Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 10 June 2017

My word!  A third of the way through June already!  First official day  of Summer is not that far away.  And all downhill from there, the days  progressively shorter. I am a Spring person.  Definitely not Winter, nor Autumn.  And not Summer either, not really.  Spring is my time.  And it draws short. 

I've been told that as we age, time seems to fly past.  Perhaps that is true.  Seems like it was just a a short while ago that we were going through the countdown to the New Year and New Millenium, the transition from 1999 to 2000.  We were in the midst of another transition, we'd just moved from East Tennessee (yes, they capitalize it) to western Arkansas, as I began a new job.  We were in the house we'd just signed the mortgage papers on and had moved into, sitting by the wood-fired fireplace, having been assured that at midnight, the World Would Come To An End and all electricity, etc. would vanish.  We doubted that, but took precautions anyway, just in case.  Didn't happen, of course. I guess that the jugs of water and various other things were used up, eventually.  It was like "camping out" but indoors.  Actually, those supplies were handy later on:  that area is right on the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, and there are excellent reasons that national Tornado Center is located in Norman, Oklahoma, not too distant.  They have all-too-frequent occasion to study those phenomena up close.  So we got some experience in being without power for days at a time.  Cooking over the fireplace has its attractions but camping on couches and chairs in the living room for three days can lose its entertainment value quickly.  Especially when it's too dark to read, and too cold to spend a whole lot of time outside.  We had some interesting family bonding time, but all of us are rather private people and staring at the same faces for days, even the faces of those you love, grows old.  And, sometimes, you understand why some animals eat their young.
That job and that company fell apart less than five years later.  The building is empty and has been for more than 12 years.  The two little girls are grown and gone, out of college and married (one to a guy she met as a result of our move there).   And neither will talk to us.

Seven years after that move, we'd moved back to Tennessee for a few years until yet another collapse and a whole lot of scrambling, then to Alabama.  Within a 5-week span, less than a year after that, my mother died, my employer collapsed, and my mother-in-law died.  So we had two thousand-mile trips (that's a thousand miles each way, times two, so 4,000 miles all by car) in short order and under very stressful conditions already.  Six months after THAT, older daughter was married, so we had a trip for that which was 640 miles each way.  Two years later, younger daughter married also, but at least that was in the same town we were in.  Four years later, our newest son-in-law's dad died, a great guy.  Three months later, we made what we hope is our final relocation on this earth.
We've been through some Stuff, to be sure.  Some transitions.  And it all seems like it just recently happened.  Perspective is an odd thing.  I've sometimes said that a blessing doesn't always feel like one, at the time.  Later on, when  you look back, you might go, "OH!! NOW I see!  Yes, it couldn't have been accomplished any other way!  Wow!"  Not luck.  The Lord.


As I said, Daughter #1 met her husband as a result of that move to Arkansas.  Wouldn't have ever met him otherwise.  Was there a Divine Plan working there?  Perhaps.
Daughter #2 met HER husband as a result of the move to Alabama.  Again, wouldn't have ever met him  otherwise.  Another Divine Plan?
We met some wonderful people along the way, in the midst of our struggles, and sometimes theirs as well.  Had membership and roles in too many churches too.  But we learned some things too.
I've heard people complain about a church, the line is "it doesn't meet my needs".  OK.  Perhaps, just perhaps, you're there to meet someone else's needs, not your own.  To care for, not necessarily to be coddled.  To seek, not so much to be blessed, as to be a blessing.
And, by the way, one of the hardest jobs you'll never hear about, is being the pastor's wife.  Yes, it's tough being the pastor.  Not easy being the preacher's kid either.  But being the Wife takes a special person.  And very few people feel "led" to meet her needs, too often the pastor doesn't either.  It can nearly break some, and I've seen some wonderful women stressed about to the breaking point.  Happens far too often.



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The Old Testament passage here is chapters 32 and 33 of 2nd Chronicles.  A time of turmoil and degeneracy, desperate efforts to put the nation back on track, efforts that were ultimately futile.  Yes, Hezekiah was a good king.  His son and successor, Manasseh, was evil.  And his son in turn, Amon, was more so.  The end is near.

II Chronicles 32

1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? 16 And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. 18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man. 20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

II Chronicles 33

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. 9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. 14 Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. 15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. 19 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers. 20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. 21 Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; 23 And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. 24 And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house. 25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

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Our reading  today from the New Testament is verses 24-40, chapter 18 of the Gospel of John.
Jesus, having been betrayed and seized, is first hauled before the religious authorities, and then transferred to Pilate, a Roman authority.  Pilate gave us one of history's most notoriously awful lines.  Jesus proclaimed Truth.  Pilate, sarcastically, said, "What is truth?", a forerunner of today's post-modernists who deny objective truth.  But Jesus was right.  Pilate, and the "sophisticated" post-modernists were and are wrong.

