tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68240029101233516012024-02-08T11:58:32.341-05:00My Meditations on the Daily LectionaryMeditations inspired by readings from the Daily Lectionary as found in the Mission Yearbook of the Presbyterian Church (USA)Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.comBlogger6448125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-54273078188176749762022-11-15T10:01:00.000-05:002022-11-15T10:01:19.369-05:00 Though the Fig Tree Does Not Blossom--Nov. 15, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i>[From Nov. 20, 2012 arhive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> Selections in today's lectionary include Habakkuk 3:1-18. Some years ago I composed words for a hymn based on verses 17-19 of this chapter. I am straying from my usual postings and substituting the hymn. The first three verses of my hymn parallel the last three verses of Habakkuk. I have added a fourth verse that summarizes what I tried to say in the other three. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> The scripture appears below, followed by the hymn words. Finally I am posting a thanksgiving sermon I preached that expanded upon the words of the hymn and concluded with singing it. For the tune I used St. Flavian (CM), familiar in <i>Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread</i> (p. 505 of the <i>Presbyterian Hymnal</i>).<o:p></o:p></p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #4472c4; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Habakkuk 3:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></i></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><sup>17</sup>Though the fig tree does not blossom,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> and no fruit is on the vines<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Though the produce of the olive fails<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> and the fields yield no food;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">though the flock is cut off from the fold<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> and there is no herd in the stalls,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><sup>18</sup>yet I will rejoice in the LORD;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> I will exult in the God of my salvation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><sup>19</sup>God, the Lord, is my strength;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> he makes my feet like the feet of the deer,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> and makes me tread upon the heights.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></h1><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bloom ©<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Ev’n though the fig tree does not bloom,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> And vines no fruit have borne;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Though produce of the olive fails<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> And fields bring forth no corn;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">And though the flock can’t reach the fold,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> No herd is in the stalls, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Yet I will in the Lord rejoice;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> Who saves, whate’er befalls.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">In God, the Lord, is all my strength;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> In him my soul delights;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">He makes my feet like feet of deer <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> To tread upon the heights.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">O God, whose love is steadfast though<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> Our way be dark and hard,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Still grant us grace to sing your praise;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> O, ever-gracious Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Elmer E. Ewing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Though the Fig Tree Does Not Blossom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Sermon preached at Owego Union Presbyterian Church, November 22, 2009<i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Habakkuk 3:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Natural disasters have been in the news. I heard on National Public Radio the definition of a natural disaster. An expert explained that in order for a hurricane, for example, to qualify as a natural disaster, there must have been human casualties. Someone had to be there. This reminded me of the old conundrum about a tree falling in the middle of a forest. If a tree falls in the middle of a forest, and there is no one there to hear it, does it make any sound? If a hurricane churns up in the middle of the ocean, and no one is present, is it a disaster? Today I want to add a third question: if God bestows a favor, and no one says thank you, was it a blessing?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” are the words of the Doxology. We shouldn’t find it difficult to praise God for the blessings that flow toward us. After all, we know what it is like to give a gift and receive no thank you for it. We know what it feels like if a child begs and pleads for a present, and we yield to the pleadings with a gift, and then the child does not bother to say thank you. It hurts, not only because we are entitled to gratitude, but also because it pains us to think that the child has not learned to be grateful. Lack of gratitude is a character defect. Then why do I so often forget to thank God for the mercies I receive? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"> Sometimes I wonder if we lack true gratitude because we have been spoiled by having too many material things, like a child overwhelmed with Christmas gifts. Habakkuk did not have this problem. Habakkuk was not overwhelmed with abundance. Instead of thanking God for an abundant harvest, how about praising God in spite of a total crop failure? Habakkuk did that. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">No figs on the trees, no grapes on the vines, no olives, no grain, no sheep, no herd—no food. Famine looming, dead ahead! Famine looming, death ahead! Even so, Habakkuk says that he will rejoice in the LORD, exult in the God of his salvation. That doesn’t sound sensible! Still, in today’s New Testament reading, Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Some 40 years ago an army chaplain named Merlin Carothers published several praise books. The books were based on our three verses from 1 Thessalonians and on similar instructions Paul gave in Philippians. Carothers advocated that we thank God for every situation that comes our way, good or bad. Thank you, God—Carothers taught people to pray—for the loss of my job…for my divorce…my illness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I read his books, and for a while I tried to thank God for the bad things in my life. Even though this was extremely difficult to do, I thought—and I still believe—there was some merit to the idea; but I’m not sure it was sound theology. When we thank God for the destruction wrought by a flood, or for the death of a loved one, or for our own suffering, maybe we are in effect blaming God for what God had no intention of causing. Habakkuk doesn’t say that God <u>made</u> the crops fail. He just said he would rejoice in God if the crops <u>did</u> fail. And Paul doesn’t say give thanks <u>for</u> all circumstances, but give thanks <u>in</u> all circumstances.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Did God cause the catastrophes the world has been enduring? The earthquake in Indonesia, drought and famine in the horn of Africa, typhoons and flooding in the Philippines? Did God cause the suffering from HIVAIDS and malaria? Or the carnage from war and terrorism—did God cause all that? Some say yes, to punish us for sin, to cause us to repent. We can find passages in the Bible that seem to support that view, and other passages that do not. