I Kings 3 – 4, II Chronicles 2 and Psalm 72 and Incredible Floral Flag

I Kings 3 – 4, II Chronicles 2 and Psalm 72

I Kings 3 - 4 continues the story of Solomon, son of David. We see that Solomon probably solidified a pact with Egypt by marrying a daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. She lives in the City of David with Solomon until he finishes building his palace and the Temple of the Lord. We learn that Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of David, except that Solomon offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship like the rest of the people of Israel since there was no temple for this purpose.

After Solomon sacrificed 1000 burnt offerings in Gibeon, the Lord appears to him in a dream. There is nothing to indicate the burnt offerings had anything to do with the Lord appearing to him in a dream asking Solomon what he wanted and promising him He would give it to him.

Solomon must have felt like Aladdin when he found the magic lamp, but he what does he ask for? An understanding heart so he can govern God’s people well and know the difference between right and wrong. God was impressed that Solomon did not ask for long life or wealth or the death of his enemies and told Solomon he would give him what he asked for and also he did not ask for: riches and fame. He also says he will give Solomon a long life if he follows him and obeys his decrees and commands.

Not only does God promise Solomon wisdom and give it to him, He also makes it clear to the people that he has the wisdom he needs for rendering justice. The story of Solomon’s wise decision as to who should get the child was the perfect way to show this.

Wasn’t that an incredible list of officials and governors who worked for Solomon. He apparently had no problem with delegation. He also had no problem with a little nepotism. Two of his district governors were married to Solomon’s daughters, Taphath and Basemath.

I’m a little puzzled by Psalm 72. It’s labeled “a psalm of Solomon,” but verse 20 says “(This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.)” Perhaps it was aprayer of David for Solomon; the first verse says “Give your justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.” Does the “king” mentioned here refer to David and the “king’s son” to Solomon?

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 119:89-176.

The Incredible Floral Flag

Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB. Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide. This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants, with 4 -5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers. For our soldiers.....   When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen. There is nothing attached..... Just send this to all the people in your address book. Do not stop the wheel, please. "In God We Trust"

Until next time…

Psalm 119:1 – 88

With 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the whole Bible. Today we will be reading the first 88 verses. This Psalm is divided into 22 stanzas (with eight verses in each stanza), one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, Vau, Zayin, Cheth, Caph, Lamed, Samech, Ain, Pe, Tzaddi, Koph, Resh, Shin, and Tau. Each of the eight verses (in Hebrew) in the stanza begins with the Hebrew letter for which it is named. This was written in this way to encourage people to memorize it. Since we are not learning it in Hebrew, I guess we have to do it the old-fashioned way.

This Psalm celebrates God’s word:

Verse	God’s Word Expressed As:
Aleph 1	The instructions of the Lord
2	His laws
3	His paths
4	Your commandments
5	Your decrees
6	Your commands
7	Your righteous regulations
8	Your decrees
Beth 9	Your word
10	Your commands
11	Your word
12	Your decrees
13	All the regulations you have given us
14	Your laws
15	Your commandments; Your ways
16	Your decrees; Your word
Gimel 17	Your word
18	Your instructions
19	Your commands
20	Your regulations
21	Your commandments
22	Your laws
23	Your decrees
24	Your laws
Daleth 25	Your word
26	Your decrees
27	Your commandments; Your wonderful deeds
28	Your word
29	Your instructions
30	Your regulations
31	Your laws
32	Your commands
He 33	Your decrees
34	Your instructions
35	Your commands
36	Your laws
37	Your word
38	Your promise
39	Your regulations
40	Your commandments
Waw 41	Your unfailing love
42	Your word
43	Your word of truth; Your regulations
44	Your instructions
45	Your commandments
46	Your laws
47	Your commands
48	Your commands; Your decrees
Zayin 49	Your promise
50	Your promise
51	Your instructions
52	Your age-old regulations
53	Your instructions
54	Your decrees
55	Your instructions
56	Your commandments
Heth 57	Your words
58	Your blessings
59	Your laws
60	Your commands
61	Your instructions
62	Your regulations
63	Your commandments
64	Your decrees
Teth 65	You promised
66	Your commands
67	Your word
68	Your decrees
69	Your commandments
70	Your instructions
71	Your decrees
72	Your instructions
Yodh 73	Your commands
74	Your word
75	Your regulations
76	You promised
77	Your instructions
78	Your commandments
79	Your laws
80	Your decrees
Kaph 81	Your word
82	Your promises
83	Your decree
85	Your instructions
86	All your commands
87	Your commandments
88	Your laws

Isn’t that something? Would you have realized how many references to God’s Word were here without this chart? Every single verse except verse 84 references God’s word in one way or another. I won’t continue this for the last 88 verses, but wanted to graphically demonstrate what this chapter is about.

