Today's Reading June 05

This morning's reading in the Old Testament is from Second Chronicles, chapters 17, 18, and 19.

This evening's New Testament passage is from the Gospel of John, chapter 15.

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Ps 35:19, 69:4
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Today's Reading June 04

This morning's passage from the Old Testament is Second Chronicles, chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16.


This evening's reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 14.
I can't really pick anything out of this - the whole passage is so extraordinary. Those of us who have been blessed to have been raised in godly homes and to have spent time in the Bible from a young age have probably been taught - and taught - from this section many times, because there is just so much there that is of vital importance.

This morning's reading from the Old Testament comes from Second Chronicles chapters 10, 11, and 12.
Solomon has died and his son has taken the throne. And immediately trouble starts, the kingdom is divided in two, and things head downhill fast. The old enemies immediately attack and the whole thing gets real bad.
A lot of good record here, but one verse stands out for me, from chapter 12:

14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

This evening's reading from the New testament is from the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verses 18 through 38.
We're still at the meaning-laden last supper, and encounter what are, for many of us, very familiar territory:

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Great picture

This was found over at Military Motivator site. We have permission of that proprietor to display this picture

It says quite a lot. It is apparently people in Iraq taking cover behind one of our people after a homicide attack. I doubt that you'll see it on CNN or CBS or ABC or the New York Times.

This morning's reading from the Old Testament comes from Second Chronicles, chapters 7, 8, and 9.
There's some real good and real bad stuff here.
Who would not want to have been there for

1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

and this passage is familiar to many of us

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

And I do believe that.
But I also believe

19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

If you believe in the one, you have to believe the other. And we aren't looking good in that respect.
And, in the midst of all of this, in chapter 8 we see a bad sign

11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.

Egypt was a world they were supposed to have left behind, not to bring back in. Solomon ignored that, and the results affected his posterity, and us as well. Nothing good comes out of introducing sin into your life or your house.
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This evening's reading from the New Testament is from the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verses 1 through 17.
This is from the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples in a room together for one more time. We know, from our vantage, what is soon to follow. They did not. But Jesus did. Read the passage with that in mind - that He knew what would happen, how they would respond. He also - and do not miss this - knew that some 2000 years later, we also would be reading and praying over this account. Keep that in mind.
I'm drawn this morning to verse 17

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Do them. Don't just read and admire them. Do them.

Today's Reading June 01

Happy Friday and Happy New Month.
This morning's Old Testament reading is Second Chronicles, chapters 4,5,6
There are some occasions in the records of Scripture that I dearly wish that I had been there. Here's one of those occasions:

13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Wouldn't you want to be there for that?

John, chapter 12, verses 20 through 50.
Another great memory verse:

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

A right and proper statement. We should all say it, all have it in our hearts. Nothing will do until we find Jesus.

Today's Reading May 31

Today we end the month of May and begin a new book in the Old Testament. Today we begin Second Chronicles, chapters 1, 2, and 3. Solomon is now king. This is a time of new beginnings. The Lord appears to Solomon and grants his wish for wisdom and understanding. Solomon commences the effort to build the temple.

The reading from the New Testament takes us to the 12th chapter of the Gospel of John, verses 1 through 19. Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, while the religious leaders of the day seek Hid demise, and that of Lazarus as well. Being an example of God's mercy is not always safe. It's worth the risk, but it's not always safe.

Today's Reading May 30

This morning's reading from the Old Testament finishes First Chronicles - we'll go through chapters 28 and 29. This is David's last appearance in Chronicles, and deals primarily with his exhortations to the people with respect to the LORD and to the plans and preparations made for the construction of the First Temple. David had a good way with words - see the Psalms of David for that - and this does not disappoint.

This evening's reading from the New Testament completes chapter 11 of the Gospel of John, verses 47 to 57. Seen in one light, this is the echoes from the raising of Lazarus. And that's true. But it's also the chain of events that will lead, step by step, to the Cross.

Today's Reading May 29

Old Testament reading
First Chronicles chapters 26 and 27

New Testament reading
Gospel of John, chapter 11, verses 18 through 46
this is, as happens so often in John's gospel, one of those memorable sections. This is the resurrection of the dead Lazarus. I can't pull out the best part - it's all good.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

No good deed goes unpunished. Someone had to ''tell on'' Jesus for this.

Today's Reading May 28

Today is Memorial Day. It is a solemn day in America. I am not happy at the way the day has been trivialized. It seems to me that it is disrespectful in the extreme to reduce it to a day of furniture sales and lawn care. The dead deserver more respect and solemnity than this.

My wife's foster brother was able to spend part of his active duty Army service as one of the sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was his way of paying respects to those who had died in the service of this country, or who had paid a high price in other ways. Let us not forget that the freedoms we enjoy were bought at a high price.
Whether the freedom from the penalty of sin and death that was paid at the Cross. Or the freedom from tyranny that was paid at places like Omaha Beach, or the Battle of Trenton, or Khe Sanh. Or Baghdad.

Thank you.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in First Chronicles, chapters 23, 24, and 25. More of the organization of the kingdom with emphasis on the organization of the priestly functions and the support groups. Some 4000 men whose whole job was to praise God. Sounds like a good calling to me!

This evening's reading from the New Testament, comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verses 1 through 17. This is the initial part of the story of Lazarus.

Today's Reading May 27

Good Sunday morning to all.
This morning's passage from the Old Testament continues in First Chronicles, chapters 20, 21, and 22. A bit of a transition here. The passage begins with more account of war. The 2nd chapter, chapter 21, gets into some memorable things. Satan tempts David to do something he shouldn't have, a census. Consequences follow, but along the way we see established the very location that the LORD established for the Temple. A place that, by the way, remains very contentious to this very day.

18 Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD.
20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.
28 At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.

And the Islamo-heathens still are motivated by their god, Satan, to deny this site to the Jews.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verses 22 through 42

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Today's Reading May 26

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
First Chronicles, chapters 17, 18, and 19


This evening's reading, from the New Testament.
The Gospel of John, chapter 10, verses 1 through 21
Jesus is teaching again, using the illustrations of a Shepherd and the sheep.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Reading for May 25

Sorry for the delay. Exigent circumstances and all that.

