07 April 2007

Today's Reading April 7

Today is sometimes known as Holy Saturday, a somber day of reflection upon what the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ really means, both for the world and for us personally. This is not a time of merriment, but of sober reflection and repentance. Yet we also know that this is not the end, that after the darkness of the moment comes the light.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is from the Book of the Judges, chapters 20 and 21.

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

We see this phrase throughout Judges, it reminds us of the human propensity to do evil. We see it around us every day, if we have eyes to see.
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The evening reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, verses 1 through 28. Like always, there is a lot here. Today my attention is particularly on the first
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We sometimes refer to this as the Lord's Prayer. It's a good pattern for our own.

06 April 2007

Today's Reading April 6

This is Good Friday. Please remember, all day, just what this day means.

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is chapters 18 and 19 from the Book of the Judges. More of the record of the downward spiral of the Hebrews after their entry into the Promised Land. Wickedness on all sides. Here we see it in the areas of Dan and of Benjamin, but it was so everywhere. Sounds familiar, somehow.

This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25 through 42. There's good stuff here, a lot of it. I particularly like

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Lev 19:18 Deut 6:5, 10:12 Mark 12:30 Matt 22:37
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

05 April 2007

Today's Reading April 5

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
Judges, chapters 15, 16, and 17
The first two of these chapters conclude the story of Samson.
The third includes language that becomes all too familiar, and reminds me of the world in which we now live. (and I fully expect the same, sad results)
6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.


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This evening's reading, from the New Testament
the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 1 through 24
every bit of this is good, and worth going over and over. I have trouble picking out the most important piece.

04 April 2007

Today's Reading April 4

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
Judges, chapters 12,13, and 14
It is a recitation of events that generally go like this:
1 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of ...


Some things never change, do they?
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament
the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses 37 through 62
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This is Holy Week, the rehearsal of the events of our Lord's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Because of this, we have hope and certainty. Praise God!

03 April 2007

Back again

Just a brief post.
We have just returned from our 2000-mile road trip for my mother's funeral. My grateful thanks to all who prayed for us, who sent expressions of support, who attended or who just took a moment to think of us. Thank you, thank you so much. It has been a great comfort to us in a difficult period.
God is SO good, and His love and grace has made all the difference. We are greatly comforted in knowing that we will see her again, and that she is safe in His care now.
And that's good news. That's the gospel.

01 April 2007

Today's Reading April 1 and other news

I apologize for the light posting over the last few days. In a few hours, we will be laying my mother to rest in the plot out behind the church I grew up in. We spent last night at the calling hours, seeing family members that I had not seen in upwards of 30 years. So blogging has not been uppermost in my mind lately.

Yet this is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the most momentous week in history. And it is because of Easter, the reality of the death and glorious resurrection of our Lord, that even hard weeks like this are possible to endure. Not easy, but possible. We do not despair, and we know that the death of the body is not the end.

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is chapters 6 and 7 of the book of the Judges. The Gideon account.

This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is Luke 8, verses 1 through 21.