Psalm 119 is one of my favorites. Within these verses are prayers and praise, wisdom and joy, blessings and reflections. Take a moment to go down through these 88 verses and jot down how you will be blessed by following, obeying, walking in, keeping, reflecting, living, rejoicing in, teaching, remembering meditating on, being revived by God’s word. How about when we hide God’s word in our heart – so we might not sin against Him. It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?

Tomorrow, it’s I Kings 3 – 4, II Chronicles 2 and Psalm 72.

Until next time…

For 5/28/2012 -- Psalm 111 – 118 and North Platte, NE

My cousin Richard told me that I had missed my blog on 5/28/2012. I had done it, but apparently never posted it. So, here it is. Sorry about that.

Psalm 111 - 118

If I had to give a title to Psalm 111, it would be “Absolutes.” So many of the words used in this Psalm deal with absolutes:

• I will thank the Lord with all my heart
• All who delight in him should ponder them (the deeds of the Lord)
• Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty
• His righteousness never fails
• He always remembers his covenant
• All he does is just and good
• All his commandments are trustworthy
• They (his commandments) are forever true
• He has paid a full ransom for his people
• He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever
• All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom
• Praise him forever

Psalm 112, on the other hand, describes those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands:

• They are joyful
• Their children will be successful everywhere
• They themselves will be wealthy
• Their good deed will last forever
• Light shines in the darkness for them
• They are generous, compassionate, and righteous
• They will not be overcome by evil
• They will be long remembered
• They do not fear bad news
• They confidently trust in the Lord to care for them
• They are confident and fearless
• They can face their foes triumphantly
• They share freely and give generously to those in need
• Their good deeds will be remembered forever
• They will have influence and honor
• The wicked will be infuriated

The theme of Psalm 113 can be found in verse 3: “Everywhere – from east to west – praise the name of the Lord.”

I loved the picture pained by Psalm 114 where the Red Sea and the Jordan River saw the Israelites coming and hurried out of the way – imagine a sea or a river hurrying out of the way – and the mountains skipping like rams.

Psalm 115 once again references God’s unfailing love and faithfulness and then goes on to compare the one true God to those idols shaped by human hands that others worship. Three times the Psalmist repeats the phrase: “He (The Lord) is your helper and your shield.” Praise the Lord for this.

Didn’t you love the picture the Psalmist painted in Psalm 116 of the Lord bending down to listen. We should delight in prayer; God listens to us. He is so intent in hearing us, he bends down to listen as an adult would to a child. We should, indeed, offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.

Though only two short verses, Psalm 117 reminds of that God loves us with unfailing love and his faithfulness endures forever.

Psalm 118 is wrapped in the words of the first and last verses: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. We are reminded that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people or princes. Three of the forty or so references to the “strong right arm of the Lord” are found in this Psalm. This reference to God’s power and strength should remind us that it is God who gives the victory and not we ourselves. Truly, let us “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

Tomorrow, it’s I Kings 1 – 2 and Psalm 37, 71, and 94. (please remember this is what we are reading on 5/29/2012.)

North Platte, Nebraska

The following video is incredible:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=07DGeLvDw8I

Until next time…

I Kings 1 – 2 and Psalm 37, 71, and 94 and Men in Bllack 3

I Kings 1 – 2 and Psalm 37, 71, and 94

I Kings 1 – 2 detail how Solomon came to have the kingdom firmly in his grip. While David was still alive, but very weak, David’s second son, Adonijah, decided that he should be king. He gather together a bunch of chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him, probably with the intention to make himself appear important. Several members of David’s staff sided with him; a number of others supported Solomon, whom David had said would be his successor.

Supporters of Adonijah were Joab son of Zeruiah, Abiathar the priest and possibly, Adonijah’s brothers. Supporters of Solomon were Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei and David’s personal bodyguard.

