03 September 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 03 September 2016

Another doctor appointment yesterday for Dear Wife.  I have one next Friday morning.  They schedule us for first thing in the morning appointments, which is fine with us.
Then off to the Big Box store to visit their pharmacy and pick up some meds for her.  Getting it there costs $16.  Getting that same drug through the mail-order system that our insurance carrier operates, costs $63.   Made that choice easy!  Now, she'll start taking it in the morning, it probably won't have much effect until Monday or so.
But going there about wore her out and left her in great pain.

We're STILL waiting for the shipped prescription that is an increased dosage of an existing medicine.  She had, at one time, been taking both the one we got today, and an even higher dosage of the one that's supposedly en route and overdue, but as we've traveled across the country and had to seek out new physicians in each new town, the  old joke about a medical "practice" (still practicing because they don't have it down yet) seems less and less a joke, and she's suffered greatly from it.
Perhaps it will get here today.  We hope.

So she'll be hors de combat for a few days at least.  But we're together.

And we had to make a jaunt to the local physical location for our mobile phones last evening.  My phone, one I've had for a number of years, is up for renewal (months and months ago) and its operating system is no longer being updated.  So we had gone and used a very special deal we'd qualified for, one that got me a brand-new "latest thing" phone AND a free tablet AND a very nice "smartwatch" (which Dear Wife promptly appropriated).  Fine and dandy and she had already lucked into a very nice online deal for a protective case for the phone.  Fine.  Then the reports started to blare that this latest and greatest phone's lithium batteries were exploding and/or burning.  While charging and/or in use.  And a worldwide recall has been issued.  So we went down there, gave the new phone back, reactivated my old one.  And now we wait.  We were allowed to keep the watch and the tablet, they're not part of the recall.  No idea how soon my "new" phone will be replaced.  I still like the old one, as I said they're just not updating it any more and some things can't be done on it.  Not the biggest problem in human history, right?

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The Old Testament passage is chapters 3 and 4 of the Proverbs.

Proverbs 3
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. 27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. 33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.


Proverbs 4
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. 14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.



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The New Testament passage is chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians.  This is often referred to as the "love chapter", and with good reason.  Love is not easy.  Love is something from the Lord.  It's precious. 


I Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.


02 September 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 02 September 2016

We have two male cats.  One "fixed", one not.  Yet.  Generally had not been an issue.  But this very morning, around 06:00, he climbed up on the bed and "sprayed".  Getting my arm and the coverlet.  NOT what I wanted at that time of day, less than an hour after I had been up for the regular 05:00 feeding.  I said a bad word or two, got a paper towel or three, wiped things up, and tried to get some more sleep.  Not very successfully.  We finally got up, ate, did all the "usual" morning routine stuff.  And I tossed the coverlet, etc. into the washing machine.  Not quite what I had on my "to do" list for the day, and not an improvement to my general attitude either.

Wife is on recliner with the "rescue" kitten on her lap, with a blanket over her and a fan pointed her way.  On the phone with the doctor office.

Niece next door and her husband are packing up for a holiday weekend campout.  His family has a permanent camp site at a state park area about 2 hours from here, they have a small camper trailer left there year around.  So they're going, with the Beloved Great Niece and the dog as well.  So we'll keep an eye on the place, but that's the extent of it.

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The Old  Testament reading today is chapters 1 and 2 of the Proverbs.   Worth  pondering.

Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Proverbs 2
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.



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The New Testament reading is chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians.

I Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.



01 September 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 01 September 2016

sigh.  September.  With all that this turn of the calendar page represents.  The end of Ohio's all-too-brief warm spell and the transition to the all-too-long period of bitter cold and snow and ice.  And everything that goes with that.  I hate cold.  I hate all of northern winters.  Always have.  Hoped to never ever EVER experience one again.  Guess what?  Coming all too soon.  And the predictions are for a particularly bitter one.  Last winter was, by local standards, rather mild.  The one before, the 2014-2015 was considered, even by local standards, to be awful.  This one may be worse yet.  Lovely.

Dear Wife is next door with the Beloved Great Niece.  Nephew-in-law (her niece's husband) is expected home in about 20 minutes, so it's not Too Bad.  I have done dishes (by hand), have one load of clothes in dryer and another in washer.  Vacuumed living room yesterday.  So we should get by one more night. 

Had to go to the Big Box store around noon, she had a prescription sent there that had to be picked up, grabbed a few SMALL things while there.  She had a few other (three) meds arrive by mail this morning.  When you're on as many as she is, every day is an issue.

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The Old Testament reading today completes our annual trek through the Psalms, with Psalms 148, 149, and 150.  Praise is the subject, and it's been on my mind a lot lately.







Psalm 148
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 149
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.



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The New Testament passage is verses 16-34 in 1st Corinthians 11.

