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

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

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

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

II Chronicles 1

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

II Chronicles 2

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

II Chronicles 3

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

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

John 12:1-19

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

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 30 May 2014

Happy Friday and all of that.  Temperature here just hit 60 degrees, meaning it was just a bit cool when we woke up.  We don't have A/C here, at all, even any.  Doesn't normally get hot enough to really require it, I think.  Our place is small, and narrow, so just having open windows and fans in some of those windows, gives us enough ventilation and air movement to make things livable.  But with that comes the reality that open windows when it's 50 degrees or below outside, will mean it's also that temperature inside, or close to it.  We curled up close under a couple blankets, which was actually nice.  But when the cats woke me up demanding breakfast, and Yours Truly walked, barefoot, onto a hard, cold, kitchen floor, it was an invigorating experience, to be sure.  You don't generally get back to sleep after that.  Or I can't.
Dear Wife is next door "watching" the beloved grand-niece.  ( I think that is the proper term for the daughter of one's niece).  I will try to do some stuff around the house to improve appearance and livability here.

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The Old Testament reading today is chapters 28 and 29 of 1st Chronicles.  This concludes 1st Chronicles, and there is a legitimate transition between the two.  This is the conclusion, the summation, of the reign of King David.  And it emphasizes, not his battle victories nor his offsspring, but his efforts toward the worship of the Lord under their system.  In many ways, this is the high point for the kingdom.  Downhill from here on, though it may occasionally appear otherwise.  Sounds all too much like our world.

I Chronicles 28

1	And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
2	Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3	But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
4	Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:
5	And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6	And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7	Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8	Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9	And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10	Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
11	Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12	And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
13	Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
14	He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
15	Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16	And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
17	Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver:
18	And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19	All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
20	And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
21	And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

I Chronicles 29

1	Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
2	Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
3	Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.
4	Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
5	The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
6	Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,
7	And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
8	And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9	Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10	Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11	Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12	Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13	Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14	But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15	For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
16	O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.
17	I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
18	O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
19	And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
20	And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.
21	And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:
22	And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.
23	Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
24	And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.
25	And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
26	Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
27	And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
28	And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.
29	Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
30	With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

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The New Testament reading is verses 47-57 of John chapter 11.  It's a short passage, but intense.  Jesus has truly run afoul of the respectable religious people of the day, and they are, from this point forward, dedicated to wiping Him out.

John 11:47-57

47	Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48	If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49	And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50	Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51	And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52	And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53	Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54	Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
55	And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
56	Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
57	Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 29 May, 2014

still having some "odd" stuff going on in the neighborhood.  There was a bad fire in a house up the street Tuesday morning, actually around midnight or so.  Nobody hurt. which was good.  But we saw the firefighters bring a local police officer into the structure once most of the danger was past.  Not sure what the issue was, but the place has had some "interesting" traffic in and out over the last several months.  The fire inspector was there Wednesday for a VERY long time, and there were several persons there from the insurance company today.  All day, and the homeowner was not looking happy.  This is by no means an affluent neighborhood, but I was told that the dwelling is worth considerably less now than it was when purchased in 206, due in part to a bad foundation, but also due to considerable interior damage from bad behavior and egregious neglect.  Rumors are flying and I am staying silent.  Had involvement with insurance adjusters and investigators many years ago, so I know how this works.  Staying far away from the matter.

Beloved Older Daughter called while driving home.  She does that.  She's back to work after all the big-time surgery.  Probably won't be teaching next year, at least at that school.  Nice place, but she's missed a whole LOT of work with two major surgeries and recuperation time.  Doesn't look good on the HR jacket.  Can't blame them, really.  Her husband wants her to take a year off, do some substitution work if desired, but take it easy and build up her strength.  She'd hoped to do another year or two where she was, and continue in grad school there.  She's got a year in towards her Master's degree in English literature.  Wants the Ph.D., which is a worthy goal I guess.  But I am appalled at some of the required or "strongly recommended" classes.  Gender issues in 18th century Irish or English novels,  etc.  Lots of garbage in my humble opinion.  Suitable for professional grievance-mongers and little more. 

Had a long call with a recruiter this morning.  About an hour long talk.  He has something that might be a good fit, about 45 minute drive from here.  We shall see.  Not sure I want it or even anything, but I'll listen to what they have to say. 