Nathan the prophet persuaded Bathsheba (mother of Solomon) to contact David and let him know what is happening. While Bathsheba was talking with David, Nathan came in and confirmed this. David acted swiftly and called Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada and arranged a public anointing of Solomon in Jerusalem, including having Solomon go to the ceremony on David’s own mule. This celebration interrupted a party Adonijah was holding and , when they found out what was happening, his guests left in a panic.

After Solomon’s anointing, David gave him some final instructions that Solomon took to heart, most important of which was “Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways, . Keep the decrees, commands, regulations and laws written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”

David also used this conversation to take care of some people who had not treated him well. Solomon responded to these requests very cleverly.

Of the three Psalms we read today, I was most struck by the “life” advice given in Psalm 37:3-7, which says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 119:1 – 88.

Men in Black 3

Today, I got to see Men in Black 3. It is a great movie – lots of excitement, horrible aliens, and insight into the back story of the Men in Black series. If you get a chance, please see it.

Until next time…

I Chronicles 26 – 29 and Psalm 127

I Chronicles 26 deals with the gatekeepers, who they were and what gates they were responsible for. The treasurers were also notated here. Didn’t the Israelites keep detail records of who was responsible for what?

In I Chronicles 27 we learn that there were 12 divisions of 24,000 troops who were responsible for serving a one month period each year. Tribal leaders are also named in this chapter. Did you notice that the tribe of Manasseh had two leaders, one for the half tribe located west of the Jordan and one for the half tribe located east of the Jordan. We also learn that the census David ordered that brought a plague to the land was never completed because the anger of God fell on Israel. This chapter goes into amazing detail about officials in charge of various aspects of the property of the king and the kingdom. Evne the person in charge of teaching the king’s sons is named.

It is obvious from I Chronicles 28 and 29 that David was well-prepared to turn the kingdom over to Solomon and provided what Solomon would need to buikl the temple. We also learn that David was not allowed to build the temple because he was a warrior and had a lot of blood on his hands. He makes it clear to the people that Solomon is his choice of successor and hands the throne over to him before he dies, no doubt hoping to make sure Solomon is accepted as king.

David also has some great advice for Solomon, telling him to be strong and courageous and do the work. He assures him that the Lord is with him and that God will not fail him or forsake him. The enormity of David’s offering of gold, etc. and what the people gave is incredible. He prays for Solomon and calls on the assembly to praise the Lord their God.

What a lot of blood was spilled the next day as 1000 bulls, 1000 rams and 1000 male lambs were sacrificed as burnt offerings to the Lord in honor of naming Solomon king.

I just love that we are told David “reigned for forty years and died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor.” And did you note that events of David’s reign were also written in the Record of Samuel the Seer, the Record of Nathan the Prophet, and the Record of Gad the Seer? We can and have read the book of Samuel, but wouldn’t you like to read the books of Nathan and Gad?

In these chapters, we learned about plans for building the Temple and the gatekeepers for that city and the divisions that were to guard it. Psalm 127 gives good advice: “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding with sentries will do no good.”

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 111 - 118.

Until next time…

Psalm 131, 138, 139, 143, and 145 and A Checkbook Cover

Psalm 131, 138, 139, 143, and 145

Verse 3 of Psalm 131 gives some excellent advice to Israel and to the rest of us: “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord – now and always.

In Psalm 138, we are once again reminded of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Did you notice that God’s promises are backed up by the honor of God’s name? What better backing could you get than that? It’s better than FDIC backing up your bank account.

Did you not the contrast in verse 6 where we are told, “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” In reality, we may as well be humble since we ourselves have done nothing of which we can be proud. How wonderful that God’s faithful love endures forever.

Do you think God doesn’t pay attention to you? Psalm 139 will quickly disabuse you of that. God knows what’s inside of us because he examines our hearts. He keeps track of what we are doing – of when we sit down and when we stand up. He even knows our thoughts. He watches us wherever we are – when we travel and when we rest at home. Not only does he know everything we do, but every word before we say it. He not only goes before us, but also follows us. It doesn’t matter where we go – he is there. Anywhere we go, his hand will guide us and his strength will support us.

And, it doesn’t matter if it is dark or light; we cannot hide from God.

If you ever had any thought that abortion might be okay, Psalm 139:13-16 should make you think twice: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” God is involved in our lives from the time we are conceived. Can you imagine how many people will have to answer for ripping out God’s workmanship?

Psalm 139:23 - 24 contains words we should be constantly praying: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalm 143 once again shows David’s reliance on God’s unfailing love, faithfulness and righteousness. He was not afraid to lay before the Lord his insecurities, his depression, his hopes and his fears.

