Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 01 May 2018 slightly modified

MAY!!  YAY!!  Supposed to be in the mid-to-high 70's for most of the week.  Inasmuch as it was, what, just two weeks ago (or so) that we had that ghastly substance, snow, on the ground here, 70's sounds pretty durn good.  80 would be better, of course.

===>>  slight modification here:
I've been including some of these songs as links to the text.  It would appear that not all of them are coming up, not more than one per post, if that.  SO .... I'm going to be showing some real URL addresses for them.  Not as elegant, but I think that it should work.  Sorry for any inconveniences.

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Perhaps I am weird.  ("No maybe about that, the chair says").  I find myself in that odd semi-awake/semi-asleep mode that characterizes all too much of my nightly routine, struggling with my own peculiar sins and temptations and bad memories.  Now, lest anyone take that wrongly, the term "peculiar" simply means that we are individuals.  There are things that are struggles and temptations that bother me, that others would never notice.  And the opposite is also true:  some people have confessed to me things that they struggle with mightily that I'd simply never noticed.  And, of course, some of these things move up and down on the scale as we "mature" (sounds so much better than "age", doesn't it?).
Anyway, I was in a mode of despair.  My own reprise of Romans 7:24

²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

And with that, the reinforced realization that I am helpless to fix that in my own strength.

And then, as so often happens with my "odd" mind, some of the answers came in the form of songs.
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus    the URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exE5YQNewv8

another recording here  URL is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijrnfeWufE
Anyone want to argue that? 

And then, to the inevitable follow-up thoughts:
Faith Is The Victory     URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebY9pHMVkc
Let that run through your thoughts all day.

So what am I here for, such a failure in everything?  Just to diminish and to die?
For Such A Time As This      URL here is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmYOQ8h4wsM
Go re-read Esther.  Particularly Esther 4:14, but all of it.  This is one of those particular favorites of mine.  The Lord is running this show.  Yes, we (I) sin and cause Him sorrow.  But I believe that there is a purpose for all of it, that He is in command, and certainly that He is smarter than any of us.  I believe that there is a purpose for the pain, for the loss, for the sorrow.  And yes, even for the failures.  As one put it, "If I never had a problem, I'd never know that God could fix it; would never know what faith in His word can do."  Can't really argue that.  And, despite it all, I believe that, someday, at His feet, we will look back at those moments that seemed so awful to us, and they will be no more important than our worries when we went off to school for the first time, or stubbed our toe.  Perspective, from His perspective.

And, of course, Have Thine Own Way   
URL here is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-G128nFHQk
Easier to say or sing, than to do.  But important, very.

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Today, chapters 3 and 4 of 1st Samuel.
"Just a child".  Really?  That "just a child" was in the Lord's hand and mind.  And Samuel listened, better than most of us (me) have or still do.
 

1st Samuel 3

1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2  And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3  And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4  That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5  And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6  And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7  Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9  Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10  And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11  And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

12  In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13  For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

14  And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

15  And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

16  Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17  And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

18  And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

19  And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

21  And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

1st Samuel 4

1  And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben–ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

2  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

3  And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5  And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

6  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp.

7  And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore

8  Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

9  Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

10  And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11  And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain

12  And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

13  And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

14  And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

15  Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.were dim: Heb. stood

16  And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?

17  And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

18  And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

19  And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

20  And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

21  And she named the child I–chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

22  And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

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Psalm 87

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

 

1  His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2  The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

4  I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

5  And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

6  The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

7  As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

 Yes, Glorious Things of The Are Spoken
URL here is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACASJ39vDg

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Today's song:   "Behold The Lamb"
And, finally, the URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysH6nl0N8gU

John 19

1  Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3  And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

4  Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

6  When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7  The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9  And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

12  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14  And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

15  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16  Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20  This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23  Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24  They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29  Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

31  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

35  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38  And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 28 March 2016

Happy Monday.  I guess.

Wife was scheduled to "watch" the Beloved Great Niece today, going over around 08:00.  She got up late, around 07:00, and started throwing up stuff she hadn't eaten yet.  So we had to get with Beloved Next-Door Niece and she had to make alternate arrangements while prepping for work.  Which I gather she was able to do.  Dear Wife's innards finally calmed down after noon, but she was pretty miserable up to that point.  I just gave her another one of those Alka-Seltzer cold things, that'll help with some of her other issues, and may help her to rest.

