esp
67 43 W.A.T.Minutemen.esp
68 44 AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp
69 45 DCVendorClutter.esp
254 FE 5c VCM_Sanctuary_Navmesh_Update_W_Roof.esp
70 46 f4killingthebugs2.esp
254 FE 5d Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCCoast.esp
71 47 KOTOR.esp
254 FE 5e CombinedArms_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
72 48 CheatTerminal.esp
73 49 InstituteSettlements2.esp
74 4a TU3SD4Y'S Commonwealth Responders.esp
254 FE 5f 3DNPC_FO4[Previsibines].esp
75 4b Settlement_Markers.esp
76 4c MinutemenPropaganda.esp
254 FE 60 SS2_RobotMod.esp
77 4d Flashy_CrimeAndPunishment.esp
78 4e MilitarizedMinutemen.esp
79 4f 3DNPC_FO4Settler.esp
80 50 SS2_FDK_TinyLiving.esp
81 51 AA 50 Ways To Die.esp
254 FE 61 CutContentNPCsAiO.esp
82 52 Mercenary.esp
254 FE 62 Nova Uniques Combined Arms.esp
254 FE 63 Dank_ECO.esp
254 FE 64 Diamond City Supplements.esp
83 53 WattzLaserGun.esp
254 FE 65 Dank_WOP-WattzLaserGun.esp
254 FE 66 GoodneighborView.esp
84 54 0_Vault120.esp
254 FE 67 Dank_WOP-CombinedArms.esp
85 55 ProjectValkyrie.esp
86 56 Eli_Armour_Compendium.esp
87 57 BosskCompanion.esp
254 FE 68 FiddlersGreenTftCPatch.esp
88 58 CloneTrooperCompanion_1.esp
254 FE 69 PRP-SS2-Fixes-Ch2.esp
CloneArmoryWeapons2.0.esp
89 59 SS2-Jampads2.esp
254 FE 6a Rebuild_Covenant_Previs.esp
90 5a llamaCompanionHeatherv2.esp
254 FE 6b FiddlersGreenTarberrySwap.esp
91 5b SS2WastelandVenturers.esp
92 5c [SS2 Addon] SimSettlements SuperStructures.esp
254 FE 6c TerrainUndersides.esp
93 5d FO4 NPCs Travel.esp
94 5e Cho1_SS2_Encv_Plots.esp
254 FE 6d ss2c23dnpcpatch.esp
95 5f RU556.esp
254 FE 6e OCsDartmouthSkyscraperExperimental.esp
96 60 RosieAtSomervilleAiO.esp
254 FE 6f PRP-SS2-Fixes-Ch1.esp
97 61 SigMCX.esp
98 62 Beretta92FS-SwordCutlass.esp
254 FE 70 PuddleReflectionFix.esp
99 63 Less Annoying Berry Mentats.esp
254 FE 71 Dogmeat Follow Behind.esp
100 64 EasyHacking.esp
101 65 OutlineWorkshopShader.esp
254 FE 72 M8rDisablePipboyEffects.esp
102 66 LooksMenu.esp
103 67 Complex Vendors.esp
104 68 BlockingOverhaul.esp
254 FE 73 Chemfluence AI Combat Dynamics.esp
105 69 DLC Timing.esp
254 FE 74 DLC Timing - UFO4P Patch.esp
254 FE 75 WTG - KRIC Patch.esp
106 6a dcc-molotov-nerf.esp
254 FE 76 LegendariesTheyCanUse.esp
254 FE 77 No Sneaking in Power Armor.esp
107 6b Faster Terminal Displays (20x).esp
108 6c WeightlessJunk.esp
109 6d WeightlessSpecialAmmo.esp
110 6e CarryWeight99999.esp
254 FE 78 Legendary Mutation Messages Fix.esp
254 FE 79 Gloomy Glass.esp
254 FE 7a VividFallout - AiO - BestChoice.esp
254 FE 7b Targeted Textures.esp
254 FE 7c WAVE.esp
111 6f ScopeOverlayDOF.esp
112 70 RemoveBlur.esp
113 71 dD-Enhanced Blood Basic.esp
254 FE 7d Robot_Textures_Redone.esp
114 72 ValiusHDTextures2K.esp
115 73 TrueGrass.esp
116 74 4estGimp - SuperMutantRedux4FallUI-TAGS.esp
117 75 SuperMutantRedux VIS Patch.esp
118 76 SettlementMenuManager.esp
119 77 Homemaker - Streetlights Use Passive Power.esp
120 78 Homemaker - Unlocked Institute Objects.esp
254 FE 7e SS2_DLCSettlerPatch.esp
254 FE 7f SS2Extended_OutfitInjectionPatch.esp
121 79 SS2_CityPlanPack_RiseOfTheCommonwealth.esp
122 7a Quieter Settlements - Contraptions.esp
123 7b Quieter Settlements - Vanilla.esp
124 7c Quieter Settlements - Wasteland Workshop.esp
125 7d Robot Home Defence - Settlement Keywords.esp
126 7e nimroutroguesyntharmorstandalone.esp
127 7f SGOWastelandExpansion.esp
128 80 Brick_By_Brick_Master.esp
129 81 AtomicRadio.esp
130 82 FunctionalDisplays-Collectibles.esp
131 83 BetterCompanions.esp
132 84 DarleneDLC.esp
254 FE 80 LiveLove - Heather_Valkyrie.esp
133 85 ImmersiveVendors.esp
134 86 KSHairdos.esp
135 87 LooksMenu Customization Compendium.esp
136 88 AzarPonytailHairstyles.esp
137 89 BetterSettlers.esp
138 8a BetterSettlersCleanFacePack.esp
139 8b WorkshopTurretsDontHarmPlayerPerk.esp
254 FE 81 DiverseSettlersFarHarbor.esp
140 8c HiPolyFaces.esp
141 8d CBBE.esp
142 8e Extended weapon mods.esp
143 8f CROSS_Cybernetics.esp
144 90 CROSS_Cybernetics_NoRobotFootStepSounds.esp
145 91 LightsaberMod.esp
254 FE 82 CROSS_CourserStrigidae.esp
146 92 Craftable Armor Size - Fix Material Requirements.esp
147 93 Craftable Armor Size.esp
148 94 ChineseStealthSuit.esp
149 95 RichMerchants.esp
150 96 LooksMirror.esp
254 FE 83 Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCNukaWorld.esp
254 FE 84 SS2_XDI Patch.esp
254 FE 85 Attach Pack Mod Description Fixes.esp
254 FE 86 SprintOutOfCombat.esp
151 97 DynamicOutfitting_CBBE.esp
152 98 The Eyes Of Beauty.esp
254 FE 87 aBitPrettierNWRaiders.esp
153 99 [LOUDER] PowerArmorVoiceChanger.esp
254 FE 88 DiverseMinutemen.esp
254 FE 89 WeAreTheDiverseMinutemen.esp
254 FE 8a DiverseBoS.esp
254 FE 8b DiverseDCSecurity.esp
254 FE 8c Face Fixes - All in One.esp
254 FE 8d Dank_ECO-INNR.esp
254 FE 8e Dank_ECO_DLCCoast.esp
254 FE 8f Dank_ECO_DLCNukaWorld.esp
254 FE 90 Dank_ECO_DLCRobot.esp
254 FE 91 Eli_Armour_Compendium_LIF.esp
254 FE 92 Combat AI Empowered - Tweaked Accuracy.esp
FakeIntNacXTrueStormDApatch.esp
154 9a VATSFreezeFixNextGen.esp
155 9b Vault88AreaExtension.esp
156 9c Wu9DoubleGeneratorPower.esp
254 FE 93 SS2_Addon_Favelabulous.esp
157 9d SS2_Addon_R2R.esp
158 9e SS2_ruined_simsettlement_addonpack.esp
159 9f SS2_STRA_Buildings_and_Skins.esp
160 a0 SS2_STRA_Support_Buildings.esp
161 a1 SS2ConveyorStorage.esp
162 a2 PiperOverhaul2F1E.esp
254 FE 94 SS2_MagnussonTerminalFix.esp
163 a3 BlasTech E-11.esp
254 FE 95 Lightsaber_NoLL.esp
164 a4 CW Stormtrooper.esp
165 a5 BosskBountyHunter.esp
254 FE 96 OCsAtomCatsGarageGenericAtomCats.esp
166 a6 ProjectSynth.esp
167 a7 FO4LaserBolts.esp
168 a8 CloneArmory4.0.esp
169 a9 CloneTrooperCompanionArmoryPatch.esp
170 aa Thematic and Practical.esp
171 ab Thematic and Practical - DLC.esp
172 ac JunkTownTwo.esp
173 ad GarageHomesAndSensibleSecurity.esp
174 ae BMW_ALA.esp
175 af SKKGlobalStashScrapping.esp
254 FE 97 CompanionStatus-Settings.esp
176 b0 CompanionStatus.esp
177 b1 DCE_female_body_replacer.esp
254 FE 98 DCENS.esp
254 FE 99 CBBEHR.esp
254 FE 9a CBBEHR_3DNPC.esp
254 FE 9b CBBEHR_SS2.esp
254 FE 9c CBBEHR_SS2Ch2.esp
254 FE 9d SS2-3DNPC-Settlers.esp
178 b2 SKKCompanionWeaponLL.esp
179 b3 SS2-PraRandomAddon.esp
180 b4 X12Plasmacaster.esp
254 FE 9e SigMCX_LvlListPatch.esp
254 FE 9f SigMCX_MaterialPack.esp
254 FE a0 OCsSunkenGarageGhoulSettlers.esp
254 FE a1 No More Fake Puddles - Nuka World 1-0.esp
254 FE a2 IDEKsLogisticsStation2_SS2_Patch.esp
181 b5 SS-ILS2 patch.esp
182 b6 DX_Predator.esp
254 FE a3 Eli_Armour_Compendium_Tweaks_ECO.esp
254 FE a4 CombinedArmsEX_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a5 Deliverer_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a6 DLCCoast_RadiumRifle_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
FG-42 Ausf.E ParaTroop Rifle_No TR_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a7 SIGMCX_CALIBER_COMPLEX_PATCH.esp
254 FE a8 Combined Arms EX_LLI.esp
