Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 16 August 2014

quite a day.  Not all good, not all bad.
We've only a few more days to go until the retirement check hits and we still have $7 in hte bank and about $15 cash.  There have been times, over that last year, when we had less than that and nearly 3 weeks to go.  So this is like being semi-comfortable.
Called in some prescription refills for Dear Wife.  Courtesy of her Disability status, she qualifies for Medicaid coverage, and A Good Thing Too.  The pharmacy refilled 13 of her meds (the total is now 19) and at no cost to us.  A VERY good thing, for without the coverage the price for just one of them would have been more than $340.  Which we simply don't have.  So we are grateful.
Not so good:  next door niece had the cops called on her dog.  Mail carrier was being, "unhelpful".  Dog is on a long lead line in the back yard, can't get anywhere near the mailbox on the house, but dog barks.  A lot. Loudly.  Carrier complained to Postmaster, Postmaster called police.  Big huhu.  Upshot is that they are "red=lined" from receiving mail at least until they erect a new mailbox out at the road.
Also not too good: our dwelling situation.  As I've hinted, our current circumstances are GREATLY reduced from our expectations earlier in life. Courtesy of severe and continuing family health i$$ue$, a series of employer shutdowns, and 5-1/2 years of broken promises by my last employer, we're in pretty bad shape.  We took the last, very last, of our retirement savings and purchased a 20-year-old mobile home and paid for it to be relocated and set up on a pad next to wife's niece, a pad already having all the hookups required.  All was to be done and ready for seamles occupancy by middle of last September.  In fact, that didn't happen, and while we made the near-thousand mile move in early October, there were no utilities or such until mid to late October.  At which time the installer promised he had one more task to complete and would do so after a needed part for the "
tie-down" was delivered that very weekend and "don't worry about it, you're good to go to live there".  So we did.  Got "nastygram" from some government board in early May making threats about an un-done inspection and such.  Having gotten no response to several phone calls, we traced the guy down (OK, it was an accidental encounter) at the ballfield) and demanded IMMEDIATE action.  He promised such.  Fast forward to now.  Got another, REAL "nastygram" from the agency, threatening fines and penalties and all manner of repercussions should anyone be actually living in this place we've been in since around the first of November of last year.  Dear Wife grabbed the phone and called the guy, we'll call him "Ted", and threatened lawyers and abuse of the disabled and elderly and all the rest.  He promised action and promised to come by to get a copy of the letter.  That was yesterday.  It's now after 7 p.m.  No sign of Ted.  Am not happy.  Am NOT happy at the thought that some "investigator" might come by on Monday and order the cutoff of all utilities, order us out, and levy large fines.
We know that the Lord foreknows all of this, but sometimes I do admit to being real nervous.  This is one of those times.

Meanwhile,
Back in July of 2011 we were up here on a visit over the 4th of July shutdown that is traditional in the Automotive business.  Visited a church or two, could not help but notice the fact that they were as spiritually dead as rocks.  Made an "off-hand" comment to our then-pastor to the effect someone should address it.  Perhaps that off-hand comment has come back to bite us.  We still have not found a church home, though we've visited several.  Not sure that any of them are where we are supposed to be, just have not received a clear lead on the matter.  Soon, perhaps??

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The Old Testament reading for the day is Psalms 105 and 106

Psalm 105

1	O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2	Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3	Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
4	Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5	Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6	O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7	He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8	He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9	Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10	And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
11	Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
12	When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13	When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14	He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15	Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
16	Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17	He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18	Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19	Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
20	The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21	He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22	To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23	Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24	And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25	He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
26	He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27	They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28	He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
29	He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
30	Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
31	He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
32	He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33	He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
34	He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
35	And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36	He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
37	He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38	Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
39	He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
40	The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41	He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
42	For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43	And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44	And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
45	That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 106

