Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 24 July 2018

Next-to-last Tuesday in July.

😔  So the months with short names, an all too brief spell in the course of the year, is nearly over.  No, August doesn't mean snow.  September usually doesn't either.  But September does mean the Equinox, and is the harbinger of October, which quite often in this Land of Ice, DOES mean snow, have seen it many times.  The days are already getting shorter than they were back in June at the Solstice, which makes me glum.  We will lose a minute 48 seconds of "day" by tomorrow.  So, while I personally enjoy the weather and sunlight and birdies and all that stuff, a little voice is reminding me that the times of sub-zero weather and foot-deep snow (or more) are  ahead, should we live that long.  Not uplifting at all, I hate Ohio weather and always did.

The alarm went off at 05:30 today.  Next-door niece had to be at work at 07:00 so we were up and all that stuff and trudged across the back yard around 06:15.  Her husband was to be at work no later than 07:00 and he's only in his second week there, so he doesn't want to be late, and he was already gone.  Wife's not feeling real good and that horrid pain in her knee only adds to that, so she wanted me to be there all day (or most of it) in order to handle a VERY active 1-year-old boy.  Yesterday, that little guy slept until around 11:00.  Not today:  Niece, not in a good mood, told us he'd been up since 04:00, so no more sleep for her or husband  (the crib is in their room).  So it was a "running start" to the day.  And stayed on the run until the parents got home, within minutes of each other but from far separate locations, and that was after 3:30 p.m.  Makes for a "day", to be sure.
We came home, sat for a few minutes, made dinner, and now she's in recovery mode.  The expectation is that tomorrow will be pretty much the same.  Niece had been working only two days a week, but that seems to be in abeyance right now.  They need the money anyway: he was out of work for over six weeks, which is a long time without a paycheck and his former employer seems to have gotten away with denying Unemployment, so it was a hard hit.  The new job is probably better, but a further drive and he starts pretty low on the org chart.  We're helping to the extent that we can, and watching their kids -- gratis -- is the major part of the help.

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Today, another new beginning, and new in several ways.  Beginning another book, of course.
But this deals with the issues of trying to recreate a nearly destroyed people and culture, keeping in mind what is important, and doing so in the face of opposition.
I've been in some pretty difficult situations, and creating something new or markedly different is rough, believe me.  But I've never been in anything this tough.  At least in the business / industrial world.  But in some ways, we are or should be trying to create a godly culture in the face of real opposition and, in some ways nearly as bad, apathy.  As a mentor once told me, "you can't push a string". 

Ezra 1

1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lordstirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,made…: Heb. caused a voice to pass

2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.help…: Heb. lift him up

5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.

6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.strengthened…: that is, helped them

7Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

8Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.

9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,

10Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

Ezra 2

1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:Seraiah: also called, AzariahReelaiah: or, RaamiahMispar: or, MisperethRehum: or, Nehum

3The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6The children of Pahath–moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.Bani: also called, Binnui

11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.Jorah: also called, Hariph

19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.Gibbar: also called, Gibeon

21The children of Beth–lehem, an hundred twenty and three.

22The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

24The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.Azmaveth: also called, Beth–azmaveth

25The children of Kirjath–arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

27The men of Michmash, an hundred twenty and two.

28The men of Beth–el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.

31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.Hadid: or, Harid, as it is in some copies

34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

38The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.Hodaviah: also called, Judah or Hodevah

41The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.

42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.

43The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,Siaha: also called, Sia

45The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,Shalmai: also called, Shamlai

47The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50The children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephusim,Nephusim: also called, Nephishesim

51The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,Bazluth: also called, Bazlith

53The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

54The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,Peruda: also called, Perida

56The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.Ami: also called, Amon

58All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

59And these were they which went up from Tel–melah, Tel–harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:Addan: also called, Addonseed: or, pedigree

60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:

62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.were they…: Heb. they were polluted from the priesthood

63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.Tirshatha: or, governor

64The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

65Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

67Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

69They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

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Today, Psalm 126

Psalm 126

A Song of degrees.

1When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.turned…: Heb. returned the returning

2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.hath…: Heb. hath magnified to do with them

3The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.joy: or, singing

6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

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Today, 1st Corinthians 14.  I really don't want to comment on this, for this gets into discussion of spiritual gifts.  That has been a subject of contention that has been going on for centuries at least, and frequently generates more heat than light.  There are those, and I know some, who firmly believe that every one of those gifts is still active in the world today.  There are those, and I know some of them as well, who equally firmly believe that none are extant.  And, again, those -- and I know some of them as well -- who are firmly convinced that some are and some are not.  I don't know the answer.  I will admit to being a bit skeptical when I hear persons being described as "Prophet so-and-so" or "Prophetess so-and-so", some even wearing name tags so inscribed.  Have seen it.
So, no comment.  Prayerfully consider the matter.

1st Corinthians 14

1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

5I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40Let all things be done decently and in order.