Today''s Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 27 August 2013

G'day.  I mean, "good morning to all who stop by.  welcome.".  Better?  Sometimes a few words matter a lot, much more than we realize.  Was reminiscing the other day.  As some know, we are planning -- Lord willing -- to be relocating in the near future to an area midway between Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Quite a change from Lower Alabama where I am sitting right now.  It''s an area Dear Wife and I lived in for much of our lives.  When I was in 4th grade, my family moved to another town, a very small one, in another county.  It was not a fun move, and for the next 8 years, I was on the 'outs' with most of the other students.  Wasn't from there and wasn't one of the in-crowd, such as it was.  No biggie, I guess, more than 30 years later, but very tough at the time.  One of the in-crowd stuck a note in my face one day:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Doggies are spubit

And so are you

 and yes, he really did mis-spell that word.
Yet, more than 30 years later, I still recall the hurt.  He didn't have to do it, but he did because he could.  He knew, as I knew, that no one, including no one in authority, would take my side against his.  As I said, he was one of the in-crowd and I wasn't. 
I'm sure he has long forgotten the matter, and I generally don't dwell on it.  But I know in a way that others, perhaps, cannot, how words can affect others.  So we need to choose them carefully and utter them even more carefully.

Going to be a busy day.  Need to have Dear Wife to an appointment with a doctor this morning with reference to an effort for her Social Security Disability application.  Two physicians have already declared her to be legally blind, so I don't understand why this matter has now been dragging on for over a flipping year.  
But I am also on tap to transport someone to HIS physician, located in another part of town and roughly an hour after Dear Wife's appointment.  I foresee that no matter where I am, it will be the wrong place and either too early or too late or, more probably, both at the same time.

This morning's reading is Psalms 132, 133, 134, 135.  You may recognize Psalm 133.

Psalm 132  

1	Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2	How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3	Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4	I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5	Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6	Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7	We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8	Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9	Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10	For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11	The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12	If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13	For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14	This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15	I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16	I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17	There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18	His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Psalm 133 

1	Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2	It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3	As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Psalm 134  

1	Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2	Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3	The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Psalm 135  

1	Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2	Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3	Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4	For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5	For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6	Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7	He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
8	Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9	Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10	Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11	Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12	And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13	Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14	For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15	The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16	They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17	They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18	They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19	Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20	Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21	Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

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The evening's New Testament passage is 1st Corinthians chapter 8. 

I Corinthians 8 

1	Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2	And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3	But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4	As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5	For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6	But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7	Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8	But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9	But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10	For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11	And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12	But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13	Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 26 August 2013

Monday.  We are planning to get heavily into packing today.  Always a difficult time, we've been through this so many times.  For the first time in many years, we're doing a long-distance move on our own.  Since 1992, we've moved across state lines four times.  Each time, my employer arranged with professionals to do the heavy lifting.  Those days are behind us, and this move, perhaps the last we'll ever do, is being done by us.  And the changes in our life over the last 21 have been profound.  Tough to be making decisions about those things that remind us of the days when our daughters were small.  Or the memories of our now-departed mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends.  We've stood along so many graves, married off two daughters, been there for a raft of births, proms, divorces, all the stuff of life.  And each with its own memorabilia.  To be moved, or not.

Yesterday was a busy one as well.  We have a guy been staying on our couch for a while.  Diabetic, HIV+, gay, not too smart.  I was getting out of the shower when Dear Wife started screaming.  He was well into a diabetic coma.  911 call, ambulance, rescue squad, police, whole nine yards..  It appears that he had one of his gay buddies pick him up last night when we were in bed, and they were out drinking.  He came in and hit the insulin, without eating and without checking his sugar levels.  The result darn near killed him - when the medics got here and took his vitals (we'd briefed them) his sugar was down to around 29.  Not quite dead, but real close.  They pumped glucose into him and that brought him around.  Enough that they decided to leave without transporting him.
Needless to say, I didn't make it to the morning Bible study I lead.  Did make it to the 11:00 service. 