254 FE a9 Combined Arms_LLI.esp
254 FE aa Star Wars - The Lightsaber_LLI.esp
183 b7 DT_GunnerOutfitPack.esp
254 FE ab Gunner Outfit Replacer.esp
254 FE ac Rebuild_Workshop.esp
184 b8 MyCityPlans(4).esp
185 b9 Passthrough.esp
186 ba ConnectedWorkshops.esp
254 FE ad Invisible and Longer Power Lines.esp
187 bb DEEPriver NoRads.esp
188 bc SimSettlements2_AddOnPack_ApocalypticAdditions_SirLach.esp
189 bd SS2_SIMPDDDD.esp
190 be ohSIM_Sim2_Settlements_Scrappers_Addon.esp
254 FE ae SS2Addon_MS_BareEssentials.esp
254 FE af SS2AOP_VaultTecTools.esp
191 bf SS2_WastelandDefense.esp
192 c0 AutoDoors.esp
254 FE b0 Rebuild_SharedResources_AutoDoors.esp
193 c1 Faction Pack Template.esp
254 FE b1 ProjectValkyrie-SS2-Patch.esp
194 c2 RandomSettlers.esp
254 FE b2 RandomSettlers - LevelUp.esp
195 c3 SS2UI.esp
254 FE b3 WastelandResources.esp
254 FE b4 Raze My Settlement.esp
254 FE b5 Armament - Caliber Complex Patch.esp
254 FE b6 Armament-ECO_PatchUpdate.esp
196 c4 KSHairsFemsheppingRadbeetle.esp
197 c5 KSHairdos_oel.esp
198 c6 Lots More Facial Hair.esp
254 FE b7 LKsAbbot.esp
254 FE b8 LKsAllanLee.esp
254 FE b9 LKsAnnCodman.esp
254 FE ba LKsAnneHargraves.esp
254 FE bb LKsArturoRodrigues.esp
254 FE bc LKsBeckyFallon.esp
254 FE bd LKsBlakeAbernathy.esp
254 FE be LKsCarla.esp
254 FE bf LKsCathy.esp
254 FE c0 LKsClairHutchins.esp
254 FE c1 LKsConnieAbernathy.esp
254 FE c2 LKsDarcyPembroke.esp
254 FE c3 LKsDeacon.esp
254 FE c4 LKsDeb.esp
254 FE c5 LKsDesdemona.esp
254 FE c6 LKsDoctorCarrington.esp
254 FE c7 LKsDoctorDuff.esp
254 FE c8 LKsDoctorSun.esp
254 FE c9 LKsElliePerkins.esp
254 FE ca LKsFahrenheit.esp
254 FE cb LKsFather.esp
254 FE cc LKsFredAllen.esp
254 FE cd LKsGeneva.esp
254 FE ce LKsGeorgeCooper.esp
254 FE cf LKsGlory.esp
254 FE d0 LKsHarvey.esp
254 FE d1 LKsHenryCooke.esp
254 FE d2 LKsJoeSavoldi.esp
254 FE d3 LKsJohn.esp
254 FE d4 LKsJunLong.esp
254 FE d5 LKsKasumiNakano.esp
254 FE d6 LKsKay.esp
254 FE d7 LKsKellogg.esp
254 FE d8 LKsKenjiNakano.esp
254 FE d9 LKsKessler.esp
254 FE da LKsLucyAbernathy.esp
254 FE db LKsMamaMurphy.esp
254 FE dc LKsMarcyLong.esp
254 FE dd LKsMariner.esp
254 FE de LKsMarovski.esp
254 FE df LKsMaxson.esp
254 FE e0 LKsMayorMcDonough.esp
254 FE e1 LKsMoeCronin.esp
254 FE e2 LKsMyrna.esp
254 FE e3 LKsOldLongfellow.esp
254 FE e4 LKsPaladinDanse.esp
254 FE e5 LKsPastorClemens.esp
254 FE e6 LKsPaulPembroke.esp
254 FE e7 LKsPickman.esp
254 FE e8 LKsPolly.esp
254 FE e9 LKsPorterCage.esp
254 FE ea LKsPrestonGarvey.esp
254 FE eb LKsProfessorScara.esp
254 FE ec LKsReiNakano.esp
254 FE ed LKsRexGoodman.esp
254 FE ee LKsRonnieShaw.esp
254 FE ef LKsRufusRubin.esp
254 FE f0 LKsScarlett.esp
254 FE f1 LKsScribeHaylen..esp
254 FE f2 LKsSheffield.esp
254 FE f3 LKsSierraPetrovita.esp
254 FE f4 LKsSolomon.esp
254 FE f5 LKsStanSlavin.esp
254 FE f6 LKsSturges.esp
254 FE f7 LKsTinkerTom.esp
254 FE f8 LKsTonySavoldi.esp
254 FE f9 LKsTravisMiles.esp
254 FE fa LKsTrudy.esp
254 FE fb LKsVadimBobrov.esp
254 FE fc LKsVaultTecRep.esp
254 FE fd LKsWolfgang.esp
254 FE fe LKsX6-88.esp
254 FE ff LKsYefimBobrov.esp
254 FE 100 Dank_ArmorOverrides_DLCRobot.esp
254 FE 101 Dank_INNRoverride.esp
199 c7 TGF_TrueGrassFix.esp
200 c8 NPCRespawnFix.esp
254 FE 102 Dank_ECO_UneducatedReload.esp
254 FE 103 SS2_AFT.esp
254 FE 104 AFTSpouseTweaks.esp
201 c9 AFT_Alt_Names_Pack1.esp
254 FE 105 Community Fixes Merged - Weapon Mod Fixes Patch.esp
254 FE 106 MinutemenPropaganda SMM.esp
202 ca BarstoolGames_FH.esp
203 cb BarstoolGames_NW.esp
204 cc SS2_CLB_WATMPack.esp
254 FE 107 REPatch_AmericaRising2LegacyOfTheEnclave.esp
205 cd Revy_Stand_Alone_Follower.esp
206 ce AA HotC - Standalone - SE.esp
207 cf BetterSettlersCCAPack2.0.esp
208 d0 BetterSettlersMostlyFemale.esp
209 d1 BetterSettlersNoLollygagging.esp
210 d2 VaultSuitUnzipped.esp
Lacy Underwear ExtraColors.esp
CustomCombatArmor_SynthOverhaul.esp
254 FE 108 Vault4-PreVis.esp
254 FE 109 Lightweight Lighting.esp
254 FE 10a WET.esp
254 FE 10b PRP.esp
254 FE 10c 3DNPC_BTI_Optimization.esp
254 FE 10d RebuildBTIPrevisPatch.esp
254 FE 10e OCsBreakHeartBanks.esp
254 FE 10f OCsProspectPark.esp
254 FE 110 OCsLakeQ.esp
254 FE 111 PRP_IC.esp
254 FE 112 OCsCochituate.esp
254 FE 113 OCsCharlesviewAmpitheater.esp
254 FE 114 PRP-SS2.esp
254 FE 115 the library_Patch.esp
254 FE 116 The House_Patch.esp
254 FE 117 3DNPC_FO4_Patch.esp
254 FE 118 OCsV81TradeCamp.esp
254 FE 119 DiamondCity-PreVis.esp
254 FE 11a Em_Vault4_Previs.esp
254 FE 11b Em_3DNPC_FO4_Previs.esp
254 FE 11c 0_Vault120_NordhagenHaven_PRP.esp
254 FE 11d DiamondNewVendors_Patch.esp
254 FE 11e OCsV81TradeCampGrassReduced.esp
254 FE 11f OCsCochituateReducedGrass.esp
254 FE 120 OCsProspectParkEBA.esp
254 FE 121 OCsBreakheartBanksSS2QuestPatch.esp
254 FE 122 CharlesviewHappyCult.esp
254 FE 123 OCsV81TradeCampEarlyUnlock.esp
254 FE 124 OCsNukaTransitCenter.esp
211 d3 EnhancedLightsandFX.esp
254 FE 125 EnhancedLightsandFX - Automatron.esp
254 FE 126 PRP-ELFXOPC.esp
254 FE 127 ELFX-PreVis.esp
254 FE 128 ELFX-eXoPatch.esp
254 FE 129 ELFX Crash fix.esp
254 FE 12a Vault4-ELFX-PreVis.esp
254 FE 12b WorkshopFramework_ScriptOverride.esp
​

I want to thank Meatcanyon and Wendigoon for starting Creepcast. I've played around with writing horror, and here is my first short story. I will post it for free in a few other places to see what people think. Please enjoy!
A Hike to Remember
By R.L. Oclen
Chapter 1
A woman sits with hastily pulled-up fire-red hair in the waiting room of the state patrol station. The procedurally sterile off-white walls and decade-old magazines do little for comfort. With her head hanging low, her shoulders pushing forward, and her boots rapidly tapping on the floor, something has to give.
"Please just let her be okay." The woman growls as a pair of officers come in from the field. The officers' demeanors quickly change when they see the familiar face.
"Tabitha, did Officer Nichols call you?" one of the state patrol officers asked sympathetically.
"Yes, he asked me to come in and pick up a few things," Tabitha said, shooting back a muted look.
" I'll let them know you're here." The officer said, nodding to Tabitha as they passed the security door. Tabitha leaned back against the hard plastic chair, staring blankly into the fluorescent light. She had done this dance in the macabre repeatedly over the past month. The last image of her younger sister, Lisa, still burned in her mind. Tabitha had always been protective over her younger sister after their parents died. A pang of guilt shoots through her chest as she thinks about her and Lisa's argument.
"Tabitha Hymm, Officer Nichols is ready for you."
"Okay," she stood up, shaking off her guilt, and followed the officer back. The familiar surroundings of the state patrol station blurred as Tabitha stared forward. She followed the officer as they came to a rustic wooden office door, which was embossed with "Officer Nichols."