Morning reading from First Chronicles, chapters 14,15, and 16
Some recounts of the early reign of David, and the movement of the Ark of the Covenant. I love the account of the celebration attached to this. A great number of people are named there, people who were deeply involved in every part of this. They were there because God Himself wanted them there, none were there accidentally. And, thousands of years later, their names are remembered. God has not forgotten them, and He doesn't forget us either. Question: are we as excited, as committed, as they were?

Evening reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 9, verses 24 through 41

25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

I love that verse, and not only because of the best-loved song ''Amazing Grace'' but also because it is part of the testimony of many of us. I truly don't understand all the deep theology of Salvation. I don't, and probably in this life never will. And I don't need to - there's no test. What I do know is that He came into my life, and now things are different. And that is what is important. The rest will come in time.

Today's Reading May 24

Morning Old Testament reading
First Chronicles, chapters 11, 12 and 13.
Greater detail of the life and times of David.

Evening reading, New Testament
The Gospel of John, chapter 9, verses 1 through 23
Jesus heals a blind man, and gets everyone upset over it.

Today's Reading May 23

Today is my 200th post here. Not a record, surely, but some sort of milestone.

Morning reading, from the Old Testament, is First Chronicles, chapters 8,9, and 10
I know that the list of names, the begats, the places of dwelling, can get a bit tedious. But these were real people with real lives. And the LORD knew them all by name. He knows my name too, which is a comfort when the world threatens to overwhelm us, to stamp us down into the dust to be forgotten. God does not forget.



Evening reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 37 through 59.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Get that? Recall that name for Almighty God as revealed to Moses? Right. I AM.

Today's Reading May 22

The morning reading from the Old Testament
First Chronicles, chapters 6 and 7



The evening reading from the New Testament,
The Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 21 through 36

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Today's Reading May 21

Morning reading, from the Old Testament First Chronicles chapters 3,4, and 5
Evening reading from the New Testament the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1 through 20

Illegal Immigration, Part 1008 or more

Many of us are outraged by the latest effort by the White House, the Rockefeller wing of the Republican Party, that hate-America wing of the Democrats (most of them, in other words), LULAC, La Raza, the government of Mexico, the Wall Street Journal, and a whole mess of others to dismiss the sovereignty of the United States and to render citizenship as a worthless thing.
Part of this effort involves a whole spin effort, lies and deceit actually, by the President and his flaks. I expected better of him and am now sorry for my votes and other efforts in his behalf.
Red State has posted several good articles on the matter. I particularly commend to the attention of all the point by point refutation of the official lies on the subject. You may find it at http://www.redstate.com/stories/featured_stories/
response_to_white_house_myth_fact_on_immigration_bill

Today's Reading May 20

First Chronicles chapters 1 and 2
John 7 32 to 53

Today's Reading May 19

This morning's reading from the Old Testament is from Second Kings, chapters 23, 24, and 25, which completes the books of the Kings. It begins very well with the accession of King Josiah. The last good king for a very long time. But Josiah is killed in battle over near Megiddo (right by Armageddon, by the way) and his son takes over and things go bad right away. His son is evil, and so are all the successors until the Babylonians come in, wreck the place, and drag off most of the remainder to Babylon. (right outside modern-day Baghdad, by the way, some things never change).
I can't help but wonder why good kings, like Hezekiah, Josiah, David, etc. are so often followed by sons who are of a different sort. One would like to think that one who ably rules a kingdom could do as well in his own household. That again still is seen today.

This evening's passage from the New Testament is still in the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verses 1 through 31. Jesus has gone secretly into the Temple during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, and teaches there. And immediately stirs up opposition. There are those who involved in various cult groups do not believe either in the divinity of Jesus, or that He claimed such, are or should be very nervous about passages such as this. Indeed, they should be nervous about the whole Gospel of John. But then, they don't seem to pay much attention to the Bible anyway.

Today's Reading May 18

This morning's reading is from Second Kings, chapters 20, 21, and 22.
The same old story - Hezekiah dies, his son takes over. And his son is wicked. So is his son. Josiah, the next king, is of a different sort. Josiah is a godly man.

The afternoon's passage is from the Gospel of John, chapter 6, verses 45 through 71.
This is enormously important, and there are several important passage. One of my very favorites is verses 67-69.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today's Reading May 17

Sorry for the lateness of the posting today. It does render the term ''morning reading'' inaccurate, for which I do apologize. Exigent circumstances, and all that stuff.
But at any rate:
Morning Old Testament continues in Second Kings chapters 18 and 19. Here we find, at long last, a good king. Hezekiah, a great king. One who was, wholeheartedly, a man who loved, trusted, obeyed, and followed the Lord. A rarity, in other words. And, as is to be expected, one who generated enemies. Read the story of what happened when Jerusalem was besieged. Would have been quite a sight as it says in

35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

That's 185,000 dead Assyrians, all in one night. Not bad.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, verses 22 through 44. A great bit of stuff. One great verse:

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Today's Reading May 16

This morning's reading comes from Second Kings, chapters 15, 16, and 17.
More of the same. More of the people of Israel and Judah becoming just like that nations around them. Desperately wicked and daily more so, and coming under God's judgment as a result. Murder, assassination, human sacrifice, worship of false gods. Sounds like the world today. I know what happened in Judah and Israel. I don't think Western civilization, what we used to call ''Christendom'', will fare any better.

This evening's reading is from the Gospel of John chapter 6, verses 1 through 21.
This passage begins with Jesus feeding of the 5000 men, plus women and children. It ends with Jesus walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee in a storm. When He got in the boat, the storm was over and they were at their destination. Yes, we can trust Him to get us where we are going, even in the storms of life.
I believe that. Do you?

Today's Reading May 15

This morning's reading from the Old Testament comes from Second Kings, chapters 12, 13, and 14. This is interesting, but a bit hard going. It reminds me somewhat of the accounts back in the book of the Judges - the kings were mostly evil, the people were mostly doing wickedly, and the results were predictable: the Lord removed His protection from them and they were attacked by their enemies. Some of those enemies were internal - one king was killed by his own servants. Elisha dies during all of this time and the desire for the true God is little seen. Sounds familiar, actually.

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This evening's reading from the New Testament is from the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 25 through 47. Jesus continues to teach those who do not want to hear. There are some harsh words here, and they're still valid.

37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

Tough stuff to hear. Worse to ignore.

