Today's Readings and Stuff --- Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Happy Wednesday to all.
Last evening we had a real scare.  Our small hovel has us eating on a small round dinner table.  Works good for just the two of us and takes little space, which is important in our cramped digs.  But, right beside Wife's chair is a floor register.  I'd had to replace that grate about a year and a half ago, and money was, as usual, VERY tight.  So I bought what we could afford, a real cheap one from WallyMart.  Works.  Did, anyway.  Until Wife set one of her chair legs on the middle of it and sat down.  Bending it in some real complex ways.  I bent it back as best as I could.  With admonitions to watch where walking.  Which hasn't happened.  Last night, she got up, not watching where she was going at all, and plunged through, with most of her lower leg down in the "well".  I truly feared a broken leg, always a danger when someone suffers a brittle bone condition as she does.  We got her out of it (not easy, believe me) and, finally and with much effort, up and back on her recliner. 
She's legally blind, and really can't see downward at all: her field of view is comparable to what you see looking through binoculars.  So long as she remembered to avoid that spot, it was OK.  But "situational awareness" isn't her strongest point.  We have another register grate of the same size, in the living room area where we have the soft floor covered with some 4' x 4' x 1" boards.  So, to buy time until next week when the Social Security hits, I swapped the grates and covered the hole in the living room floor with the board again.  It'll work, we hope.

Niece & family, including her husband's ENTIRE family (his mom and dad, his brother and his wife and their kids, his sisters and their husband and THEIR kids) are heading out tomorrow noonish for a big gathering in Florida.  Wife and I never had the money to do anything of the kind, nor did my parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.  So we'll be watching the house, getting the mail, letting the dog in and out, feeding their dog and their two (fat) cats, etc.  Wife had promised to "watch" the kids this afternoon for a few hours, Niece is "getting her hours in" so as to lose nothing while vacationing.        Her husband is on vacation as of 6 p.m. today, and all next week as well. 

Need to add to the "books I'm reading" list on the sidebar.  (Yes, I hadn't updated it in quite a long time, back in the days I was writing some book reviews).
These days, what with VERY limited funds, to say the least, the public library is my friend.  The availability of e-books supplements both the limited stock at the branch nearest us as well as the entire county-wide system and the state-wide inter-library-loan arrangement (a good one by the way).  The e-books are, of course, a bit short on photos, diagrams, and drawings, but that comes with the territory.  There are apps -- free ones -- that work on my 4-1/2 year old smart phone and tablet that will enable use about anywhere and a phone is a lot lighter than a 400-page book.  So I have that option available.  I like the feel of paper, so I do both.

• Reading The Bible With Rabbi Jesus  by Lois Tverberg.  Subtitled "How a Jewish perspective can transform your understanding".   Ms. Tverberg has an approach similar to that of Ray Vander Laan, one that I find to be both interesting and immensely valuable.   I have this as an e-book, available through the Hoopla app at the local library.
• GOD Help Me Through Today  by Bob Lively.  Subtitled "Psalm 23 Revisited".
• The Art Of Prayer by Timothy Jones.  Subtitled "A Simple Guide To Conversation With God".  There are very few disciplines and practices as important as prayer.  We, to include me certainly, neglect it at our peril.  Will we fill our minds and fix our attention on Him and our relationship with Him?  Or not?  For if we do not, certainly other things will rush to occupy that space and that attention.
• The Gift Of The Magi And Other Stories by O. Henry.  This is one of those "classics" that I'd never gotten around to.  Now I have time.  And desire.

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Joshua 13

1  Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

2  This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

3  From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

4  From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

5  And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

6  All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth–maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

7  Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

8  With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them;

9  From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;

10  And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

11  And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salecah;

12  All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

13  Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

14  Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

15  And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.

16  And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

17  Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth–baal, and Beth–baal–meon,

18  And Jahzah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,

19  And Kiriathaim, and Sibmah, and Zereth–shahar in the mount of the valley,

20  And Beth–peor, and Ashdoth–pisgah, and Beth–jeshimoth,Ashdoth–pisgah: or, springs of Pisgah, or, the hill

21  And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

22  Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.soothsayer: or, diviner

23  And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.

24  And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.

25  And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;

26  And from Heshbon unto Ramath–mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;

27  And in the valley, Beth–haram, and Beth–nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.

28  This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.

29  And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.

30  And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:

31  And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.

32  These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.

33  But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Joshua 14

1  And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

2  By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

3  For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.

4  For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

5  As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

6  Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh–barnea.

7  Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh–barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

8  Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

9  And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.

10  And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

11  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

12  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.

13  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

14  Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.

15  And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath–arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

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Today, Psalm 73, identified as "as Psalm of Asaph".  Asaph was one of those assigned as worship leaders in the tabernacle choir.  (See 1st Chronicles 6:31-32 for instance).  He is also elsewhere listed as a prophet.  There are several Psalms ascribed to him (50, 73-83).  Quite an individual.

Psalm 73

A Psalm of Asaph.

 

1  Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15  If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

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John 5

1  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2  Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3  In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10  The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11  He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12  Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

13  And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

15  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

16  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

21  For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

31  If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

32  There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

33  Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

34  But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

35  He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

41  I receive not honour from men.

42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

45  Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

46  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

47  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 13 March 2015

A bit better here.  A bit.  Quiet around the house:  Dear Wife has gone off with niece from next door to spend time with nephew's wife, making cupcakes.  Seems nephew's son has a birthday party tomorrow, our presence is required and expected, and they've decided that for young kids, cupcakes are more practical than a standard cake.  They may have that as well, I don't know.  So I'm home with a computer and three cats, most of which are hiding, which is A Good Thing:  the one was stalking through the house YELLING All.Night.Long, which is not conducive to a good night's rest. And I did not get a good night's rest, didn't get to sleep until nearly dawn.  That cat is going to become an Outside Cat once the weather breaks fully.  I'm not mean enough - quite - to toss him out in the snow, as he's not acclimated to it and in fact has never really BEEN outside.  This will be a learning experience for him.  Anyway, not that I'm up and about, he's hiding and quiet.  Figures somehow.

