29 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 29 July 2017

Happy Saturday to all.
Quiet around here so far.
Wife's brother-in-law has his company summer picnic today.  They're having it up in a pretty area up near Lake Erie, somewhere between Geneva and Geneva-on-the-Lake.  And the company does a nice thing, he's allowed to take his wife and their kids (one about 36 and one about 31) and THEIR spouses and kids.  So they all went.  Wife's nephew and his wife and kids went up yesterday afternoon and are camping there last night and tonight.  Fun for the kids and all.  Of course, that meant that I was "volunteered" to go feed their dog, which I just did.  And to let next-door niece's dog out on his lead, which I also just did.
Whee.  And, I've just been "volunteered" to go next door with Wife to assist in some further effort in furtherance of this Great Event.

Tomorrow morning, it appears that I'll be missing normal church services.  The Great-Niece was allowed to attend the vacation Bible School at a nearby church, probably about her first experience in a church or to have heard the "Jesus Loves Me' songs and messages.  The "end-of-Bible School program" that many of us have gone through many times is in the morning.  Her mom and dad, Niece and her husband, are "too busy" to attend.  So she couldn't go either.  I've been "volunteered" to be the stand-in for them, so that she can go and can have a family member there to encourage her.  So I'll be doing that instead.  I confess that while I am glad to be able to do this, it bothers me that so many others, just in this neighborhood and town, aren't similarly involved.  And that so many of these kids aren't growing up learning about Jesus or knowing the stories from the Bible, or even know what one is.

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Our reading from the Old Testament is Psalms 56, 57, and 58
Psalm 58 in particular gets into what are sometimes called the "imprecatory Psalms", and I am certain that they were NEVER mentioned when I was growing up, didn't fit the narrative.


Psalm 56
1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?


Psalm 57
1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.


Psalm 58
1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? 2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; 5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. 6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. 7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. 8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.




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The New Testament reading is verses 1-15 in chapter 28 of the Acts of the Apostles.
FYI, the island called Melita here, is now called Malta.  It's a bit south of Sicily and north of Tripoli in northern Africa.


Acts 28:1-15
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. 11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 28 July 2017

this was to have gone out early last evening.  Didn't.  Went into a Black Hole I guess, not sure what happened.  So this is in the nature of make-up work, for which apologies.


as we are reminded, This is the day the Lord hath made.  We will rejoice in it.
But, as we are also aware, some days at least seem better than other days.  Plans for the day were for Wife to go Next Door around 09:00 and to help niece, great-niece, and wife's sister in preparations for The Great Cookout Event on Sunday.  And for me to run across town around 10:00 to help sort and pack books that are to go into an overseas container or two for shipments to mission operations in Kenya and in India.
But wife's ears had her in a heavy-duty vertigo situation, rather like being seasick.  (it's called Meniere's Disease, FYI).  With some of the same results, meaning she was throwing up all over the place.  So the day's schedule got rearranged courtesy of force majeure I guess.  (That's the Frenchified phrase I used to hear in my manufacturing days, when a major part of a resin supplier's equipment demolished itself and the train cars of the product that I needed wouldn't be coming and we better get with an alternate source.  I got all too experienced at that).  So we dug out some of the meds that we have on hand, prescribed for as-needed use in this type of situation, and by 11:00 or so she could stand and walk without hanging on to me or the wall.
So she went across the backyard to the "hen party", and I was able to head out to lend what small help I could.  For an hour or two, until she called back and I had to come home and deal with stuff.
Life is like that some times.
Such is  our life.

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Our Old Testament passage is Psalms 53, 54, 55.
Psalm 53 reminds me of  the morning news.  Some things haven't changed, have they?

Psalm 53
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. 5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them. 6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 54
1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.



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Our reading in the New Testament is verses 26-44 from chapter 27 in the Acts of the Apostles.
For those who somehow believe that the Christian life is boring, pay attention.


Acts 27:26-44
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

27 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 27 July 2017

Late afternoon here.  Dear Wife is having a bout of nausea.  Possibly from all the new meds?  we never know.  Always an adventure.  She took a very long, several hour, nap in the bedroom after lunch.  Probably got overheated, she wanted the little A/C unit in there cranked  up to max, then got under blankets.  With a cat curled up to her -- they put off a LOT of heat!

We shall see.