John 18:24-40

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. 28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

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 -- Saturday, 05 July 2014

Very long day.
Dear Wife is trying to catch up on things and people she had not seen in more than 20 years.  We had to wait until warmer weather to do much of it.  So she's been trying to play catch up yet still greatly constrained by her medical condition.  So it's always an adventure.
We were invited to a picnic in the afternoon.  It seems that her sister and her husband, and her nephew and his wife, have decided that they want to be motorcyclists.  And so they are.  They wear "colors" of a sort, and the guys tend to wear bandanas over the hair and have beards and all that.  They're not really the old "1%-er" types that used to run around and raise Cain and all, though they look a lot like it.  Most have real jobs, a couple are firefighters or EMT's, and such.  We went.  I spent much of the time talking to one of the charter members, he's a programmer.  They had their wives, at last the current ones, and many brought their kids, some of whom were babies, others is their early teens.  Everybody ate a lot.  We left before the drinking started.  We know better.
Off to pick up a friend's son.  Nick just graduated from high school.  Dad was working.  We had free tickets to a local baseball game.  This is sub-minor-league class baseball.  Tickets were free, though parking was not.  It was OK.  I don't expect to see any of the players in the Major Leagues ever, and would be surprised if any of them make it up to AAA leagues, but I guess it could happen.  Park wasn't too bad.  And, unlike the area around the park of the previous Minor League team we were near, the Biscuits, you didn't think you'd need to shoot your way out of the area.  We had fun, though the home team lost, again.  Dropped of Nick, went home.  Just got home a short while ago, haven't really eaten since around 3 pm, didn't really have the cash to eat at the park.
So Dear Wife is collapsing into bed and I'm about to join her.  Alarm should be loud enough to wake me in the morning but she may not be up to it.

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Old Testament reading chapters 31 and 32 of Job

Job 31 

1	I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
2	For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3	Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
4	Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
5	If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
6	Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.
7	If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
8	Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.
9	If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;
10	Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.
11	For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
12	For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
13	If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
14	What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
15	Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
16	If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
17	Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
18	(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)
19	If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
20	If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21	If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
22	Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.
23	For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
24	If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
25	If I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
26	If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
27	And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
28	This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
29	If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
30	Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31	If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
32	The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
33	If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
34	Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
35	Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
36	Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
37	I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
38	If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
39	If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
40	Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Job 32

1	So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2	Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3	Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4	Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5	When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6	And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7	I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8	But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9	Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10	Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11	Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12	Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13	Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14	Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15	They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16	When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17	I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18	For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19	Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20	I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21	Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22	For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

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New Testament passage verses 1-23 in chapter 13 of the Acts.

Acts 13:1-23

1	Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2	As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3	And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4	So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5	And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
6	And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7	Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8	But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9	Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10	And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11	And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12	Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13	Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14	But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15	And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16	Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
17	The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18	And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19	And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20	And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21	And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22	And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23	Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

Today's Readings and Stuff - Saturday, 31 May, 2014

in a few weeks, we will see the Summer Solstice, will officially be in Summer, and the days will slowly become shorter.  Three months after that, the Equinox and Autumn.  This is the way of things.  I did not mind autumn when living in the South, and even Winter wasn't that bad.  In the frozen North where we now live, that I mind.  Knowing in your heart that summer will be all too brief, autumn is a season of dying and winter is a time of death.  Or so I always thought it to be.  It is nice to be around family again, I guess.  Wife regards this area, and only this area, as Home.  I don't think my home is on this earth.  Thoughts of death a lot, lately.  don't know if that really means anything, but it alternates between grim and joyful, and very little in between.  Perhaps it's just my morose nature.

Tomorrow is the Lord's Day (they all are, really, but that day is special) and we intend to attend worship services at the place we've been visiting the last few months.  Not sure even yet that this is where we are supposed to be, but it looks like it might be.  A place and people that need us, as well as us needing them.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 1, 2, and 3 of 2nd Chronicles.  Solomon is king now, and he begins to undertake the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

II Chronicles 1

1	And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2	Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
3	So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4	But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5	Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
6	And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
7	In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8	And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9	Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10	Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11	And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12	Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
13	Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
14	And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15	And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.
16	And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17	And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.

II Chronicles 2

1	And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
2	And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
3	And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
4	Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
5	And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
6	But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
7	Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
8	Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
9	Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
10	And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
11	Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
12	Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
13	And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,
14	The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
15	Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
16	And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
17	And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
18	And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

II Chronicles 3

1	Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2	And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3	Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
4	And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
5	And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
6	And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
7	He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubim on the walls.
8	And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
9	And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
10	And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
11	And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
12	And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
13	The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
14	And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.
15	Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
16	And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
17	And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

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The New Testament passage is verses 1-19 in th 12th chapter of the Gospel of John.  Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  We recall this on Palm Sunday. 

John 12:1-19

1	Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2	There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3	Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4	Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5	Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6	This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7	Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8	For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
9	Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10	But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11	Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12	On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13	Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14	And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15	Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16	These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17	The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18	For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19	The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.