The escorting officer turns the old brass door knob. "Sir, I have Tabitha Hymm here." A grizzled West Virginia Highway State Patrol veteran sits behind the desk and nods. The escorting officer steps aside, pushing the door open as Tabitha pushes past him and slumps in the awaiting chair like so many times before. An uncomfortable relationship had formed between the two, born out of necessity and duty.
"Cup of coffee?"
"No thanks. Let's just cut to the chase. You don't have anything new?"
The worn laugh lines and Officer Nichols's face flattens. His eyebrows contour sympathetically as he shakes his head.
"Tabitha, I don't have anything else new for you. I wanted to give you the clothes returned from the lab." Her face darkened at the same response she had heard many times.
"As we discussed two weeks ago, there is nothing new and no signs of struggle or foul play," Officer Nichols said while placing a box marked evidence on the table and sliding it forward. Tabitha began to weep at the realization of Lisa's clothes in front of her. In a coordinated queue, Officer Nichols brought out a box of tissues. Reluctantly, Tabitha took a few moments to unblur her vision.
"How does someone stop their car in the middle of the Remington West Virginia State Park, lock it, and then walk into the woods?" Officer Nichols clasped his hands together and sighed at her worn question.
"Tabitha, I wish I had an answer for why your sister stopped her car in the woods and simply walked off. We're still going through her cell phone, but no signs exist that anyone forced her. On that Tuesday morning, she pulled over to the side of the road, secured her car, and walked away." Officer Nichols said empathetically.
Tabitha became stoic at the same explanation she had heard many times before. " So what next?"
"You should go back to Ohio, and I'll contact you as soon as I have more information." She winced at Officer Nichols's words. Reality began to pull at her that bills and work wouldn't wait much longer.
"If I leave, she's gone for good."
" You staying won't bring her back." Officer Nichols said sympathetically.
" So is that it? She's just gone?"
" Tabitha, I'll be honest with you. In cases like this… when people do things like this. Recovery is harder in the spring due to the weather and the animals. You know her mental condition better than I do. I can't explain why she did what she did. But until I find a solution, a suicide note, some intention, or body. She's not here. Tabitha, I'm-"
" Don't you fucking say sorry!" Tabitha stood up, screaming at Officer Nichols, throwing the plastic chair backward against the wall. " I should just look for myself."
"No!" Officer Nichols said momentarily, gripping the desk as his face hardened, then relaxed. Tabitha was caught off guard by Officer Nichols, who was normally composed. "Tabitha, I know this is unbearable. I've sat on this side of the desk and had these conversations. Trust me; I need you to be safe if I need your help later."
Tabitha nods, knowing Officer Nichols is right. She reaches down, picks up the evidence box of her sister's belongings, and leaves.
" Tabitha, if you're heading home, don't stop your car; just keep driving." Tabitha stops to look at Officer Nichols, feeling an eeriness to his words.
" Goodbye, Officer Nichols," Tabitha said as she closed the rustic wooden door behind her. She counted the tiles as she exited the West Virginia State Patrol Station. Placing her sister's belongings carefully in the back seat of her Jeep, Tabitha then sat momentarily behind the steering wheel, staring at the emblem. The familiar numbness washed over Tabitha as she pushed the start button. She pulled onto the highway, driving to the motel that had been home for the last month or so. Muted pop music accented the drive back as her mind raced with questions. Once inside the two-and-a-half-star motel room, Tabitha sat her sister's belongings on the corner table, crumbled onto the bed, and cried.
***
Tabitha wiped the steam from the slightly spotted mirror above the bathroom sink. The hot water from the shower felt good and loosened some of the stress from her body. Looking back at her, Tabitha's face was framed by damp curls around her shoulders. Her face marked the stress of the past month. Frowning, she examined the bags under her eyes; sleep had to come tonight. Walking into the living area, She changed into her favorite gym shorts and oversized sleep shirt. The alarm on her phone flashed "7:00 am," so she could drive home five hours after breakfast.
Tabitha hated feeling comfortable in this once strange room, but falling asleep was getting easier now. Her eyes closed slowly as the ceiling fan droned evenly. At first, nothing came in her dreams, but she let her guard down and slipped further into sleep.
As she dreamed of floating overhead like a bird of prey, Tabitha soared over the vast Remington National Park. The high noon sun bore down on the crisp woods, perfectly contrasting sky and forest. The heat of the sun felt good on her feathers. Distant cries rang out through the dream-like forest, catching her attention. Tabitha tilted her wings toward the screams, feeling a sense of familiar curiosity.
She now recognized the sobs and cries for help as she flew closer, her sharp eyes locked on her sister leaning against a large oak tree. She glided overhead without care, examining the situation below. Lisa clung to the tree, her eyes darting back and forth, scanning upwards. Lisa's face reflected desperation, looking for help in any direction. Tabitha lazily circles Lisa several times before perching on a sturdy branch higher in one of the oak trees. She watched Lisa intently with hunger. She bellowed deeply, hearing the unnatural sound she made, catching Lisa's eyes. Lisa's expression changed; she became calm, almost uncaring, as she stared back at Tabitha's form. Hunger grew exponentially in Tabitha as she spread her large wings. Her large eyes gaze down at Lisa before diving straight for her sister.
Tabitha jolts awake to the alarm on her phone flashing "7:23 AM." She breathes in sharply, shaking off the last horrible thoughts from the reoccurring nightmare. The strange details become more vivid each time. The lingering memories of folk stories her mother told sat in the back of her mind. In those stories, the dead would reach out in dreams as a matter of warning. Leaning back on the headboard, she searched for the advice her psychologist gave her. During their last session, Dr. Ryland explained dreams are a form of self-actualization of guilt. He told Tabitha that it was natural to feel responsible when losing a loved one in this manner.
Tabitha grumbled, lightly running her hands through her red hair; she pushed everything to the back of her mind. "Get it together!" She grumbled to herself. She pushed herself off the bed and got ready to leave. It was going to be a long trip home, and the only thing she could do now was leave things in the authorities' hands. Packing up was pretty easy since she only cycled through the outfits she brought. The local laundromat must have made a small fortune off her. Tabitha took one last look at the box of Lisa's belongings before throwing them in her duffle bag. She was thankful she didn't have to spend another night in this room.
***
Tabitha sat behind the wheel, waiting for the 90's model minivan to finish their order so she could grab a breakfast burrito on the way out. Considering the situation, the Deer Stop Family Restaurant did have a good breakfast. Finally, pulling up to the 70-style drive-in board, Tabitha rolled off the order she had been accustomed to. " I'll take a large iced tea with the double breakfast burrito meal and hash browns, please."
" Would you like some happy hot sauce with that?"
" That's fine, and a few ketchup packets as well."
" Your total is $8.79. Please pull around."
She pulled around to her window, flashed her debit card, got the receipt, and waited for her food. Luckily, the young woman serving her wasn't very talkative in the morning. The last thing she wanted was a conversation about the weather or meaningless small talk.
" Here's your large iced tea and breakfast meal. Ketchup and happy hot sauce are inside."
" Thanks," Tabitha said while mustering her best fake smile. The woman only smiled and nodded as the service window automatically closed. She pulled into the parking lot and dug into breakfast. Turning the radio to the weather, Tabitha sat back and enjoyed her meal. The local DJ read through the headlines, making nonpartisan comments about politics and grumbling about improving the economy. Tabitha powered through the updates of the "out-of-state woman" who'd gone missing. It was nice that the local radio station gave Lisa's name, description, and a missing person's number for sightings or leads. Tabitha even interviewed with the local news and radio stations, hoping it would bring Lisa home. But she soon found all it brought was a sorrowful look from the locals as she interacted with them in her day-to-day life.
Finishing the last of her hash browns, Lisa wadded up everything in the paper bag and threw it in the back seat. The 9 AM weather report said it was nothing but clear skies and sun the rest of the week. Tabitha flipped the radio over to the greatest hit station, pulled out of the parking lot, and began her trip home. She memorized the roads, every bend and turn in the early weeks as she frantically looked for Lisa. There's something hypnotic about the trees: the way they flow together. The trees' green tops and the oak trees' wide trunks were a relaxing view. Tabitha enjoyed the lazy s-curves of the road, bending and winding around the hills and the trees. The occasional farmhouse or field dotted the sides of the road as she made her way to the main highway.
The blur of a semi-truck snapped Tabitha's attention as she pulled up to the mouth of the highway. She had four and a half hours ahead of her, which would be a long ride. Tabitha pulled onto the highway and picked up speed, noting sparse traffic. She relaxed into her seat, letting her gaze gloss over the blur of green foliage. Without warning, Tabitha caught a large shadow from the corner of her left eye. When she registered the black feathery form, Tabitha tensed up and slammed on the brakes as it swooped across the vehicle's hood. Quickly, she pulled the car safely off the road. She couldn't determine exactly what it was, but it was bigger than any bird she'd seen. It was a bird, right? Tabitha turned off her Jeep and grabbed the keys and cell phone. Standing before the Jeep, she looked over the grill to see if she made contact with the entity.
Bewildered, she scanned the tree line, spotting something in the distance. Sitting in the clearing of the large oak forest was an enormous black owl. It stared intently at Tabitha with bright, shiny yellow eyes. She pushed the lock button on her keys, causing the jeep to beep securely. She turned, looking across the open field, an enormous black owl perched in the upper branches of an old oak tree. Each step she took away from the road piqued her curiosity. Soon, Tabitha stood in the middle of the open field, staring intently into the eyes of the enormous owl.
The horn of a passing semi-truck blared, pulling Tabitha's attention away from the mysterious large creature. She looked back and saw that she had walked farther away from the Jeep than she had thought. She glanced back to the forest line only to see the enormous owl was deeper into the woods than before. She narrowed her vision to find the two large, bright yellow eyes staring back. Had it moved? The day's stress, care, and worry suddenly poured out of Tabitha. It was replaced by only curiosity and overbearing tranquility. She warmly smiled for the first time in months as her feet pulled her further into the woods.