Saturday is set to be the Day for the big cookout here/next door, the welcome for the newborn (5 weeks old, going on 6) for the Great-Nephew.  Wife is supposed to be concocting some sort of super-fancy cake for the Great Event.  We shall see.
That concocting is supposed to be going on tomorrow.  I've semi-committed to go up the road a few miles and help carry books around for a foreign mission endeavor that is sending stuff off to east Africa.  Lets the womenfolk socialize without me being the  "wet blanket" for it all.  And the work needs to be done, I'd hoped to be over there last week but the claims upon me for the last few weeks have intervened. 

Took a bit of a walk earlier, something that I enjoy.  And a song in my mind the whole time, and since.  One that is always familiar, but I can't remember the last time I sang it.
Open My Eyes That I May See     dates back to around 1894, written just before the author, Clara Scott, was killed in an accident.  There are some accounts of this great hymn, here is just one of them.
This is one of those that, once it is in mind, you can't let go, you just can't.

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The Old Testament reading is Psalms 50, 51, and 52.
Psalm 51 is another personal favorite/

Psalm 50
1 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. 7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. 9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psalm 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalm 52
1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.




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Our reading in the New Testament is verses 1-25 of chapter 27 in the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul, bearing the Gospel message, is heading for Rome, where he will die.
And the very seas oppose it.  I struggle with the "why" of that.  Was it Satan's work, trying to prevent the spread of the Gospel?  Was it the Lord, demonstrating that Paul's journey was blessed and would prevail no matter what?  Was it, and Paul's reactions, a way of bringing that message even to those sailors?  What of them after all of this?  Were some of them converts and future carriers of the Word of God?  Good questions, all of them.


Acts 27:1-25
1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand we're back!! Finally!  After several weeks of in and out of various medical and dental offices, we have just gotten home from the last scheduled one for a while.  And, yes, that can change and we have been through such before.  All too often.
But we made the trip, the LOOONG  (OK, not a cross-country one, but altogether too long for my liking) to this one.  Through a mess of badly-planned road construction projects, lousy signage, and some large semi trucks who treat the reduced speed limits in construction zones as not being applicable to them.  To include that Estes truck whose VIN on the cab ends in --578.
Last Tuesday, the oral surgeon.  Last Wednesday, the rheumatologist.  Last Friday the new Primary Care doc (this one was for both of us, an initial visit).  Yesterday the gastroenterologist.  Today  the endocrinologist.  She hadn't been to one of them since her previous one ran for the hills, screaming, back in late 2014 -- early 2015.  Yes, we've been around the block.
We made it home, rustled up some lunch (at around 3 p.m.,) took our "morning" meds.  She went to nap out on the recliner and I did dishes.
Oh, and when we got home and were getting out of the vehicle, we could hear the radiator boiling.  I'd checked the level early in the day, full up and good.  That was then, this is now.
Will start to collect the week's trash shortly, the garbage truck comes in the morning.
Quite an exciting life we lead, right?
But there are some good things.  Great-niece next door is attending Vacation Bible School this week.  That is a very very big step forward.  Other than weddings and funerals, Niece hasn't been in church.  Pretty much ever. Her mom, my sister-in-law, is teetering between militant atheism and militant paganism, tending towards Wiccan.  Niece's husbands family is lukewarm Methodist, and the congregation meets within pretty easy walking distance, so the child's aunt was able to make a successful case.  I'm grateful for that.  Such things are far more common than many members of the "holy huddle" like to realize.  We shall see what comes of it all.  I've seen miracles before, several times.


Yesterday was a pretty long day.   Very.
Alarms off at 06:00
Up 'n at 'em.  Showered, dressed, some coffee in us, she had a little to eat (I didn't).  Out the door finally, and on the road for an 08:30 doctor appointment in the city 15 west of here.  So we were out of here by 07:45, made it in plenty of time despite the "best efforts" of the state DOT, the horrid roads and worse traffic signal arrangements along the way, and some drivers who probably shouldn't be allowed to operate tricycles in a driveway.  We made it avoiding wrecks.
Got to sit in the waiting room a while.  There has to be some reason that the TV's in all these doctor offices, dentist offices, clinics, etc. have been tuned to wretched programming.  I really don't want to watch the skanky nitwits on "the view".  Or the little better programming from CNN, MS-LSD, etc. etc. with loon who somehow think Mao was too conservative.
The appointment went pretty well.  More meds, of course.  New one that she last was on back around 1997 after her thyroid was removed.  It may interfere with other meds, a ever-present issue when you are on so many.  But an effort to deal with the IBS.
Then back home.  Some stuff that simply had to be done and then.
Among those things was packing up the items that have to go back to the cable TV company, as we dropped all TV and "land line" service with them more than a week ago.  We scared up something to eat quickly.  By which time it was pushing 2 p.m.
Then off we went. First to the cable TV office.  For once, they were nice.  Got their stuff back to them, got a receipt also.
Then down the road a bit.  Wife was selling off some fancy dishes she'd gotten on a deal about 15 years ago.  Taking up space now and there is no prospect of ever using them, so we got about $10 for
some items probably worth far far more.  The buyer was appreciative, and will enjoy them.  Then they spent about 15 minutes discovering friends in common, etc.  Boring to me, interesting to them.
Then back down the road, and to the Pharmacy.  The "orphan drug" that had been ordered in last week finally arrived.  She also had in hand a paper prescription slip for the IBS drug.  So a further delay for that to be done.
So we had a few household items to pick up and did, Then pick  up the meds, only to find the insurance stuff had been mis-done.  So a good half-hour or more getting that untangled.  FINALLY out of there, and home.  Get home around 5 p.m.  Snacked a bit and she went off to take a nap.
Cats surrounded me, so I did litter pans, and got a treat for them.

