Today's Readings -- 21 June 2012

A new day dawns.  Perhaps it will be a good one.

This morning's reading begins the book of Esther, chapters 1, 2, and 3.  Our Jewish friends refer to the person for whom this is named by her Hebrew name, Hadassah.  If you have lived in areas with a sizable Jewish population (which we have) or have ties into that community (which we do), then you have probably encountered what we used to refer to as "the Hadassah lady", a representative of the Hadassah organzation.  Such ladies tend to be very assertive.
Yet in tomorrow's post from this work, we will see one of the great, pithy statements in Scripture, and a reminder that the Lord is always up to something, and can use us to accomplish His purposes.  Even in what appear to be terrible circumstances.

Esther 1

1	Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
2	That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3	In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
4	When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
5	And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
6	Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
7	And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8	And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
9	Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
10	On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11	To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12	But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
13	Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
14	And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
15	What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
16	And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17	For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18	Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
19	If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20	And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21	And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22	For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

Esther 2

1	After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2	Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
3	And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
4	And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
5	Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
6	Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7	And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
8	So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9	And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
10	Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
11	And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12	Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13	Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
14	In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15	Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16	So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17	And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18	Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
19	And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
20	Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
21	In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
22	And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.
23	And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

Esther 3

1	After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2	And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3	Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
4	Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5	And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
6	And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7	In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
8	And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
9	If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
10	And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
11	And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
12	Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
13	And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
14	The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
15	The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

This evening's reading is verses 1-16 of Acts chapter 5.  Yes, the apostles, and that new thing, the Church, are getting noticed  To the glory of the Lord.

Acts 5:1-16

1	But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2	And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3	But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4	Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5	And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6	And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7	And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8	And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9	Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10	Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11	And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12	And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13	And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14	And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15	Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16	There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Today's Readings -- 20 June 2012

Happy Summer, I guess. A bit "warm" here in Lower Alabama.  90's.  Heat Index is more than i want to know.  Dear Wife has been home with her broken ankle elevated.  A friend is taking her to her orthopod's appointment tomorrow morning.
It appears that the combination of utter poverty and her injury will collaborate to keep us from making the hoped-for trip up North over the Independence Day shutdown.  Sorry and all that stuff,  but we just don't have it for a week long trip of some 2,000 miles round trip distance requiring her to be in a position incompatible with the doctor's orders.  We miss the family up there, but as has too often been the case, circumstances rule our actions.

This morning's reading is chapters 12 and 13 from Nehemiah.  Any time you think what you do for God's glory is unimportant and He doesn't notice, pay attention to this.  All this names represent real people and all that implies. 

Nehemiah 12

1	Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
2	Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
3	Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
4	Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,
5	Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
6	Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,
7	Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.
8	Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
9	Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.
10	And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
11	And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.
12	And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
13	Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
14	Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
15	Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
16	Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
17	Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai:
18	Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
19	And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
20	Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
21	Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
22	The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
23	The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
24	And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.
25	Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.
26	These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
27	And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
28	And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
29	Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.
30	And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
31	Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
32	And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
33	And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
34	Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,
35	And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
36	And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
37	And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
38	And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
39	And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
40	So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
41	And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
42	And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
43	Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
44	And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
45	And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
46	For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
47	And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

Nehemiah 13

1	On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
2	Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3	Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4	And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
5	And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
6	But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
7	And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8	And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
9	Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
10	And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
11	Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12	Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13	And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
14	Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
15	In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16	There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17	Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18	Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19	And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
20	So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21	Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
22	And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
23	In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24	And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25	And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
26	Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
27	Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
28	And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
29	Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30	Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
31	And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

This evening's reading is verses 23-37 of the 4th chapter in the Acts.  Yes, the faith was already turning the world upside down.

Acts 4:23-37

23	And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24	And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25	Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26	The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27	For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28	For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29	And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30	By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31	And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32	And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33	And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34	Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35	And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36	And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37	Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

The Stuff of Life -- Saturday, 16 June 2012

To use a phrase that I've used too often this year, apologies for the long gaps in posting.  It's been a bumpy ride and it is not over yet.  And we can discuss, later, what the term "over:" means in context.  Not sure I know.