We still have piles of snow around here.  Supposed to hit 50 degrees here today shortly, but the snow had a real head start on the warmer weather and we're probably a good week or more away from seeing the ground.  50 degrees in the day, but 28 at night will not help the process.

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The Old Testament passage today is chapters 20, 21, 22 of Deuteronomy.  Moses is trying to be certain he gets it all out before his time is complete.  After this, Moses dies, Caleb and Joshua come to the fore, and the passage across the river into the Promised Land can begin.

Deuteronomy 20

1	When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2	And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3	And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4	For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
5	And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6	And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7	And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8	And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
9	And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
10	When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
11	And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
12	And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
13	And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
14	But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
15	Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
16	But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
17	But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
18	That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.
19	When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
20	Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.

Deuteronomy 21

1	If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:
2	Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
3	And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;
4	And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:
5	And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:
6	And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
7	And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
8	Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
9	So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
10	When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,
11	And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
12	Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
13	And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.
14	And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.
15	If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
16	Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:
17	But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
18	If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
19	Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
20	And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21	And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
22	And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
23	His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Deuteronomy 22

1	Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.
2	And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
3	In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
4	Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
5	The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
6	If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:
7	But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.
8	When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.
9	Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.
10	Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.
11	Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together.
12	Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
13	If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,
14	And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
15	Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:
16	And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;
17	And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
18	And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
19	And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.
20	But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:
21	Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.
22	If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
23	If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
24	Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
25	But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.
26	But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
27	For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
28	If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
29	Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
30	A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.

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The New Testament passage is verses 26-50 of Mark chapter 14.  The Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus' arrest.  We refer to Jesus as the Christ, which means "the anointed one".  And anointing can mean a lot of things, but one of those things it means is that someone who has been ceremonially anointed with olive oil.  We see some of that even today in churches who practice the anointing of the sick or anointing as part of an ordination ritual.  But the word "gethsemane" actually means 'olive press', the means by which harvested olives were pressed down to get the oil.  I've not seen that, but I have seen the methods by which apples are pressed to get cider and I suspect the principle if not the exact methods, have much in common.   It's no fun for the olives or the apples, and it wasn't fun for Jesus either, but this is why He came.

Mark 14:26-50

26	And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27	And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28	But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29	But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30	And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31	But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32	And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33	And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34	And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35	And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36	And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37	And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38	Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39	And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40	And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41	And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42	Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43	And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44	And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45	And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46	And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47	And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48	And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49	I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50	And they all forsook him, and fled.

Book Review – Christianity in Crisis – 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaf, pub Thomas Nelson

Book Review –
Christianity in Crisis – 21st Century
by Hank Hanegraaf, pub Thomas Nelson

For those who are familiar with the author’s radio programs on The Bible Answer Man, or who have encountered him through the Christian Research Institute, the general theme of this work will be familiar, if not the depth nor the details. For those not so fortunate, this will be an eye-opener.

Christianity faces a number of issues in our world. The issues of militant atheism, of militant Islamization, and of general spiritual lethargy are with us, and are addressed by others. Hanegraaf’s focus is on those who claim the Christian leader’s mantle, while putting out what amounts to a new Gospel. This ‘’new Gospel’’ is one most often associated with what are lumped as the ‘’televangelists’’, a group that includes as its largest and certainly most visible component those who are presenting the ‘’Prosperity Gospel’’, the Faith Movement, the Name it and Claim It crowd, sometimes referred to as the Blab it and Grab It bunch.

The author turns a spotlight on this crowd, quoting them at length and naming names. He contrasts their teachings with the Biblical text, and shows the stark contrasts.

More than just a polemic against those who have hijacked the public face of Christianity, and shaming those who have preyed upon the vulnerable, Hanegraaff goes further and, employing his own expertise in the field of apologetics, sets forth some useful approaches for refuting the errors. For that alone, the book is worth the read.

Recommended.

Brief Note On ''Books I'm Reading'' and Christianity in Crisis

There's a new list over on the sidebar, a list of what's on my bedside stand right now. There are actually more -- I am a weird combination of ADD and an addicted reader. It's a family trait: my parents, my brothers and sister were the same. So is my wife. So are our daughters. Besides, I grew up poor and the library was free. Still is, in fact. I decided to start some sort of record and along with that some thoughts on some of the books.

First up is Christianity in Crisis. Those who are familiar with Hank Hanegraaf, either via his radio show (Bible Answer Man), his web site (www.equip.org) or his involvement with the Christian Research Insitute, won't be terribly surprised at the general direction of the work. He is thorough, and yet adopts a more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger approach. Bluntly, he lays out a case, citing the record, that the Gospel of Christ is being prostituted by the 'Faith Movement' types, the 'Name it And Claim It' (also known as the Blab it and Grab It approach) that ignore the issues of sin and repentance and instead emphasize health and wealth right now and God's obligation to grant it too, if we only recite the right incantations. From the 'Prayer Cloth' that a certain TV evangelist was hawking to all the excesses that we know about, Hanegraaf misses little. It's fascinating.
There are many parts of the Bible that reassure me and comfort me in my daily life. But there are others that cause me to be careful of what I say and do. Clearly, some of the persons named by him have overlooked those verses.