19 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 19 August 2017

Into the weekend now.

Ran to the Pharmacy earlier to get a meds refill for Dear Wife. When I was there the other day, they only had THREE of those pills in stock.  And had to re-order.  They'd promised to let us know when the shipment arrived, but of course that didn't happen.  She called this morning, being out of her one-per-day dose now, and they gave us the "oh yeah.  Didn't someone let you know?" thing, with no mention of who that mysterious "someone" might be.  Ah, well.  So I drove over.  Sixteen traffic lights each way, fourteen of which were red on the return trip.  Several that serve no apparent purpose.  "Your tax dollars at work", supposedly.  Pet peeve of mine, most people have at least one.

And a song in my mind.  Some of what I listen to and carry around is uplifting in every respect.  Some is uplifting in some respects, a bit less so in others.  This is one.
"Look For Me" is the title.  





==============================================
===========================================

Psalm 112
1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.


Psalm 113
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, 6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! 7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.


Psalm 114
1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.


Psalm 115
1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. 2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. 9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. 14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. 15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.






==============================================
===============================================

Our New Testament reading has us beginning the Epistles to the Corinthians.  In this case, chapter 1 of 1st Corinthians.
Paul had been in Corinth for about a year and a half in his 2nd missionary jouirney, and there were converts made.  But Corinth, an important and influential seaport city, was also notoriously corrupt and the sin of pride was ever present.  After his departure to Ephesus, divisions arose and, as we see even today, the world began to influence the church, while the reality should be just the opposite.  Divisions and the corruption of "worldly wisdom" entered, so Paul wrote this epistle to address these issues.
And let us be honest.  By the world's standards, our faith makes no sense.  Even if someone believes in something they can call a god, recognizing the true God is another step forward.  And even after, the question of "why should this God do all this for me?  Why should He bother?  It makes no sense.  There must be something you're not telling me."  Some of us have heard these arguments, perhaps made them ourselves.  Why should we place our faith and future hope in something that doesn't make sense?
The answer is love.  Love.  Love that passes all understanding.  Does it make sense by the world's standards?  Probably not.  And does that love, inhabiting and enabling us, make it possible to love others?  No other way.


I Corinthians 1
1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

18 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 18 August 2017

The month is racing past, so is the year, and so is the day.  Dear Wife has had us out and about today, running errands around the county.  Had to have several meeting with people selling some items we need via social media, so they meet in very public places in order to minimize the risk of robbery to either party.  I understand and appreciate that.  So, we got an essentially-new shower stall AND the brand-new Moen control valve thingie for about  $100, which is FAR less than list price for either of them.  And we need it bad.  So, Lord willing, I'll be spending this next week doing what I'd intended to do this week, demo and rework of stuff in the back bathroom so that we can have a shower we can use without danger of falling through the floor and have a second toilet, which would be quite useful.  Especially with her ulcerative colitis and some of the unfortunate symptoms of same.
She's crashed out hard on the living room recliner now: sometimes that improves her breathing enough to encourage good sleep for her. So, of course, I have to be very very quiet, which in turn means no demo of that adjacent room.  Or much else. 
The main bookshelf is blocked by her recliner, so that's out.  We "cut the cable" on the TV, no loss and a good saving of money there, so that option is out.  And so I'm here at the desk.
The news is lousy pretty much without exception.  Muslims running over people and trying to set off bombs in Spain.  Muslims stabbing people to death in Finland.  Muslims stabbing people in Germany.  Muslims ........  you get the picture.  Meanwhile, I get angry messages from people who should know better, claiming that Allah is just another name for the Lord ( a lie if there ever was one), or that Christians are the ones to blame as their consumption of bacon and having pet dogs is a deadly affront to devout Muslims, or that -- despite pages in the Koran to the contrary -- Islam is a religion of peace (or pieces), or that mentioning 1400 years of Muslim barbarity makes outreach difficult, so I am the "bad guy".  And they're serious.  At least one of them I've known for more than 50 years, and he's a leader in a rather-liberal church in this region.
I have now lived far longer than I had ever expected.  If death arrives at the door in the next few minutes, I've had more life and far more blessings from the Lord than deserved.  Far more.  But there are times that I'm glad that we have no grandchildren, for the world they would come into is likely to be an awful place.  What happens after that is beyond our control.  And the Lord has often surprised me.  But as a pretty good situation analyst, I can say that it appears that Dark Days are about here.  And we, my generation to be sure, have not held up out duty to leave the world a better place than we found it.  Quite the contrary.  I don't think that I in particular am going to be getting one of those "Well done! good and faithful servant" receptions on the Other Side.  John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, described himself as a coal snatched from the burning.  He was not alone in that.
(nor did he originate the phrase, though it correctly describes many of us.
Zechariah 3:2  And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Also, Amos 4:11 , and Jude 1:23 )

============================================
===========================================

The Old Testament passage here is Psalms  109, 110, and 111

Psalm 109
1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. 10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. 11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. 12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. 13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. 16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. 20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul. 21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. 22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. 25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads. 26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: 27 That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it. 28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. 29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. 30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. 31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Psalm 110
1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Psalm 111
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

================================
================================ 

this inspires my entry for "song of the day".  Yes, "He Knows My Name".  