Yesterday we had temps well into the 70's.  We're in the 40's now, a predicted low around 32 with a potential for "wintry mix" tonight into tomorrow, and a potential for snow this weekend. The weathercasters are chattering about a "polar vortex" hitting the East and Upper Midwest (that's us) bringing temperatures well below normal for this time of year.  And we're almost into April, which would make snow on Sunday a bit unseasonal.  Spring time in Ohio.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 21 and 22 of the book of Joshua.  Joshua has had quite a life.  He started out in Egypt more than 40 years previous, was through the Exodus from Egypt, in the wilderness with Moses for 40 years, and now has been in constant warfare since crossing into the Promised Land.  Promised, but they had to put some "sweat equity", and some blood, into the effort.
His time is drawing to an end, we are scheduled to complete the survey of Joshua tomorrow.

Joshua 21 

1	Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
2	And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
3	And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
4	And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
5	And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
6	And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
7	The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
8	And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
9	And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.
10	Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
11	And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
12	But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
13	Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
14	And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
15	And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
16	And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
17	And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
18	Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
19	All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
20	And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
21	For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
22	And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.
23	And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
24	Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
25	And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
26	All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
27	And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.
28	And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
29	Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.
30	And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
31	Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
32	And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
33	All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
34	And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
35	Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
36	And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,
37	Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.
38	And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
39	Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.
40	So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
41	All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
42	These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.
43	And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44	And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
45	There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Joshua 22 

1	Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
2	And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
3	Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
4	And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.
5	But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
6	So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
7	Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
8	And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
9	And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
10	And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
11	And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
12	And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
13	And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14	And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
15	And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16	Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
17	Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
18	But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19	Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
20	Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
21	Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22	The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
23	That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;
24	And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
25	For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
26	Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27	But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
28	Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
29	God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.
30	And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
31	And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
32	And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
33	And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
34	And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-26 of chapter 6 in the Gospel of Luke
Pay attention here: this is NOT what the "wealth and prosperity" preachers will emphasize.  But Jesus did, which should underline the matter.

Luke 6:1-26

1	And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2	And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3	And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4	How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5	And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6	And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7	And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8	But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9	Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10	And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
11	And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12	And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13	And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14	Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15	Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16	And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17	And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18	And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19	And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20	And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21	Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22	Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23	Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24	But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25	Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26	Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 15 February.

Well, we're now in the last half of the month of February.  That's not much, but it's something.
Sunday, we woke to a temperature of -1.  COLD!  Today, I woke to +11, which is not warm, but it's a whole lot warmer than -1.  We spent much of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with frozen pipes.  It was only about an hour ago, that the bathtub drain unfroze.  Since the cold water TO the tub was frozen until around 1 pm, it wasn't an issue until then.  So we've not been able to bathe and shower since Thursday morning, so things were getting a bit "close" around here.  She used up ALL the hot water, so I'm still waiting MY chance in the shower.  Fortunately, I'd done a raft of laundry Thursday, so we had clothes.  And by Saturday morning, we had enough water to the kitchen sink to be able to wash dishes.
Wife is on the phone now with the medical insurance people.  They've informed us that the Humira that she's been getting will now cost some $6800 per month.   That's more than three times our total income.  And that's for just one of her meds.  Another would cost $12 at a local pharmacy, total cash price.  But we're required to run it through the insurance, and in so doing, our CO-PAY is around $100.  That's not the only such case.  Thanks, thanks for nothing, all you bums that stuck us with the abomination of Obamacare.  Lice and bums, every single one.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 20 and 21 of Leviticus.
When I was younger, the behaviors listed and condemned here would have been unthinkable.  Well, in our "more sophisticated" age, such behaviors are not only thinkable, many of them are being quite openly practiced, and decent people are being condemned for not celebrating such behaviors.  And too many persons who claim positions in various churches, are quite heavily involved.

Leviticus 20

1	And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2	Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
3	And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
4	And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
5	Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
6	And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
7	Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
8	And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.
9	For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
10	And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
11	And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
12	And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
13	If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
14	And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
15	And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16	And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
17	And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
18	And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19	And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
20	And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21	And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
22	Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.
23	And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.
24	But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.
25	Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
26	And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
27	A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Leviticus 21 

1	And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:
2	But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother.
3	And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.
4	But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
5	They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
6	They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
7	They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
8	Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy.
9	And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
10	And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
11	Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
12	Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
13	And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
14	A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
15	Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.
16	And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17	Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
18	For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,
19	Or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed,
20	Or crookbacked, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;
21	No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
22	He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
23	Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
24	And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 28 from the Gospel of Matthew, which completes Matthew.
The last few days' readings have recounted the seizure, trial, condemnation, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus.  Today, as Paul Harvey used to say, is "the rest of the story".  The grave could not hold him.  He's alive! 

Matthew 28

1	In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2	And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3	His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4	And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5	And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6	He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7	And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8	And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9	And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10	Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11	Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12	And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13	Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14	And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15	So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16	Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17	And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18	And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19	Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20	Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.