Today's Reading May 14

Sorry for the absence of the last few days. I'm running low on close relatives to bury, so perhaps we'll settle down a bit.

This morning's reading from the Old Testament is from Second Kings, chapters 9, 10, and 11. This is not light reading. This is judgment against the house of Ahab. There is a lot of death here, a lot of the consequences of evil deeds and worse attitudes. And it's not over yet.

This evening's reading from the New Testament comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 1 through 24. It begins with Jesus healing the infirm man at the Bethesda pool, and doing so on Sabbath. It ends with Jesus warning the religious leaders,

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Do you believe that? I do. That's the Gospel.

Today May 14, 2007 brief and personal

Good morning

We are back to our modest home. We got in late last night after a thousand-mile car trip that began at dawn and went on and on and on. I have new respect for over-the-road truck drivers - I would not like to spend my life this way.

Having the funerary rites for your mother-in-law on the day before Mother's Day is not the best of all possible situations. I think that is not a controversial statement. We got to see a number of family members and old friends and acquaintances. Some made us to recall better times. Some reminded us why we had not had contact with them in more than 20 years. Some of the situations were just plain awkward. One woman showed up, most of us did not know who she was; she was one of the many children that my brother-in-law had fathered by his many wives (I think he's closing in on a dozen now, but that may be low) and numerous ''meaningful overnight relationships''. She seemed nice enough but it did make for some interesting dynamics. There were all the varieties of social dynamic that seem to accompany such things - the sides that were taken in various intra-family disputes played out as islands of people clumps were in the midst of the eddies of the marginally involved.

At any rate, we are glad to be home. I paid $3.199 / gallon for gas in NE Ohio - as we traveled south and west it fell and fell. I think I saw a sign saying $2.82 last night but by then I was bleary-eyed. Matt Drudge's site is showing $4 + in some places - I imagine it's those places ''blessed'' by the sort of superior leaders that the evening TV propaganda shows think we need to have in office. A plague be upon them.

The area we were in is bounded by Akron in the west and the Mahoning Valley in the east. It used to be a major manufacturing center. Now, the combination of offshore manufacturing, thick-headed management, absolutely venal unions, corrupt politicians, the Mafia (yes, I mean that), the illegitimati in the EPA, and a one-party region (yes, the Democrap one), have collided to yield rows of empty factories, closed stores, empty parking lots, and burned-out houses. We went by one facility Friday morning en route to the funeral home. It's 3/4 mile long complex dedicated to automotive components. It used to be called Packard Electric, Division of General Motors Corp., but it now is under the dead weight of the bankrupt Delphi Automotive Corp., and the employee lots that are not totally empty have only a few cars. I am told that, once all of the realignment and downsizing is complete, that the operation which once employed well over 10,000 will have 700 total. But they still have their idiot union which totally supports the Democrat stranglehold on the area. And I know of many similar situations - drive through Akron some time if you doubt me.

It's been a week to think about death a lot. Of individuals, obviously. But also of hopes, dreams, communities, efforts. Too much of those thoughts and a whole lot of windshield time on a 16-1/2 hour drive. Sorry to be negative today. It's been a rough spring.

Today May 11

We are so grateful for the prayers, financial support, and many expressions of kindness we have been receiving during our current struggles. As some may be aware, Sunday has been designated as Mother's Day. We will, however, be spending tomorrow, the day before, in funeral services for my mother in law, who passed away this week. This has led to a road trip of nearly 2000 miles, just six weeks after we buried my mother, and two weeks after my job was eliminated. It has not been a great couple of months for us.
Please keep us in prayer as we go through this process and then head back home so that my beloved can be at work Monday morning.

Slight update and such

Posting will be light for the next few days. As I posted earlier, my wife's mother passed away this morning. In the early morning hours we will be undertaking another 2000-mile trip by car. Burying your mother on the day before Mother's Day is a very tough thing to have to do, but that is what faces us. Doing so a mere 6 weeks after MY mother's funeral makes it no better. Doing so in the midst of our economic catastrophe does not make things any better. We borrowed some money from the church tonight to pay for gasoline etc., or we could not make the trip and it will be a tight issue even then. The church's generosity and love just choked me up. I can not express my thanks adequately.

Pray for us, please. We've had a very bumpy road. God is still in this, somehow, which means a lot. But it's still bumpy.

Today's Reading May 09

This morning's reading from the Old Testament continues in First Kings, chapters 19 and 20. This is depressing, at least to me. We begin with more of the Elijah vs. Jezebel and Ahab row. Jezebel is seeking Elijah's life after he slaughtered the Baal prophets at the Kishon, and he's running for his life. The chapter ends with his commissioning of Elisha as his successor. Chapter 20 is more of the account of Ahab and his fights with the Syrians (yes, that's a very old war and it continues even today). From the outward signs, Israel has become just another kingdom in the area. While Ahab was by all accounts remarkably wicket, that would make him fit in well with the other kings in the area, he'd be just like everyone else. That too is an old problem.
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The evening reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 2. It begins with Jesus' first recorded miracle, the changing of the water into wine. This an episode that has drawn much commentary and I'll remain silent on the subject of whether the wine was actually wine or just unfermented grape juice. But I suspect it was wine. The chapter then records Jesus driving the moneychangers and vendors out of the Temple area.

Today May 09

Today is a tough one.
We have just a short while ago received word that my mother-in-law has passed away. Since my mother passed away just 6 weeks ago, this is a double blow. What makes it even more difficult are some things that come with it
- my job was eliminated about 10 days ago and we were already in a financial bind. We do not have the money to make another 2000=mile trip for another funeral
- my daughter was able to accompany us last time as her home was on the way. But she moved since then and her new home is about a 500-mile detour. And the job she was promised as part of the move did not materialize, so she has no traveling money either.
- Rhoda, my mother-in-law had never given any evidence of a real Christian relationship. She was at best a nominal Episcopalian but hadn't darkened the door of a church in at least 15 years and very little before then. So that's an issue.