Chapter 16 of the Epistle to the Romans is the New Testament reading today, completing this epistle, one of my favorites.
Mostly, this is greetings and recommendations and, perhaps, farewells to faithful and brave and helpful people in the church receiving the message.
Look at the names!  I never heard of most of them.  Their faces, their individuals stories and challenges, service and testimony, pains, and, yes, their deaths, are mostly unknown to us.  But not unknown to the Lord.
It is easy, all too easy, to become discouraged, to think that what we do, our service, our prayers, our little gestures, our testimony including in the lives we lead, just don't matter.  
WRONG!
Not all of us will have a seminary named in our memory.  Few of us will delivery an invitation to a arena of thousands, or write a book that inspires others.  Few of us will do "great things" as the world sees them.  Many, if not most of us (me included), may think that our soon departure from this world will be largely unnoticed, that the world would have been unchanged had we never been here.
But the Lord knows.
I don't know who Epaenetus was or what he did.  But the Lord does.  I don't know the details of most believers.  But I do know that I am where I am today, in large part because people that the world ignores, were there at the right time and place, and that they said and did what the Lord inspired them to do. That's a record going back more than 2000 years now.  I think that the Lord has this stuff figured out.  What I need to do is to be available to His leading.  
He Knows My Name.  What else matters, really?



Romans 16
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

17 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 17 August 2017

G'day to all (said in his best Australian accent).
Dear Wife is still feeling awful.  I had a whole lot of around-the-house construction work planned for this week, and haven't touched it, what with taking care of her, and then needing to be very quiet when she would fall into a much needed sleep.  So I have stuff piled all around in disarray and it makes the place look even less organized and tidy than usual, which is saying something. 
Sometimes life intrudes on our plans.  I'm not driving this bus.



=========================================
=========================================

Our reading in the Old Testament today is Psalms 107 and 108.  Praise.  You may see just a bit of a constant theme here.  Which is not so bad.
I call particular attention to verse #2.  Let the redeemed of the Lord SAY SO!!"  It's not supposed to be a secret, after all.


Psalm 107
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. 17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. 19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. 36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. 39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. 40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. 41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. 42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. 43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Psalm 108
1 O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 3 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. 4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; 6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me. 7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; 9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph. 10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? 11 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts? 12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. 13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.


a good song captures some of that.  Be Exalted O God
======================================
========================================

The New Testament reading today is verses 21-33 in chapter 15 of the Epistle to the Romans.
Paul is winding down this document.  But there's some interesting stuff here.
One that caught my eye was his reference to plans to go to Spain.  Now, there is no Biblical reference to  him ever being in Spain.  None.  But there are numerous accounts elsewhere.  Now, a caution:  legends of all kinds can be found everywhere you look, and examples of that are not hard to find.  Even today.  But some of these accounts have been pretty reliable in the past, as say, from Jerome.  It's an interesting question.  In this case, the term "Spain" would probably mean the Iberian Penninsula adjacent to the Mediterranean, as Paul would likely have had to go by ship.  So it doesn't mean the interior regions, like Madrid or Seville, but coastal.  Now, for a typically land-based people like the Hebrews, we don't think of them as being sea-faring.  But there are certainly Biblical references to the city-state of Tarshish.  And Tarshish is, supposedly, on the Iberian Penninsula of Spain, but on the side beyond the Mediterranean Sea, on the Atlantic Ocean!  So Spain on the Mediterranean side was certainly not the unknown world. 
(And, yes, like some other things, there are disagreements even on this.  Some scholars believe that Tarshish was on the island of Sardinia, in the Mediterranean between Italy and Spain.)
There are some interesting viewpoints on this at web sites like the Bible Archeologist and Biblical Hermeneutics.  Does it matter?  A bit.  For it displays the intention of the evangelists of the Early Church to carry the Gospel wherever they could.  The Pax Romana prevailing at the time enabled them, even in the first century, to carry that Word to the far reaches of the  known world.  No matter what.  No, he probably didn't make it to Britain and Ireland, though some believe that he did.  But, all in all, not bad for a tent-maker's son from central Turkey.

Romans 15:21-33
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.  
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.  
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;  
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. 
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.  
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.  
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.  
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;  
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;  
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.  
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.


16 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 16 August 2017

Now we are in the last half of August, so September (boo!!) is on the horizon, meaning cold cold weather won't be terribly far behind.  Booooo!! 

