Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 28 January 2017

Happy Saturday to all.

As noted before, we spent another day yesterday pretty well fully occupied with Wife's physical issues.  We made it through, so far.  So we will continue to trust that the Lord is in control, no matter what, and that He is accomplishing some purpose through this.  Perhaps more than one purpose.  He is driving this bus, we're just riding.  He knows the situation, better than we do, and He knows where we're all headed.  And, yes, sometimes the road gets bumpy.

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The reading from the Old Testament is chapters 16, 17, and 18 of the Exodus.
First we see manna.  A huge crowd, which the Hebrews were, need a LOT of food, daily.  They didn't have any, until the Lord provided.  Miraculously.  Not something that could have been anticipated.  Not earned.  Provided, with some rules attached.  Promptly violated, of course.  We see how that turned out.
Then we see that they needed water.  Of course.  Again, provided, right out of a rock.
And then, a fight.  The Amalekites.  The Amalekites were the descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau, and long were fierce enemies of the Israelites.  Think of it as a sort of a vicious family fight, one that lasted until the monarchy was set up.  The Lord had a hand in this fight as well.
And then a bit of a reunion.  Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses came out to see him.  I wonder what Aaron and Miriam and Caleb and Joshua thought of that. Perhaps it was a useful object lesson that they could  recall when things in the future got tough, as they would.  Good lesson for us as well.

Exodus 16

1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. 4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. 6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: 7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? 8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. 9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings. 10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. 13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. 19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. 22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. 31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. 33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. 34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. 36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

Exodus 17

1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? 3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. 5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? 8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Exodus 18

1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; 2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, 3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: 4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: 5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: 6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. 7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. 8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. 12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. 13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

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Our passage from the New Testament is verses 16-30 of chapter 19 in the Gospel of Matthew.
How do we gain eternal life?  It's a fair question, a very old one, still important.  And, yes, there are those who fully believe that humans are like oversized earthworms, and when the body gives out, that's it.  There is, I believe, something in most of us that rejects that idea, and causes us to believe that there is more to this than we can see.  Trying to earn the Lord's favor is an old thing.  Not necessarily evil in itself, the urge is not wrong.  But it's also futile.  And that reality is a large part of what we believe, and what Jesus taught.  I can't "buy" or "earn" my way into Heaven.  It is both more and less than that.  The price has already been paid, which is the Good News, the Gospel.  But that is now.  In the time when Jesus walked the earth, and before, and often today, the idea was that we had I's to be dotted, t's to be crossed, a lot of things that one must do in a particular way and a particular time, and other things to not be done.  Or out of order.  The question asked of Jesus was neither new nor wrong to be asked.  Indeed, I think it likely that he asked that just so we could see the answer.
Where is our treasure?  Here, or above?  Can't be both.  Can't.  


Matthew 19:16-30

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

another update 1/27

Back home, finally.  Looooong morning.
She was sick last night, worse this morning.  I called doctor office, they were able to "work her in".  We left around 8:40.  40 minute drive to Dr. office.  More than an hour there.  a 50 minute drive from there to the pharmacy.  Stand around waiting for the prescription that had been phone in to be filled.  Pick up a couple of other things we would be needing in the next few days.  A 25 minute drive home, "courtesy" of the dimwits in western Pennsylvania who seem to take pleasure in setting the traffic signals in order to prevent the smooth flow of traffic and maximize the aggravation.
She seems to have a major-league kidney infection, something she's prone to, and which is a serious long term condition.  Some truly heavy duty antibiotics have been prescribed, we got them, and she just took the first one.  Probably be 36 hours or so before we see any results.
And we are, just now, eating our first food of the day.  I took my "morning" BP meds and a few vitamins.  She'll be taking her "morning" allotment soon.

Fun life.

Today's Readings and Stuff --- Friday, 27 January 2017 updated

Another morning has broken.  Chilly, but not bitter cold.  Which is a Good Thing. 
Wife is quite ill, I've called the doctor office and they are "working us in", so we'll be leaving here shortly.  A small amount of snow on the roads, and some really interesting traffic accidents.