None of this was great or earth shattering.  But all of it was important.  Even doing the litter pans was very important, to the cats at least.  Not the stuff of memoirs or biographies, but doing the necessary to keep things going.  Pretty well describes a lot of our lives.
WHAT we do is not always as important as the WHY or the HOW.

but my nominee for "song of the day" is  one not in the hymnal, but perhaps it should be.
"Someone's Praying For Me"  .  For Someone is.  His name is Jesus.  He intercedes on behalf of even the worst of us, like me. 

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Our Old Testament reading:  Psalms 47, 48, and 49

Psalm 47
1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. 3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. 4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. 5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. 8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.


Psalm 48
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge. 4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. 5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. 6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. 7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. 9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. 13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.


Psalm 49
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: 2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. 4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? 6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. 18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.





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 The passage in the New Testament, chapter 26 of the Acts of the Apostles.
More of Paul testifying to Jesus the Christ before some very powerful people.  Not bad for a tent-maker's son from central Turkey, huh?
And it contains one of the most winsome phrases ever uttered.  Verse 28's ".. almost persuaded".
Remember this song?? Almost Persuaded, Now To Believe
(no,  it's not the one done by Etta James).

Acts 26
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.


25 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 25 July 2017

The last Tuesday in July.  Lord willing, a week hence will be August.
Scheduled to leave the house VERY soon.  Today is yet another doctor appointment for Dear Wife.  This will be with a gastroenterologist.  It looks like she's suffering from gastritis or something like it.  They'd been running tests to make sure she doesn't have a duodenal ulcer, which would not be a good thing.  And perhaps, perhaps, they can come up with a good solution to her bouts of what appears to be ulcerative colitis, with all that implies. It's tough having to live on immodium, to always be concerned about the "what if ...?" issues, and all of that.  It's been part of her life for some years now.  Not the worst thing in the world, but in conjunction with everything else, the constant pain and all of it, it steals much, most, of the joy of living.  And that is what troubles me most.  Were it not for some of the family connections she gained in our move here, I don't think she wanted live live like this any more, and I probably can't blame her.   There are a lot of other people in our world who have a similar outlook on things.

We should never let circumstances steal our joy, but reality, Life, can wear you down.

Yesterday was a tough day for some old friends of mine.  It was just a year ago yesterday that their daughter passed on.  I'd known her parents longer than they'd known each other.  She was in her early 30's and had been battling a chronic genetic disease for many years, and the end was expected but still hard.  I can't imagine the pain.  There are people all around us going through some very hard circumstances, or who recently have.  Be kind.  It costs nothing.

And we shall pray our way to and from the doctor.  The old chariot is still acting up.  After we get back, I still have to go across the state line and --hopefully -- pick up the "orphan drug" whose delivery to the pharmacy was promised for today.  And I need to drop some stuff off at the cable TV office, as we cancelled that service more than a week ago.

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 The Old Testament reading today is Psalms 44, 45, and 46
All of these are important, surely.  Look at 44 for example.  David is recounting how the message of what the Lord had done for His people was being passed along within the families, and by the fathers at that.  Remember that most people couldn't read, and there were no "family Bibles" around.  The memory had to be, and was, passed along as part of their heritage.  Even to a young shepherd boy like David.  I have to admit that his father did a better job of passing that along than I did.  These days, we all too often palm that off on the Sunday School, the Youth Pastor, the "pros" in the church.  Yes, we will -- sometimes -- give our kids their own Bible when they're old enough to read it: my parents did and so did we.  But few emphasize that reading and settle for ensuring that they take it along to church on Sunday.  The rest of the time, it's on the shelf.  As are ours, all too often.  Jesse, David's father, like others, took his responsibility seriously.
And Psalm 46 is a personal favorite of mine.  Be a good one to memorize in fact.  And the basis for some good music as well, it's been set to music and I've been involved in singing it. 