Yesterday was one of "those" days.  Wife was sick all night Monday night, though the Alka-Seltezer cold tab (the wallymart knockoffs) that I gave her did let her get some sleep, which was sorely needed.  She woke up around 07:00 and stumbled around a bit, so another alka-seltzer thingie.  We called doctor office, got an appointment for 11:30.  I ran down to gas station to get the gas gauge off of the "E" peg, then to local store and got some orange juice for her and a couple store-made donuts.  Came home and we had a couple of those yummy "fat pills", then on the highway for the 15-mile (each way) trip. 
Doc confirmed what we already knew, a nasty sinus infection.  Called prescription to pharmacy and I brought her home.  She is prone to these things, normally gets several a year.  Getting one as we are into some of the allergy season around here is not terribly surprising.  I'd been occasionally hitting the bottle of generic Zyertec myself. 
After a VERY short period, she wanted to go back to bed, so I tucked her in.  After a decent delay, went off to the pharmacy, having the "joy" of stopping at virtually Every.Single.Traffic.Light to and from.  Pet peeve of mine.
Got her antibiotics, refills for two other meds, got some yogurt (filled with probiotic-type cultured, to rebuild the 'good" stuff in her G.I. system that the antibiotics also kill), and came back.
I let her sleep a another hour or two, until she woke herself up.  She hit the antibiotics, I belatedly took my own "morning" meds, and I put her on her recliner.  And there she stayed, pretty much.  At least she was not throwing up, suffering symptoms of IBS, and able to breathe. Lord willing, the antibiotics should start to show a little bit of effect this evening or tomorrow morning.  It's a 10-day regimen: yes, she was that sick and still is.  We'll have to give some careful consideration about her scheduled Humira injection set for Friday: when you have a nasty infection racing through, an immuno-suppressant may not be a good idea.
Yes, balancing acts are what we do.

Which is not all that I wanted to focus on.
Does anyone else ever have "those" dreams, the ones in which something you have been struggling with is patiently explained in such a way as to provide a clear explanation of the matter?  I don't get them often, probably no one does, but they can be life-changing.  This one is still percolating in my inner self, and I'm not ready, quite, to speak of it openly, but it was Something.  I'm not going to claim any mysterious insights resulting, none of those weird "I have a Word from the Lord!" claims, none of that.  But, yes, some of the things I'd been struggling with and meditating upon seemed to be laid out with a fresh perspective. 
More on this at a later time, perhaps.

======================================
========================================

The Old Testament passage is Psalms 105 and 106

Psalm 105
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: 12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. 13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; 14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. 26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. 29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. 31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. 32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. 34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, 35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. 36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. 37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. 40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: 44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; 45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 106
1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; 5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. 13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram. 18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. 19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. 20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. 24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: 25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. 26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: 27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. 28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. 32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, 38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. 41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. 43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. 47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. 48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.



==================================
============================================

Our reading in the New Testament is verses 1-20 from chapter 15 of the Epistle to the Romans.
Verse 13 was often the benediction at the conclusion of the church worship service in the church I grew up in.  Still means a lot to me.

Romans 15:1-20
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:



15 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 15 August 2017

A good day is wished upon all.

Wife was miserable most of yesterday, worsening as the day wore on.  She felt goo enough in the morning to come with me down to the donut shop by the Interstate to meet my sister and her husband for our 2 times per year 90 minute reunion.  It was nice and we covered some ground and made a few plans, exchanged some ideas and memories.  And then they headed back to central Virginia.  And we came home.
And she was miserable all afternoon and all evening.  And night.  She did get up long enough to go across the back yard to talk with niece and wave at the baby (from a safe distance) and hear more family gossip.  But that was about it.  She ate a couple boiled eggs (awful things: aborted chickens is what they are) and got horizontal again and stayed there.
 We're going to be making calls to the doctor office in a very short while, waiting until office opens, etc.  Hoping to get her in today yet.

Yesterday, I woke with a song in mind that had been there all night, or at least during those half-asleep/half-awake moments that I so often have these days, and stayed with me all day.  (not a bad thing, actually, and it affects your thoughts and attitudes during the day, which can be A Good Thing).  An old, old song, one I've not heard or sung for years for some reason.  The title is "Take Time To Be Holy".  The title alone is a reproach to me.  How often and for how many years have I put the time and attention due to the Lord, to just about everything else, including the distractions and "stuff" of daily life.  The things that won't matter in a year, some of which won't matter in an hour, but which occupy our time.  The Lord gets what is left, if there is any left.  I'm guilty, certainly.