Then we had a long-planned get-together at pastor's house with the other deacons and their families. A very nice time, and we enjoyed it greatly.  But Dear Wife has become somewhat averse to being out of the house and around people, and by the end of it she was more than ready to leave.
So Sunday was not exactly a day of rest.  Worthwhile, but a good bit of stress.

The morning's Old Testament reading for today is Psalms 128, 129, 130, 131. 

Psalm 128  

1	Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2	For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3	Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4	Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5	The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6	Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalm 129  

1	Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2	Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3	The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4	The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5	Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6	Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7	Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8	Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Psalm 130  

1	Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2	Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3	If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4	But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5	I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6	My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7	Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8	And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 131  

1	Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2	Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3	Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

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The evening reading is verses 25-40 of chapter 7 in 1st Corinthians.

I Corinthians 7:25-40 

25	Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26	I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27	Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28	But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29	But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30	And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31	And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32	But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33	But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34	There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35	And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36	But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37	Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38	So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39	The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40	But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 25 August 2013

Happy Sunday to all!
Today will be a bit tough for us, though nice.  We -- Dear Wife and I -- hare invited to a get-together at pastor's home along with the other deacons and wives.  This change we're planning is difficult for all of us.  I've been honored to be the primary adult Bible teacher in this small congregation since late 2006-early 2007.  It's spanned a time that's seen three pastors, two other worship leaders now gone, several deacons pass away as well as several of the older members, and a lot of  other things.  The deacon senior to me is in bad health and his wife is in worse shape than he.  All in all, a lot of highly stressful things  As well as the usual interpersonal frictions and issues.  So some of that will be the backdrop for the get-together.
Yet the Lord is still in charge, still in control, and knew about all of this long before we did.  I suspect he's smarter than we are, and His will shall  be accomplished.  We're just seeking to do his will.
So bear with us.  Lots going on, even if it may not seem that way.

The morning's reading continues in the Psalms with Psalms 124, 125, 126, 127.  I find that no matter what the circumstances, the Psalms are like a prayer book, and I can find one that is appropriate for the situation.  Our troubles are not unique to us, and neither are the victories.

Psalm 124  

1	If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2	If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3	Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4	Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5	Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6	Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7	Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8	Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125  

1	They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2	As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3	For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4	Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5	As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

Psalm 126 

1	When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2	Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
3	The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4	Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5	They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6	He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127  

1	Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2	It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3	Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4	As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5	Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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The evening reading in the New Testament is verse 1-24 from chapter 7 in 1st Corinthians.
Living the Christian life, especially for a new believer, can lead to a lot of questions and confusion.  Many of us, those who were raised in the faith, had a chance to see how those who had been there acted, had someone to ask, someone to be mentoring.  But Paul was dealing quite often with new churches, new believers, new situations.  Many, most of these had not come out of Judaism; many had been pagans up to the point of conversion, and most still lived in a pagan society.  The written Bible, at least the New Testament, really was still being written, and would not be widely available for a very long time.  Even if people could read, which was generally not the case.  Not surprising, then, that questions of the most basic sort came up.  Much of the Pauline letters were addressing such matters.  And some of the issues remain with us even today.

I Corinthians 7:1-24  

1	Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2	Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3	Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4	The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5	Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6	But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7	For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8	I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
9	But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10	And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11	But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12	But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13	And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14	For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15	But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16	For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17	But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18	Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19	Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20	Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21	Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22	For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23	Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24	Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 24 August 2013

Happy Saturday to all.  Another day before us of running around, setting up for the relocation.  In the midst of it, we have to run to the AT&T store near us.  Dear Wife just got a new phone (we have an arrangement for periodic upgrades to new phones).  Loves it, has only had it a few weeks.  DIED last night.  D-E-D dead (as the bad joke has it).  So, now off to see what they can do to satisfy her.  We shall see.  Generally, their equipment is pretty good.  Service and coverage, not so much.  So.  We shall see.