Psalm 145 shows that it was easy for David to praise the Lord; he just rehearsed God’s goodness and all that he does for us:

• God is great
• He is worthy of praise
• He is so great it can’t be measured
• His majestic, glorious splendor and wonderful miracles
• His awe-inspiring deeds
• His wonderful goodness
• His righteousness
• His mercy and compassion
• He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love
• He is good to everyone
• He showers compassion on all his creation
• His kingdom is glorious
• His kingdom is everlasting
• He rules throughout all generations
• He ALWAYS keeps his promises
• He is gracious in all he does
• He helps the fallen
• He lifts those bent beneath their loads
• He gives us food as we need it
• He satisfies the hunger and thirst of every living thing
• He is righteous in everything he does
• He is filled with kindness
• He is close to all who call on him
• He grants the desires of those who fear him
• He hears their cries for help and rescues them
• He protects all those who love him
• He destroys the wicked

By the time you get done rehearsing the evidence of the goodness of God, how could you not praise him and bless his holy name forever and ever?

Tomorrow, it’s I Chronicles 26 – 29 (that will finish I Chronicles) and Psalm 127.

A Checkbook Cover

Today, I finished a checkbook cover for my niece Jane and her husband David Watt. They just love dachshunds.

I sure hope they like it.

Until next time…

I Chronicles 23, 24, and 25

We’re nearly at the end of the book of I Chronicles; only 5 more after today. Hard to believe, isn’t it?

Chapter 23 begins with the appointment of Solomon as king of Israel by his father, David. David does this in front of all the leaders of Israel, including the priests and Levites. It seems that the building of the temple was heavy on David’s mind. If you recall, when David brought up the idea of a temple previously, God told him that instead of David building a house for God, God would build a house for David – a dynasty of kings.

David assigns work to the Levites who were thirty years old or older:

• 24,000 Levites would supervise the work at the Temple
• 6000 Levites would serve as officials and judges
• 4000 Levites would work at gatekeepers
• 4000 would praise the Lord with musical instruments

After this, just as Moses had, David divides the Levites into divisions named after the clans of the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each Levite had to be twenty years old or older to qualify for service in the house of the Lord. Twenty years old or thirty years old? Interesting.

I Chronicles 24 continues with the duties of the priests, descendants of Aaron. Sacred lots were drawn to determine assigned tasks so no preference would be shown.

In I Chronicles 25, we see the record of the men appointed “to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. Isn’t it wonderful that David felt it was just as important to have people to praise God and proclaim his message as it was to handle the other duties related to the Temple that would be built?

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 131, 138, 139, 143, and 145.

Until next time…

Psalm 108, 109, and 110 and Peacock in Flight

Psalm 108, 109, and 110

God’s unfailing love and faithfulness, a recurring theme of David’s, once again are mentioned in Psalm 108. David confidently asks God to rescue his “beloved people” because “God has promised this by his holiness.”

In Psalm 109, David mentions God’s unfailing love and asks God to save him because of that love. He asks God not to stand silent and aloof while the wicked slanders him and tells lie about him. He talks about his love for the wicked and how they try to destroy him with accusations. He calls for God to punish those who repay evil for good and hatred for his love. David calls on God for specific action against these folks and their families. His final words in this Psalm include praise to God for how he stands beside the needy, “ready to save them from those who condemn them.”

When you read Psalm 110, did you catch the reference to Melchizedek? If you recall, Lot had been captured and Abram and his friend, Mamre the Amorite, track down the kidnappers and bring back Lot and the people from Sodom. At that time, Abram gave Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God most high, a tenth of all the goods he recovered. This all took place before God through Moses established the Levitical priesthood.

Psalm 110 is prophetic, looking forward to Christ who is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:5-10 says about this:

“That is why God did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.’ And in another passage God said to him, ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’”While Mesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Pries, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

The last four words of the Psalm are also prophetic: “… He will be victorious.”

Tomorrow, it’s I Chronicles 23, 24, and 25.

Peacock in Flight

Have you ever seen a peacock in  full flight? like a phoenix in fairy tale!! Please save and share with good  friends for good omens as it is not every day we can see a  phoenix.

II Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21, 22 and Psalm 30 and Packing Up My Camper

II Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21, 22 and Psalm 30

II Samuel 24:1 says: “Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” The Lord told him.

On the other hand, I Chronicles 21:1 says: Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.