Today's Reading May 08

Good morning and Happy Tuesday.
This morning's reading from the Old Testament is from First Kings chapters 16, 17, and 18
More of the decline of the divided kingdom. We do see here the beginnings of Samaria, from whence came later the references to the Samaritans. (by the way, there is a small remnant of them even today).
And yet, and yet .... yes there was great evil. The story of Ahab and Jezebel is in this section. But so is Elijah, to my mind the greatest prophet in the Old Testament. God sent him because, even in their wickedness, God had not forgotten His people. If you ever have the chance, you really need to study Ray Vanderlaan's ''That the World May Know'' (though I think it's now retitled as ''Faith Lessons'') series on video, with particular attention to the Elijah story - it used to be in the section entitled ''Who is God?''. I recommend it highly and dearly wish I could have been part of that effort.
I have to say that the evil described in the passage is little different from what exists in our world today.
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This evening's reading comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 29 through 51.
This is great stuff, and begins very well in verse 29. John is preaching and teaching by the sea, and, seeing Jesus, proclaims

''...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.''

and continuing on to verse 34, says

''34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.''

and much more.
All the Bible is important, but I'll admit that some sections just hit me more than others do. These passages, this Gospel, hit me hard. And should. Every time I hear and read this section, I'm reminded of a favorite song, ''Behold the Lamb'' which I believe was originally done by Dottie Rambo. If you have ever had the chance to sing it as part of a group, you will understand the impact that it has.

Today's Reading May 07

Happy Monday to all.
This morning's reading continues in First Kings, chapters 14 and 15.
Things are going downhill with few interruptions (like Asa) as succeeding generations seem determined to be more wicked than the generation before.
This is sad reading. When you think back to the time of the Exodus, the release from bondage in Egypt, through all the history of the people back to Abraham, and see what has gone on, one just shakes his head in disbelief.
Until we look around us. Or, worse, look in the mirror.
I am not a hyper-Calvinist. But the doctrine of Total Depravity is one that proves itself without recourse to complex exegesis. It is all too clearly the human characteristic that we least like to admit to while it shows itself on every corner.
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This evening's reading begins the Gospel of John. We begin in chapter 1, verses 1 through 28. This is some fairly familiar Scripture, but I urge readers to to skim past on the run. I get something more out of it every time.

Today's Reading May 06

Good morning!
This morning's Old Testament reading comes to us from First Kings, chapters 12 and 13.
Solomon has died and now the trouble really comes. Rehoboam, his son, has come to sit on the throne. His attitude, and the attitude of his cronies, result in the split of the kingdom into Judah and the other 10 tribes uniting as Israel. And nothing good comes of this - we see idol worship set up almost immediately. And a prophet sent by God as a warning fails to fully carry out his mission and dies as a result.

This evening's reading from the New Testament, is the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 36 through 53. This completes the Gospel of Luke. The passage takes up from yesterday. The apostles who encountered the risen Christ along the road have gotten up and gone back to Jerusalem as fast as they could. Who would not? Such an amazing and wonderful story, such good news, needs to be shared. And, right in the middle of sharing this good news, this Gospel if you will, there was Jesus right in the middle of them. He still is at such times, by the way, even if not visible. The chapter ends with Jesus' ascension into Heaven.
But He's coming back!

Today's Reading Mat

This morning's reading from the Old Testament is from First Kings, chapters 10 and 11. This is more of the account of the reign of King Solomon. Solomon is listed as the wisest man ever. But sometimes I wonder. 700 wives and 300 concubines? This is wisdom? Even I'm smarter (and poorer) than that.

Here is a man to whom the LORD has appeared, twice. Yet what do we see? We see a man amassing gold, in disobedience to the Lord's commands to the contrary. We see a man making alliances with foreign nations, including taking Pharaoh's daughter as wife, in disobedience to the Lord's commands. We see Solomon allowing the worship of false gods, like Chemosh, in Israel, in disobedience to the Lord's commands. In fact, Solomon took part in these rites! By the way, this was not something like a Lutheran going to a Presbyeterian or even a Russian Orthodox church. The sacrifices to some of these demon-gods involved little things like ritual prostitution and human sacrifice.

Nothing good comes from this, and it didn't. The second chapter, and part of the first, get into the process that led to the separation of Judah (under Solomon's descendants) form the other 10 tribes of Israel. Part of that led to what is listed later on as Samaria, a remnant of which still exists.

Sad to watch the debasement of such a great promise.
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The evening reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 1 through 35.
After the storm comes the morning. This is Luke's account of the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty. I love this whole passage. There is just so much rich encouragement here, you hardly know where to pick a part. But there is one that hit me again this morning as it always does, though it seems to conflict a bit with the Solomon account earlier.

2 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

When you meet the Lord, when He speaks to you, it should 'make your heart burn within'. Absolutely. Some of us have had the great good fortune to experience this, and it is worth more than pearls and gold. And here is the conflict: Solomon had the enormous good fortune to have had the LORD appear to him, twice! Yet he followed after strange women and sacrificed to idols. No matter how the Lord has graced us, we still go astray - I certainly have. The issue is how to hold on to the realization of the Lord's presence the day after, and the day after that, every moment.

Today's Reading May 04

Firstly, I am remiss in not making mention yesterday of the annual event known as the National Day of Prayer. That was my failure. While indeed we all ought to pray without ceasing, it's not a bad idea to make this an annual observance as an encouragement and as a reminder. I really think that nothing good comes without prayer and I have seen prayer work miracles in people's lives.
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Today's Old Testament reading continues in First Kings, chapters 8 and 9. This is first of all about the dedication of the Temple that Solomon has had built. Good stuff in here, I do wish I'd been there.

8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Must have been something!
Much here also about the prayers offered that day.
Chapter 9 deals with some other issues Solomon had going. I'm not convinced that all of them served as proof of his wisdom.

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The evening New Testament portion continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verses 39 through 56. The final stage of the crucifixion. This includes the marvellous account of the thief on the cross. Even at the end of life, there is hope for those who call upon Him.

Today's Reading May 03

As we continue the journey
By the way, have you noticed how far we've come in only a few months, with just a few minutes' reading each day?
This morning's passage from the Old Testament continue in the book of First Kings, chapters 6 and 7. Solomon is at last building the Temple in Jerusalem, what we refer to as the First Temple. There is quite a lot of detail here, and since the Temple is believed to be a representation of Heaven, there is significance to everything. I don't understand all of it, and on this side of Glory it's possible that I never will. But I know that the details are important, because God ordained them.
A great section is in the middle of it all:

11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,
12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

The evening's reading is from the Gospel of Luke chapter 23, verses 27 through 38
This is not easy reading, this is Luke's account of the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior. I never take it lightly and no one should. This is the most important period in all history. Without the Cross, we have nothing but dust and ashes. Without the Cross, there is no Atonement and no Resurrection either.