I Corinthians 11:16-34
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

31 August 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 31 August 2016

Last day of August.  Tomorrow is September.  I hate and loathe the months whose names end in "-ber".  Sounds like BRRRRR! Cold!! to me.  I hate the months whose names end in "-ary" about as much.  Same reason.
Sitting home with the washing machine going, Dear Wife next door with the Beloved Great Niece.  And listening to yet another rain storm.  The All-Wise All-Knowing climate people dutifully consulted chicken entrails this last spring, and solemnly announce that this summer would be an awful drought.  So we've had well above average rainfall amounts, and the drought-drops falling are adding to that total.  With only three weeks of Summer left.  But I hesitate to say anything lest the "Warmists" denounce me as a  "denier" and demand disembowelment or something on that order.
We'd hoped to be receiving a shipment of medicine for Dear Wife.  She had to have her thyroid gland remove many years ago, part of the whole autoimmune / lupus thing, so she has to take thyroid medicine Every Single Day.  It's been a journey -- our moves from state to state have meant a series of physicians treating her, each one sure he/she has it Right and all the others we Horribly Wrong.  Which has led to many problems and substantial pain.  And lots and lots and lots of awful expen$e$ for us, often at times of little or no money.  Like now.  She's been diagnosed as hypo-thyroid, which we could have (and did) tell the "professionals", but of course they knew better.  Part of the result os the combination of steroids (also every day) and the hypothyroidism has been substantial weight gain.  She's never ever been petite, which doesn't bother me or her, mostly.  But last weigh-in had her at 271 pounds, clothes don't fit, and it's not good for her.  The hope is that the increased dosage of the meds will address that.  We shall see.

(break here to put stuff in the dryer and start a new load)

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The day's Old  Testament reading is Psalms 145, 146, and 147.  Tomorrow's schedule has us completing this year's tour through the Psalms.  I always enjoy it.  Some people use a reading plan that has a few of the Psalms every day.  I may try it next year.
I was reflecting this morning, early while in bed, on what goes on in us while we are praising the Lord.  And why it is important that we do so, regularly and intentionally. It's worth pondering.  I know that it is not just idle flattery.  I think it pleases Him, and I also think that it draws us closer to Him.  Both are worthy.

Psalm 145
1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. 7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 146
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: 7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: 8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: 9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. 10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 147
1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.


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The New Testament reading is verses 1-15 from 1st Corinthians chapter 11.

I Corinthians 11:1-15
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.




30 August 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 30 August 2016

Wife has been rather "out of it today".  Meaning most of the day in a recliner with extra pillows under her feet, the bad one in particular.  We are fast approaching a year since her surgery, and healing is nowhere nearly complete.  She is in great pain almost all the time, with bruising that has never gone down and swelling that grows and recedes but never completely leaves.  Discouraging is not a word that goes far enough.

At least she is not tasked with overseeing a very active 3-1/2 year old great niece today.  She enjoys it, it is good for both of them, but it about exhausts her.    And niece, the child's mother, had decided that they simply Must Have a Dog.  They had one, supposedly a moderate sized thing.  It wasn't: it was a Redbone Coon Hound, not "moderate" in size by my standards.  For some unknown reason, it died while they were away on vacation.  I had to help bury the thing.  That led to a short, too short, interlude.  Followed by a New Dog,  This bing part beagle, part Jack Russell terrier, and other "mutt" tossed in.  So it wants to run around and bark and yap at everything.  So they keep it inside much of the time, in one of those dog crates.  Not good.  And it goes outside,   And barks and barks and barks and barks and ..........  So the neighbors called the local constables to complain.  The upshot is that when Wife has kid, I get asked to put the mutt out so it can "do its business".  So I do.  Even when it's snowing and below zero.  And, when it starts barking, she calls me to take the mutt back in and stuff him into the box:  her niece doesn't want him roaming the house. 
So Wife is weary from the kid, and I'm aggravated having to nursemaid a dog.  Some people love dogs.  I am not one of them.  Never have been.  Never will be.

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The Old Testament passage today is Psalms 142, 143, and 144.  Psalm 144 is one of those that was NEVER mentioned when I was growing up in a so-called "peace church" denomination.  Such things were simply never mentioned.   Wonder why??

Psalm 142
1 I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 143
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Psalm 144
1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. 3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! 4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. 5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. 6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. 7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. 10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.



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The New Testament reading is 1st Corinthians 10, verses 14-33

I Corinthians 10:14-33
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.


29 August 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 29 August 2016

Monday again.

This is kind of a hard day for me.  This would have been my father's birthday.  We lost him just over 5 years ago.  We had seen him (and mom) very little for many years, largely due to the LONG distances involved.  But we'd also never been close, he and I were very different people.  Now I seem to be more like him every day.  Ran into someone recently that I'd not seen at all for more than 30 years, he said I look and sound like dad to a remarkable extent.  Perhaps.  Dad was a better man than I'll ever be.