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One of the religious leaders I most admired was the Rev. William Sloan Coffin, who died 3 1/2 years ago on Maundy Thursday. While senior minister at Riverside Church, Rev. Coffin lost his 24-year old son, Alex, who drowned in an automobile accident. Coffin did not blame God for the death of his son; rather, Coffin’s reaction was that God was crying too. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Ten days after he lost his son, Coffin preached a sermon on what had happened. “My own consolation,” said Coffin, “lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, God’s heart was the first of all hearts to break.” Coffin could praise God even when his son died because he was confident that God shared his grief. Coffin knew that God is compassionate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">That is the important part. Whether or not we believe that God predetermines our fate, whether or not we believe that God makes bad things happen to good people, we can still follow the examples of Habakkuk and Paul and Coffin. We praise God because God is good, and the goodness of God is not conditioned by whether we think our lives are going well. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Whatever the circumstances of our lives, we are called to praise God—even when calamity strikes. But to be able to praise God in bad times, we need to have practiced praising God in good times. If we praise God every day, praise becomes part of our spiritual DNA. Only then are we likely to be able to take the next step—the step that Habakkuk and Paul and Coffin took—praising God in the midst of disaster.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">To praise God in disaster is not lunacy or masochism or denial of reality; it is not groveling for mercy or challenging God to “bring it on.” It <u>is</u> an expression of our trust that God is compassionate—one who suffers with us in our suffering and one who wants the best for us. It is at the same time an expression of our confidence that—though it may be a paradox beyond our power to comprehend—God is in control.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Where do we find the strength? Habakkuk says, “God the LORD is my strength.” Then he launches into an odd simile: “God makes my feet like the feet of the deer, and makes me tread upon the heights.” These lines about deer feet treading upon the heights are borrowed from a victory song attributed to King David. David used the image as he sang praise to God for help against King Saul. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Habakkuk went a step farther than David did. Habakkuk was able to tread upon the heights because God gave him the strength not just to conquer his enemy, but the strength to be thankful even in the face of disaster—crop failure and famine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The deer of their songs is a roe deer, a little cousin of the whitetail deer that has become a pest in our gardens and a hazard on our highways. My wife hit a deer just as she was about to turn into our driveway--$4000, it cost the insurance company to fix her car; but you know, I have to admire the deer that run <u>behind</u> our house. We have a deep gully there, and I can’t get over how sure-footed the deer are when they scramble up the banks. The little roe deer in Palestine are even more nimble, more agile, and more graceful than our whitetail deer. As the roe deer has nimble feet to escape the hunter, so God made David nimble to escape his enemies. The deer bounds up the mountainside, up to where it can survey the danger below. Up in the heights, it can walk secure. We can imagine a sense of triumph, even majesty, associated with the high ground. David, and after him Habakkuk, say that God will make our feet like feet of the deer to tread upon the heights.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">There may not be high places near us like the heights around Jerusalem, but in our mind’s eye we can see them. We may lack the time or the physical ability to hike mountains, but God will give us the ability to tread upon the spiritual heights. God makes the feet of our minds, our spiritual feet, like feet of the agile little roe deer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Trapped down in the valley, the valley of humdrum, of worry, of sorrow, the valley of pain and loss, we need the chance mentally and spiritually to tread upon the heights. God gives us strength to do that in our imaginations, even if we cannot walk there physically. Ruminate on that. God will take our awkward spiritual feet — clodhoppers though they may be—and make them like feet of roe deer, nimbly to dance from rock to pinnacle and from pinnacle to summit. Way up there at the summit, we praise God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">William Sloane Coffin did not die suddenly. His was a protracted, debilitating illness; but I think God made his feet like feet of deer to tread upon the heights. In reflecting upon the end of his life, Coffin closed one of his last books with this sentence:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i>For the compassions that fail not, I find myself saying daily to my loving Maker, “I can no other answer make than thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">There the sermon ends, except for a postscript. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The last line of the Habakkuk passage is an inscription, <i>“To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments,”</i> clear evidence that this was a psalm, intended to be sung. When I read the verses out loud several years ago, they almost sang themselves, and I paraphrased the words in the form of a poem. Then I found a hymn tune that fit the meter. I’ve been singing the resulting hymn to myself on a fairly regular basis. When I am discouraged or depressed, when things have gone badly, when I am anxious or worried, I find comfort and strength in the singing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Maybe you, too, will find the rhymed paraphrase helpful. It is printed on the bulletin insert. I would like to sing the hymn while you read the words; then I will ask Joan to play the tune through once, and we will stand to sing it together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-48408769006321563672022-09-26T23:45:00.001-04:002022-09-26T23:45:00.283-04:00 Separated, Not Alone--Sept. 27, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Oct. 3, 2006 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">The fear of you before our eyes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">purge from our hearts all wicked thoughts;</div><div style="text-align: center;">transgression's voice that speaks to us</div><div style="text-align: center;">in cynical and doubting tone</div><div style="text-align: center;">from deep within our hearts remove,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and make us cling to you alone.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">And if the fear be too severe,</div><div style="text-align: center;">remind us of your covenant</div><div style="text-align: center;">with animals and flying birds</div><div style="text-align: center;">and creatures creeping on the ground;</div><div style="text-align: center;">abolish bow and sword and war,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that safely we may all lie down,</div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">or kneel together on the beach</div><div style="text-align: center;">to pray our prayers with ones we love;</div><div style="text-align: center;">then say farewell and board our ship,</div><div style="text-align: center;">separated, not alone--for you are near</div><div style="text-align: center;">to see us all our journey through,</div><div style="text-align: center;">whom in our hearts we trust and fear.