1	Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2	Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
3	Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
4	Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
5	That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
6	We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7	Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8	Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
9	He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
10	And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11	And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
12	Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
13	They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
14	But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
15	And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
16	They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
17	The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.
18	And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
19	They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
20	Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
21	They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
22	Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
23	Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
24	Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
25	But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
26	Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
27	To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
28	They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29	Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
30	Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
31	And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
32	They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
33	Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
34	They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
35	But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
36	And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
37	Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
38	And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
39	Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
40	Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
41	And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
42	Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43	Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
44	Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
45	And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
46	He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
47	Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
48	Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-20 of Romans 15

Romans 15:1-20 

1	We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2	Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3	For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4	For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5	Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6	That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7	Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8	Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9	And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10	And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11	And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12	And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13	Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14	And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15	Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16	That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17	I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18	For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19	Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20	Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

 

Today's Readings and Stuff - Friday, 15 August 2014

still a bit brief
Dear Wife doing a little bit better.  Not much, but a bit.  We'll take it.  We've been through quite a lot in the last few weeks, and in truth have been battling some REAL rough weather for the last 15 years.  I have confidence in the Lord and His love, but like most people I'd really rather He took us around the storm, that through that storm.  But my preference was not requested, and we have to trust that His way is best.
Had another issue with The Cats.  We have three, all male, one "fixed".  Until our relocation, we had no troubles with them at all, and all are four or five years old so it's not that they were not matured.  But since the move, we've had constant fights with the "unfixed" ones, "spraying" here and there and one has taken to ignoring his potty pan and is leaving solid waste in the odd corner of the living room.  We've had another occasion of one or more of them leaving "scent" in/on a blanket that Wife keeps by the recliner for those times she can't do much more than lay there shivering.  I washed that blanket three times this morning, with added odor-remover stuff, oxi-wash stuff, borax, etc.  No effect, and that blanket is now in the trash.  Didn't really need that right now.
Making arrangements for taking the monsters to the local spay/neuter clinic after next week, after the retirement check hits the bank.  Doesn't help that the electric bill and gas bills are already a week late.  We do what we can.
Still getting "headhunter" calls, had two yesterday. Nice positions.  A year ago I might have jumped at them.  Can't now, can't relocate even to pleasant areas as given.  Or event to the not-so-pleasant area near Buffalo, NY proposed early in the week.  Been there in winter.  No, thanks.  But I do need to go back to work it seems.  Wife's Disability check helps, a lot, but we're living on rice and pancakes and dried beans.  Ok for a while, not great in the long term.  Again, I trust the Lord and hope for His leading and help in this.  Not quite how I intended to live after drawing a paycheck since 1969.

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The Old Testament reading is Psalms 103 and 104.  Psalm 103 is a good memory passage.

Psalm 103 

1	Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2	Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3	Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4	Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5	Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6	The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7	He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8	The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9	He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10	He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11	For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12	As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13	Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14	For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15	As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16	For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17	But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18	To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19	The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20	Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21	Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22	Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 104 

1	Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2	Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3	Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4	Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5	Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
6	Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7	At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8	They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
9	Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10	He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11	They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12	By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13	He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14	He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15	And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
16	The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17	Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18	The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19	He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20	Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21	The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22	The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23	Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24	O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25	So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26	There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27	These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28	That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29	Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30	Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31	The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32	He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33	I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34	My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35	Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

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The New Testament reading is Romans 14

Romans 14 

1	Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2	For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3	Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4	Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5	One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6	He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7	For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8	For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9	For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10	But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11	For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12	So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13	Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14	I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15	But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16	Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17	For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18	For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19	Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20	For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21	It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22	Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23	And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

VERY Brief August 14, 2014

Dear Wife has been quite ill for more than two weeks now and, as her caregiver, I've been fully involved in her care and am doing very little beyond that.  I do apologize for the break in posting and hope to resume a more normal schedule soon.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 07 August 2014