I owe a bit of apology and explanation.
I know that my gripes about the weather, etc. seem a bit tiresome.  After 20-some years living in the South, and in areas where snow and cold were either very rare or nonexistent, coming back to snow and cold is, well, not my every dream come true.  Yes, I lived in this area for many years before the move South, hated it thoroughly then, and I was 25-30 years or more younger than now.  I will never ever like winter, ever, but it comes with the territory.  I do derive a little bit of satisfaction (not much) from noting the lengthening of the "day" part of the 24 hour cycle.  The astronomers tell us that the "day" part today will be 9 hours 55 minutes, with tomorrow being a bit over 2 minutes longer than that, so we should be passing the 10 hour mark in a few more days.  It's something:  I do get glum when I look outside and find it dark before, WELL before, 5 pm.  Every day, the sun comes up a minute or so earlier, and sets a minute or so later.  It's some progress anyway.  But there is snow on the ground now.

And another apology and explanation.  I often make mention of Dear Wife's physical problems.  Perhaps it is of little interest to others, but it is very much a part of our existence.  Having a "complex condition" as the doctors sometimes refer to her case, means that everything is tricky.  And that means we spend a lot more time, attention, and money with doctors, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacists, than most people do.  Before our marriage, I had had some issues when in my teens, but cleared up within a few years, and really hadn't seen a doctor in quite a few years, and had no particular interest in doing so.  But now, we frequently are seeing a doctor or clinic several times a month, and often more often.  She takes around 18 or so (I lost count and it changes from time to time) medicines every day.  Some in the morning, several at night, several both times, and one to be taken morning noon and night. They are setting up an infusion of Reclast to treat her osteoporosis, which will require four DAYS of absolute bed rest.  Just for one example.  So it occupies much of  our attention, and there are times she really can't do much, and is feeling downright awful.  As she was last night.  She completed a course of antibiotics Tuesday morning for a sinus / upper respiratory infection.  We'd decided to hold of on re-starting the weekly Humira shots, just to let things settle.  But last evening, late afternoon really, she came back from "watching" the great-niece, and she was running a fever, feeling dreadful, and went to bed for about three hours.  She'd really not eaten all day -- definitely an anomaly -- and didn't eat until she got up for a little while.  I made her some dinner and she took some of her meds.  Going back to bed shortly after.  I suspect a kidney infection, which is very VERY dangerous for her.
Our plan was to make the 20-mile trek (each way) to the doctor office this morning for a 2nd pass at a urine sample, the first one didn't look good, but the combination of nausea and the diarrhea from the ulcerative colitis had, to no one's surprise, left her dehydrated.  Also very dangerous.  So we intend to make the trip, but she's calling them to warn that she may have something else going on and the doc may need to see her, not just have the nursing staff collect the sample.  Just part of our life.
We all understand, vaguely, that at some point our bodies aren't quite the same as when we were 18 or so.  We get into some denial there, and some people even go through things like liposuction, Botox, face lifts (and other things lifted also),  hair color, viagra, hair plugs, etc. trying to delay the inevitable.  But sometimes reality forces our attention.  I have been blessed to still have most of my faculties and I can physically take care of most of her day-to-day needs.  But that may not always be the case.  That reality weighs heavily on me.  I was living far from here when my own parents were in their final years, and had very few times of contact with them.  Others stepped up.  In our case, there may be no one else.  My hope and prayer is to be granted the ability to take care of her along the entire path.  After that, I don't really care.
So please forgive what must surely be less than cheerful and boring.  God has brought us both through quite a lot, and we are grateful for that.  But sometimes, like that "stone in the shoe", the moment's reality forces our attention.  Apologies.

We took in a small kitten on a rescue thing about 2 months ago.  Tiny, orphaned (someone had driven over her mother and siblings and squished them: I had to clean that up also), and nearly starved.  And cold.  So we took her in, and she's prospered.  Now as big as the adult males.  And now, going into "heat".  We've not been able to have her spayed, and she was too young anyway.  But the result is for the last few days, and probably for the next week or two, she's wandering around the place squalling.  Loudly.  Just another day in Paradise.  It does make me laugh, some, at the behavior she exhibits, being not a whole lot different from the behaviors that one can observe when humans are also ruled by their hormones.  Examples are not hard to find, are they?  We don't expect a cat to know better.  These days, we don't seem to expect much more than that behavior from humans. 
I'd like to think that we are called to something better.  The kitten hadn't had enough time with the mother to learn some basic things that even instinct doesn't cover, they get taught by one generation (mom) to the next.  As humans should.  But I see far too many cases with humans where mom didn't teach some pretty important things, sometimes because she'd never been taught them herself (which frequently gets into why she has those kids), and that also perpetuates itself.  And, too often, dad is absent or anonymous.  Not good, in cats or people.  Which is why it is so important to hand down these things, the lessons, behaviors, wisdom, and history that they will need in life. Vital.  We'll be seeing some of that throughout the Exodus and the rest of the Pentateuch.

