Today's Readings and Stuff --- Monday, 04 June 2018

Good day to all.


The "song of the day" came into mind during the night, as frequently happens.  Possibly a sign of what's been on my heart?  Don't know.  But it does seem to fit.  Be Thou My Vision is it.  Fits for just about every day, doesn't it?  Shouldn't it be our constant prayer?
We want Him to be our vision, to see things the very same way that He does.  To adopt His ways, to love as He loves.  Not easy to do, impossible in fact.  Without the Presence of the Spirit, that is.
That means we must avidly, hungrily seek His presence and leading, all the time.  Every moment.  Not every so often.  I don't do that well, and that failure has been weighing on me.
There are some wonderful, moving renditions of this.  Irish/ Celtic.   It is, after all, an 8th century Irish song.  Works well with plain flutes and Irish bagpipes in the background, too.  I think Patrick would have approved.


Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart 
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art 
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night 
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light 


 Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word 
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord 
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son 
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one 

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise 
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always 
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art 

High King of Heaven, my victory won 
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun 
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall 
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all


I see that sense and morals have won -- narrowly -- a court case before the "Supremes".  They've ruled that that bakery in Colorado did NOT have to make a special cake to "celebrate" the so-called "marriage" of two homosexuals.  Should have been pretty obvious to anyone with half a brain, but evidently that leaves out most LIE-berals and the Dumbocrap Party apparatus in Colorado.  But, having seen a few things in my life, I expect we've not seen the last of it.  Usually, failures in courts or the legislative bodies or whatever are considered to be temporary only, and further efforts are made.  BUT, then if they can gain, somehow, a victory for the perversion du jour, that decision must thereafter be regarded as inviolate, never to be overturned nor questioned, always bowing the false goddess of "precedent".  Do we really need examples??

Noisy outside the window.  Two doors down, a house burned.  FOUR YEARS AGO!, Memorial Day of 2014!  The whole mess has been tied up in the courts and tax agencies and lawyers, the usual gaggle of rabid parasites.  Neighbors on either side are buying the property from the "land bank", those neighbors being Wife's niece and husband, and his parents.  They'd been solemnly promised that the structure would be Gone by the first of the year, that being 01 January 2018.  (which was by no means the first or only broken promise, by far).  Didn't happen, but this morning trucks and crew and heavy equipment appeared, and they've been at it since around 08:00   Glad I don't work the night shift, right?

The Great-Niece began her school experience this morning.  They have some sort of a pre-Kindergarten program called "Success By Six", and she's enrolled.  Has to ride the bus and all that stuff.  So, since the bus was due at 07:43, everyone was out at the  corner at 07:30.  Bus showed up, 10 minutes late.  Figures.  So mom and dad are choking back some emotions now.  Supposedly will be dropping her off in about an hour, so I'll head up to the corner just in case mom didn't get off work in time.  Doesn't hurt for the bus driver to be getting used to my (ugly) face, I may be doing this duty more often than not.  Whatever.

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1st Kings 15

1  Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.

2  Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

3  And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father.

4  Nevertheless for David's sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

5  Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

6  And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.

7  Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

8  And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.

9  And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.

10  And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.mother's: that is, grandmother's

11  And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.

12  And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

13  And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.

14  But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.

15  And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the Lord, silver, and gold, and vessels.

16  And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

17  And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

18  Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben–hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

19  There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

20  So Ben–hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel–beth–maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

21  And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

22  Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

23  The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

24  And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

25  And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.

26  And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

27  And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.

28  Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.

29  And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:

30  Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger.

31  Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

32  And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

33  In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.

34  And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

1st Kings 16

1  Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,

2  Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;

3  Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

4  Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.

5  Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

6  So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

7  And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

8  In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

9  And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.

10  And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.

11  And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.

12  Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,

13  For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.

14  Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

15  In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.

16  And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

17  And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah.

18  And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died,

19  For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.

20  Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

21  Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

22  But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.

23  In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.

24  And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

25  But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him.

26  For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.

27  Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

28  So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.

29  And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.

30  And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.

31  And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

32  And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

33  And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

34  In his days did Hiel the Beth–elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

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Today, Psalm 111.   Verse 10 is a good "life verse".
 

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.meat: Heb. prey

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.

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Today, chapter 22 in the Acts of the  Apostles.
I am struck as I read through this, and, really, all the NT after the Gospels, at the difference I see between the conduct of the Apostles and the converts that they made and that they made, in contrast with what happened in Israel after the deaths of Moses and Caleb. 

Acts 22

1  Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

2  (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

3  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

4  And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5  As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12  And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13  Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

17  And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18  And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

20  And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

21  And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

22  And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23  And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

24  The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26  When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

27  Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28  And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

29  Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30  On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.