Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 08 December 2017

Happy Friday.  Best I can do.
Plan is for us to be leaving here shortly, weather and traffic and car condition, etc. permitting, and make the 25-mile (one way) trip to take Wife to see the pulmonologist. The same one whose foot-dragging, disinterest in returning phone calls, and the like, caused the insurance people to refuse the payments for the CPAP machine that Wife has been using, resulting in their taking possession of it.  I don't blame the medical equipment people for that.  I'll let the insurance people and the doctor office, etc. engage in their own duel over the blame, but we're in the middle of it, affected but not combatants.  Just part of the "fun" of our lives.
We're in a good cold snap, started snowing yesterday evening.  I should be glad, I guess.  Friends of ours who live along Lake Erie, the band from east of Cleveland up through Erie, PA and into Buffalo, New York, saw HEAVY snow.  Buffalo and the area around it were getting snow yesterday at the rate of 2 inches of snow per hour, for quite a while.  At one time, my work had me in that region in the winter time and I "got" to experience it.  Don't miss that "fun", not one bit.  Not a bit.  Snow is evil!

Lot of thought and such the last few days.
Yesterday, I had to make a run to a local laundromat.  (Our clothes dryer doesn't, meaning dry, any more.  So do several loads in the washer that still works, stuff the wet garments into hampers and baskets, run  to the laundry, and spend an hour or two and $5 or so, and do the drying part.).  Like so many other businesses, they had piped in programming from a local radio station inundating us with "Christmas music".  A very limited  play list, with several repeats.  As we know, most "Christmas music" has about as much to do with the birth of the Christ, as it does with a square dance.  Perhaps less.  Had to listen over and over again to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas", which I have never ever liked.  And the line,  "through the years, we'll always be together, if the Fates allow".  Hmmm.  I do seem to recall that the Fates were characters in Greek mythology.  Clotho, Atropos, and Lachesis by name.  Hmmm.  Doesn't seem to have a lot to do with the birth of the Christ.  I vaguely recall that the lyric originally went ,"if the LORD allows".  But I guess that wasn't considered to be commercial enough or whatever.  Another realization that our activities around this season generally don't have much to do with the real reason for the joy.

And what it does is to bring out the stark reality that a great deal of what seems to occupy us, to take up time and attention and focus, and money too, has nothing whatever to do with honoring the Lord or in carrying out the advancement of the Kingdom.  Too often, in fact, in pretty stark contrast if not outright opposition to it.  Anyone doubting that is cordially invited to observer the all too frequent conduct at some of these "Christmas parties" that traditionally occur around this time.  At several times in my work life, I was "strongly encouraged" to be present for some of these and to "get into the spirit of things" with the others.  My avoidance of alcohol was not always well regarded, but I was never, as were some of my fellows, arrested for drunk driving afterward.  Nor was I in danger of inappropriate conduct with some of the other guests.  (Being world-class homely has some side benefits).  I know of more than a few rather vicious fights and several nasty divorces that were the product of these "festive team-building occasions".  And what does this have to do with the Virgin Birth, anyway?  Nothing whatever.

But it's not just that.  I firmly believe that the Lord has each of us, me included, in a place that He foreknew.  That He has a call, a legitimate one, on each of us as believers who have surrendered to Him.  I believe that.  But. looking around, I can't see that I have been carrying  out His will and His mission, His call on my life.  What does He have to show for the countless ways that He has blessed me and still is?
Which leads to a song of the day that is not particularly "Christmasy".  It is "I Gave My Life For Thee" To say that it is deeply convicting is an understatement.

At the same time, I sense a deficiency in myself, more than one in fact.
A deficiency of joy.  Am I alone in that?
A deficiency in my hunger for the Lord.  There have been times in my life when, in desperation some times, I felt as if I could almost hear Him speak out loud.  When He was so close!  Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place  was more than accurate.  Too often, these days, that is but a memory.  I miss that, I need that like I need oxygen.  Yes, I need Him and nothing else will do.
But, sometimes, I'm like that "rescue kitten" we took in this last winter.  She exhibits some of the same Separation Anxiety things we often see with people who have been abandoned.  When I came back from that errand, Wife tells me the kitten started mewling as soon as she heard the car door.  When I walked in, she met me at the door and walked up against me, as if so glad that I really had come back to her.  If we both go out, she is just frantic when we get in.  Wife believes that she, again like people who have been abandoned, fears that it has happened again.
The Lord has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us.  But we, meaning me, sometimes consider that promise as being on par with those who have abandoned us, who broke their promises, their vows, our expectations.  We're wrong to do that, of course.  But it is hard, desperately so,  when we can't hear Him, when we can't feel His presence there, reassuring us.
Perhaps He has a reason for that.  How much do I trust him?


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The Old Testament reading for today is chapters 11 and 12 in the book of Daniel.  This completes the trip through Daniel.  A whole lot more here than the den of lions and the fiery furnace.

Daniel 11

1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. 2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. 3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. 5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. 6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. 7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. 9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. 10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. 11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it. 13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. 15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. 17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. 18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. 20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. 21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. 25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. 26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. 27 And both of these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. 28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. 29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. 30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. 31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. 36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. 40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

Daniel 12

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

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The New Testament reading is the 3rd epistle of John. 
Now, a brief note:  the schedule for tomorrow is the little book of Jude.  The schedule for the remainder of the year is in the Revelation.  I will, during that time, offer almost no commentary whatever.  I don't feel capable of doing so, and have seen too many people go way off the track in the Revelation.  So the plan is to present the text, and then shut up.

III John

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. 15 []