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The Old Testament reading here is chapters 13, 14, and 15 of the Exodus.
The people are -- finally!  after 430 years! -- on their way out of Egypt and being led to the Promised Land.  Great day!  and celebrated every year, even today, thousands of years later!  And the message and the tradition and the "remember" are very definitely passed down, the memory kept alive.
But Pharaoh had a change of heart,.  And decided to break his promise and recover those slaves.  Had to terrify the people, seeing the chariots and horsemen chasing them and only the sea in front of them.  One of those "impossible" situations.  One of those "Lord, why are You doing this?!  Moses you tricked us!" moments.  Had to be.  But the Lord had another plan.  A miracle,if you like.  And the Jews remember that miracle to this day, as we should.  The Lord is in the rescuing business.  Trust me, I know this to be true.  Just when you think all hope is gone, He has an opening to step in, often in ways we couldn't have imagined.
Yet, notice another thing:  when things get scary, they start to think that the life they had known, bondage and slavery, wasn't quite so bad after all, maybe.  Sounds a lot like the "backsliding" that we used to hear about, but, oddly, is rarely a subject these days.

Exodus 13

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. 3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4 This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8 And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. 11 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, 12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's. 13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt. 17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Exodus 14

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. 5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established. 18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

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The New Testament reading here is verses 1-15 of Matthew 19.
Sad to say, much of this is no longer much taught in many churches, not "politically correct" you know.  Like the naming of two and only two sexes: male and female.  Nothing in between and no changing one to the other.  And divorce is a no-go.

Matthew 19:1-15

1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. 13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 26 January 2017

The last Thursday in January has arrived.  We are above the freezing point.  Not by much, but we'll take it.  Wife is heading across the back yard to go "watch" the Great-Niece while mom (niece) is at work.  They both seem to enjoy it, greatly.
This will probably be going on for a few more months yet.  Niece is expecting another child, a boy, some time in June.  Last time, from what I understand, she was off work for at least a month before the birth, and a few months afterwards.  We made the move up here when the Little One was about 9 months old, and Niece had already gone back to work, part time anyway.  I imagine a similar thing is being planned.  So Wife and the Niece will be colluding until the birth, and for some period thereafter, and then we'll see.  Great niece has one more year before going off to kindergarten, so I suppose that the plan is for us to be the designated "watchers" for the next five years.  We shall see.

Dear Wife was been miserable about all day yesterday.  So I was sent off to the Big Box store to fill in some of the items we didn't get last week.
One of those things was some wood putty.  The screws that fasten, or at least fastened (past tense), the door hinge to the jamb of the door going into laundry room, pulled free.  They'd backed out a little bit, I'd re-set them yesterday, but last night they fell completely out.  I bought some wood putty and some slightly longer screws, hoping that will do the trick well enough.  If it doesn't I'll have to try to move the hinge.  No fun, the batteries on the power tools are shot and doing this with muscle power alone is not my idea of a good time.  But we shall attempt it.  Never a dull moment ......

She finished her course of the heavy antibiotics Tuesday.  We're giving a few days to let her system "settle" before going back on the Humira.  It depresses the immune system, which may not be a good thing when you are battling systemic infections.  But that same immune system has gone wild in her system, and will attack her if nothing else appears.  So it's a very tricky balancing act.  Autoimmune diseases are no fun, and remind us how delicately balanced our systems are.

