Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 02 May, 2018

Lovely morning.  May is, by far, my favorite month of the entire year.  No question of it.  70's outside this week.  Now, one of the weathercasters has admitted that this area, situated as it is, less than an hour from the Great Lakes and therefor susceptible to the "polar vortex" and the "Alberta Clipper", might still get snow!  Unlikely, of course, but possible.  Yucky thought.

Tomorrow, Wife has another appointment with rheumatologist, down in the southern end of the county south of us.  Route is anything but direct:  we have to drive from the east edge of this county across half of it, then diagonally to the next county, then more or less laterally towards the middle part of that county, then diagonally towards the eastern edge, then due south (more or less) to the area not TOO far from the doctor office which is, again, pretty much due south (after a lateral move) to the doc office.  This is to be on "limited access" highways mostly.
The whole thing will then need to be repeated a week thereafter.  But, perhaps it will help her deteriorating joints.  The  complication here is that she's "into" something, again, that sounds like a cross between pneumonia, asthma, and whatever.  She thinks it's just allergies, which is possible of course.  We're watching, worriedly.

Meanwhile, Mother's Day is coming up later this month.  Inasmuch as both of our daughters have cut ALL contact with us, that will be a very hard time.  Very.  Our 30th wedding anniversary is scheduled for late summer, and at this point, neither one will appear nor recognize the day at all. 

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Just FYI, the term "emerod" here probably refers to the tumors associated with bubonic plague.
And, by some accounts, Dagon, the false god mentioned here, was believed to be the father of Ba'al.  And some, myself included, suspect that Ba'al is simply another name for the Moslem demon-god they call Allah.  Fits.  This is a VERY old fight!
By the way, the city termed Beth-shemesh here, is now called Beit Shemesh, located about 30 km west of Jerusalem.  Find it on a map here 

1st Samuel 5

1  And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben–ezer unto Ashdod.

2  When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

3  And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

4  And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

5  Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

6  But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

7  And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

8  They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

9  And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

10  Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

11  So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.us

12  And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

1st Samuel 6

1  And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

2  And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.

3  And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

4  Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.

5  Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

6  Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

7  Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:

8  And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

9  And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth–shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.he: or, it

10  And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:

11  And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.

12  And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth–shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth–shemesh.

13  And they of Beth–shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

14  And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth–shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the Lord.

15  And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth–shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord.

16  And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

17  And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

18  And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Beth–shemite.

19  And he smote the men of Beth–shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

20  And the men of Beth–shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

21  And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath–jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.

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Today, Psalm 88.  Have you ever prayed like this?  I have.

Psalm 88

A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1  O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

2  Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

3  For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

4  I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5  Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

6  Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

7  Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

8  Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

9  Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

10  Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

11  Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

12  Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13  But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

14   Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

15  I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

16  Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.

17  They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

18  Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

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Today:  Then Came The Morning".    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSktTeGk1Lw

John 20

1  The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

2  Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

3  Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

4  So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5  And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

6  Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7  And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8  Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

9  For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10  Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13  And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14  And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 01 May 2018 slightly modified

MAY!!  YAY!!  Supposed to be in the mid-to-high 70's for most of the week.  Inasmuch as it was, what, just two weeks ago (or so) that we had that ghastly substance, snow, on the ground here, 70's sounds pretty durn good.  80 would be better, of course.

===>>  slight modification here:
I've been including some of these songs as links to the text.  It would appear that not all of them are coming up, not more than one per post, if that.  SO .... I'm going to be showing some real URL addresses for them.  Not as elegant, but I think that it should work.  Sorry for any inconveniences.

end mod   <<<====================


Perhaps I am weird.  ("No maybe about that, the chair says").  I find myself in that odd semi-awake/semi-asleep mode that characterizes all too much of my nightly routine, struggling with my own peculiar sins and temptations and bad memories.  Now, lest anyone take that wrongly, the term "peculiar" simply means that we are individuals.  There are things that are struggles and temptations that bother me, that others would never notice.  And the opposite is also true:  some people have confessed to me things that they struggle with mightily that I'd simply never noticed.  And, of course, some of these things move up and down on the scale as we "mature" (sounds so much better than "age", doesn't it?).
Anyway, I was in a mode of despair.  My own reprise of Romans 7:24

²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

And with that, the reinforced realization that I am helpless to fix that in my own strength.

And then, as so often happens with my "odd" mind, some of the answers came in the form of songs.
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus    the URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exE5YQNewv8

another recording here  URL is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijrnfeWufE
Anyone want to argue that? 

And then, to the inevitable follow-up thoughts:
Faith Is The Victory     URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebY9pHMVkc
Let that run through your thoughts all day.