Today's Reading May 02

Continuing in the Old Testament, today's passage comes from First Kings, chapters 3,4, and 5. Solomon is king now, and the results are both good and bad.
Bad - he is buddies with Pharoah of Egypt and marries one of his daughters. Bad move.
Good - he is visited by the Lord, and granted great wisdom.

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New Testament portion, Luke chapter 23 verses 1 through 26 . The Romans sentence Jesus

Today's Reading May 01

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, comes from First Kings, chapters 1 and 2. Samuel has died, and David is at the end of his life. Now come the succession issues. Having multiple wives and therefore a multiplcity of claimants for the throne has never been a good thing, and here you see some of the reasons why it is not a good thing. Solomon wins out. As per David, some old scores are settled very early in his reign, others take a little while.
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The evening reading comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 54 through 71.
Jesus has been arrested in the garden, everyone fled. And at the house of the high pries, Peter denies Christ, 3 times.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Verse 62 always gets me. I too have denied the Lord, yet He has forgiven me. I take it personally.

GOP Straw Poll

My conservative preferences are no secret. Here is a straw poll making the rounds.
I will make no secret of the fact that I regard Giuliani, McCain, and Pataki as being utterly unacceptable. I would go so far as to say that I will actively oppose Mr. Giuliani, no matter who his opponent might be. Your mileage may vary.

Today's Reading April 30

Today is the last day of April. I hope that things are good wherever you are.
It is also, as we continue our journey through the Bible, the final reading out of 2nd Samuel. We're looking today at 2nd Samuel, chapters 23 and 24.

Chapter 23 is largely a retrospective, and it give the names and a few details of a group of David's close companions in warfare, the three mighty men, and the thirty. I haven't studied these individuals, I don't know whether or not they left a good legacy of faith for their descendants. I know that they were there for David when he needed them, and that some 3000 years or so later we still can read their names. Sometimes the good we do dies with us and is soon forgotten. What we do for God is not forgotten, and He knows our names.

Chapter 24 starts with a plague against Israel as a result of David's sin. The effects on others that result from our personal sin is a very large subject. But the plague ends at a particular place, the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (resident of Jerusalem). That floor, that VERY place, became the location of the Temple in Jerusalem. And that very place remains the holiest spot in the world for the Jews and the war over its control remains a very great part of the war between the Jews and the Islamo-heathens. But - and note this - David acquired that ground for a price. As he wisely said, ''Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.''

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The evening's reading from the New Testament continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 31 through 53. For those who saw ''The Passion of the Christ'', the narrative follows the movie pretty well, and the movie brought the reality to home perhaps so clearly that it makes us uncomfortable (as it should). The account begins with Jesus warning Peter that he will deny Christ that very night. It goes on to the Garden, the betrayal by Judas, and the taking of Jesus by the Temple soldiers.

Tough reading.

Today's Reading April 29

Sorry for the lateness of the post, it's been an ''interesting'' day already.
The morning reading for today, coming from the Old Testament, is from 2nd Samuel, chapters 21 and 22. This is our next-to-last reading from 2nd Samuel.
These are rather different passages.
Chapter 21 begins with a famine in Israel, and the revelation that it was sent by God, as punishment for Saul's oath-breaking campaign against the Gibeonites. To expiate this, seven of Saul's descendants are handed over the the Gibeonites, who kill them and expose the remains to the elements. I struggle with this section.
Chapter 21 continues with the exploits of David's servants who, having decided that it is too risky for the King to be engaged in personal combat, leave him out of the fray and continue to battle Israel's enemies, many of them Philistines (that hasn't changed) and many of them counted as giants (that hasn't either).

Chapter 22 is altogether different. It is one of the praises for which David is remembered even now. I love it:

... And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Heb 2:13
I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.
And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

It just doesn't get much better.

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The evening portion from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 1 through 30.
We begin Luke's account of the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples.

Today's Reading April 28

The morning's reading from the Old Testament, is 2nd Samuel, chapters 19 and 20. This finishes the immediate aftermath of the Absalom rebellion, but goes on to relate the aftershocks and other rebellions. It begins with David mourning his son. One should mourn his son and I understand that, but David helped to create the problem in the first place and his subjects rightly felt that he would have gladly traded Absalom's life for the lives of his faithful servants and all their families. Which led to further problems.

Yet it is not possible to be sympathetic to

2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

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The evening reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verses 20 through 38. This is Jesus continuing to speak on end times matters. We do well to study it.

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Hosea 9:7

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Dan 7:13 Matt 24:30 Mark 13:26
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

I am not one of those who sees the end of the age with every earthquake. I have not forgotten that the woman who was to sing at our wedding in 1988 did not show up. She was involved in one of those tiny cults that had calculated that the day of the Rapture was the same day as the wedding, so she stayed home to pack or something. (true story). But while I recognize that ''no man knows the day or the hour'', events do seem to be moving towards some sort of finality. I have believed my entire life that I will see The Day. I believe it now, though I could not tell you why. And may well be wrong.

Today's Reading April 27

Good morning.
This morning's reading in our through-the-Bible-in-a-year path, from the Old Testament is Second Samuel chapters 17 and 18. The struggle between David the king, and Absalom, his own son who sought to kill his father and seize the crown, reaches the end. Absalom dies. His father mourns him.
One translation of the name of Absalom is ''father of peace''. Well, we all want good things for our children, and perhaps the names we give them are indicative of our hopes for them. This one went wrong, real wrong. It is not possible to excuse his actions. But David his father bore some guilt. Plural marriages were part of the problem. Whether that is the displayed as the ''serial monogamy'' of our own time, which leads to ''blended families'' and similar problems, or the polygamy we see in the failed societies of the Islamic heathens, nothing good comes of it. David's refusal to take seriously the issues of his other children also was part of the problem. Sound familiar? Finally, patricide, matricide, fratricide, etc. are and have long been part of mideastern ''culture''. Some of the ''celebrate diversity!'' flaks really ought to be aware of this.
At any rate, a fight took place that should never have happened and there was a lot of ''collateral damage'' landing on those who had no guilt in the matter. That often happens, by the way. The ''it's my life!'' folks never seem to own up to that.