slowly, slowly getting back into some semblance of order. 
We rolled out of bed around 05:30 this morning to regain a degree of aliveness, then made a 20-some minute drive across the state line to an imaging center so that Dear Wife can get the ultrasound scan of her gall bladder at a 07:15 appointment.  Don't know what was found, they had techs on hand to perform the scan but no M.D in sight to read it.  I'll take it as given that they didn't see anything too awful, something that would leap out to anyone, but nothing beyond that.
Then we jumped back into the chariot and careened back across the state line and headed for the scheduled appointment with her Primary Care doctor.  Appointment was for 08:00, which of course we were late for.  We'd warned them earlier in the week that this was likely to be the case, but it didn't cause too much consternation.  It was a good appointment.  The best news was that she didn't have a stroke over the weekend after all, not even a "mini stroke" TIA.  There is something going on, they called it an atypical migraine, but the upshot is that there is no permanent brain damage.  We are grateful.  She does have a hiatal hernia, a portion of the stomach protruding through a weak spot in the diaphragm, which is not great but probably manageable.  Has some other things going on as well, some ok, some not so good.  All in all, a reasonably good day.
We took a quick run by a pretty good neighborhood grocery right on the way home, picked up some eggs and a few low-priced items that will be in use within the next day or two, and back home.  Her scan required no food after 10:00 last night, so she was hungry.  I'd also refrained from eating, just to keep her company, so we grubbed something for immediate consumption, and kicked back a bit.
about an hour later she bestirred herself and decided to heat up some leftovers and make a lunch.  So we did that, then she slept a bit.  It's pushing 7:00 now, we just ate again.  Doctors told her that due to the hiatal hernia and some of the meds she's on, she needs to have a 2 or 3 hour space between eating and bed. So if she wants to turn in around 10:00, finishing food by 7:00 is ok.  We'll see how it works.

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The Old Testament reading is Psalms 79, 80, and 81.

Psalm 79 

1	O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2	The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3	Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4	We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5	How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6	Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7	For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8	O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9	Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
10	Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11	Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12	And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13	So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Psalm 80 

1	Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
2	Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3	Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
4	O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
5	Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
6	Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7	Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
8	Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
9	Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
10	The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
11	She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
12	Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
13	The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
14	Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
15	And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
16	It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17	Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18	So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19	Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 81

1	Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2	Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3	Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
4	For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5	This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
6	I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
7	Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
8	Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9	There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10	I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11	But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12	So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13	Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
14	I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15	The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
16	He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-18 of Romans 8.  The letter to the Romans is one of my favorites in all the Bible.  There is just so much there.

Romans 8:1-18

1	There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2	For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3	For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4	That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5	For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6	For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7	Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8	So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9	But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10	And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11	But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12	Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13	For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14	For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15	For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16	The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17	And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18	For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 06 August 2014

Dear Wife is doing a little bit better.  A bit.  We have an appointment early tomorrow for an ultrasound survey of her gall bladder, followed 45 minutes later by an appointment with our Primary Care doc.  The two facilities are about 35 minutes apart, so it will be tight.  I have advised the doc that we may be slightly late, which is OK by them.  Hope everything works out, the last few weeks have not been particularly enjoyable.  Perhaps they can discover more about her condition.  Would be nice if there is a simple solution to the matters.
so things have been a bit irregular here, for which I apologize.

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The Old Testament reading is Psalm 78

Psalm 78 

1	Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2	I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3	Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4	We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5	For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6	That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7	That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
8	And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
9	The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10	They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11	And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
12	Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13	He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
14	In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
15	He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
16	He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17	And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
18	And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
19	Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
20	Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
21	Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
22	Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
23	Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24	And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25	Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
26	He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
27	He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
28	And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
29	So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
30	They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
31	The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
32	For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
33	Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
34	When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
35	And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
36	Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
37	For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
38	But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
39	For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
40	How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
41	Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
42	They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
43	How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
44	And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
45	He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
46	He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
47	He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
48	He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
49	He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
50	He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
51	And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
52	But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53	And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54	And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
55	He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56	Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
57	But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58	For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
59	When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
60	So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
61	And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
62	He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
63	The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
64	Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
65	Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
66	And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
67	Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
68	But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
69	And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
70	He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
71	From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
72	So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 7 in the letter to the Romans.

Romans 7

1	Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2	For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3	So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4	Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5	For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6	But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7	What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8	But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9	For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10	And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11	For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12	Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13	Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14	For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15	For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16	If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17	Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18	For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19	For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20	Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21	I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22	For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23	But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24	O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25	I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.