Let's see. 
In no particular order,

• about 2-1/2 weeks ago, our refrigerator died.  For many, that would be a problem, but not a catastrophe.  It wasn't, QUITE, a catastrophe, but pretty close.  The unit was elderly when we got it, and that was in early 2005.  Another seven years out of an old-and-not-terribly-good unit is nothing to complain about, I guess.  But another year or three would have been nice.  So, lacking the funds to do anything else, we went to the local Ripoff Rent-to-Own joint, got one that had had some brief service and was about the same size, and signed up for a series of payments that, over the course of 24 months, will have us paying out more than twice the price of the item.  Or more.  And we really had no choice.  So, another financial need.
• a day later, en route to work, a log truck (we live in an area near a paper mill) very kindly deposited a bunch of bark, branches, and such in my direction at high speed.  I dodged most of it.  Not all.  And now I have a cracked windshield.
• about a week later,our clothes drier died.  Again.  I'd fixed it once before, this time,what with the bearings and motor going, it was beyond hope.  We worked a deal with a friend who runs a booth at the local flea market emporium, and traded the old drier, the old water heater that died last year, and some work, for an used-but-serviceable one she'd acquired buying the hlouse contents of an older lady's family.  I spent last Saturday afternoon dragging the old one through the back door, across the back yard and to the truck, and reversing the matter for the replacement.  OK so far.
• Until Dear Wife, attempting to help push the replacement in the back door, took a fall.  A bad one.  A REAL bad one.  A broken ankle and toes one.  Getting the car into position so that I could get her up and into the back seat for the trip to the Emergency Room was as tricky a piece of driving as I have ever done.  Called one of the Deacons at the church while en route and told him he was substitute teaching for me the following morning.  NOT quite what he'd planned, but then there's a lot of that going on.
• Dear Wife finally go a cast Thursday morning, and some very heavy-duty pain pills to go with it.  They're needed, she has a very high pain tolerance, but this is beyond her.  Ankle broken in two places and several toes as well, and a contusion of the soft tissue of the hand from trying to break her fall.  Until she got the cast, I was pretty much carrying her back and forth to the bathroom and such.  Tough on both of us.
• and then there's the work situation.  I am grateful to be employed, and even to have some medical coverage as a result.  (for some of the reason, see above).;  But I've been there for nearly 4-1/2 years, am still waiting for the raise I was promised in July.  Of 2009.  And only recently got moved into something resembling the role I was hired for, back in February of 2008.  And it's a rough place.  Turnover is, for that type of operation hideously more than anything I've ever seen or even heard of.  Fired one of the production supervisors three weeks ago.  Rumor has it that it was because she was taking time off work to take her husband in for his cancer treatments.  I guess FMLA doesn't apply here?   Six weeks before, they fired the plant manager for taking time to check on his pregnant wife who had not yet relocated here.  Friday morning, they fired one of the team leads in Shipping, and no one seems to know why, almost a random act.  In four-plus years, they've had four HR managers,  production managers and assistant managers beyond count, half a dozen Quality managers -- the list goes on and on.   That's a worry we really don't need right now. I'm no longer leaving the house around 5:15 p.m. and crawling back in the door the following dawn, but I DO have a two-hour, 90 mile round trip commute every morning and evening.  The very slight reduction in the price of gas is welcome, but I note that it is still TWICE what I was paying shortly before Obumble was inaugurated.

We will get through all of this, somehow, and I know that there is a purpose for it.  But it has been bumpy, very.
That's probably more than anyone really cared to know, but in the event anyone cares to know, there it is.
 ========================
So much for the temporal matters.

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This morning's Old Testament reading is chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the book of Nehemiah.  This is an arresting account.  The Kingdom had fallen, as prophesied, as a result of their abandonment of the Lord.  So He let their enemies have at it.  MUCH destruction, slaughter, pillage, rape, death.  The Laws of War did not yet exist, and would have been ignore in any event.
So.
Now come the stirrings of putting things back together.  The previous work, the book of Ezra, speaks of the rebuilding of the Temple.  Now comes Nehemiah to rebuild the city walls.  That is the proper order of things.  Get the relationship with the Lord right, then the rest of things.  Not the other way around, and too many of us have tried.  See the details here as well.  God knows what we have done for His glory.

Nehemiah 1

1	The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
2	That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3	And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
4	And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
5	And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
6	Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
7	We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
8	Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
9	But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
10	Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
11	O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

Nehemiah 2

1	And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2	Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
3	And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4	Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5	And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
6	And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
7	Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
8	And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
9	Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
10	When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
11	So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
12	And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
13	And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
14	Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
15	Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16	And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17	Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18	Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
19	But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20	Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3

1	Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
2	And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3	But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
4	And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5	And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.
6	Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
7	And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
8	Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
9	And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
10	And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
11	Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
12	And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
13	The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
14	But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
15	But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
16	After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
17	After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
18	After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
19	And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
20	After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
21	After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
22	And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
23	After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
24	After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
25	Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
26	Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
27	After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
28	From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
29	After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
30	After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
31	After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
32	And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

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This evening, verses 1-13 of chapter 2 in the Acts of the Apostles.  THIS would have been something to be part of .  But the same Lord is at work today.  Do we let Him?

Acts 2:1-13

1	And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2	And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3	And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4	And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5	And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6	Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7	And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8	And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9	Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10	Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11	Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12	And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13	Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.