Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 27 May, 2014

Today was quite a day.
During the night there was a real bad house fire just down the street.  Everyone got out ok, even the dog.  But the house appears to me to be a total loss.  It wasn't all that great to start with, and now has a large section of roof burned away, and I understand that the interior is gutted.  At one time -- back in the mid to late 1970's -- I did a fair amount of work as an investigator and assistant to some insurance adjustor types.  Been in more fire scenes than I like to recall, including one in which a friend died.  You never forget the odor of a home with the odor of smoke, damp, and all.  And burned people is not a good smell.  You don't want to know, you really don't.  I don't do that any more, and I don't really know the residents there well, and I did not go in.  They had quite enough onlookers.  But it made things "interesting" around the neighborhood.
There have been some reports of strange activity there, and I understand that the fire department called the local police into the dwelling to see something.  What it was, unknown.  No further info at this time.
All the racket disturbed beloved great-niece (age 17 months) next door, so she was up all night, and so were her parents.  Niece's parents-in-law actually live next door to the fire scene, which added to all the concern.   So there were a lot of sleepless people in the area.  Quite something to come out to see.  Threw the day into some confusion.  Niece called off work, pleading exhaustion from the fire, the big get-together yesterday, and having just returned from a vacation trip Sunday night.  And her husband took a half day off for the same reasons.

I slept in, MUCH later than normal, partly from exhaustion over all the family get-together stuff of Memorial Day, and partly from the sleep aids that I took before turning in. 
The big get-together yesterday seemed to go well, reports are filtering back.
Spent much of today continuing the cleanup.  Such an exciting life I lead these days.

==============================================

The Old Testament reading is chapters 20, 212, and 22 of 1st Chronicles.

I Chronicles 20

1	And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
2	And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.
3	And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4	And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
5	And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.
6	And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot and he also was the son of the giant.
7	But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.
8	These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

I Chronicles 21

1	And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2	And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3	And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4	Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5	And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
6	But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
7	And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
8	And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9	And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,
10	Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11	So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12	Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13	And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
14	So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
15	And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16	And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17	And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
18	Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19	And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD.
20	And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21	And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
22	Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23	And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24	And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25	So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26	And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27	And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.
28	At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29	For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
30	But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

I Chronicles 22

1	Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
2	And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
3	And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
4	Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5	And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6	Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
7	And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
8	But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
9	Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
10	He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
11	Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
12	Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13	Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
14	Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
15	Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
16	Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
17	David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18	Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
19	Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

==============================

The New Testament reading is verses 22-42 of the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John.

John 10:22-42

22	And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23	And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24	Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25	Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26	But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27	My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28	And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29	My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30	I and my Father are one.
31	Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32	Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33	The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34	Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35	If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36	Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37	If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38	But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39	Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40	And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41	And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42	And many believed on him there.

Today's Readings and Stuff == Monday, 26 May, 2014 celebraton of Memorial Day

Tis has been a very long day. 
We got up early and set up the smoker we'd bought a few days previous.   Got it going good, then loaded two of the racks with the meat to be smoked.
We picked up  Dear Wife's aunt and took her to pay respects at several cemeteries.  She is in her late 70's now, her cancer has returned, and she's not in good shape.  This was her first chance to make this pilgrimage in quite a number of years.  Seemed to be a comfort to her, and to Dear Wife as well.  One of those graves was of my father-in-law, who passed in March of 1992.  This was her first visit to the plot since then.  Just part of the results of long absence from the area.
Went back home, had a big meal.  Got a four-generation picture:  Needed to be done.  All seemed happy, and we took Aunt home before she was totally exhausted from it all.  Then back home for some serious pot-walloping.  Collapsed into bed.
I am tired.  Much more to it all, but that can wait.

===============================

The Old Testament reading is chapters 17, 18, and 19 of 1st Chronicles

I Chronicles 17

1	Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
2	Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.
3	And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
4	Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:
5	For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
6	Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?
7	Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
8	And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9	Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
10	And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
11	And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12	He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13	I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14	But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
15	According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
16	And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17	And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18	What can David speak more to thee for the honor of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
19	O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20	O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21	And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
22	For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
23	Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
24	Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
25	For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
26	And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
27	Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.

I Chronicles 18

1	Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2	And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3	And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4	And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
5	And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6	Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7	And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8	Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9	Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
10	He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
11	Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
12	Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
13	And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
14	So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
15	And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
16	And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
17	And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

I Chronicles 19

1	Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
2	And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
3	But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?
4	Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
5	Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6	And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.
7	So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
8	And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
9	And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
10	Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
11	And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
12	And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13	Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
14	So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
15	And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16	And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17	And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
18	But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
19	And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

=====================================

The New Testament reading is verses  1-21 of John chapter 10

John 10:1-21

1	Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2	But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3	To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4	And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5	And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6	This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7	Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8	All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9	I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10	The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11	I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12	But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13	The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14	I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15	As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16	And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17	Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18	No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19	There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20	And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21	Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 25 May 2014