Chapter 2
The tug of gravity pulls Tabitha to her senses as her body reacts, falling forward. Her arms thrust forward, bracing for impact. Water rushes around her face as she struggles to get her bearings. Quickly, Tabitha pushed herself up in the ankle-high stream she fell in. The haze slowly clears from her mind as she stares at the muddy water. The dull ache throbs up her legs. Tabitha can smell the sweat from her clothes. Her face contorted in panic as she quickly stood up in the water, looking for her cell. Thankfully, the device was still in her pocket, dry and unscathed.
"One o'clock. How can that be?" Tabitha says, slowly looking up from the screen to see the vast, dense West Virginia forest encompassing her view. She shakes her head back and forth with disbelief. A smile gently spreads across her face, with the last bit of tranquility leaving her body. How did I get out here? Her breathing becomes faster as her pulse begins to quicken. I'm in the forest. I'm all alone—just like Lisa!
"NO, NO, NO, NO! THIS FUCKING CAN'T BE HAPPENING TO ME!" Tabitha screams into the void of trees. Her eyes well up with tears as she crumbles to her knees, gripping her phone tightly to her chest. Her sobs ring out through the thick oak trees. Her breath slows a little as she regains her composure. She begins to search her mind for anything. What is the last thing I can remember? The image of the black shadow crossing her vision while driving flashes into her mind.
"Okay, I got out of the Jeep, the…then what?" Tabitha says, trying to refresh her memories. She thinks her memory is not just gone; it's a black void in her mind. Complete blackness fills her mind right after remembering locking the Jeep and then turning to see the…
"Fuck I saw something. What was it!" Tabitha says, frustrated with her mind. She knew there must be a logical reason she was out here. Officer Nichols warned her not to go looking for her sister. She wasn't stupid; she just said that as a last-ditch effort to get him to do anything. Now I'm here.
"Run!" Tabitha heard Lisa's voice in her ear. Before she could turn around, she heard a loud bellowing coming from overhead. Fear shot down her back, reminding her of the nightmares she had over the past month. She shot forward full bore as something crashed to the ground behind her. Glancing back as she ran, a black mass of feathers convulsed between the broken branches of the trees. Its slick black feathers rippled across its surface as its bones crackled and flesh tore. Its body contorted and twisted from the shape of an owl to something bigger.
"Run, Tabby! Don't let it catch you!" Tabitha pushed forward, hearing Lisa's scream beside her face. Her breath burned in her chest, and she moved past the old oak trees bent over the creek bed. Her feet slammed rapidly, splashing along the side of the creek. Another loud bellow comes from behind as the trees bend and break to the force behind her. A small opening in the rocky creek bed catches her sight from the left. She dives into the crevasses, not caring where the fathoms lead. Tabitha tumbles in the pitch black, taking scrapes and sharp jabs from the rocks as she tumbles further into the void.
She finally tumbles to a stop on the sandy, wet floor of the cave. Her body aches from the sudden burst of exhaustion. The cool water running around her body from the creek is soothing despite her bumps and bruises. Pushing herself up, she scoots out of the water. Feeling her way forward, she finds a dry spot to collect herself. Quickly pushing her hand into her pocket, she finds her phone undamaged.
The sound of footsteps pushing against the creek fills the void around Tabitha as the light steps move closer to each other up the underground creekbed. She slowly removes her cell from her pocket and then shines the camera light toward the sound. A pair of scratched and bruised pale bare legs hold up a frail form in front of her in the creek. She wears the darkness as a shroud with nothing else to clothe her. Tabitha froze, not wanting to shine the light further in the pale form before her.
"Tabby, turn your light off. You need to save your battery." Tabitha turned off the light and then rushed forward, embracing Lisa—the how or why didn't matter, only the now. The pale form hugged her tightly. Tabitha felt her cold, bare skin. The darkness couldn't hide the feeling of the marks across her back and torso.
"Lisa, I'm-"
"Hush! I don't have much time. This wasn't your fault! I'm with Mom and Dad now. You have to survive, Tabby! Listen. Wait until the sun shines through the cracks, making a trail out. Follow it down the creek until you come to the opening. You'll see a large hill you hike up for a cell signal. And remember…If you can't see it… It can't hurt you. I love you-"
Tabitha stumbled forward before catching herself. The void in front of her arms was only filled by cool air. She looked up and noticed a faint glimmer of light pushing through the ceiling. She sat down, relaxing against the limestone wall of the cave, waiting for the trail of light to form.
***
After a few hours, the light shining through the cracks of the cave ceiling was bright enough to lead Tabitha to the other side. She stepped onto the creek bed, thankful for the sun hanging lower in the sky. Scanning the sky, Tabitha saw only a few clouds. The foothills of Appalachia backdropped the forest as she scanned for the hill. Her eyes found the trail leading up the steady slope of an impressive hill. The top of the hill was bare. Part of the hill must have sheared off in a landslide, leaving the top void of trees and a jagged cliff face. Tabitha started her hike up the back of the hill. She was careful to stay under the heavy canopy of the old trees, hopefully avoiding the creature's eyes.
She did her best to quiet her mind while hiking up the trail. Come on, almost to the top, then I can call 911, she replayed repeatedly in her mind. Her adrenaline made up for the lack of food since morning. She drank some water from a clean spot in the creek. She was placing her bet on rescue rather than worrying about the water.
Leaning against one of the trees, Tabitha took out her cell and measured the signal.
"Damn it, nothing!" She swore under her breath. She listened nervously and cautiously peered her head out from the tree line. Standing at the tree line, the cell phone still had a low signal. She pushed her anxiety down with a swallow and slowly stepped forward onto the bare rock. Tabitha was now out in the open. She walked with the cell phone pointed upwards, measuring the signal. Within three feet of the cliff face, her signal bar punched up to full. Tabitha began to punch in the numbers just as a pair of large yellow eyes appeared. She felt her legs become weak, and her vision blurred as the creature snared her in its gaze.
Tabitha ducked, missing the giant owl's claws as it swooped for her. She squinted her eyes shut, momentarily breaking the hold of the infernal beast as it crashed to the ground, tumbling down the path of old trees. On her hands and knees, she tucked the dialed phone back into her pocket. She heard the creature's loud bellowing, followed by the snapping of bone and flesh ripping. It was changing its shape to finish her off.
Tabitha tried to get up, but the flash of its eyes did something to her. Her legs were numb, her stomach was in knots, and she could barely put a few thoughts together.
"If you can't see it, it can't hurt you." Tabitha heard clearly in her left ear. She quickly pushed herself into a sitting position and fumbled for the key chain in her right pocket. Pulling the long chain of keys, luck charms, and keepsakes, her father's Swiss army knife dangled at the end. She slowly opened the half-inch blade. Her body wholeheartedly rejected her plan and tried to fight her. Every internal warning system sounded as her body fought against her as she brought the blade against the corner of her left eye.
She didn't know if she could do it until the creature bellowed in her direction. With one quick motion, the half-inch blade sliced across her left eye. The world dimmed and then went black on her left side. Behind her, the beast's thundering gallop was getting closer. Tabitha plunged herself into total darkness with the last bit of her strength. Her hand gripped tightly around the bloody knife as she folded forward onto the ground. She could feel herself weeping blood. She squinted, doing her best to stem the tide of blood loss.
A large feathered paw drove into Tabitha's right side, flipping her onto her back. She lay still as the hulking creature stood over her. It remained motionless, and Tabitha was confused about why it didn't move or bite her. Then she started to giggle, just a little at first. Then, laughing madly into the creature's face as it growled back at her. She could not see it; she couldn't see anything. Her mind couldn't be eaten!
The creature roared into Tabitha's face while plunging one of its sharp claws into her shoulder. Tabitha screamed in pain, slashing the knife downward. The blade hit something soft, and she ripped the blade down, rending whatever she had hit on the abomination. A bright yellow, foul-smelling liquid gushed in a torrent over Tabitha's face. She turned to cough, having swallowed a portion of it. The creature reared back, squealing in pain. Its hind leg came down hard on Tabitha's leg, snapping her tibia. She jerked her leg up, causing the creature to tumble forward and fall over the edge of the cliff side.
Tabitha heard the creature crash below at the base of the hill. A large dead tree speared the creature through its chest. Tabitha could hear the labored whines of the creature as its cries became weak and slowed. A wave of sickness hit her as she rolled over and vomited. The foul smell drenched her. She did her best to focus, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the phone. By memory, she typed in the unlock pin. She held her breath and placed her thumb where the call button should be.
She could hear the call being made then, "911. What is your emergency?"
"Please help me! A bear has attacked me, and I can't see. I think I am on a hill."
"Ok, ma'am, stay with me! Do you know where you are located?"
"No, I'm lost. Please send help."
"It's okay. Stay with me on the phone, and I'll use the cell signal to try to find you."
"I'm on top of one of the hills. I think I am lying on a bare roc-" Tabitha slipped unconscious with the cell still tightly in her hand. Her body began to tremble and convulse.
"Ma'am! Ma'am! Stay with me. I have help on the way."
Chapter 3
A young man in military fatigues frantically compiles images and reconnaissance data from his drone feed. Confirming his hunch, he commands the winged surveillance drone to make a hard left and send a live video feed. His eyes widened as he saw a large owl-shaped shadow crash onto the top of a hill. He watches in awe as the sleek black owl twists and shifts into something much larger, like a grizzly. As the drone turns, he sees a woman at the cliff's edge trying to steady yourself on her hands and knees.
He bolts up from the command module, jotting down the drone's coordinates on one of the printouts. The drab government-issued office motif for the watch station blurs in the corner of his eye as he rushes down the hallway to the watch commander's office.
"Sir, recon has eyes on AMOS! And it's feeding!" the man said, swinging the heavy wooden door open. He took the hastily compiled file and pushed it forward to the commanding officer.
An older, tanned man quickly stands, reaching for the files. His brow furls, seeing his charge is awake. "Keep eyes on it! Go Adams!" The young man nods, turning on his heel and bolting for the drone command module. As his office door slams shut from the subordinate officer, he grabs his headset and frantically dials the closest military outpost to the coordinates.
"Hello, Sergeant Klein; this is Agent Smith of Black Watch outpost 7948! Shadow is active, code Alpha, Mike, Oscar, Sierra. The coordinates and data package have been sent. A civilian is on the ground; deploy strike-and-rescue ASAP.
