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 -- Wednesday, 04 June 2014

things that remind you that you are in northern Ohio, not south central Alabama include waking up in early June to temperature in the 40's.  Which is likely to be the case the rest of the week.  This was NOT a relocation to better weather as I measure it.   I do not like cold weather.  However, we're here and likely to be here for as long as the Lord sees fit.
Dear Wife has gone off with niece and grand-niece to a yard sale/flea market in the next town over.  I begged off.  Not so big a fan of these as they are.  Off to her first session of physical therapy in early afternoon, then off to nephew's place to watch kids as nep and spouse go to calling hours for a friend of theirs from their motorcycle club.  Then we take older kid to his baseball game.  Such fun.
I just sent resume in for a position locally doing something similar to what I was doing in Alabama.  Pay should be half again as much, which would make the misery easier to bear.  Not sure I really want to do this, but in fact I had not intended to go into retirement for another five years from now.  Wife's condition, and desperate loneliness made much of the decision for us, but the wretched working conditions and a pay raise promised in July of 2009 that still had not taken effect in 2013 August had something to do with the matter as well.  So we shall see.  Fact is, the SS check I get nets about what my monthly take-home was, and I don't spend 90 minutes a day in the commute.  Not mentioning the cost of gas, well over twice what it was when Obama took over. 

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16 in 2nd Chronicles.  More of the downward spiral of the nation after Solomon.  Leaders lead, and sometimes where they lead is not a good place.  Examples of that in our own time are not hard to find, are they?  Results are never good ones.

II Chronicles 13

1	Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
2	He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3	And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valor.
4	And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
5	Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
6	Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
7	And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
8	And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with your golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
9	Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
10	But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
11	And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
12	And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
13	But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
14	And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
15	Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
16	And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
17	And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
18	Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
19	And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephraim with the towns thereof.
20	Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.
21	But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
22	And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.

II Chronicles 14 

1	So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2	And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
3	For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
4	And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5	Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6	And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
7	Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
8	And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valor.
9	And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
10	Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11	And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.
12	So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
13	And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14	And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
15	They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

II Chronicles 15 

1	And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2	And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
3	Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
4	But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
5	And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
6	And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
7	Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
8	And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
9	And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
10	So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
11	And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
12	And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
13	That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
14	And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
15	And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.
16	And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
17	But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
18	And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
19	And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

II Chronicles 16 

1	In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2	Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
3	There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4	And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5	And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6	Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7	And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8	Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
9	For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10	Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11	And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12	And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
13	And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14	And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odorous and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 14 in the Gospel of John.  This is worth committing to memory, this is Jesus at the Last Supper, near the end of that.  Very intense.

John 14 

1	Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2	In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3	And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4	And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5	Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6	Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7	If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8	Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9	Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10	Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11	Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12	Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13	And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14	If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15	If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16	And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17	Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18	I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19	Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20	At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21	He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22	Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23	Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24	He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25	These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26	But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27	Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28	Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29	And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30	Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31	But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Today's Readings and Stuff --- Thursday, 23 January, 2014

Thursday, and it's bloody cold here.  Yesterday when I woke, it was four below zero here.  It's a smidgen higher (won't say "warmer") this morning, but not exactly warm.  I'm ready for Spring, and we're only a month into Winter.  And while the days are getting longer, it's only about a minute of daylight per day, and that translates to a bit under 30 minutes gained since a month ago.  Not enough to make any difference and the sun is still down near the southern tropic line, not the northern one.  We won't see much real weather change until mid-March probably.  I can recall one year when I was quite small, and it snowed in the first week of May.  Don't expect that this year, but I don't think that we would have expected it then if we'd looked forward in late January.  So we shall see.  Right now, Global Warming seems like a real good idea.  Too bad it's nonsense.

Dear Wife was ill yesterday, more so as the afternoon and early evening came on.  I think she's coming down with something, of some sort.  She's received a Medicaid card in the mail so has some coverage.  I may end up having to try to find a clinic to take her to this morning.  I know she spent time on phone yesterday arranging some sort of  'managed care' arrangement for us, and we have an appointment with a primary care physician in the area for mid-February.  We shall see.  She was also setting up something with a dental deal as well.  She has several broken teeth and is having trouble chewing anything.  I have three broken ones myself, and am not much better off.  Lord willing, some of these matters can be addressed.

Still talking with recruiters.  As mentioned before, I've been working for a paycheck since back in 1969, a very long time, and am most comfortable paying my own way.  Relying on the State and the kindness of others just isn't me.  But I've not been able to find something anywhere near here that is a fit.  Had a back-and forth with one that got us discussing an interesting opportunity, but it would require around 3 hours of driving back and forth every day.  My car is 14 years old and has 212,000 miles on it, and the mileage is not the best.  I'd be better off stocking shelves at the Big Box store 5 miles away part time.  Could keep my retirement check and she'd still get her Medicare.  Yes, we are in one of those cohorts in a weird gap situation.  Not alone, but that's cold comfort.  The Lord has something in mind for us, just don't know what it is, yet.

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The Old Testament reading for the day is chapters 4, 5, 6 of the Exodus.  Imagine the heartbreak of Moses' mother as she, having dodged Pharaoh's orders that ALL the Hebrew boy babies be killed, set him into a basket on the Nile for his own safety.  Imagine her amazement when Pharaoh's own daughter paid her to nurse her own son, and to see him placed in Pharaoh's own household.  Now see Moses, back from hiding out, going into the palace and delivering the Lord's message, "let MY people go!".   The Lord works in strange ways, and I've learned that the words 'impossible' and "can't" really should not be used about Him.  He is able!  Watch.  The world is different today because Moses was obedient then.  Don't make the mistake that even Moses made, that the Lord can't use you too.  I keep relearning that one myself.

Exodus 4

1	And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
2	And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3	And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4	And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5	That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
6	And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7	And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
8	And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
9	And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
10	And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11	And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12	Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13	And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14	And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15	And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
16	And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
17	And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
18	And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
19	And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.
20	And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
21	And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
22	And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23	And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
24	And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.
25	Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.
26	So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
27	And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
28	And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
29	And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
30	And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
31	And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Exodus 5

1	And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
2	And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
3	And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
4	And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
5	And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
6	And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7	Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8	And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9	Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words.
10	And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
11	Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
12	So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
13	And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
14	And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
15	Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
16	There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
17	But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
18	Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
19	And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
20	And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
21	And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
22	And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
23	For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

Exodus 6

1	Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
2	And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3	And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
4	And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
5	And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
6	Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
7	And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8	And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
9	And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
10	And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11	Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12	And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
13	And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
14	These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.
15	And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.
16	And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.
17	The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
18	And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.
19	And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
20	And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.
21	And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22	And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
23	And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
24	And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.
25	And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
26	These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.
27	These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.
28	And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
29	That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
30	And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

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The New Teestament passage is chapter 16 from the Gospel of Matthew.  This contains one of those questions that Jesus asked them, but we have to answer ourselves, individually, as well.  "Who do YOU say that I am?"  It's one of those critical questions that affects our life on this earth and our eternal situation too.  Answer well.  It matters.  Know that in so doing, not all the immediate results will be enjoyable.  There's a cost, too.  It's worth it. 

Matthew 16

1	The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2	He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3	And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4	A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
5	And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6	Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7	And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8	Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9	Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10	Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11	How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12	Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
13	When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14	And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15	He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16	And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17	And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18	And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19	And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20	Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21	From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22	Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23	But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24	Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25	For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26	For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27	For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28	Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.