And it reminds us to take nothing for granted.  Every moment, every breath, every heartbeat, every meal, everything that we think of as "normal", can vanish in a moment.  The things that we take for granted, others are praying for.  My walk outside, down the steps, out to the mail box, a lot of people simply can't do.  My kidneys function, people on dialysis would love to have that.  I can see.  I can breathe without help.  And the Lord reached down and touched me.  Living where we do, and where we have, we encounter those who didn't grow  up singing "Jesus Loves Me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so".  I know a woman that Wife's family took in as a  young teen:  it was the only way her mother could keep her father from raping her, which he had been doing.  I know too many who grew up without a father in the home.  Or who were raised by grandparents because parents were dead, or in prison, or unfit.  I've encountered drug addicted teenage prostitutes who can't imagine another life.  Whose first sexual experience was with mom's "squeeze" of the week.  I know a woman whose family came here from Viet Nam after the Americans were pulling out, leaving everything they'd ever known behind, because the alternative was to be slaughtered by the victorious socialists.
Sorrow and pain and misery are not hard to find, they're hard to ignore in fact. Yet sometimes we avert our eyes, focusing on our TV sets, smartphones, shopping, fads, our "stuff".  ALL of which can vanish in a moment.  Been there.
What is important is what circumstances can't change.  Too many of us can't, or don't, see beyond the moment's circumstances.  Me too.

Sometimes, things look impossible.  Been there too.  A story as old as mankind.  Ask Moses.  Or Aaron.  Or Noah.  Or Abraham or Sarah.  Or Lazarus.  Without those terrible circumstances, we would not know their names.

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The Old Testament reading here is chapters 11 and 12 of the Exodus.  This ends with the Passover, and the departure of the people from Egypt, after 430 years!  Yes, the Lord doesn't work to our schedule.  He hears, truly, but sometimes we ( including me) want what we wanted and right now.  He had reasons for the delay, part of which may have been the growth of the people to the numbers they now had.
And it is no accident that the Passover and Easter come at the same time.  In the coming year, Passover week will begin on the evening of April 10, and conclude at sundown April 18.  Easter is on April 16.

Exodus 11

1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold. 3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. 4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. 6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. 7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Exodus 12

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. 15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

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Our New Testament reading is verses 21-35 from the 18th chapter in the Gospel of Matthew.
This deals with a tough matter.  Forgiveness.  The spirit and attitude of forgiveness that is expect of Christians, those who, after all, have been forgiven much.  But it is a character trait that is, alas, all too rare, even within the church.  Or within families, for that matter.  Most of us have had to witness this, and more than a few of us -- me included -- have been guilty.  Some of us still are.
The Lord has had to forgive quite a lot in my case. If we are called to take on His character, to be in truth, "little Christs", then we need to think and act accordingly.  Not possible in human power, only by the indwelling of the Spirit can we hope to succeed.
Now, the question of "who is my brother", gets to be an issue here.