"We'll be up in five, Agent Smith! The line cuts as Agent Smith closes out the call on his headset and rushes to the door. The normally quiet watch station buzzes alive, with personnel flooding the central command station. The background echoes resource allocation calls, frantic typing, and the hum of cold computers warming up.
"Adams, get our eyes back on Amos!"
"Coming back around in 30 seconds." Thirty sets of eyes stare at the three giant screens, anxiously waiting for the drone feed to clear the bank of trees. The camera clears the tre top to see the giant feathered grizzly rear back slinging its massive head away from its prey. Its large yellow right eye spews bright yellow liquid all over the red-haired woman and the cliff face. The giant feathered grizzly missteps, crushing the woman's leg and causing the creature to tumble over the cliff face.
"Fuck!" Agent Smith yells in horror as he watches AMOS fall four stories, impaling a sharp, 3-meter-tall log lodged in the boulders. The command center freezes wide-eyed at the flailing dying creature on screen. Agent Smith pulls his cell out quickly and dials.
"Klein, Scrub the current request! AMOS is down! Switch to rescue and harvest now!
"What, someone took out AMOS?"
"YES! It's at the bottom of the cliff, bleeding out essence! The woman is covered in it as well. Clean as much of it off her as possible before you take her to the ER.
"Understood!"
Agent Smith, in a rage, slings his phone straight forward, connecting with Private Adams's skull. Adams flinches at the sudden impact of the hard plastic and covers his head. Agent Smith grabs the table in front of him and flips it over, sending the computer equipment crashing to the government-issued tiled floor.
"A two-year cycle gone! All that essence is gone! Now I have to wait another 24 months for AMOS to resurrect!" Agent Smith screams, causing the rest of the staff to recoil away in fear.
"Jones!" Agent Smith says sternly, turning to a petite woman on his left. She stares at him, pleading.
"Yes Sir?'
"Get Officer Nichols on my office line. That fuck up has some explaining. He should have told us AMOS was awake."
"Right away!" Jones quickly sits back down and begins dialing Nichols, thankful she doesn't have to deal with Agent Smith further. The command center quickly shifts gears as Agent Smith returns to his office.
***
Two Weeks later…
"Tabitha… Tabitha… This is Doctor Wilhelm. Wake up." The kind older gentleman said as they gently nudged Tabitha in her hospital bed.
"Where am I?" Tabitha asked, waking from what felt like years of sleep. She sat up, the world still pitch black, but an odd sense of the world around her seemed to hum just behind her eyes.
"You're in the hospital, dear; you scared us. Do you remember anything?" He said as he sat down on the side of her bed.
Tabitha thought for a moment the last parts after she slashed her eyes were a blur. She remembers people yelling and the sound of two or three helicopters over her. " No, it's really all just a blur."
"Well, it's probably for the best. You had some very serious injuries. The first night, we honestly didn't think you would make it. Then…" The doctor trailed off with a concerned expression, not knowing how to explain things further.
Tabitha felt his pulse quicken somehow. She didn't understand it but fully felt or sensed the doctor beside her. She sensed the two other nurses standing at the end of the bed. Her body didn't hurt. She felt great. She felt hungry.
"Doctor, you said had. What happened to my injuries?" She said calmly, trying not to startle the old doctor further.
"Well, Tabitha, it's the closest thing to a miracle I've ever seen. You had violent seizures from the minute you hit the entrance of the ER. We couldn't even set your leg. The medications we gave you had a minimal effect, and you thrashed so much that we had to restrain you. Then, the early morning check-in found you in a deep sleep. All but your eyes were completely healed. So we switched gears to support care and treated your eyes the best we could." He said, watching her reaction.
Tabitha leaned back in her bed, taking in the wild account. "Do you know how I healed so quickly?"
"What happened to you is beyond all scientific reason. A miracle is the only way the staff and I can explain it. I know you have been through a lot, but I want to check your eyes."
"Thank you for all your help, Doctor Wilhelm." She said, sitting up in bed.
"You are most welcome, dear. Now I am going to unwrap your eye-dressing. Hold still, please." he said as he reached up and pulled on the bandage tape. Tabitha felt a quick tug and felt the bandages loosen from around her head. The doctor slowly unwrapped the bandages. The doctor's brow wrinkled as he examined the two large black scabs covering Tabitha's eyes.
"Tell me if this hurts at all, ok?"
"Yes, doctor." She relaxes as the doctor's gloved fingers pass over the scab. He pushes and gently tugs at the side of one, and it starts to lift. He pulls on the scab more, and Tabitha begins to sense the light as it hits her eyelid.
"Oh, I can sense the light, Doctor Wilhelm!" She said, smiling.
"Wonderful! Nurse Allen, please hand me some saline solution. I think a little water will loosen these right up. Hold still; this may feel cold," he said as he reached for the solution. She felt the cool liquid flush over the left eye, then the right. The scabs fell away with a gentle tug from the doctor. She could see the light shine through her eyelids. She grinned widely, happy to have some form of sight left.
"Please open your eyes for me," he said as he sat back on the bed. Tabitha slowly opened her eyes. The flood of light was almost too much, causing her to squint. After a few moments, she adjusted to the fluorescent lights. Three figures began to take shape in front of her. First, the distinguished older features of Doctor Wilhelm came into view quickly, followed by the brunette and blonde younger nurses standing at the end of the bed. Suddenly, her vision snapped into place, crisp and clear.
"I can see perfectly! This is amazing! Thank you, Doctor Wilhem!" she said, turning to look directly into his eyes, but he stared back at her unmovingly.
"Doctor Wilhelm?" she said as her expression became more worried. Doctor Wilhelm just sat staring, intensely focused on her eyes. His expression was overbearingly calm. She glanced at the nurses, rigidly staring back at her with trapped, calm expressions. Doctor Wilhelm began to twitch slightly. It traveled from the base of his spine out to his limbs, finally convulsing.
"Doctor Wilhelm, are you okay?" Tabitha yelled as the doctor began to have a seizure and fell on top of her bed.
"Help Him!" She screamed at the two nurses only to see both of them crumble to the tiled floor. One of them bashed her head off the bed frame. Tabitha recoils back from Doctor Wilhelm in terror as he starts foaming at the mouth. She climbs over the bed rail and hits the tiled concrete floor with a thud. Her adrenaline surges as she bolts for the door, looking for help.
At the entrance of her hospital room, she sees another nurse leaving the adjacent room. "Please, my doctor and staff need help!" As the male nurse turns to see Tabitha, he suddenly goes stiff before collapsing into a violent seizure, spilling his cart over with him.
"What's happening!" Tabitha screams, thinking something is in the air, or everyone has come down with something. A pair of security guards round the corner, hearing the screams and commotion.
"Ma'am, are yo-" The guard freezes mid-stride as he makes eye contact with Tabitha. Both men start to convulse and topple over, thrashing violently on the hard tile.
"No, no, no, no!" Tabitha yells as she darts into the women's bathroom, a few doors up the hall. She runs in, terrified of the situation. She approaches one of the sinks, bracing herself against the cool porcelain. Her stomach turns, and she dry heaves in the sink. She steadies herself while turning on the cold water. Leaning in, she takes a drink. As she looks up, a glint of two yellow eyes catches her. Tabitha stumbles backward on reflex. Then, she sees her reflection in the mirror. Two completely bright yellow eyes stare back at Tabitha. She screams at herself in the mirror, not feeling hungry anymore.
The end.
I will

The legend of la Lechuza is one that can be heard all over Mexico. It is said that a lechuza, or owl, specifically a white owl, is a bruja or witch that has taken the form of this owl. There are small owls that are believed to be witches, but the legend of La Lechuza is one giant owl. Some say it is a white owl, but there are stories and reports that it is black owl. It is 7 feet tall and has a wingspan of 15 feet. Although it is an owl, it is said to have the face of an old woman. This specific lechuza has been reported only in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas and in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and California, especially southern CA. According to most variations of the legend, the Lechuza was once a woman who was wronged and now seeks revenge. Sometimes villagers killed her child, other times the child was killed by a drunk (and she is known to attack drunkards). Some other versions of the legend tell that the witch herself was killed by locals and came back to seek revenge. Depending on where you hear the tale, the lechuza is sometimes just one bruja, but in other places, any bruja can become this giant owl, it is a witch that has sold her soul to the devil and they transform at night. Legend says that the cry of a Lechuza mimics the cry of a baby or whistles and they use it to lure you outside, to take you and make you their meal. Sometimes the cry of the Lechuza is said to be an omen of death, if you hear it, a family member will die. Some say dreaming of the Lechuza is also an omen of death. The Lechuza is so big that it can carry a grown adult in its talons. The Lechuza is said to bring storms with it and cannot be harmed by guns. It is also said to prey on human emotions, often appearing during domestic disputes and waiting for her next victim to storm outside. Some versions of the legend, the Lechuza only preys on adult men, drunks specifically, but in others the lechuza craves the blood of newborn babies and especially unbaptized babies. It is common to be told, “do not whistle three times at midnight” for it is an invitation for the Lechuza. It is said the Lechuza has swooped down on cars and can travel at the same speed. According to legend, salt can protect against it, and many put salt on their windows at night for protection. If you see it, you should also cuss her out to drive it away, but other versions of the legend say this may make it more mad, so be wary of this one. Tying a rope of 7 knots and hanging it on your door will also protect you, since it is a sign of acknowledgement and respect toward the lechuza. Some say praying can also save you, specifically the Magnifica (Magnificat), a prayer from the gospel of Saint Luke, but it must be recited in Spanish and then also backwards. There are many stories of sightings of the Lechuza, the following is Nuevo Laredo, in the 1950s: There was a lechuza terrorizing the town, and the locals came up with a plan to kill it. It was lured out of the trees by using a child as bait. When the Lechuza attempted to take the kid, locals fired at it with guns, but only hit its claws before it flew away. The next day, they went to the house of the bruja they believed to be the Lechuza and she answered the door with a bandaged leg. This is a story found on reddit, from the 90s or early 2000s: A 9 year old living south of San Antonio, TX, in between two little towns called Von Ormy and Lytle was at home alone watching Spongebob. The sun had just set and it was a full moon. (we’ll use a fake name), Child heard noises outside and thought it was their dad coming home from work and naturally went outside excited to greet their dad. However, their dad was not out there, instead it was a massive owl. It was sitting on a picnic table across the street and looking right at them. The massive bird was jet black. It stared for another 15 minutes but then left when the father arrived home. The kid told their grandma about this and she began praying and doing a limpieza (a cleaning) with an egg, and told the kid the story of the lechuza. The kid did not feel fear however, and wondered if the bird was there to warn them about something. Not too much later, there was a giant storm that damaged a lot, except the house and the picnic table where the lechuza was sitting.