Been a good day.  Up at 05:20 from a cat "washing" my nose and exposed hand.  Very difficult to hit a snooze alarm on that.  So, up I got and put down a small can of cat food to be split amongst three cats.  Not really much of a meal, really, and they get most of their sustenance from dry food.  But it has become a morning ritual that Yours Truly has been saddled with for several years.  Lay back down for a bit, then got up and let niece's dog out on his lead for the day.  Food and water in adequate amount, and back inside.  At which point, into the shower.  Wife awoke midway through, joined me for coffee and donuts and yogurt.  Into shower for her, then the Big Issue of repairs to nail polish, dress, and off to church services. 
Big Do for Memorial Day.  The cemetery adjacent to the church house has a very large number of graves decorated with a flag and brass plaque, courtesy of the local VFW.  Quite a crowd.
And this is a weekend for family memories and get-togethers.  Niece and nephew and their families are en route now back from a joint vacation in East Tennessee, not far from where we used to live.  We'll have a cookout and such tomorrow, Lord willing.  Sister-in-law and husband will be present.  And in morning, Dear Wife and I will start the smoker we just bought, and place therein the ribs and brisket purchased yesterday.  Dear wife made up a marinade and rub for same, and they're doing their thing in the fridge right now.  A few hours after loading up the smoker, we're heading off to pick up wife's aunt.  Loretta is the very last of that generation, in the direct line anyway, and her cancer is back and aggressive.  We're going to take her to cemetery near her place, where Wife's dad and much of family are buried.  Have some small flags to decorate with.  Then off another 20-some miles to another cemetery in another county, where some of the ancestors of an earlier time are buried,  Wife has not been there in more than 25 years, and Aunt probably in nearly as long.  One of those things you just do.
Then back home at which time the meat should be done.  And Aunt will get to spend some time with family, perhaps for last time.
Am hoping to be able to get down to see my family's plots.  The main ones, my mom and dad, uncles and paternal grandparents, are two counties due south of here, in the plots adjacent to the church house in which I grew up.  Tried calling church Friday early, not answer and no call returned.  Plots for my maternal grandparents and uncle and aunt are across the state line and about an hour from here.  I haven't been there in nearly 40 years.  I know how to get there, but have no idea, really, where the graves are.  I called that church early Friday.  No answer, call went to a voice mail/answering machine system identifying "Pastor Cheryl".  I left message.  The machine gave a cell phone number and a home number for Pastor Cheryl.  Called both.  No answer.  Left messages.  As of Sunday evening, no call returned.  Hmmm.
But we did have something nice.  My sister and her husband are on staff at a Christian college in Virginia.  Got to see them over Christmas.  They were in town yesterday, and we met them, and my middle brother, near here.  A wonderful get-together.  Have missed this more than anyone ever knew:  I've never made an issue of it.  So nice to see them.  Brother let me know that he and youngest brother had been out to cemetery and all looks good.  Except that, nearly three years after the fact, the headstone on the plot for mom and dad still has not been updated for dad's date of passing.  Not sure what has to be done on that.
All in all, a good few days.
And the message this morning was on the subject of prayer.  It is. in my belief, one of the most critical issues, and weaknesses, in the American church in general.  There are exceptions.  Not many.  One of those matters that truly need to be emphasized

============================

The Old Testament reading for the day is chapters 14, 15, and 16 of 1st Chronicles.   There's a section here of the words of David.  Remember that in addition to being a king and a warrior, and a shepherd, David was also a psalmist.  Many, most of the Psalms were given through David.  We don't always see much of that while as king.  But sometimes we do.  Like here.

I Chronicles 14

1	Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2	And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3	And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4	Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5	And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6	And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7	And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
8	And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.
9	And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10	And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11	So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
12	And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
13	And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14	Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
15	And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
16	David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
17	And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

I Chronicles 15

1	And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
2	Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
3	And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.
4	And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
5	Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:
6	Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
7	Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief and his brethren an hundred and thirty:
8	Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
9	Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
10	Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.
11	And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
12	And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
13	For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
14	So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
15	And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
16	And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
17	So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
18	And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
19	So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
20	And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
21	And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
22	And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.
23	And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
24	And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
25	So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.
26	And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
27	And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
28	Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
29	And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

I Chronicles 16

1	So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
2	And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3	And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
4	And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
5	Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
6	Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
7	Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8	Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9	Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10	Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11	Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12	Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
13	O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14	He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15	Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16	Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17	And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18	Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19	When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20	And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21	He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22	Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23	Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.
24	Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.
25	For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26	For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27	Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28	Give unto the LORD, ye kindred of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29	Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30	Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31	Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32	Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33	Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34	O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35	And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36	Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
37	So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
38	And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
39	And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40	To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
41	And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
42	And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
43	And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

=========================

The New Testament reading is verses 24-41 of John chapter 9. Ever hear the phrase, "no good deed goes unpunished"?  Jesus has healed a blind man.  And people are angry about it.

John 9:24-41

24	Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25	He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26	Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27	He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
28	Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29	We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30	The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31	Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32	Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33	If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34	They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
35	Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36	He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37	And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38	And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39	And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40	And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41	Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.