Psalm 44
1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. 9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. 10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. 11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. 12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. 13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. 14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. 15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, 16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger. 17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. 18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Psalm 45
1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. 3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. 13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. 14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. 15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace. 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.



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Our New Testament reading today is chapter 25 in the Acts of the Apostles.  Paul has been in prison now, a Roman prison, note, for some two years.  Providing the unimaginable opportunity to present the Gospel message to quite a spectrum of people, some of whom were converted.  And, as you can imagine, this is leading to Paul being sent to Rome, to appear before Caesar.  A very long way from Jerusalem or Caesarea or his original home in Tarsus. The long term results of that missionary journey, paid for by the Romans by the way, are still with us.  Not bad!
 
Acts 25
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. 9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

24 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 24 July 2017

And now the "regular" week begins.  And this is the next-to-last Monday in July, so we are counting down the few days of the months with short names.  I know that it shouldn't bother me, but it does.  I look at the calendar and realize that in 16 weeks or so, it will be winter. 😝 Brrrrr!!! I  hate even the thought of it.  It's not like I never went through it before.  The other day, people were reminding me of an earlier time, the horrid winter, blizzards, bitter cold, and horrendous snowfall seen in this area way back in 1978, and asking who remembered it.  I did and do.  I was working an unusual job that had me on the local roads all night long.  Friend had a side business plowing snow in parking lots and drives for apartment complexes, small businesses, and the private drives of those who owned some of those operations.  He had me driving the plow while he was off at his "regular" job, having been up all night himself.  Neither of us got much sleep that winter (did his marriage no particular good either), and the memories of that are anything but good.  I was 40 years younger then, than I am now.  I didn't like it then and certainly wouldn't like it any better now.  NOT looking forward to it.  Yes, we're in the middle of Summer, and still have a week of July and a month of August before us.  But I know what's coming.  Why can't it be May all year long?

I was down yesterday.  Not violently ill, but not well either.  Wife is also down.  She's suffering a UTI, and it's probably strep in actuality.  Doc wrote a prescription for an antibiotic suited for that,, and it is having some good effect, but she still feels awful so no real downtime for me.  So we pretty much stayed quiet.  I missed church services, something that very rarely happens, but no help for it.  Perhaps the week to come will be better.
Her niece next door had a baby about 4 weeks ago now, and is talking about going back to work soon.  Not this week, and probably not the week thereafter, but the week after that, almost certainly.  They need the money, which I can understand, so Wife will be called into service as the Designated Sitter.  Meaning I'll be helping out I guess.  The Great-Niece turns 5 in a few months, so I guess that this coming year, meaning not next month but the month after, she'll be in kindergarten.  Like me, she'll miss the age cut-off for some stuff, so she'll turn 6 while still in kindergarten.  So Wife will be taking care of not one, but two Little Ones.  Should be fun.

Now, tomorrow she has doctor appointment with the gastroenterologist in the city just west of us, about 16 miles each way or so, I guess.  And Wednesday, she has an appointment with the endocrinologist (when I tell people that she has a "complex condition" it's not an exaggeration), which is about 25 miles each way.  A whole lot of driving in an old car which has a problem somewhere in the cooling system.  Somewhere.  So we'll be praying the whole time back and forth and while at the doctor offices as well.  And, with luck (PLEASE, Lord!) the "orphan drug" that the pharmacy had to have shipped in, will be there tomorrow so I can pick it up and get her back on it.  She's out and has been out for about two weeks now, and it makes a great difference in her health.
Part of our life.
But we're not complaining.  When Wife was born, many of the drugs and treatments that keep her alive had not yet been developed or proliferated.  And even had they been, her family could not have afforded them.  I guess the Lord has a purpose for keeping us around.

The "song of the day" is suggested by one of our Old Testament texts, Psalm 42.
As The Deer is a personal favorite.

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Our Old Testament readings are Psalms 41, 42 and 43.  VERY fond of 42, and not just because of the tie to our "song of the day".