The Collect
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever; Amen
Readings:
Psalm 5; 6 Proverbs 4
Gospel: Matthew 11:7–15
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Commentary:
We often find others, and sometimes ourselves, in a moment of religious fervor quoting a single verse or perhaps a passage, as a means of accentuating our editorial point or even justifying that point or opinion. When a verse is used appropriately, in that the contextual meaning of the verse actually is relevant to the theme we are seeking to emphasize, the usage stirs great emotion and sometimes introspection or encouragement. But when a verse is used out of context, the result is an opposite effect, causing confusion when the reader attempts to understand the writers intent or motivation.
Therefore, if we are going to use bible verses effectively, without sowing confusion and misunderstanding, we should attempt to learn all we can about the Bible, especially these individual scenes or vignettes we are presented with in bible studies such as the one today.
Quite frequently, the backgound of the Gospel account and the historical and cultural influences, are interesting, enlightening, and add a deeper understanding and appreciation of the lesson presented in the Gospel.
Regarding the setting or background of the passage we are studying today, we find John the Baptist—who had been arrested and imprisoned by Herod Antipas (see Mt. 4:12 and 14:1-12) hearing reports of the works of Christ—even while in prison—leading John to send two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus if he was indeed the Christ, the anointed one promised by the prophets. The one that the people were longing for with great expectations; a Messiah that would lead them out of subjugation by the Romans and restore the kingdom to its former glory as was under the reign of King David. (v. 11:2-3)
Donovan writes of this situation:
“The reason behind John’s question is found in his messianic expectations. He called people to repent (3:2), because “Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire” (3:10). He warned that the one who was to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire” (3:12). John clearly expects a fire-and-brimstone messiah.”
“Jesus has not lived up to that billing. He has pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit, the meek, and peacemakers (5:1-11). He has called his disciples to love their enemies (5:42-48). He has warned them not to judge others (7:1-5). These teachings seem weak by comparison with the actions anticipated by John’s fire and brimstone preaching.”
“Furthermore, Jesus moved away from Jerusalem, the home of the temple and the center of religious authority, and began his ministry in Galilee (4:12).”
“Then Jesus worked a series of healing ministries in chapters 8-9—what Bruner calls an “ambulance ministry”—of tremendous significance to those who were healed, but not significant to the nation as a whole. It has been centuries since Israel has heard a prophetic voice (other than John’s). People are looking for a voice of authority—for a fire that will purge the dross—for a powerful leader who will restore Israel’s former glory—for a messiah who will restore the people of God. John keeps watching Jesus hoping to see fireworks, but thus far has been disappointed.”
“But we must admire John. He has a problem with Jesus, so he approaches Jesus as directly as his imprisonment allows—no behind-the-back criticism! He sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one or shall they look for another? John has doubts, but he seeks to learn what Jesus will say—is open to hearing Jesus say that he is, indeed, the one! ”
In verse 6, Jesus states, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” John did not take offense, but only expressed doubt. We can surmise, that John was questioning his own situation just as he was questioning that of Jesus. After all if he (John the Baptist) was truly the one sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, why is he in prison? Wouldn’t he better serve God by being out preaching the word of God? And if Jesus was the anointed one, why isn’t he calling down lightening strikes on the Romans, putting them on the run out of Judea? John, as great of a prophet as he was, is about to learn a great lesson in messiah-ship.
“Jesus could rebuke John for his doubts, but instead offers him a blessing. Jesus has not lived up to John’s expectations, but John has not allowed that to be a stumbling block (skandelisthe). Soon enough, Jesus will deal with cities that refuse to repent (11:20-24)—hometown people who take offense (13:57)—Pharisees who take offense (12:1-8; 15:12) and conspire to kill Jesus (12:9-14) and charge that Jesus gets his power from Beelzebul (12:24)—and even disciples who desert him when the chips are down (26:31-33). John has done none of those things, but simply asks Jesus to confirm that he is the one for whom everyone has been waiting. Jesus offers the blessing, not just to John, but to all who do not take offense—all who do not stumble—all who are not scandalized. Jesus blesses us when we remain faithful in the face of prayers that seem not to be answered or hopes that go unfulfilled.” (Donovan)
Perhaps you now understand the importance of reviewing the nuances of the surrounding factors relative to a passage. Hopefully the brief summation provided helps you to understand why Jesus did not rebuke John, but in the verses suggested as today’s study, we find Jesus offering John praise.
“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”(v. 7) John’s disciples had departed, returning to Herod’s prison to report what Jesus had said, and Jesus turns his attention to the followers who had gone out to hear John preach and now were intently listening to and watching Jesus.
Instead of teaching in the formal places of religious instruction, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the outlying synagogues, John had preached in the wilderness, rural areas free of distraction and creature comforts. It required effort upon the part of the people to make the arduous journey out there to hear him, but none the less they did, in great multitudes according to the Gospel writers.
Jesus—in a rhetorical manner—asks them, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?” Naturally, no one—much less multitudes of people—would make such a great effort to venture out into the desert to hear someone preach who was unworthy. “ They who are weak as reeds will be shaken as reeds; but John was strong in spirit, Eph. 4:14. When the wind of popular applause on the one hand blew fresh and fair, when the storm of Herod's rage on the other hand grew fierce and blustering, John was still the same, the same in all weathers. The testimony he had borne to Christ was not the testimony of a reed, of a man who was of one mind to-day, and of another to-morrow; it was not a weather-cock testimony; no, his constancy in it is intimated (Jn. 1:20); he confessed and denied not, but confessed, and stood to it afterwards, Jn. 3:28. ” (Henry)
In essence, Jesus is stating “Let me tell you what kind of man John is!”
“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (vs. 8-10)
John was said to wear a rough cloak made from the hair of a camel, with a leather belt to gird it, eating wild honey and grains so as to avoid the comparison of those political and religious leaders who lavished upon themselves great luxury. “A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” Is a direct condemnation of the weak and lascivious usurper who had inherited his father’s throne, Herod Antipas, who in an attempt to seduce his own step daughter granted her a wish, which resulted in her mother asking for John’s head on a platter.
“Note, they who have lived a life of mortification, are least likely to be driven off from their religion by persecution. John appeared rough and unpleasant, yet they flocked after him.” (Henry)
“A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” Israel endured four hundred years without a prophet. When John burst onto the scene with his fiery preaching, the authenticity of his ministry generated enormous public appeal. “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” “John prepares the way of the one who is to come. People check roads before the king travels them. Servants repair potholes and scouts insure security. Today, executives have assistants who plan their travel, secretaries who make their reservations, chauffeurs who drive their cars, and pilots who fly their planes. Just as the services of those who prepare the way enhance the executive’s ability to accomplish work, so also John smoothed Jesus’ entry into the world by calling people to repentance.”(Donovan)
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” (v. 11a) Jesus declares John to be, not just the greatest prophet, but the greatest figure ever. Given Israel’s pantheon of heroes, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, this is an astonishing statement, indeed. What makes John so special is not his personal characteristics, excellent though those might be, but his privileged place in salvation history. All the other heroes of the faith have done mighty works, but only John has the privilege of introducing the Messiah.
“notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”(v. 11b) “ John stands at the pinnacle of the old era, but even the greatest representative of the old era is less than the humblest representative of the new. An appropriate metaphor is the ancient astronomer whose observations were limited by a small, primitive telescope. The most brilliant person, so limited, could never match the work of a more ordinary person with access to today’s space-based telescopes. Like Moses, John marched up to the border of the promise without actually entering it himself. He was Jesus’ forerunner—not his disciple. If the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, consider where that places us. We may be very ordinary Christians, but God considers us to be great.” (Donovan)
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (vs. 12-15)
Jesus’ reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and His kingdom.
The exact sense of this has been greatly debated, and is made more difficult by complicated grammar. Carson probably gives the best sense of both expressions. “The kingdom has come with holy power and magnificent energy that has been pushing back the frontiers of darkness. This is especially manifest in Jesus’ miracles and ties in with Jesus’ response to the Baptist…The kingdom is making great strides; now is the time for courageous souls, forceful people, to take hold of it.” (Carson)
“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ” Jesus saw an era ending with John; all the prophets and the law anticipated John and his ministry as a herald. There is a sense in which John spoke for every prophet who heralded Jesus’ coming. Under the Old Covenant, every other prophet announced, “The Messiah is coming.” John alone had the privilege of saying, “The Messiah is here.”
“The ministry of John was the beginning of the gospel, as it is reckoned, Mk. 1:1; Acts 1:22. This is shown here in two things: [1.] In John the Old Testament dispensation began to die, v. 13. So long that ministration continued in full force and virtue, but then it began to decline. Though the obligation of the law of Moses was not removed till Christ's death, yet the discoveries of the Old Testament began to be superseded by the more clear manifestation of the kingdom of heaven as at hand. [2.] In him the New-Testament day began to dawn; for (v. 14) This is Elias, that was for to come. John was as the loop that coupled the two Testaments; as Noah was Fibula utriusque mundi—the link connecting both worlds, so was he utriusque Testamenti—the link connecting both Testaments. The concluding prophecy of the Old Testament was, Behold, I will send you Elijah, Mal. 4:5, 6. Those words prophesied until John, and then, being turned into a history, they ceased to prophecy. ” (Henry)
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” “A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after important utterances, here for the first time in Matthew.” (Bruce) A saying of Jesus that will appear throughout the Gospels which is a veiled warning to all mankind, to listen, to take heed, to understand that the teachings of Christ are indeed the thoughts and commandments of his Father in Heaven, and an implication that to ignore these words will result in less than favorable circumstances.