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 25 January 2017

One seeks to find things to be thankful for

• it's not much, but our weather lately, meaning the last week or so, has been "warm" for this area at this time of year.  Meaning we've been above the freezing point for most of the last week, and won't see that mark again for a few days.  Or so we are told. We shall see.  I'd be happy with 75° right now, and never ever EVER go below it.  Your mileage may vary.  In any event, I am grateful for the respite from snow and bitter cold.
• A quick look at the calendar says that we have less than a week of January left.  February is not my favorite time of the year, but it means that we'll have only about seven more weeks before the Vernal Equinox, the beginning of "official" Spring.  That's something.
• I've mentioned that we have cats.  Well, actually, Dear Wife does, though one of them has decided he's mine.  Whatever.  So, we have to feed them, take care of "sanitation issues", etc.  "We" in this case translates to Yours Truly.  One of them at least has a "sensitive stomach", so the real cheap dry cat food makes him vomit.  Which, of course, Yours Truly has to clean up.  We'd been buying a higher-end, meaning no corn content, at the Wally Mart, sold under the trade name of Evolve.  Worked.  So, of course, Wally Mart quit carrying it, at all, even on the Ship-to-Store app.  We found another source, only to find that it was now making him vomit.  And further investigation revealed that they'd about doubled the price. Wally Mart started carrying that version on the ship-to-store, at a price THREE TIMES what it had been.  Not an option on our very limited resources.  Dear Wife went on line and found a source that would ship us a product that seemed close to what we'd been getting, at a similar price too.  Good people, operating as Chewy.com, and we've been very pleased. But the first shipment arrived with the 20+ pound bag damaged in the shipping box and having spilled a good bit of the product.  We notified them, sent photos.  They sent a same-sized bag, free, to make up for it.  So we essentially had two big bags of dry cat food for the price of one.  This was in October.  We therefore had enough that we don't need to buy more until late February.  See what I mean?  What could have been a series of issues has led to a relationship with a good supplier, and enough of the product to last months.  
• As mentioned previously, Monday morning we were about 18 miles south of here so that Dear Wife could undergo a pretty thorough bone scan, checking the bones for status resulting from her osteoporosis.  We expected a wait of several weeks before hearing results.  Well, we got some hint of the results today.  They're ordering up an infusion of a drug called "Reclast", trade name for Zoledronic acid.  In a hurry.  Now, that may not sound like a blessing, and I guess it's not, not really.  But here is what is a blessing:  the cost to us.  The quoted price for this medicine is around $2800.  Which we simply can't afford, it's much more than our total monthly income.  And under our previous insurance, the co-pay would have been on the order of $380, which we could not afford either.   But under our new plan, just in effect as of the first of the year, that co-pay drops to $28!!   Which we can afford.  Not by much, particularly with the out-of-pocket payments we just made last week, but we'll manage.  Now, of course, given a choice, we'd have a miraculous healing of all of her ailments.  That would be nice, but doesn't seem to be in the offing.  God is making a way, when there seems to be no way.  Good song like that, by the way.  And, in that vein, the singer, Janet Paschal, was recovering from breast cancer when this was recorded.  She had reason to believe this.  So do we.  And she makes reference to the situation we'll see in the Exodus, with Moses and the people, caught in an impossible situation, between the sea and Pharaoh's army.  Yes, God will make a way.  We've been learning that, bit by bit.  If you listen to the song, listen to all of it.  Oh, and several of the other singers there were in the middle of a flood of troubles too.  As all of us are, have been, or will be.  This is our testimony too.
•  Lots more besides.  The roof over my head, the bed we slept in, the clean clothes to put on, a functioning bathroom, food to eat.  And the Lord's presence.  There was a time in my life when I had NONE of these.  None.  He's been good to me.  He didn't have to do that, but He did, and He has.  Thankful doesn't begin to cover it.
• But even if He didn't, our focus needs to be on Him and His love.  Not on the circumstances of the moment.  I'm not good at that, usually.  Getting a little bit better, perhaps.  Not there yet, not by any means.  There will always be yucky circumstances.  Things that aggravate us, perhaps, or things that really are bad, things like sickness, pain, the loss of companionship or friendships, hunger, cold, all of that.  The "stone in your shoe" matters.  The "what idiot set these traffic signals so badly!" ones, the ones that a thousand years from now, or a hundred, or one, probably won't matter.  But He will still be there.  That's worth a lot, and sometimes we take our eyes off of Him.  Faith has a lot to do with where our focus really is.

 If everything holds as planned, we'll head out shortly and hit the grocery store.  Stock up on a few things.  Wife's Disability check hit yesterday.  Paid some overdue bills.  Probably going to spend the rest of it today, things like store brand pancake mix and such.  A little bit of coffee as well.  I'm not a coffee snob, but caffeine is good for me.  And Dear Wife is equally addicted, though she IS a "coffee snob", her term not mine.







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The Old Testament reading today continues in the Exodus, chapters  9 and 10.
Moses is still passing the Lord's message along to Pharaoh, "Let My people go!".  And Pharaoh, unaccustomed as he was, to obeying anything other than his own wishes, refused, subjecting the people of Egypt to all sorts of terrible results.  Several of which revealed the emptiness of that culture's faith in their false gods.  And it wasn't over yet.

Exodus 9

1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. 4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. 5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. 13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. 16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. 17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. 19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. 20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. 22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD's. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32 But the wheat and the rye were not smitten: for they were not grown up. 33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

Exodus 10

1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him: 2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. 3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: 6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. 7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? 8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. 18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. 29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-20 from the 18th chapter in the Gospel of Matthew.
This reading contains some material that the "name it and claim it" preachers, some of the ones you see on TV, use and generally mis-use.  Getting a group together and uttering prayers in Jesus' name requesting, or demanding, some thing or action or whatever is somewhat based on this.  It's not quite that way.  I recently read an account of a lawyer who does a fair amount of "legal aid" type stuff, being a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients up on various charges.  He related an account of some defendants, women in fact, who got together in a circle, and prayed loudly that the Lord would protect them and prevent their arrest, before they went out to commit robberies and burglaries.  Somehow, I don't think the Lord was honored in that, and probably not amused either.  Neither do the sometimes heartfelt prayers that your favorite team would win the Big Game.  Need more examples?  Do such things really honor Him?  Don't think so.  Now, I admit, that I do firmly believe in the reality of verse 20.

Matthew 18:1-20

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  

8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.  

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.  

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.