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Hosea 2:16-23<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 21:1-14<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Luke 5:12-26<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 36:1<br /></i>Transgression speaks to the wicked <br /> deep in their hearts; <br />there is no fear of God <br /> before their eyes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Hosea 2:18<br /></i>I will make for you a covenant on that day with the wild animals, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 21:5b-6<br /></i>There [outside Tyre] we knelt down on the beach and prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we [Paul and companions] went on board the ship, and they [disciples and their families from Tyre] returned home.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Luke 5:22<br /></i>When Jesus perceived [the questionings of the scribes and Pharisees], he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? ..."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-38259719000930514712022-08-17T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-17T23:45:00.247-04:00 We Do Not Wait in Vain--Aug. 18, 2022<p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Friends, </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Since 2005 I have tried to post every day on this blog. If something unexpected caused me to miss a day or two, I would do my best to post even if late, and if I knew I was going to be away from my computer, I posted in advance with a setting that would cause the posting to take place “on time.” I am sorry that I will need to deviate from this routine.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i>On August 18, 2022, I am scheduled to have a hip replacement, necessary because last May’s insertion of three screws to repair a fracture in the femoral neck failed to do the job. I do not know when I will feel able to restart my postings, nor do I have time to post in advance, but I suspect that a week or more may elapse. Meanwhile I will be grateful for your prayers and for your patience. [Perhaps it is appropriate that my post for today is about waiting. It is from the archive for Aug. 20, 2020.]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">It is dark.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are waiting.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are waiting for you.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are not waiting for bad news;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">too much bad news has come already. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We wait for someone to sit beside us,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to comfort us, to help us understand.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">O loving God, may we be strong, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">may our hearts take courage.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">When we wait for you,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">we do not wait<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in vain.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Job 1:1-22 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 8:26-40<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 6:16-27<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 27:14<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Wait for the LORD;<br /> be strong, and let your heart take courage;<br /> wait for the LORD!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Job 1:19<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.” [A messenger, to Job]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 8:30-31<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">So Philip ran up to [the chariot] and heard [an Ethiopian court official] reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 6:16b<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to [his disciples]. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-10730268849930096012022-08-16T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-16T23:45:00.273-04:00Gladness That Silver Cannot Buy--Aug. 17, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 21, 2018 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">When we think we have lost everything, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">that we have nothing left, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">remind us, dear God, of the child's lunch<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">with which you fed a multitude.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Gracious God, put gladness in our hearts,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">gladness that silver cannot buy.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 18:16-31<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 8:14-25<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 6:1-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 4:7<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">You have put gladness in my heart <br /> more than when their grain and wine abound.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 18:24a<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">[Micah] replied [to the Danites, “You take my gods that I made, and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 8:20<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But Peter said to [Simon], “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money! …”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 6:8-9<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to [Jesus], “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-63128933252297044792022-08-15T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-15T23:45:00.265-04:00Until You Have Mercy Upon Them--Aug. 16, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 22, 2006 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The world is full of suffering,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">people whose eyes look to you,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">until you have mercy upon them.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">And the world is full of brutal people,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">people who suppose you support them<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">as they attack the innocent and unsuspecting.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">It is not new, this persecution by the self-righteous,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">who view it their God-appointed privilege to eradicate<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">all who differ from them and then to appropriate their land.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">It is not new,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">not to have<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> your love in us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 18:1-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 8:1-13<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 5:30-47<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 123:2 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">As the eyes of servants <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> look to the hand of their master,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">as the eyes of a maid<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> to the hand of her mistress,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">so our eyes look to the LORD our God,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> until he has mercy upon us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 18:10 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people. The land is broad—God has indeed given it into your hands—a place where there is no lack of anything on earth.” [Five spies report about Laish to the Danite tribe, urging its capture.] <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 8:1b <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 5:42 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. … ” [Jesus, to the authorities]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-2961828014601453492022-08-14T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-14T23:45:00.271-04:00You Only Want Our Lives--Aug. 15, 2022 <p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 15, 2016 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Truly you astonish us, Lord Jesus; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">you astonish us, and your works astonish us. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We rejoice in you and give thanks to your holy name. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Forgive us when we try to manipulate you <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">by indulging in pious acts and ritual, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">when all you want us to do is <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to give you our lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 135; 145; 97; 112<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 17:1-13<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 7:44-8:1a<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 5:19-29<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 97:12 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, <br /> and give thanks to his holy name! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 17:13 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, because the Levite has become my priest.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 7:59 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 5:20 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. …” [Jesus, to his disciples]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-54211509983760796092022-08-13T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-13T23:45:00.247-04:00The Power of Weakness--Aug. 14, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug.20, 2006 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Your power, O God—<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">sometimes known by its loss,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">sometimes shown by weakness,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">sometimes grown stronger in death.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Grant us power to listen to you<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and to walk in your ways,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">even if in weakness.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 16:15-31<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">2 Corr. 13:1-11<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Mark 5:25-34<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 81:13<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">O that my people would listen to me,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> that Israel would walk in my ways.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 16:30c<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">So those [Samson] killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>2 Cor. 13:4a<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">For [Christ] was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Mark 5:30<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-13516949154575656772022-08-12T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-12T23:45:00.226-04:00The Secret of Our Strength--Aug. 13, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 18, 2018 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God, you are our shield and our strength; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">you take pleasure in your people<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and adorn the humble <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">with victory. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">When we yearn for pleasures of the past,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">when in our hearts we turn away,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">unwilling to obey, and turn<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">our backs on you,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">then we forget the secret of our strength;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">but when we open our hearts to you<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and do your work, then you <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">will be working in us. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 16:1-14<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 7:30-43<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 5:1-18<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 104:4<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; <br /> he adorns the humble with victory. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 16:9<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">While men were lying in wait in an inner chamber, [Delilah] said to [Samson], “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he snapped the bowstrings, as a strand of fiber snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 7:39<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…Our ancestors were unwilling to obey [Moses]; instead, they pushed him aside, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt…” [Stephen, to his persecutors]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 5:17<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But Jesus answered [those who criticized him for working on the Sabbath], “My Father is still working, and I also am working.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-14711284561574242902022-08-11T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-11T23:45:00.246-04:00 Reasons to Plead for Mercy--Aug. 12, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 12, 2016 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i> </i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God of steadfast love, there are many reasons <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">I might kneel to plead for your mercy: <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">a loved one is sick or even dying; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">or my intentions were good, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">but then the outcome was not, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and so I ask for your forgiveness; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">yet my greatest need to kneel is when, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">having supposed myself to be blameless, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">my self-righteousness has led to vengeance. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God of compassion, blot out my transgressions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 14:20-15:20<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 7:17-29<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 4:43-54<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 51:1 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Have mercy on me, O God, <br /> according to your steadfast love; <br />according to your abundant mercy <br /> blot out my transgressions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 15:3 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Samson said to [his wife's father and family], “This time, when I do mischief to the Philistines, I will be without blame.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 7:24-25 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…When [Moses] saw one of [the Israelites] being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. <sup> </sup>He supposed that his kinsfolk would understand that God through him was rescuing them, but they did not understand. …”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 4:49-50a <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The [royal] official said to [Jesus], “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” <sup> </sup>Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-27322061496273001222022-08-10T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-10T23:45:00.318-04:00Justice for Men; Injustice for Women--Aug. 11, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 11, 2016 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">For me, the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">I am a man; I have a goodly heritage. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">For my sisters in the faith, the places are not as pleasant. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Jesus' disciples were astonished that he <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">spoke to a woman. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Stephen addressed his defense to brothers and fathers; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">women were not allowed. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Samson liked the looks of a Philistine woman <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and asked his father to get her for him, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">as a child might ask for a toy.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 97; 147:12-20; 16; 62<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 14:1-19<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 6:15-7:16<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 4:27-42<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 16:6 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; <br /> I have a goodly heritage. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 14:3 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But [Samson's] father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among your kin, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, because she pleases me.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 7:1-2a <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then the high priest asked [Stephen], “Are these things so?” <sup> </sup>And Stephen replied:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“Brothers and fathers, listen to me. …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 4:27 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-22198086902899293982022-08-09T21:08:00.000-04:002022-08-10T23:09:48.427-04:00Even the Young Ravens, When They Cry--Aug. 10, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 10, 2016 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Beneficent God, you know <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">our need for food and water. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">You give to the animals their food, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> and to the young ravens when they cry.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Manoah offered food to your messenger, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and when thirsty, Jesus asked for water. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Forgive us when we neglect to nourish <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">the hungry and attend to the thirsty, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">especially the children, whether <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">near us or far away. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 13:15-24<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 6:1-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 4:1-26<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 147:9 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">[The LORD] gives to the animals their food, <br /> and to the young ravens when they cry. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 13:15 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “Allow us to detain you, and prepare a kid for you.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 6:1 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 4:7-8 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” <sup> </sup>(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></center></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-75250112140475080232022-08-08T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-08T23:45:00.599-04:00Our Soul Longs for You--Aug. 9, 2022 <p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 15, 2006 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Our soul longs for you, O God;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">as a deer longs for flowing streams,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">so our soul longs for you.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are of the earth, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">our thoughts are of the earth;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">we belong to the earth <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and speak about earthly things.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Tell us of heavenly things.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We do not ask where you come from;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">we do not inquire as to your name,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">but we would listen to your words.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">And if we do not like what we hear from you,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">grant us grace not to fight against it,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">for no one can overthrow your will.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 13:1-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 5:27-42<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:22-36<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 42:1<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">As a deer longs for flowing streams,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> so my soul longs for you, O God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg.13:6-7a<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then the [wife of Manoah] came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, most awe-inspiring; I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name, but he said to me, ‘You shall conceive and bear a son. …’ …”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 5:39<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…but if [this plan] is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” [Gamaliel, to the council]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 3:31<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-72415554230430041962022-08-07T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-07T23:45:00.291-04:00 Earthly Things, Heavenly Things--Aug. 8, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 13, 2012 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">How can we understand heavenly things <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">if we do not share your concern for earthly things?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Give us courage to take our lives in our hands, and<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">open the doors of our self-made prisons--free us <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to give justice to the weak and the orphan, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to maintain the right of the lowly and <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">destitute, and to rescue the needy <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">from the hand of the wicked.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 12:1-7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 5:12-26<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:1-21<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 82:3-4<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“… Give justice to the weak and the orphan; <br /> maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Rescue the weak and the needy; <br /> deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> [God, to the divine council]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 12:3<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…When I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hand, and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into my hand. …” [Jephthah to the men of Ephraim]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 5:19-20<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought [the apostles] out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:12<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? …” [Jesus, to Nicodemus]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-36175769635505294782022-08-07T00:07:00.000-04:002022-08-07T00:07:09.832-04:00 A Prayer for the Perishing--Aug. 7, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 9, 2020 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God, you know how we were made;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">you know how we neglect you<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">until we are in trouble,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">then run to you.