Benediction
It is not enough to acclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and King. Our mission in life is to make his kingdom a reality among us and to bring it to those around us by our words and deeds. The way to do this is to live as he lived: for others, in love and service. May almighty God bless you for this task: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and to give shape to his kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Thought for the Day:
Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.
Ray Bradbury

The Collect
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever; Amen
Readings:
Psalm 5; 6 Proverbs 4
Gospel: Matthew 11:7–15
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Commentary:
We often find others, and sometimes ourselves, in a moment of religious fervor quoting a single verse or perhaps a passage, as a means of accentuating our editorial point or even justifying that point or opinion. When a verse is used appropriately, in that the contextual meaning of the verse actually is relevant to the theme we are seeking to emphasize, the usage stirs great emotion and sometimes introspection or encouragement. But when a verse is used out of context, the result is an opposite effect, causing confusion when the reader attempts to understand the writers intent or motivation.
Therefore, if we are going to use bible verses effectively, without sowing confusion and misunderstanding, we should attempt to learn all we can about the Bible, especially these individual scenes or vignettes we are presented with in bible studies such as the one today.
Quite frequently, the backgound of the Gospel account and the historical and cultural influences, are interesting, enlightening, and add a deeper understanding and appreciation of the lesson presented in the Gospel.
Regarding the setting or background of the passage we are studying today, we find John the Baptist—who had been arrested and imprisoned by Herod Antipas (see Mt. 4:12 and 14:1-12) hearing reports of the works of Christ—even while in prison—leading John to send two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus if he was indeed the Christ, the anointed one promised by the prophets. The one that the people were longing for with great expectations; a Messiah that would lead them out of subjugation by the Romans and restore the kingdom to its former glory as was under the reign of King David. (v. 11:2-3)
Donovan writes of this situation:
“The reason behind John’s question is found in his messianic expectations. He called people to repent (3:2), because “Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire” (3:10). He warned that the one who was to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire” (3:12). John clearly expects a fire-and-brimstone messiah.”
“Jesus has not lived up to that billing. He has pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit, the meek, and peacemakers (5:1-11). He has called his disciples to love their enemies (5:42-48). He has warned them not to judge others (7:1-5). These teachings seem weak by comparison with the actions anticipated by John’s fire and brimstone preaching.”
“Furthermore, Jesus moved away from Jerusalem, the home of the temple and the center of religious authority, and began his ministry in Galilee (4:12).”
“Then Jesus worked a series of healing ministries in chapters 8-9—what Bruner calls an “ambulance ministry”—of tremendous significance to those who were healed, but not significant to the nation as a whole. It has been centuries since Israel has heard a prophetic voice (other than John’s). People are looking for a voice of authority—for a fire that will purge the dross—for a powerful leader who will restore Israel’s former glory—for a messiah who will restore the people of God. John keeps watching Jesus hoping to see fireworks, but thus far has been disappointed.”
“But we must admire John. He has a problem with Jesus, so he approaches Jesus as directly as his imprisonment allows—no behind-the-back criticism! He sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one or shall they look for another? John has doubts, but he seeks to learn what Jesus will say—is open to hearing Jesus say that he is, indeed, the one! ”
In verse 6, Jesus states, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” John did not take offense, but only expressed doubt. We can surmise, that John was questioning his own situation just as he was questioning that of Jesus. After all if he (John the Baptist) was truly the one sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, why is he in prison? Wouldn’t he better serve God by being out preaching the word of God? And if Jesus was the anointed one, why isn’t he calling down lightening strikes on the Romans, putting them on the run out of Judea? John, as great of a prophet as he was, is about to learn a great lesson in messiah-ship.
“Jesus could rebuke John for his doubts, but instead offers him a blessing. Jesus has not lived up to John’s expectations, but John has not allowed that to be a stumbling block (skandelisthe). Soon enough, Jesus will deal with cities that refuse to repent (11:20-24)—hometown people who take offense (13:57)—Pharisees who take offense (12:1-8; 15:12) and conspire to kill Jesus (12:9-14) and charge that Jesus gets his power from Beelzebul (12:24)—and even disciples who desert him when the chips are down (26:31-33). John has done none of those things, but simply asks Jesus to confirm that he is the one for whom everyone has been waiting. Jesus offers the blessing, not just to John, but to all who do not take offense—all who do not stumble—all who are not scandalized. Jesus blesses us when we remain faithful in the face of prayers that seem not to be answered or hopes that go unfulfilled.” (Donovan)
Perhaps you now understand the importance of reviewing the nuances of the surrounding factors relative to a passage. Hopefully the brief summation provided helps you to understand why Jesus did not rebuke John, but in the verses suggested as today’s study, we find Jesus offering John praise.
“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”(v. 7) John’s disciples had departed, returning to Herod’s prison to report what Jesus had said, and Jesus turns his attention to the followers who had gone out to hear John preach and now were intently listening to and watching Jesus.
Instead of teaching in the formal places of religious instruction, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the outlying synagogues, John had preached in the wilderness, rural areas free of distraction and creature comforts. It required effort upon the part of the people to make the arduous journey out there to hear him, but none the less they did, in great multitudes according to the Gospel writers.
Jesus—in a rhetorical manner—asks them, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?” Naturally, no one—much less multitudes of people—would make such a great effort to venture out into the desert to hear someone preach who was unworthy. “ They who are weak as reeds will be shaken as reeds; but John was strong in spirit, Eph. 4:14. When the wind of popular applause on the one hand blew fresh and fair, when the storm of Herod's rage on the other hand grew fierce and blustering, John was still the same, the same in all weathers. The testimony he had borne to Christ was not the testimony of a reed, of a man who was of one mind to-day, and of another to-morrow; it was not a weather-cock testimony; no, his constancy in it is intimated (Jn. 1:20); he confessed and denied not, but confessed, and stood to it afterwards, Jn. 3:28. ” (Henry)
In essence, Jesus is stating “Let me tell you what kind of man John is!”
“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (vs. 8-10)
John was said to wear a rough cloak made from the hair of a camel, with a leather belt to gird it, eating wild honey and grains so as to avoid the comparison of those political and religious leaders who lavished upon themselves great luxury. “A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” Is a direct condemnation of the weak and lascivious usurper who had inherited his father’s throne, Herod Antipas, who in an attempt to seduce his own step daughter granted her a wish, which resulted in her mother asking for John’s head on a platter.
“Note, they who have lived a life of mortification, are least likely to be driven off from their religion by persecution. John appeared rough and unpleasant, yet they flocked after him.” (Henry)
“A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” Israel endured four hundred years without a prophet. When John burst onto the scene with his fiery preaching, the authenticity of his ministry generated enormous public appeal. “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” “John prepares the way of the one who is to come. People check roads before the king travels them. Servants repair potholes and scouts insure security. Today, executives have assistants who plan their travel, secretaries who make their reservations, chauffeurs who drive their cars, and pilots who fly their planes. Just as the services of those who prepare the way enhance the executive’s ability to accomplish work, so also John smoothed Jesus’ entry into the world by calling people to repentance.”(Donovan)
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” (v. 11a) Jesus declares John to be, not just the greatest prophet, but the greatest figure ever. Given Israel’s pantheon of heroes, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, this is an astonishing statement, indeed. What makes John so special is not his personal characteristics, excellent though those might be, but his privileged place in salvation history. All the other heroes of the faith have done mighty works, but only John has the privilege of introducing the Messiah.
“notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”(v. 11b) “ John stands at the pinnacle of the old era, but even the greatest representative of the old era is less than the humblest representative of the new. An appropriate metaphor is the ancient astronomer whose observations were limited by a small, primitive telescope. The most brilliant person, so limited, could never match the work of a more ordinary person with access to today’s space-based telescopes. Like Moses, John marched up to the border of the promise without actually entering it himself. He was Jesus’ forerunner—not his disciple. If the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, consider where that places us. We may be very ordinary Christians, but God considers us to be great.” (Donovan)
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (vs. 12-15)
Jesus’ reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and His kingdom.
The exact sense of this has been greatly debated, and is made more difficult by complicated grammar. Carson probably gives the best sense of both expressions. “The kingdom has come with holy power and magnificent energy that has been pushing back the frontiers of darkness. This is especially manifest in Jesus’ miracles and ties in with Jesus’ response to the Baptist…The kingdom is making great strides; now is the time for courageous souls, forceful people, to take hold of it.” (Carson)
“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ” Jesus saw an era ending with John; all the prophets and the law anticipated John and his ministry as a herald. There is a sense in which John spoke for every prophet who heralded Jesus’ coming. Under the Old Covenant, every other prophet announced, “The Messiah is coming.” John alone had the privilege of saying, “The Messiah is here.”
“The ministry of John was the beginning of the gospel, as it is reckoned, Mk. 1:1; Acts 1:22. This is shown here in two things: [1.] In John the Old Testament dispensation began to die, v. 13. So long that ministration continued in full force and virtue, but then it began to decline. Though the obligation of the law of Moses was not removed till Christ's death, yet the discoveries of the Old Testament began to be superseded by the more clear manifestation of the kingdom of heaven as at hand. [2.] In him the New-Testament day began to dawn; for (v. 14) This is Elias, that was for to come. John was as the loop that coupled the two Testaments; as Noah was Fibula utriusque mundi—the link connecting both worlds, so was he utriusque Testamenti—the link connecting both Testaments. The concluding prophecy of the Old Testament was, Behold, I will send you Elijah, Mal. 4:5, 6. Those words prophesied until John, and then, being turned into a history, they ceased to prophecy. ” (Henry)
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” “A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after important utterances, here for the first time in Matthew.” (Bruce) A saying of Jesus that will appear throughout the Gospels which is a veiled warning to all mankind, to listen, to take heed, to understand that the teachings of Christ are indeed the thoughts and commandments of his Father in Heaven, and an implication that to ignore these words will result in less than favorable circumstances.