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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verses 1 through 19. Luke's Gospel always seems to be packed full of good stuff, and this passage is no different, and contains a few things we often overlook.
Verses 1 through 4 recount in a few words the offering of the widow's mite in the Temple. Jesus saw her acts, and her heart. The Lord still does, by the way. Something for us all to consider. More than 2000 years later, her act is still celebrated. The money was not the issue, her heart was.
Verses 5 through 19 get into a teaching moment on future cataclysmic events. There is here no polite easy path predicted.

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

And, yet, I nearly overlooked verse 19:

19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Hang on, hold fast. It ain't over yet. See past the moment to the reality. God is still in control. Lean on him. Good words.

Further bleg 26 April 2007

I ask that the family and I be in your prayers. It appears certain that my position with my current employer is ending. We have endured so much over the last years - plant closings, buyouts, mergers, downsizings, etc. Since 1992, we have moved across state lines four times and have endured terrible privations. And I'm considered to be a valued professional, respected and accomplished in the area of manufacturing engineering. Perhaps I would have done better to train as a machinist or plumber - such people are in high demand. Which is not always the case with those of us in the so-called ''STEM'' areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

While I believe in the sovereignty and presence of Almighty God in the world, and I know that He not only cares for us but knew long ago that this would be our lot, I confess to a hope that we might achieve a less tumultuous life - something we've never had. I'm getting tired of job hunting and relocations.

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UPDATE
Well, it is official. I have now rejoined the ranks of the unemployed. This is not what I hoped to be reporting at this stage in my life, but that's the reality of the matter.
Having said all of that, I am aware that God knew a million or so years ago that this would happen. And He sent me into this situation knowing that. He has always been faithful, despite having pretty poor stock to work with.
If you happen to be surfing around on the 'Net, you might want to check out a piece of music I'm listening to right now, created by Mike Speck of the Specks, called '' Till the Storm Passes By''. URL is http://www.mikespeckministries.com/MP3/Till%20The%20Storm%20Passes%20By.mp3
It expresses the moment pretty well. I was privileged a few years ago to be a member of a backup choral group for one of the Speck's performances in Tennessee. They have a powerful message.

Today's Reading April 26

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, comes from Second Samuel, chapters 15 and 16.
This is another segment in the account of David's son, Absolom, who is attempting to take the kingship away from his father. It is not a pleasant account. David allowed the situation to develop in his own family and did not deal with it when he might have, and didn't set a particularly good example himself. The passage for today concludes with Absolom raping his father's concubines in a more-or-less public spectacle. One might note, of course, that David might have been wiser not to HAVE concubines. And having multiple wives led to a pack of half-brothers and half-sisters, which developed into the situation you see here. Yet the concubines were not guilty here, it's likely that they had no influence in their situation. Yet David's failures hurt them as well.

The evening's reading comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 20, verses 27 through 47.
Jesus is contending with the Sadducees on the issue of resurrection.

A Personal Bleg 25 April 2007

I was officially/unofficially advised yesterday that my relations with my current employer are about to cease, probably today. I will not go into the internal dynamics of the organization or detail in any other way what's really leading to all of this, but I can honestly say I've done my very best for the organization and wish it well. There are some good people there and some good products, but I have not been able to find a way to make the kind of improvements that they said they wanted while at the same time not making any changes, something they have an institutional resistance to. Attempts to do so have evidently stepped on some toes.

However, I will be job hunting starting now. After 20-some years in a variety of positions that essentially mean engineering activities in support of manufacturing, I am looking at alternatives. Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome and invited.

Today April 25

This morning's reading from the Old Testament comes out of Second Samuel, chapters 13 and 14. This gets into the matter of David's son Absolom. When David's daughter is raped by one of her half-brothers and David takes no action, Absolom sets a pattern of taking matters into his own hands. The result is disaster for all, and this section shows only part of it.
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This evening's reading from the New Testament is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 20, verses 1 through 26. This passage contains, among other things, the parable of the vineyard, and the memorable verse,

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's

Today April 24

This is a two item posting. Taking things in reverse order of importance, I am asking for prayers for my family and I. Rumor has unofficially reached me that my employment may be ending soon, perhaps even today. The reasons for this are beyond the scope of this discussion, involving business levels, internal politics, and a host of other factors. This, if true, is something that I can scarcely handle after the events of the last 3 years. Please keep us in prayer.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in 2nd Samuel, chapters 10, 11, and 12. David defeats the Syrians again (sounds like modern times), sees Bathsheba, arranges the death of Uriah her husband, has a child by her who dies, and then has Solomon by her. And much else besides - this is a passage with a lot in it.
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This evening's passage, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 29 through 48. Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, a Palm Sunday record, and throws the moneychangers out of the Temple.

Today's Reading April 23

Good Monday morning to you.
This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in the 2nd Book of Samuel, chapters 4, 5, and 6. These are the accounts of the early part of the reign of David the King. He is denied permission to build a temple, smites the Syrians, and arranges for Jonathons's son to be treated as one of his own.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 1 through 28. Jesus is approaching Jerusalem as the climax of His ministry approaches. While on the way, He encounters Zaccheus and makes of it a teaching moment. He goes on the teach the parable of the talents.

Today's Reading April 22

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is 2nd Samuel, chapters 4, 5, and 6.
Most of this recounts David's accession to the kingship of all of Israel, the evil things that were done by those attempting to curry favor with him, and ends with the relocation of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This also contains a short passage that some find controversial:
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4 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

For those who are, like myself, of the Southern Baptist persuasion, mention of dancing in a positive light is often viewed as akin to gross sexual immorality. But as David Jeremiah remarked once, ''I've done a very careful word study on this passage. The word means 'danced'.''
Take that for what it's worth.
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The evening's reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 18 through 43.
I love this passage, I really do. It contains two accounts that have spawned numerous sermons, discussions, books, and programs.
The first is of a rich man who comes and asks a very good question

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
(Ex 20:14,13,15,16,12)
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Even within the church, unfortunately, those with money sometimes are presumed to be somehow more respectable. (and, yes, I've seen the opposite presumption as well. Neither is correct).

The second part here that I really love is

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Here's what's important. The man cried out to Jesus and would not be silenced. He knew from Whom healing came and NOTHING could keep him silent. How often are we too polite to single-mindedly call out to the Lord in our distress? And how often, when He helps us, do we forget to give thanks?