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Jesus, you became weak<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to join the weak in suffering;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">you defended those who stumbled,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and Jesus, you cared for the perishing.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Now the whole world is in trouble,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">most of all, the poor and weak<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">are perishing of pandemic,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">starvation, and war. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God have mercy, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Christ have mercy, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">on all who suffer<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and die.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 11:1-11, 29-40<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">2 Cor. 11:21b-31<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Mark 4:35-41<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 103:14<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">For [the LORD] knows how we were made;<br /> he remembers that we are dust.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 11:7<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Are you not the very ones who rejected me and drove me out of my father's house? So why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>2 Cor. 11:29<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Mark 4:37-38<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-21949096006897039942022-08-05T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-05T23:45:00.270-04:00For A Sign of Compassion--Aug. 6, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 9, 2014 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">O God, my God, I seek you;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">my soul thirsts for a sign of compassion<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">for those who are in the dry and weary land of war.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">You know all people and what is in everyone.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Is there an evil spirit at work that makes us<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">deal with savage cruelty to one another?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Has Satan filled our hearts with evil?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Come bring your healing peace.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 63; 49; 125; 90<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 9:22-25, 50-57<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 4:32-5:11<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 2:13-25<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 63:1 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">O God, you are my God, I seek you, <br /> my soul thirsts for you; <br />my flesh faints for you, <br /> as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 9:23 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 5:3 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? …”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 2:24-25 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-23752686458261048772022-08-04T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-04T23:45:00.254-04:00Humble and Bold--Aug. 5, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 8, 2014 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">O God, make us humble, for only when we are <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">humble will you lead us in what is right, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">only then will you teach us your way. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">If we have learned your way, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">make us bold to speak your Word, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">like Jotham, the apostles, and Mary. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 9:1-16, 19-21<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 4:13-31<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 2:1-12<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 25:9 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">[The LORD] leads the humble in what is right, <br /> and teaches the humble his way. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 9:7 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">When [Abimelech's slaughter of his 70 brothers] was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to [the lords who had made Abimelech king], “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 4:29 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…And now, Lord, look at [the threats of the ones who killed Jesus], and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness…” [The friends of Peter and John, praying] <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 2:3 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-22975017657735343992022-08-03T23:51:00.000-04:002022-08-03T23:51:06.610-04:00 Who Could Stand?--Aug. 4, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 7, 2008 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are quick to condemn,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">eager to mark iniquities—<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">as Nathanael was ready to condemn <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">all who came from Nazareth,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">as the Council was ready to condemn <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Peter and John for healing—<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">but who has not taken a precious thing <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and from it created a snare?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">If you should mark iniquities, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Lord, who could stand?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 8:22-35<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 4:1-12<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:43-51<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 130:3<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> Lord, who could stand?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 8:27<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Gideon made an ephod of [the gold] and put it in his town, in Ophrah; and all Israel prostituted themselves to it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 4:9<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed…” [Peter before the Council]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 1:46<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Nathanael said to [Philip], “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-30685353016925836142022-08-02T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-02T23:45:00.274-04:00Comparisons Do Not Matter--Aug. 3, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 8, 2012 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">We are made strong by faith in you; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and when we are strong, it does not matter <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">how our achievements compare with another's. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">John the Baptist praised Jesus and thereby lost <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">two disciples to him, but John did not care. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">What matters is to bless your name. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 7:19-8:12<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 3:12-26<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:29-42<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judges 7:19-8:12 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 3:12-26 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:29-42 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 134:2 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Lift up your hands to the holy place, <br /> and bless the LORD.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 8:2 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">So [Gideon] said to [the complaining Ephraimites], “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 3:16 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…And by faith in [Jesus'] name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. …” [Peter, to the crowd amazed by the healing]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 1:35-37<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” <sup> </sup>The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-51129342379152750942022-08-01T23:45:00.001-04:002022-08-01T23:45:00.273-04:00 Sifting Out My Questions--Aug. 2, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 4, 2020 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Who am I?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Who recognizes me?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">What do I say about myself?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Do I make great boasts?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Are my lips my own?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Who is my master?<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Lord, if you are my Master, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">all the other questions<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">are answered.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 7:1-18<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 3:1-11<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:19-28<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 12:3-4<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,<br /> the tongue that makes great boasts,<br />those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;<br /> our lips are our own — who is our master?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 7:3b<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Thus Gideon sifted [the troops] out; twenty-two thousand returned, and ten thousand remained.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 3:9-10<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">All the people saw [the man lame from birth] walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 1:22<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then [the priests and Levites] said to [John], “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-6720709628661358682022-07-31T23:45:00.001-04:002022-07-31T23:45:00.247-04:00 My Soul Waits, for God Alone--Aug. 1, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 4, 2014 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Holy God, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in silence my soul <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">waits for you, for you alone. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">It does not wait to test you, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">nor for wonders and signs, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">but only for your light <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to shine in my <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">darkness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 6:25-40<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 2:37-47<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:1-18<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 62:1 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">For God alone my soul waits in silence;<br /> from him comes my salvation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 6:36-37 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then Gideon said to God, “In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 2:43 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>John 1:5 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-91137710744179916332022-07-30T23:45:00.001-04:002022-07-30T23:45:00.249-04:00 Without Restraint--July 31, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 3, 2014 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Awake my soul, for God is with us; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">let my heart be steadfast, as God is steadfast.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God is able to provide every blessing in abundance, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">so that we may be able abundantly to share <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in every good work. Lord Jesus, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">no one could restrain you; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">may we find no restraint <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in serving you. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 6:1-24<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">2 Cor. 9:6-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Mark 3:20-30<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 108:1 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; <br /> I will sing and make melody. <br /> Awake, my soul! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 6:13a <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Gideon answered him, “But sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>2 Cor. 9:8 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Mark 3:21a <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">When [Jesus'] family heard it, they went out to restrain him…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-68398473236209637682022-07-29T23:45:00.001-04:002022-07-29T23:45:00.250-04:00 March On, My Soul--July 30, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 2, 2008 archive]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on, my soul, with might.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on to the new Jerusalem,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">where the tribes of the Lord go up,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to give thanks to the name of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on, and let the torrent sweep away<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">every enemy, every temptation or sin<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">that would get in the way of the journey.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on to follow Jesus of Nazareth,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">whose deeds of power, wonders, and signs<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">attest to the authority by which he calls.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on to the mountain in Galilee,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">where the risen Jesus charged his disciples<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to remember that he is with them always.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">March on, my soul, with might.