Benediction
It is not enough to acclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and King. Our mission in life is to make his kingdom a reality among us and to bring it to those around us by our words and deeds. The way to do this is to live as he lived: for others, in love and service. May almighty God bless you for this task: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and to give shape to his kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Thought for the Day:
Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.
Ray Bradbury

The Collect
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever; Amen
Readings:
Psalm 5; 6 Proverbs 4
Gospel: Matthew 11:7–15
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Commentary:
We often find others, and sometimes ourselves, in a moment of religious fervor quoting a single verse or perhaps a passage, as a means of accentuating our editorial point or even justifying that point or opinion. When a verse is used appropriately, in that the contextual meaning of the verse actually is relevant to the theme we are seeking to emphasize, the usage stirs great emotion and sometimes introspection or encouragement. But when a verse is used out of context, the result is an opposite effect, causing confusion when the reader attempts to understand the writers intent or motivation.
Therefore, if we are going to use bible verses effectively, without sowing confusion and misunderstanding, we should attempt to learn all we can about the Bible, especially these individual scenes or vignettes we are presented with in bible studies such as the one today.
Quite frequently, the backgound of the Gospel account and the historical and cultural influences, are interesting, enlightening, and add a deeper understanding and appreciation of the lesson presented in the Gospel.
Regarding the setting or background of the passage we are studying today, we find John the Baptist—who had been arrested and imprisoned by Herod Antipas (see Mt. 4:12 and 14:1-12) hearing reports of the works of Christ—even while in prison—leading John to send two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus if he was indeed the Christ, the anointed one promised by the prophets. The one that the people were longing for with great expectations; a Messiah that would lead them out of subjugation by the Romans and restore the kingdom to its former glory as was under the reign of King David. (v. 11:2-3)
Donovan writes of this situation:
“The reason behind John’s question is found in his messianic expectations. He called people to repent (3:2), because “Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire” (3:10). He warned that the one who was to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire” (3:12). John clearly expects a fire-and-brimstone messiah.”
“Jesus has not lived up to that billing. He has pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit, the meek, and peacemakers (5:1-11). He has called his disciples to love their enemies (5:42-48). He has warned them not to judge others (7:1-5). These teachings seem weak by comparison with the actions anticipated by John’s fire and brimstone preaching.”
“Furthermore, Jesus moved away from Jerusalem, the home of the temple and the center of religious authority, and began his ministry in Galilee (4:12).”
“Then Jesus worked a series of healing ministries in chapters 8-9—what Bruner calls an “ambulance ministry”—of tremendous significance to those who were healed, but not significant to the nation as a whole. It has been centuries since Israel has heard a prophetic voice (other than John’s). People are looking for a voice of authority—for a fire that will purge the dross—for a powerful leader who will restore Israel’s former glory—for a messiah who will restore the people of God. John keeps watching Jesus hoping to see fireworks, but thus far has been disappointed.”
“But we must admire John. He has a problem with Jesus, so he approaches Jesus as directly as his imprisonment allows—no behind-the-back criticism! He sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one or shall they look for another? John has doubts, but he seeks to learn what Jesus will say—is open to hearing Jesus say that he is, indeed, the one! ”
In verse 6, Jesus states, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” John did not take offense, but only expressed doubt. We can surmise, that John was questioning his own situation just as he was questioning that of Jesus. After all if he (John the Baptist) was truly the one sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, why is he in prison? Wouldn’t he better serve God by being out preaching the word of God? And if Jesus was the anointed one, why isn’t he calling down lightening strikes on the Romans, putting them on the run out of Judea? John, as great of a prophet as he was, is about to learn a great lesson in messiah-ship.
“Jesus could rebuke John for his doubts, but instead offers him a blessing. Jesus has not lived up to John’s expectations, but John has not allowed that to be a stumbling block (skandelisthe). Soon enough, Jesus will deal with cities that refuse to repent (11:20-24)—hometown people who take offense (13:57)—Pharisees who take offense (12:1-8; 15:12) and conspire to kill Jesus (12:9-14) and charge that Jesus gets his power from Beelzebul (12:24)—and even disciples who desert him when the chips are down (26:31-33). John has done none of those things, but simply asks Jesus to confirm that he is the one for whom everyone has been waiting. Jesus offers the blessing, not just to John, but to all who do not take offense—all who do not stumble—all who are not scandalized. Jesus blesses us when we remain faithful in the face of prayers that seem not to be answered or hopes that go unfulfilled.” (Donovan)
Perhaps you now understand the importance of reviewing the nuances of the surrounding factors relative to a passage. Hopefully the brief summation provided helps you to understand why Jesus did not rebuke John, but in the verses suggested as today’s study, we find Jesus offering John praise.
“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”(v. 7) John’s disciples had departed, returning to Herod’s prison to report what Jesus had said, and Jesus turns his attention to the followers who had gone out to hear John preach and now were intently listening to and watching Jesus.
Instead of teaching in the formal places of religious instruction, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the outlying synagogues, John had preached in the wilderness, rural areas free of distraction and creature comforts. It required effort upon the part of the people to make the arduous journey out there to hear him, but none the less they did, in great multitudes according to the Gospel writers.
Jesus—in a rhetorical manner—asks them, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?” Naturally, no one—much less multitudes of people—would make such a great effort to venture out into the desert to hear someone preach who was unworthy. “ They who are weak as reeds will be shaken as reeds; but John was strong in spirit, Eph. 4:14. When the wind of popular applause on the one hand blew fresh and fair, when the storm of Herod's rage on the other hand grew fierce and blustering, John was still the same, the same in all weathers. The testimony he had borne to Christ was not the testimony of a reed, of a man who was of one mind to-day, and of another to-morrow; it was not a weather-cock testimony; no, his constancy in it is intimated (Jn. 1:20); he confessed and denied not, but confessed, and stood to it afterwards, Jn. 3:28. ” (Henry)
In essence, Jesus is stating “Let me tell you what kind of man John is!”
“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (vs. 8-10)
John was said to wear a rough cloak made from the hair of a camel, with a leather belt to gird it, eating wild honey and grains so as to avoid the comparison of those political and religious leaders who lavished upon themselves great luxury. “A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” Is a direct condemnation of the weak and lascivious usurper who had inherited his father’s throne, Herod Antipas, who in an attempt to seduce his own step daughter granted her a wish, which resulted in her mother asking for John’s head on a platter.
“Note, they who have lived a life of mortification, are least likely to be driven off from their religion by persecution. John appeared rough and unpleasant, yet they flocked after him.” (Henry)
“A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” Israel endured four hundred years without a prophet. When John burst onto the scene with his fiery preaching, the authenticity of his ministry generated enormous public appeal. “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” “John prepares the way of the one who is to come. People check roads before the king travels them. Servants repair potholes and scouts insure security. Today, executives have assistants who plan their travel, secretaries who make their reservations, chauffeurs who drive their cars, and pilots who fly their planes. Just as the services of those who prepare the way enhance the executive’s ability to accomplish work, so also John smoothed Jesus’ entry into the world by calling people to repentance.”(Donovan)
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” (v. 11a) Jesus declares John to be, not just the greatest prophet, but the greatest figure ever. Given Israel’s pantheon of heroes, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, this is an astonishing statement, indeed. What makes John so special is not his personal characteristics, excellent though those might be, but his privileged place in salvation history. All the other heroes of the faith have done mighty works, but only John has the privilege of introducing the Messiah.
“notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”(v. 11b) “ John stands at the pinnacle of the old era, but even the greatest representative of the old era is less than the humblest representative of the new. An appropriate metaphor is the ancient astronomer whose observations were limited by a small, primitive telescope. The most brilliant person, so limited, could never match the work of a more ordinary person with access to today’s space-based telescopes. Like Moses, John marched up to the border of the promise without actually entering it himself. He was Jesus’ forerunner—not his disciple. If the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, consider where that places us. We may be very ordinary Christians, but God considers us to be great.” (Donovan)
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (vs. 12-15)
Jesus’ reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and His kingdom.
The exact sense of this has been greatly debated, and is made more difficult by complicated grammar. Carson probably gives the best sense of both expressions. “The kingdom has come with holy power and magnificent energy that has been pushing back the frontiers of darkness. This is especially manifest in Jesus’ miracles and ties in with Jesus’ response to the Baptist…The kingdom is making great strides; now is the time for courageous souls, forceful people, to take hold of it.” (Carson)
“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ” Jesus saw an era ending with John; all the prophets and the law anticipated John and his ministry as a herald. There is a sense in which John spoke for every prophet who heralded Jesus’ coming. Under the Old Covenant, every other prophet announced, “The Messiah is coming.” John alone had the privilege of saying, “The Messiah is here.”
“The ministry of John was the beginning of the gospel, as it is reckoned, Mk. 1:1; Acts 1:22. This is shown here in two things: [1.] In John the Old Testament dispensation began to die, v. 13. So long that ministration continued in full force and virtue, but then it began to decline. Though the obligation of the law of Moses was not removed till Christ's death, yet the discoveries of the Old Testament began to be superseded by the more clear manifestation of the kingdom of heaven as at hand. [2.] In him the New-Testament day began to dawn; for (v. 14) This is Elias, that was for to come. John was as the loop that coupled the two Testaments; as Noah was Fibula utriusque mundi—the link connecting both worlds, so was he utriusque Testamenti—the link connecting both Testaments. The concluding prophecy of the Old Testament was, Behold, I will send you Elijah, Mal. 4:5, 6. Those words prophesied until John, and then, being turned into a history, they ceased to prophecy. ” (Henry)
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” “A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after important utterances, here for the first time in Matthew.” (Bruce) A saying of Jesus that will appear throughout the Gospels which is a veiled warning to all mankind, to listen, to take heed, to understand that the teachings of Christ are indeed the thoughts and commandments of his Father in Heaven, and an implication that to ignore these words will result in less than favorable circumstances.
Benediction
It is not enough to acclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and King. Our mission in life is to make his kingdom a reality among us and to bring it to those around us by our words and deeds. The way to do this is to live as he lived: for others, in love and service. May almighty God bless you for this task: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and to give shape to his kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Thought for the Day:
Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.
Ray Bradbury