The morning's reading is Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123.  You may be familiar with 121 and 122, they are certainly favorites of mine.

Psalm 120  

1	In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
2	Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3	What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4	Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5	Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6	My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
7	I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 121

1	I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2	My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3	He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4	Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5	The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6	The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7	The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8	The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 122 

1	I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2	Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3	Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4	Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
5	For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6	Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7	Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8	For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9	Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

Psalm 123

1	Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2	Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3	Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4	Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

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The evening reading is 1st Corinthians chapter 6.  Pay attention to the section ending in verse 11.  "and such were some of you".  Good idea to recall where we've come from and out of, before we get too puffed up and full of ourselves.

I Corinthians 6  Back to Top

1	Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2	Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3	Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4	If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5	I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6	But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7	Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8	Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
9	Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10	Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11	And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
12	All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13	Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14	And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15	Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16	What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17	But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18	Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19	What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20	For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 23 August 2013

Friday.  Does not seem the same when you haven't been at work all week.  Definitely am not used to this and not at all sure that I like it.  We'll see.  It is nice having some time with Dear Wife, have had almost none of that for the last 5-1/2 years, what with me working six days more often than not, and 10-13 hour days most of that (not counting the two-hour round trip commute for a year of so of that, and a one hour round trip for all the rest). So the last two weeks have been somewhat of a second honeymoon, not bad for us who are hoping to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.

Finally got our packing boxes yesterday.  LOTS of them.  Started packing a little bit last night after things cooled a bit.  I haven't made much mention of it,  but we live in Lower Alabama, one of the warmer parts of the USA.  Our central air went out in late summer 2009 and we've not had the funds to fix it.  And where we live forbids, absolutely, the use of window A/C units.  So it's been, umm, warm in our modest home.  Another incentive to relocate up north.  If my employer had kept some of the solemn promises made to me .........  but that didn't happen.  So we move.  Get up north in time to see the snow fly, with my luck.  Ah, well.

The Old Testament reading for the morning is verses 105-176, completing this most lengthy of all the Psalms.

Psalm 119:105-176 

105	Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106	I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107	I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108	Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109	My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110	The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111	Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112	I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113	I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114	Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115	Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116	Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117	Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118	Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119	Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120	My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121	I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122	Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123	Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124	Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125	I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126	It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127	Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128	Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129	Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130	The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131	I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132	Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133	Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134	Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135	Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136	Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137	Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138	Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139	My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140	Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141	I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142	Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143	Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144	The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145	I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146	I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147	I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148	Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149	Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150	They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151	Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152	Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153	Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154	Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155	Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156	Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157	Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158	I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159	Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160	Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161	Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162	I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163	I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164	Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165	Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166	LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167	My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168	I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169	Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170	Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171	My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172	My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173	Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174	I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175	Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176	I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 5 of 1st Corinthians.  Sin in the church, in the Body of Christ.  Not A Good Thing, then or now.  Still a problem, and we hear some of the same excuses.  I received word the other day of a scandal in a church in Atlanta, it seems that one of the pastors (married) is not only engaged in sexual affairs with some of the members, but has managed to transmit the HIV virus to several.  I know of similar issues in churches from Erie, Pennsylvania to Dallas, Texas and several places in between, including several here in Lower Alabama.  Some of which involve homosexual affairs with children.  That is in addition to some financial peculation and other misbehavior.  Both in the pulpit and the pews.  This does not honor the Lord.  My own children recently told me of some matters that went on in a church we were members of, in western Arkansas, ten years ago.  Things I truly did not know.  Too late now.

I Corinthians 5 

1	It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2	And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3	For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4	In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5	To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6	Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7	Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8	Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9	I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10	Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11	But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12	For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13	But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.