Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 28 June 2018

Bit glum today.
Last evening, Wife got a call.  One of "those" calls.  She grew up in a small, remote area with some fairly nasty stuff that went on off the radar.  In the midst of all that, some people were very good to her family.  Some of those people were two identical twins.  Neither one likely to be named "citizen of the year", and they married (eventually, after a failed start or three) two women who were somewhat close.  For most of their lives, they've pretty much lived next to each other, worked at the same job in the same place, spent most of their days together.  Eventually, the women tired of each other and bickered a lot, but whatever.  They retired and moved away, living next door to each other.
OK, whatever.
But, last evening, Wife got the call that one of them, "Bob", has cancer, advanced, and has possibly three weeks left.  They're in Florida now, and chances of visiting are sub-zero.  But the calls are going out.  Things being what they are, I wouldn't expect the other twin, "Dick", to last a year after.
Worse, they'd retired from one of the local industrial plants that went bankrupt.  PBGC protected -- somewhat -- their pensions.  But they'd relied on a $35,000 life insurance policy that was part of that retirement, and it's not certain that they still have it.  Added to that, the wives hadn't been employed much in their lifetimes, and their futures are looking a bit "iffy".
Doesn't help that the women, the one at least, is a determined "JW", meaning "Jehovah Witness", a weird cult that is popular back in that small remote area.  Other wife is a bit more christian, but neither of the twins is, putting it mildly.  So there is that as well.

Extended family is taking it badly.


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1st Chronicles 15

1And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

2Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.None…: Heb. It is not to carry the ark of God, but for the Levites

3And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

4And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

5Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:brethren: or, kinsmen

6Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

7Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

8Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

9Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

10Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.

11And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

12And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

13For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

14So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

16And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

17So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

18And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, the porters.

19So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

20And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;

21And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.on the…: or, on the eighth to oversee

22And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.was for…: or, was for the carriage: he instructed about the carriagesong: Heb. lifting up

23And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

24And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed–edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

25So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lordout of the house of Obed–edom with joy.

26And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

27And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.song: or, carriage

28Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lordwith shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

29And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lordcame to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

1st Chronicles 16

1So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

2And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

4And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to record, and to thank and praise the LordGod of Israel:

5Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed–edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;with psalteries…: Heb. with instruments of psalteries and harps

6Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

7Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

11Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

15Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;the lot: Heb. the cord

19When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.few, even: Heb. men of number, etc.

20And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

21He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

22Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

23Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

24Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

26For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

27Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

29Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

30Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth.

32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.

34O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

35And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

36Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.

37So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LordAsaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

38And Obed–edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed–edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

39And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that was at Gibeon,

40To offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel;morning…: Heb. in the morning, and in the evening

41And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever;

42And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.porters: Heb. for the gate

43And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

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Psalm 119, verses 81-88

CAPH.

81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.faithful: Heb. faithfulness

87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

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Romans 12

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.