The text, links to the sheet music, etc. is here

  1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
    Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
    Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
    Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
  2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
    Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
  3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
    And run not before Him, whatever betide.
    In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
    And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
  4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
    Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
    Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
    Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
-- William Longstaff, born 1882.  Scripture references Ephesians 1:4, Leviticus 19:2
Alternate link is here
I thought about this most of the day.   After all, we are commanded, to "be holy, for I am holy".  See Leviticus 11:44-45, I Peter 1:16.  If we are indeed, as new creations, it should show up in our daily walk, starting with our innermost being, our thoughts and attentions, and, certainly, our prayers.
Are we eager to spend time with Him, to know Him better, to daily become more like Him?  Or are we content to stop our growth with an altar call? (A subject all by itself, incidentally).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
====================================

Our Old Testament passage for the day is Psalms 103 and 104.  I think it fair to call these songs of praise, and very good ones they are.  He's worthy.  I'm not.  Again, our focus needs to be upon Him.

Psalm 103
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 104
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.



==================================
===================================

The reading in the New Testament is chapter 14 of the Epistle to the Romans.
Good advice today as well for the factionalism and divisions that plague the church, and have almost since the beginning.  Need we give examples?

Romans 14
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

14 August 2017

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 14 August 2017

Good day (or night) to all who stop by.  Welcome.

Dear Wife is still horizontal and out of it.  The last few days have been rough on her.  I don't know what she's down with, could be anything from a summer cold to sinus infection to pneumonia or Something Else.  I do think that the UTI, the bladder/kidney infection has finally left.  I hope so.  She slept fitfully Saturday night, and even went back to sleep after I left for church services yesterday morning.  And she felt rotten from time I got back.  She went back to bed for a while but couldn't sleep, so went into the living room and stretched out on recliner, under blankets and with an orange cat on her lap.  And they both fell asleep, which is probably what they both needed.  So heavy duty REM sleep during the night last night was probably not to be expected, but she got some.  Tomorrow the Social Security check hits (we hope), therefore we can afford to pay the co-pay for a doctor visit. So, depending on how she feels, we may be making the call trying to set that up later on today.

I'd planned to start some home repair/remodeling stuff today, but I don't want to make any noise to disturb her, so I'm in the We Shall See mode.  Perhaps this afternoon.  The early part of this will be more in the nature of disassembly and clearance than anything else.

In any event, my sister and her husband are scheduled to meet us at a local donut shop by the nearby Interstate exit around 09:30. so I can't really get going on anything major.  In fact, I'll need to wake her real soon to see if she's able to come with me.  I'd like her to do so, but even that may be beyond what she is up to.

One of my own sorrows is the relationships with my own family.  We live next door to her niece, see her sister several times a week generally, spend time with niece's daughter and new baby boy, etc.  But on my side, not much.  My middle brother came by about 5 months ago to have her do some computer work.  And we had a get-together last summer at my nephew's house with both my brothers and my sister,and her husband.  Dear Wife was able to attend.  But the younger brother's wife despises us and wouldn't come, and that was the last time I saw him, living all of 20 miles away in the house I once lived in that he bought from my parents.  Sister and her husband, the ones coming, live in central Virginia, so their limitation to perhaps 2 visits of 80-90 minutes each, once or twice a year, is not surprising.  But in between, no cards, no letters, no phone calls, no e-mails.  Guess I'm a pariah or something. And, frankly, having lived far outside the area for 22 years or so, with very limited face-to-face possible during that time, and limited contact for the 10 years before -- owing to balancing two or three jobs, college studies, and towards the end my own family - didn't help.  Nor did having lived 200 miles away for several years before that.  So there has naturally been some estrangement.  We moved back here at least in part to try to remedy that, but it's not been very successful.





===============================================
==============================================

Our attention this morning in the Old Testament is Psalms 99, 100, 101, and 102.
When I was a kid, our church "encouraged" the kids to do Bible memorization.  Now, I'm glad we did, that bit about "Thy Word have I hid in my heart" (Psalm 119:11) has a lot of truth, and has served me well,even in the days I was rejecting the Lord.  Psalm 100 was one of the ones I chose.  Not only is it good, it's also short.  We got very good at finding short passages, as kids will do.  It was one of them.  (So, incidentally, was John 11:35 "Jesus wept", the shortest verse in the Bible, but it counted on the chart).
And it is good.  There are several problems that I see in the modern church.  One is the lack of discipleship.  Another is embarrassingly poor knowledge of, and attention to, Scripture.  Another is the missing 'Joy of the Lord'.  Lots of glum, serious faces.  Not a whole lot of joy evident.  And I am very often guilty of that as well, joy being one of those things that's not in my background, and not in my nature.  But it really should be:  the Lord has done great things in my life and the lives of others that I have seen.  We really should come into His presence with singing.  Need to get used to it, there are no tears in Heaven.   (Dottie Rambo had it right, Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City )

Psalm 99
1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. 4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 101
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Psalm 102
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. 23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
  




==============================================
================================================

 Our passage in the New Testament is chapter 13 in the Epistle to the Romans.


Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.