Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 18 October 2017

More than a little bit late today.  But we did get a few, a FEW things accomplished.
Yesterday was the day the social security check hit the bank.  Not a minute too soon, some of the utility providers were on the verge .....  but we have them all paid now (I think).
That is, normally, the day we do our Big  Grocery Shopping Trip.  The "we" there is variable to say the least, quite often that translates into Yours Truly heading out with a shopping list.  And as lousy as Dear Wife has been feeling, I fully expected that to be the case.  Well, yesterday, she wanted to to across the Line to one of the big grocery chain stores that had some sale that interested her, but she wasn't up to it.  So we put it off a day.  Today, she felt up to it, so we jumped in the car.  First stop was to get gas, as we were in that zone between 1/4 and << gasp gasp DIE! >>.  So off to redeem some points at a station affiliated with a local grocery store.  And, since we were about across the street from it, and since they have some big "special" deal on Wednesday, and we like them anyway, that's where we went.  Got., for example, a LOT of canned goods, the private label stuff that was part of the Big Sale, and which we use in the home-brew soups and stews that are part of our regular fare.  Stuff like that.  Got a lot of it.
That was more than she'd been on her feet for weeks, and it wore her out.  So, back home, make her a coffee (and me too), get her something to eat, and then onto the recliner, under blanket, pillows under the elevated footrest, and, yes, a cat on her lap.  Several times, that was two cats.  Whatever. 
Such an exciting life we lead.

There were a few other things going on of course, things that I took care of, and then I determined to "perch" for a while.  Not long, more to do.
Got to see the various news, including the stuff coming in via routes other than the notorious and obnoxious liars of the network TV stations which, as one benefit of "cutting the cord" to the Cable TV, we don't get anyway.  Normally at least, we do have one of those antennas that you stick in the window to get the over-the-airwaves broadcasts.  Probably haven't even tried it since May or so.  Since it's been pretty blatant that honesty, honor, completeness, and the like are not part of their repertoire, why watch?
But what we do see isn't very encouraging.  Things in this world are a mess, and getting worse.  That includes in this country, certainly.  It would appear that when the "elites" who seem to be running things, told God, "hey, take a hike and don't bother us", He may  have said, "OK, whatever". And removed His hand of protection.  I don't think that anything good can, or frankly should happen, unless and until that attitude changes.  Ours, not His.  The likelihood of that happening before things get Real Bad is unknown, but my belief is that such a change only comes about when all other efforts have failed.  Shouldn't be that way, but it is.
I saw, for example, a photo this morning of a newly-opening abortion "clinic".  Had four "pastors" out front, praying (to who or what I am not certain) blessings upon this "wonderful" thing.  Three of them were female, by the way. Two of them Episcopalian, in vestments yet, and two of them from the United Methodist Church, one in vestments.  The UMC, lest anyone forget, is and has long been a member of a group that used to be called the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights,  also known variously as the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  So some of the money in the offering plate is going to this cause.  Somehow, I doubt that the Lord is pleased by that.  And these are the people presuming to be the moral leaders, who somehow have the inside track on what pleases the Lord.  Remember that scary verse, 

"Every day, My Name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of YOU!"

(see Romans 2:24 and Isaiah 52:5, for example)

Doesn't quite sound like

"well done, good and faithful servant", 

does it??
And we wonder why the world, our world, is in such a mess.

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The Old Testament reading for the day is chapters 65 and 66 in the book of Isaiah, completing it.

Isaiah 65

1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; 3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, 7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. 8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. 9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. 11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: 16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 66

1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. 5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. 7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. 10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. 15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. 18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD. 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 1 of 2nd Thessalonians.
There are those who believe that this was sent, shortly after the 1st epistle, because a forgery was circulating, leading to some disarray within the body of believers.

II Thessalonians 1

 

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.