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 5:19-31<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 2:22-36<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Matt. 28:11-20<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps.122:4<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">To [Jerusalem] the tribes go up,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> the tribes of the LORD,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">as was decreed for Israel,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> to give thanks to the name of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 5:21<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The torrent Kishon swept them away,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> March on, my soul, with might!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 2:22<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know…” [Peter addressing the crowd on Pentecost]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Matt. 28:20b<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [The risen Jesus, to his eleven disciples]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-77514619669805690082022-07-28T23:45:00.003-04:002022-07-28T23:45:00.266-04:00When Our Soul Is Full of Troubles--July 29, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From July 30, 2010 archive;</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>adapted from my journal of July 30, 2004]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">When our soul is full of troubles<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and our life draws near to Sheol,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">recall to us your promises<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and your saving acts;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">then take away our fear,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">that willingly we may<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">offer ourselves to you<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and bless your name.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Pour out your Spirit upon us;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">remind us we are not too old<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">to dream dreams, any more than<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">we are too young to see visions.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Forbid that we should look<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">for the living among the dead;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and teach us to worship you,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">O Christ, our risen Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 5:1-18<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 2:1-21<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Matt. 28:1-10<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 88:3<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">For my soul is full of troubles, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> and my life draws near to Sheol.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 5:2<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“When locks are long in Israel,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> when the people offer themselves willingly—<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> bless the LORD! … ” [The Song of Deborah and Barak]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 2:17<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">“…‘In the last days it will be, God declares,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">and your young men shall see visions,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> and your old men shall dream dreams. … ’ ” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">[Peter, quoting Joel]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Matt. 28:5-6<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. … ”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-82742669048383800612022-07-27T23:45:00.001-04:002022-07-27T23:45:00.255-04:00What Men May Be Overdue in Praying--July 28, 2022<p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[From Aug. 2, 2018 archive]</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Hear our prayer, O God.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">You know everyone's heart;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in your faithfulness, listen to us;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">in your righteousness, answer us,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">even if your answer is neither what <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">we expect nor what we desire to hear, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">and even if the glory is to another,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">even if that other is a woman, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">for women were faithful <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">followers of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 4:4-23<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 1:15-26<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Matt. 27:55-66<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 143:1<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Hear my prayer, O LORD; <br /> give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness; <br /> answer me in your righteousness. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judges 4:8-9a<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Barak said to [Deborah], “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 1:24-25<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Then [the believers] prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Matt. 27:55, 59-61<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Many women were also there [at the crucifixion], looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. … So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824002910123351601.post-40281866584487440572022-07-26T23:54:00.004-04:002022-07-26T23:54:46.125-04:00 The Hope of Earth and Sea--July 27, 2022<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>[Adapted from my journal of July 28, 2004]<o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">O you who answer our prayers with deliverance, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">darkness has come over the whole world; <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">with awesome deeds, deliver us. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">God of our salvation, the hope of earth and sea,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">come to us with your saving power, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">establish our hopes anew.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Teach us to wait for what you have promised;<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">subdue the pandemic, feed the starving, <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">that suffering peoples may rest.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Lectionary Readings</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Judg. 3:12-30<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 1:1-14<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Matt. 27:45-54<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Selected Verses <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Ps. 65:5<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> O God of our salvation;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">You are the hope of all the ends of the earth<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> and of the highest seas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Judg. 3:30<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Acts 1:4<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">While staying with them, [the risen Jesus]s ordered [the apostles] not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>Matt. 27:45<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="Style1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Elmer E. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601870104118149054noreply@blogger.com0