Today's Reading April 21

A Happy Saturday to you.
This morning's reading from the Old Testament begins the study of Second Samuel. Samuel himself has already passed on, what we are getting into here is David's ascension to the kingship. The passage for today is Second Samuel, chapters 1, 2, and 3. David's start as king is filled with intrigue and murder and blood, primarily on the part of his ''friends''.
This evening's reading, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 1 through 17. This is a short section with several strong teachings in it, each of which has spawned countless sermons and lessons. Consider,
1 - 8, the ''Parable of the Importunate Widow''. God hears our cry.
10 - 14, the prayers of the repenting sinner and the self-righteous compared
15 - 17 , God loves the little children

Tomorrow is Sunday, the Lord's day. Remember it.

Today's Reading April 20

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is in First Samuel, chapters 30 and 31.
Chapter 30 recounts the return of David to his town of Ziklag, only to find the town had been attacked by the Amalekites, all the people carried off captive and the town burned. He was, to put it mildly, in great distress. But, in one of the great verses in Scripture,

6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God

Good advice for us as well.
Chapter 31 recounts the death of Saul in battle. You knew this was coming, but it to this day it bothers me each time I read it. His fall was not unjust, but it is still tragic. Not least because, while Saul may have ''had it coming'', others died too. Like, for instance, the three sons of Saul. The evil that we do affects others as well.

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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verses 20 through 37. This includes some teaching on the End Times:

33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Today's Reading April 19

This morning's Old Testament continues in the book of First Samuel, chapters 27, 28, and 29. The conflict between Saul and David draws closer to the end. David takes refuge with, of all people, the Philistines. Saul goes to war, towards his final battle, and as he accelerates his downward slide he stoops to consult a medium, the witch at Endor. Nothing good comes of this. (hint to nominal Christians who still, ''for amusement'', consult the horoscope in the local paper. Don't.) The fateful battle is near Jezreel. If you have a map, or can look one up on the Internet, you may be interested to know that the Plain of Jezreel is essentially the same place as the plain of Megiddo. Otherwise known as Armageddon. Just a thought.
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The evening reading from the New Testament continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verses 1 through 19. Jesus heals ten lepers. Only one comes back to thank him. And he was a Samaritan. Do we thank Him, enough?

Today's Reading April 18

Good morning. Pre-dawn here, and one can not help being mindful of the families and friends of those who were murdered in Virginia on Monday. There are those who believe that humans are good by nature. Scripture does not teach that. Neither does history. On occasion, we are reminded of the fact that all of us can do great evil, and most of us do so regularly but on a smaller scale.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in First Samuel, chapters 25 and 26.
In chapter 25 is the account of David's dealings with the arrogant Nabal, his death, and ends with David taking Abigail to wife.
In chapter 26. David has an opportunity to kill Saul. Saul has, after all, been industriously trying to kill David for some time. Yet David refuses the opportunity, as he still regards Saul as the Lord's anointed.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This is Jesus teaching using the illustration of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus.

Today's Reading April 17

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in First Samuel, chapters 22, 23, and 24. Saul continues to seek the life of David. As part of this, an entire town, Nob, is put to the sword. Men, women, children, livestock. And note, that this was perpetrated for Saul by an Edomite, a member of a group that was supposed to have been wiped out earlier.
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This afternoon's passage, from the New Testament, comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verses 1 through 18. Jesus continues to teach, and to get the Pharisees upset with Him.

Today's Reading April 16

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is in First Samuel, chapters 19,20, and 21.
The friction between Saul, current king of the united kingdom of Israel, and David, that anointed future king, is out in the open. While the deep friendship between David and Jonathon, Saul's son and putative heir, remains strong, Saul is determined to kill David and remove the threat to his line. Worldly wisdom would dictate this. David finds himself running for his life and the subject of a serious manhunt. God does not leave him helpless, and thwarts some of Saul's plots in ways that should have been a clear sign that David was under His protection. Yet David is not exactly in a comfortable situation. Happens to us too - carrying out the will of the Almighty sometimes puts us in difficult situations.
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The afternoon reading, from the New Testament, is in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, verses 11 through 32.
This is the story we often call the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Today's Reading April 15

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in First Samuel, chapters 17 and 18.
Chapter 17 is the story of David and Goliath. Most of us are familiar with it, somewhat. It's worth a second look.
Chapter 18 is a bit ''icky''. David's been offered the hand of Saul's daughter Michal. The bride-price is a bit awful, the foreskin's of 100 Philistines. The visual image of what it took to achieve this is not something that most of us want to imagine. But it does say something about the ferocity of the warfare of the time.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15 , verses 1 through 10. The parable of the ninety and nine.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And that is still the case.

Today's Reading April 14

This (late) morning's reading is from First Samuel, chapters 15 and 16.

Saul is commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites, disobeys, is warned that his kingly line will fail. David is anointed as the next king.

There's some things here we feel uncomfortable with. I certainly do. I grew up in the Mennonite church, a denomination that prizes non-violence, peace, non-resistance almost as much, unfortunately, as the Bible. Yet that is not necessarily what the Bible record reveals. Saul is here commanded to wipe out the Amalekites UTTERLY. Men, women, children, babies, sheep, goats, oxen, town. Utterly. That's not the image of an eternally smiling God, affably overlooking the most egregious sin, that we see preached in many pulpits and believed in by the majority of our neighbors.
We will not always understand the commandments of the Lord. We're not required to do so. What is required is to obey them, simply because they're His commandments. (Not suggestions, by the way). For,

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (see also Mark 12:33)

Saul disobeyed. Not only did it cost him his kingdom, but ultimately his life, the lives of his sons. And it left a mess that we still deal with today, the heathens that live in bondage to the lie of Islam that pollutes the Middle East (and, probably, your town as well).
All from disobedience more than 3000 years ago.
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This afternoon's reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 14, verses 25 through 35.
A series of stark warnings, such as

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple

Scripture is full of warnings that we must seek Him ''with all your heart'', ''seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God'', ''You shall love the LORD your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and strength'', and many others. No place here for fence straddlers, for the 'yes and no' doubleminded. Dedication. Commitment. Jesus had it. So must we.
One of the great curses of the modern church is the desire to have one foot in Heaven and one foot in the cares of the world. That's not what He teaches.