Tomorrow is another day.  We shall see.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 26 and 27 of 1st Chronicles.  Some of this seems more than a bit odd to us.  Lots of names here, names of very real people, and specific roles identified for them and for their progeny.  The Lord had a very specific role for each.  As He does for us, we just don't get as clear an assignment as they did.  But no one was an "accident".  Neither are we.  And if we don't carry out the role, who will?

I Chronicles 26

1	Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2	And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3	Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
4	Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth.
5	Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.
6	Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valor.
7	The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
8	All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.
9	And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
10	Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)
11	Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12	Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.
13	And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
14	And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15	To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.
16	To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
17	Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
18	At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19	These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
20	And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
21	As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
22	The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
23	Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24	And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.
25	And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
26	Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
27	Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.
28	And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.
29	Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
30	And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valor, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
31	Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
32	And his brethren, men of valor, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

I Chronicles 27

1	Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
2	Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
3	Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4	And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
5	The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
6	This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
7	The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
8	The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
9	The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10	The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
11	The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
12	The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13	The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14	The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15	The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
16	Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
17	Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
18	Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
19	Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
20	Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
21	Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
22	Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
23	But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
24	Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
25	And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
26	And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
27	And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
28	And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
29	And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
30	Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
31	And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
32	Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
33	And Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
34	And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

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The New Testament reading is verses 18-46 of John chapter 11.  Lazarus.

John 11:18-46

18	Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19	And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20	Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21	Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22	But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23	Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24	Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25	Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26	And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27	She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28	And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29	As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30	Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31	The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32	Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33	When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
34	And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35	Jesus wept.
36	Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37	And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38	Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39	Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40	Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41	Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42	And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43	And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44	And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45	Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46	But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

Today's Radings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 28 June 2014

Seems like it was just yesterday that we were turning the calendar pages over into 2014.  Now, we're getting close to the half way point of the year.  Amazing.  Nice to FINALLY see the leaves on the trees.  This area is considered to have the most overcast skies in the USA, part of the impact of the nearby Great Lakes, and when combined with a relatively short warm period of the year, makes the whole area look like a B&W photo of Germany at the close of WW2 for much of the year.  May be a causative factor in the high rate of alcoholism.  And all that goes with that.  So the green and the warm breezes are very welcome, and gone too soon at that.
Looking at the other things we need to do in the all-too-brief warm weather to prepare for the coming winter.  We did what we could when we got here late last year, and I did what I could given the limitations of limited money and limited ability to function in single-digit temperatures.  Last winter was, even by local standards, truly bitter and nasty.  Would prefer to not go through something like it this year, or ever again for that matter. So doing what I can in preparation.

Going to see what we can accomplish today.

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

The Old Testament reading is chapters 23, 24, 25 of 1st Chronicles.

I Chronicles 23

1	So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2	And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3	Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
4	Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
5	Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
6	And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7	Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.
8	The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
9	The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
10	And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
11	And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house.
12	The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
13	The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
14	Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
15	The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
16	Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
17	And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18	Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.
19	Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20	Of the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first and Jesiah the second.
21	The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
22	And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
23	The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24	These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
25	For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
26	And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
27	For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
28	Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
29	Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
30	And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
31	And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
32	And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

I Chronicles 24

1	Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2	But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
3	And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
4	And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
5	Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6	And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
7	Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8	The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9	The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10	The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11	The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12	The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13	The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14	The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15	The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
16	The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
17	The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18	The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19	These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
20	And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
21	Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22	Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
23	And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24	Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
25	The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
26	The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
27	The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28	Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.
29	Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
30	The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
31	These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

I Chronicles 25

1	Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
2	Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
3	Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4	Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5	All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6	All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
7	So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8	And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9	Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10	The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
11	The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
12	The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
13	The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
14	The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
15	The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16	The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17	The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
18	The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
19	The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
20	The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
21	The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
22	The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
23	The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
24	The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
25	The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
26	The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
27	The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
28	The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
29	The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
30	The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
31	The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

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New Testament passage is verses 1-12 of chapter 11 in the Gospel of John.

John 11:1-17 

1	Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2	(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3	Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4	When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5	Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6	When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7	Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8	His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9	Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10	But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11	These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12	Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13	Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14	Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15	And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16	Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17	Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.