Psalm 41
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. 3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. 4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. 5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? 6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. 7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. 8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. 9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. 10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. 11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. 13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Psalm 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. 7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 43
1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. 2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.



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Our reading in the New Testament is chapter 24 in the Acts of the Apostles.
Things are pretty tense and the Gospel message is stirring up a lot of controversy.  But the controversy is enabling the preaching of that Gospel message into places that could not have been imagined a short while before.

Acts 24
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

23 July 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 23 July 2017

A down day here.  I have a "bug" or something, feel lousy and no strength, could barely sleep at all last night and then only fitfully.  Stayed home, missed church services this morning which is not at all normal, especially on days, like today, that had some special event, a gospel singing group, planned.  But just couldn't do it.  It's rare, very, but it happens every so often.

Looking around at our world, it is all too easy to become discouraged, to believe that All Is Lost and there is no hope.  That's a false analysis of course, the Lord has often proven that nothing is beyond His reach.
And yet, when we see dire prophecy apparently playing out before us, to the applause of the self-proclaimed "elites", the temptation to the sin of despair, gets to be very strong.
I opened a link sent to me, and what I saw was the headline to a gushing "puff piece" out of the oh-so-liberal land of Wisconsin, entitled:

Wisconsin Company To Implant Microchips In Employees

Is anyone else thinking of chapter 17 in the Revelation, the references to the "Mark of the Beast"? Because I am. And then I saw, just the other day, an account from another site, where one of the major credit card companies is, in essence, bribing various retailers to begin refusing cash transactions so that use of debit or credit cards is the only way to do business.  See, for example, here (from 2016) or here, this week or  here.  Or here.
  Meaning, of course that one's "private" business might be tracked, and thus one's movements and interests as well.  Intrusive much?  And we hear, for example, that India is trying to do likewise on a national scale.
There are those who might call this progress.  I'm not one of them.  Especially as I reflect that it would take little more for the "progressives" to add that microchip requirement as a handy portable means of linking to that debit or credit card.  Think of the savings if the printing of currency or the minting of coins were abolished.  Why, counterfeiting would vanish, right?  And then, one might see that "undesired" purchases or transactions could be prevented.  No drug buys, right?  And no problems with "cash under the table" services, or little girls with unlicensed lemonade stands either.  How "progressive".
Oh, and it takes very little to enable 24/7/365 tracking of where you are.  With no more effort, it could be known who you were with.  With the tracking software on most smartphones in ubiquitous use today, such is already pretty standard (most people don't know that, but I do), and I for one don't like it much.  Oh, and on some phones, that's possible even if you have the location "services" turned off and even if the phone itself is turned off.  Now, if you remove the battery ......  but of course, that ability is becoming ever more unusual, isn't it?
Am I paranoid?  No.  I have reason to know about the ways in which some of these capabilities, including that implanted microchip, might be used and mis-used.  And, as we used to say in my engineering days, "just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should".  Here are examples.

Things may be about to get even worse.  I'm thinking that my Amish cousins, living in such a way as to avoid too-close entanglements with the "world" as they define it, might not be so far off.  For example, horses can make more horses.  Chevrolet hasn't managed that yet.  They generally avoid TV and telephones (generally, I said) and most other things of that sort.  Having seen what's on TV and the notions, the seeds, that are planted in the brains of watchers (ever react negatively to the blather about something "that everybody's talking about!" that is anti-God, stupid, nonsensical, and dumb?), they may well be better for it.  Who can deny the silliness and horrible distraction that text messaging, 24-hour contact availability, and non-stop sound,  that all of this technology has dumped on us?  How many of us know of others, or ourselves, who are downright upset if they don't have sounds all the time, who never ever experience silence?  How can we pretend we want to hear from God when His voice is drowned out by "music" and our attention is occupied by games or on-line porn or fashion trends (if you can tell the difference)?  Or football, or NASCAR races or the latest political scandals and wranglings?

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The readings in the Old Testament are Psalms 38, 39, and 40.  This is David, and he's not exaggerating when he speaks of those who seek his life, and he is very thankful for what the Lord had been and was then doing on his behalf, and prayed that it would continue.
Those who have been in awful situations, situations that only the Lord could rescue us and has, have an attitude towards the Lord that only they can have.

Psalm 38
1 O lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. 15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. 21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Psalm 39
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. 3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, 4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. 9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. 10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. 11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. 12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. 11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.



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The New Testament reading is verses 12-35 in the 23rd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.  As ever, the Gospel arouses controversy.  THAT hasn't changed. 

Acts 23:12-35
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.