Today's Reading April 13

Good morning, and Happy Friday the 13th.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is First Samuel, chapters 13 and 14.
Saul is disobedient to the Lord's command, and fights against the nation's enemies. We see here an indication of Philistine ''gun control''. The Hebrews generally had no weapons such as swords and spears. Tyrants, and those who would like to be, almost always try to remove the ability to overthrow them. Some things never change.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 14, verses 1 through 24. The parable of the feast.

Today's Reading April 12

Good morning!
This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is First Samuel, Chapters 10, 11, and 12.
Saul is anointed as king, goes to war against the Ammonites and kills many, and is crowned as king. Samuel, now very old, speaks to the people.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13, verses 22 through 35.

Today's Reading April 11

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
First Samuel, chapters 7, 8, and 9
This is the point at which the Israelites come to Samuel, and say,

''... now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.''

In other words, ''we want to be like those around us''. Sound familiar? It should. We have the same problem today. People want to be like everybody else. But that's not what the people of God are supposed to be, then or now.
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament, comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13, verses 1 through 21. Jesus is continuing to heal, to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and to issue a warning that He expects his people to be fruitful. It's not a suggestion. We treat it like one, but it's not.

Today's Reading April 10

Good morning. It is 4:55AM here. The sun is not yet visible, but I know it's going to happen. The same for all the promises that God has made: they're not yet see, but I know they're coming. He promised, after all.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, continues in the book of First Samuel, chapters 4, 5, and 6. This recounts battles between the Israelites and their enemies, the loss of those battles, the seizure of the Ark of the Covenant, and the eventual return thereof.
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This evening's reading continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 35 through 59. This includes a passage that is rarely preached these days - we don't like the message, it seems.

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Micah 7:6

Today's Reading April 9

Good morning. I hope that your Easter was as wonderful as ours.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, begins the Book of First Samuel, chapters 1, 2, and 3. As we saw often in the Judges, the People of God had a continual preference to go astray (sound familiar?) and suffered the consequences. Now we start down the path to a King. I love Hannah's prayer in Chapter 2, it reminds me of Mary's prayer.
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This afternoon's reading, from the New Testament, is taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 1 through 34.

Today's Reading April 8 Easter Sunday

He is risen! He is risen indeed!
This is the reminder of the reality of our risen Lord, passed down to us through the centuries. He is alive! The tomb is empty! We have the victory. Death no longer has power over us.
He is risen! These are as important as any words ever spoken.
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This morning's portion in our through-the-Bible-in-a-year journey is the book of Ruth.
If I ever get the opportunity to write some serious Bible commentary, I would like to begin with Ruth. This was a woman, a Moabitess, one of ''those'' people. You know, the ones who everyone knew were evil, not our kind of folks, one of those who is just no good and the Almighty hates them, and they have no portion of Him. And her life was full of loss and tragedy. Loss of a husband, a brother-in-law, a father-in-law. And yet, she saw something that caused her to trust in the Lord and to love her widowed and destitute mother-in-law. The passage from Ruth, chapter 1, verses 16 and 17, is one of those great poetic moments that Scripture is rich in. It was part of the text when my wife and I were married.

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

That's a declaration of determination and faith.
And the Lord heard her, and rewarded that faith.
Ruth, the Moabitess, had quite an adventure. And become an ancestor of David the King, and Jesus the Christ, our Lord.

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This evening's portion, from the New Testament, continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, verses 29 through 54.

Today's Reading April 7

Today is sometimes known as Holy Saturday, a somber day of reflection upon what the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ really means, both for the world and for us personally. This is not a time of merriment, but of sober reflection and repentance. Yet we also know that this is not the end, that after the darkness of the moment comes the light.
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This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is from the Book of the Judges, chapters 20 and 21.

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

We see this phrase throughout Judges, it reminds us of the human propensity to do evil. We see it around us every day, if we have eyes to see.
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The evening reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, verses 1 through 28. Like always, there is a lot here. Today my attention is particularly on the first

1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We sometimes refer to this as the Lord's Prayer. It's a good pattern for our own.

Today's Reading April 6

This is Good Friday. Please remember, all day, just what this day means.

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is chapters 18 and 19 from the Book of the Judges. More of the record of the downward spiral of the Hebrews after their entry into the Promised Land. Wickedness on all sides. Here we see it in the areas of Dan and of Benjamin, but it was so everywhere. Sounds familiar, somehow.

This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25 through 42. There's good stuff here, a lot of it. I particularly like

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Lev 19:18 Deut 6:5, 10:12 Mark 12:30 Matt 22:37
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Today's Reading April 5

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
Judges, chapters 15, 16, and 17
The first two of these chapters conclude the story of Samson.
The third includes language that becomes all too familiar, and reminds me of the world in which we now live. (and I fully expect the same, sad results)
6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

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This evening's reading, from the New Testament
the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 1 through 24
every bit of this is good, and worth going over and over. I have trouble picking out the most important piece.

Today's Reading April 4

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament
Judges, chapters 12,13, and 14
It is a recitation of events that generally go like this:
1 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of ...

Some things never change, do they?
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This evening's reading, from the New Testament
the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses 37 through 62
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This is Holy Week, the rehearsal of the events of our Lord's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Because of this, we have hope and certainty. Praise God!

Back again

Just a brief post.
We have just returned from our 2000-mile road trip for my mother's funeral. My grateful thanks to all who prayed for us, who sent expressions of support, who attended or who just took a moment to think of us. Thank you, thank you so much. It has been a great comfort to us in a difficult period.
God is SO good, and His love and grace has made all the difference. We are greatly comforted in knowing that we will see her again, and that she is safe in His care now.
And that's good news. That's the gospel.

Today's Reading April 1 and other news

I apologize for the light posting over the last few days. In a few hours, we will be laying my mother to rest in the plot out behind the church I grew up in. We spent last night at the calling hours, seeing family members that I had not seen in upwards of 30 years. So blogging has not been uppermost in my mind lately.

Yet this is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the most momentous week in history. And it is because of Easter, the reality of the death and glorious resurrection of our Lord, that even hard weeks like this are possible to endure. Not easy, but possible. We do not despair, and we know that the death of the body is not the end.

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is chapters 6 and 7 of the book of the Judges. The Gideon account.

This evening's reading, from the New Testament, is Luke 8, verses 1 through 21.