So what am I here for, such a failure in everything?  Just to diminish and to die?
For Such A Time As This      URL here is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmYOQ8h4wsM
Go re-read Esther.  Particularly Esther 4:14, but all of it.  This is one of those particular favorites of mine.  The Lord is running this show.  Yes, we (I) sin and cause Him sorrow.  But I believe that there is a purpose for all of it, that He is in command, and certainly that He is smarter than any of us.  I believe that there is a purpose for the pain, for the loss, for the sorrow.  And yes, even for the failures.  As one put it, "If I never had a problem, I'd never know that God could fix it; would never know what faith in His word can do."  Can't really argue that.  And, despite it all, I believe that, someday, at His feet, we will look back at those moments that seemed so awful to us, and they will be no more important than our worries when we went off to school for the first time, or stubbed our toe.  Perspective, from His perspective.

And, of course, Have Thine Own Way   
URL here is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-G128nFHQk
Easier to say or sing, than to do.  But important, very.

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Today, chapters 3 and 4 of 1st Samuel.
"Just a child".  Really?  That "just a child" was in the Lord's hand and mind.  And Samuel listened, better than most of us (me) have or still do.
 

1st Samuel 3

1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2  And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3  And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4  That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5  And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6  And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7  Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9  Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10  And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11  And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

12  In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13  For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

14  And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

15  And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

16  Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17  And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

18  And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

19  And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

21  And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

1st Samuel 4

1  And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben–ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

2  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

3  And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5  And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

6  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp.

7  And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore

8  Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

9  Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

10  And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11  And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain

12  And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

13  And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

14  And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

15  Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.were dim: Heb. stood

16  And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?

17  And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

18  And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

19  And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

20  And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

21  And she named the child I–chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

22  And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

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Psalm 87

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

 

1  His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2  The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

4  I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

5  And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

6  The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

7  As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

 Yes, Glorious Things of The Are Spoken
URL here is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACASJ39vDg

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Today's song:   "Behold The Lamb"
And, finally, the URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysH6nl0N8gU

John 19

1  Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3  And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

4  Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

6  When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7  The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9  And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

12  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14  And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

15  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16  Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20  This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23  Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24  They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29  Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

31  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

35  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38  And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 30 April, 2018

Another Monday has impacted.  We are grateful for it.

We'd expected / hoped to hear some heavy equipment outside this morning, but were disappointed (again).  Back on Memorial Day in 2014, a house just two doors up from us caught fire.  The structure wasn't fully engulfed, but the damage was beyond repair.  The local "land bank" has taken it over, and had promised to demolish it this spring, which will dispossess a number of feral cats, dogs, groundhogs, etc. and probably some druggies as well.  But no sign of them as of this point.  We'd been told that they start on Monday mornings, so all the neighbors that park in the abandoned driveway moved their stuff out last evening (again) in anticipation.  But they're a no-show.  Again.  Going on FOUR YEARS now!  Yeah, let "government" handle it.
The neighbors on either side of the place are buying the parcel after the demolition is complete, be a nice play area for the kids and grand-kids.  But not this week, apparently.
To be fair, there have been at least 3 vacant structures demolished in a half-mile radius of here within the last six months, and there is no shortage of need.  But FOUR YEARS!

Yesterday was a long and wearying one.  Glad it's over.  Just not my "thing".
Dishes are washed (by hand, by me).  Laundry to start soon.  God is good.


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Today, another change.  Samuel was a judge in Israel, with quite a story behind him as well.  But he will also be the Lord's agent in commissioning the 1st king in Israel.

Take note, as well, of the similarity between the prayer of Hannah in chapter 2, and the prayer of Mary in chapter 1 in the Gospel of Luke. 
Also look at the similarities between the events leading up to the birth of Samuel (whose name means "asked of God"), John the Baptist (Luke chapter 1) and Isaac in Genesis 21.

 

1st Samuel 1

1  Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim–zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3  And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

6  And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

7  And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8  Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

9  So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

10  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12  And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.

13  Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14  And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

16  Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17  Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18  And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19  And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

20  Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

21  And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22  But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

23  And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24  And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25  And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26  And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

27  For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28  Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

1st Samuel 2

1  And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2  There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

3  Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

4  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5  They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6  The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7  The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10  The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11  And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

12  Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13  And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14  And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15  Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16  And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17  Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

18  But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19  Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20  And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.

21  And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

22  Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

23  And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24  Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.

25  If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

26  And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

27  And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29  Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30  Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31  Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

32  And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

33  And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age

34  And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35  And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
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Today, Psalm 86.  This is a good example of a prayer that we can use as a pattern.  I don't think I can make the claim in verse 2, that I am holy.  But the "poor and needy" in verse 1, definitely.  and much else.  And "I cry unto thee daily"?  Oh, yeah.

Psalm 86

A Prayer of David.

1  Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

2  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.holy: or, one whom thou favourest

3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

6  Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

7  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

8  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

9  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

11  Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

14  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17  Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

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Today, John 18.  This is hard.  Very hard.

John 18

1  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

2  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

7  Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8  Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10  Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12  Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13  And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

14  Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15  And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16  But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17  Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

18  And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

19  The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

20  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21  Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23  Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24  Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

25  And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26  One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27  Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

28  Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

29  Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

30  They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

31  Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32  That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33  Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35  Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39  But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40  Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.