Dear Wife is next door "watching" the Beloved Great Niece.  Mom and dad are both off to work, and it will be a long day for all of them.  Wife's niece went down to part-time after having the baby (now 3-1/2) and every week has a different schedule.  Every week: she gets her schedule late Sunday afternoon, even if she has to be on the job at 07:00 the next day, as was the case today.  Niece's husband didn't have to be at work until 07:30, so Wife didn't have to go over (all the way across the back yard) until around 06:50.  I'll walk a coffee over around 09:00, and Bobby usually comes home for lunch with daughter, and Wife comes home to eat as well, so she'll be here around 12:30 until around 12:55.  And then back over until around 6:30 p.m. when both of them will start to roll in.  Probably.

Last evening was weird.  I truly don't understand a lot of human dynamics, family dynamics, or people in general.  Never have.  Calculus and thermodynamic and all that, I can handle.  People, often not.
We got a phone call invitation to go over to wife's nephew's place for a family cookout/dinner thing.  Hot dogs and fries provided, otherwise bring something sort of thing.  Ok.  Rain was predicted, so he pulled car out of garage and tables etc. were set up under roof.  Nep and wife there, with their two kids.  We were there.  Thing was supposed to start at 6:00 -- we got there at 6:05. something about  having to get someone to get their car out of our driveway so we could leave.  Niece and child got there around 6:20, with the great niece having a screaming crying temper tantrum.  Niece's husband arrived separately, around 6:40 -- he does auto repair on the side and had to get cleaned up after a job that took longer and got lots messier than anticipated.  Wife's sister and husband called around 6:30. asking if it was still "on".  They NEVER get ANYWHERE for ANY occasion on time, or even close.  Ever.  And, of course, in the interim, niece was slamming her mom and step-dad, nephew's wife was slamming her husband, all of them slamming some other (absent) people, kids screaming and moms screaming back.  And nephew working on his car and on the motorcycle of one of those people who is only a friend when he wants something.
And this is supposed to be fun and bonding.  Whatever.  Sometimes, the life of a Trappist monk sounds awfully inviting.  Too bad there are no Baptist monasteries.

I see on the news a bombing at a government facility in Brussels, Belgium, not terribly far from where the Islamic heathens of ISIS did their mass murder at the airport recently.  But, of course, no motive can be found.  Right.

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The Old Testament reading this morning is Psalms 139, 140, and 141.
Psalm 139 is a personal favorite of mine.  Long has been.  Am not alone in that probably.

Psalm 139
 
1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.  
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.  
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?  
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.  
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 140
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; 2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. 3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. 4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. 6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. 7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. 9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. 10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. 11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. 12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psalm 141
1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. 5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. 6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. 7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. 8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. 9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.




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The reading from the New Testament today is verses 1-13 from 1st Corinthians 10.

I Corinthians 10:1-13
 
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.


28 August 2016

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 28 August 2016

Quite a day here.
Wife is doing a little bit better today.  Not great but better.  Got a delivery yesterday of some sort of stuff to flush out the sinuses.  The docs we saw Friday and last week recommended it -- seems to help.  Looks as if there was no sinus cavity-to-cavity air transfer going on, either caused by or causing a "rock" of dried mucus up there, which may in turn have played a part in the inflammation she's been chronically suffering and certainly in the last few weeks.  Out of the thing came a "rock" of dried mucus and blood, downright black which might indicate it dates back to winter and the soot that emanates from the gas fireplace which is our one and only source of heat here in the hovel.    Flushing that stuff out seems to have made a near immediate improvement at least of that issue.  Doesn't help with all the other stuff, but we'll take relief as it comes.

Got a call just a bit ago from her nephew's wife announcing some sort of get-together at their place in a few hours.  I guess we'll go, this is the sort of thing wife had longed for during our many years out of the area.  I'll be quiet and sit in the corner as they rehash old family squabbles, talk nasty about anyone who is not in earshot, and holler at kids.   Wife's mom was, if anything, a loud and determined atheist who raised her kids the same way, and wife's sister, the mother of that bunch, added to that.  Wife was rescued from that, but it's as tough a mission field as Afghanistan.  So we'll go.

I was again the Bible study leader at the church this morning.  It appears that role is mine so long as everyone is happy, me included.  I enjoy it actually, and it does take a load off the pastor who is having to do about everything as it is.  I did dodge the task -- at least today -- of leading the singing.  Low-range bass voices like mine are hardly ever called upon to sing the melody or the lead.  But, again, someone has to.  Fortunately, the "regular" person, the pastor's son in fact,  suddenly did not have to work.  The person who normally filled in for him decided he wants to attend the church of his earlier years, even though it's an extra 20 mile drive (each way).  Whatever.
So we shall see. 

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The reading from the Old Testament is Psalms 136, 137, and 138.
Great song to accompany Psalm 137 here

Psalm 136
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.


Psalm 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.


Psalm 138
1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. 8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.


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Our day's reading in the New Testament is chapter 9 of 1st Corinthians.

I Corinthians 9
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.