These two verses seem to be saying different things. The best explanation I found for this is that the I Chronicles is an expansion of the information in II Samuel in that the Lord used Satan to cause David to take the census, much in the same way that the Lord used Satan to test Job.

In any case, David took a census, but how was this wrong? Joab even asked David why he did this. He even asked David, as recorded in I Chronicles, “Why must you cause Israel to sin?”

In Exodus 30:12, the Lord tells Moses: “Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.” This census was of men who had reached their twentieth birthday. The census David ordered was apparently to count warriors – II Samuel 24:9 says, “…There were 800,000 capable warriors in Israel who could handle a sword and 500,000 in Judah.” There is no indication that any ransom was paid while the census was being taken.

Was David trying to figure out how great an army he had? Was that considered a lack of faith? David often says in the Psalms that it was the Lord who gives the victory. David, apparently, knew this was wrong, because his conscience began to bother him and he asks forgiveness for his guilt.

The Lord, through the prophet Gad, gives David three choices:

1. Three years of famine throughout the land
2. Three months of fleeing from his enemies
3. Three days of severe plague through the land

Three years, three months, or three days – what would you have chosen? We don’t know why David selected the plague, but we know he counted on the Lord’s mercy. He said, “But let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

It seems that David’s faith in the Lord’s mercy was justified because the Lord “relented” and, just before the death angel was to destroy Jerusalem, told him to stop. David actually saw the angel of the Lord (the death angel) “standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn, reaching out over Jerusalem.”

Lots to think about, huh? David builds an altar, offers sacrifices and the Lord answered his prayers. Did you note that “David … was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord”? The threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which David bought for 600 pieces of gold was where the Temple of the Lord would be located.

Psalm 30 talks about crying to the Lord and Him rescuing and restoring health. It speaks of God’s anger lasting only a moment, but his favor lasting a lifetime. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”

The wonderful Gaither song “Joy Comes in the Morning” is based on this Psalm. To read the lyrics and hear the music check out this site:  http://wandascountryhome.com/joy/

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 108, 109, and 110.

Packing Up My Camper

I am posting this blog so early because today and tomorrow, I’ll be spending my time packing up and moving my camper. The park is going to put down a cement pad in the space where it is currently parked. This will be great … when it’s all done, but the work involved is incredible. So, I’d better get started.

Until next time…

Psalm 95, 97, 98, 99

Psalm 95, 97, 98, 99

If I were to assign a theme to these four Psalms, it would be “Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy.” Psalm 98:4.

There are slso several references to God, the creator of heaven and earth, such as Psalm 95:5-6 – “The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” When you create something, you feel a special connection to it.

We also see that God will be judging us, but we don’t have to worry because “righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.” Unlike the so-called justice we see in the governments on earth, God made rules and he sticks to them. According to Psalm 98:9 “… For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.”

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21, 22 and Psalm 30

Fantastic Pictures of the Gand Canyon

My cousin sent me these. If you’ve ever been there, you know they doin’t do justice to the Grand Canyon’s immenseness and beauty, but they are beautiful.

Fantastic photos of the Grand Canyon as you’ve never seen it before

4 U.S. Air Force Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters from the 58th Tactical Fighter Wing

at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona (USA), flying in an echelon left formation over the Grand Canyon .

Ancestral Puebloan granaries high above the Colorado River at Nankoweap Creek, Grand Canyon .

Grand Canyon Horse Shoe Bend .

Grand Canyon Walls HD.

Grand Canyon Colors of the Earth.

Devil’s Corkscrew – Bright Angel Trail – Grand Canyon .

Little red dot against the Grand Canyon .

Grand Canyon Arizona .

Cheyava Falls upper cascade – Grand Canyon .

Full Moon over the Grand Canyon .

Beginning a new day rafting the Colorado River

Ooh-Aah Point view – storm clouds gathering.

View to southeast from Clear Creek Camp

Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park.

Mountain goat – Bighorn, Grand Canyon .

Upper Beaver Falls from trail

Comanche Point, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, above the Colorado River .

Grand Canyon – behind Ribbon Falls .

Grand Canyon view from Hermit’s Rest.

Grand Canyon taken from Bright Angel.

Mount Hayden and storm – Grand Canyon North Rim.

Grand Canyon West – Guano Point.

Colorado River – Grand Canyon .

Muddy whitewater rafting Grand Canyon .

Colorado River, Marble Canyon marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon .

Grand Canyon North Rim Panorama.

Mount Hayden , North Rim Grand Canyon .

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon landscape.

Grand Canyon in Winter.

Grand Canyon in Arizona , United States .

Skywalk at the Grand Canyon .

Havasu Falls – a waterfall located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon .

Until next time…

II Samuel 22, 23, Psalm 57 and A Day at Florida Medical Center

II Samuel 22, 23, Psalm 57

David’s song to the Lord as recorded in II Samuel 22 should offer encouragement to all of us. If you are ever feeling down or having problems, read this Psalm. Personalize these words and we learn from this that:

• God is my rock
• God is my fortress
• God is my savior
• God is my rock in whom I find protection
• God is my shield
• God is the power that saves me
• God is my place of safety
• God is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence
• God is worthy of praise
• God saves me from my enemies
• When I cry to the Lord for help, he hears me from his sanctuary, my cry reaches his ears
• God rescues me from powerful enemies
• The Lord supports me
• The Lord leads me to a place of safety
• The Lord rescues me because he delights in me
• The Lord rewards me for doing right
• The Lord restores me because of my innocence (always remember that our innocence comes from being declared innocent through faith in Christ – Ephesians 2:8 & 9 – we become justified – just as if we never sinned)
• The Lord is our lamp
• The Lord lights up my darkness
• In God’s strength I can crush an army
• With God I can scale any wall
• God’s way is perfect
• All God’s promises prove true
• God is my strong fortress
• God makes my way perfect
• God makes me as surefooted as a deer
• God trains my hands for battle
• God strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow
• God has given me his shield of victory
• God’s help has made me great
• God has made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping
• God arms me with strength for the battle
• God subdues enemies under my feet
• God gives me victory over my accusers
• The Lord pays back those who harm me
• God holds me safe beyond the reach of my enemies
• The Lord saves me from violent opponents
• The Lord shows unfailting love to his anointed

What more can we say?

Did you find it interesting that, in David’s last words, Uriah the Hittite is again mentioned as one of the Thirty?

I think verses 10-11 summarize Psalm 57: For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.”

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 95, 97, 98, 99.

A Day at Florida Medical Center.

Today, I accompanied my cousin Richard to a dentist appointment, a doctor’s appointment and a procedure at the Florida Medical Center. We started out at 7:15 am and got back just after 5 pm.  An exhausting day!

Until next time…

Psalm 5, 38, 41, and 42 and Cine-Bistro

Psalm 5, 38, 41, and 42

Psalm 5 shows David as a man who prayed earnestly every day. He speaks of his groaning as he prays. He prayed expectantly, bringing his requests to God every each and morning. It’s interesting that he speaks of the Lord detesting murderers and deceivers. Didn’t he deceive and murder Uriah the Hittite? How was David different from his enemies, from the wicked?

David was a sinner. David did wicked things. Why wasn’t he detested as the other murderers and deceivers? I think he tells us the difference in verse 7: “Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house. I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.” He doesn’t rely on himself, but asks the Lord to make his way plain for him to follow. David was a humble man and realized the proud could not stand in the Lord’s presence. This is evidenced by David asking God to make his way plain for him to follow, to lead him in the right path.

Was David troubled by his sins? Did he regret committing adultery and killing Uriah the Hittite? Psalm 38 gives us a picture of David’s regret, repentance and guilt. He was actually in physical pain as a result of his sin and guilt. He confessed his sins and told God he was deeply sorry for what he had done. He felt abandoned by God and pleads with God not to stand at a distance, but to come quickly to help him. He calls God his savior.

Psalm 41 is about “the joys of those who are kind to the poor.” What does God do for them?

• Rescues them when they are in trouble
• Protects them and keeps them alive
• Gives them prosperity in the land
• Rescues them from their enemies
• Nurses them when they are sick
• Restores them to health

David then seems to change topics and asks God to have mercy on him and heal him. Apparently, David’s enemies were attacking and harassing him, but he knows that God has not let his enemies triumph over him.

Psalm 42 is another Psalm of the descendants of Korah. The picture the Psalmist paints of how he thirsts for the Lord as a deer longs for streams of water. Thirst is a powerful force. Enemies were taunting him asking where this God of his was. He remembers how he used to walk with the worshippers leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks. He asks himself why he is discouraged, why so sad when he can put his hope in God. He declares his hope in God.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 22, 23, Psalm 57.

Cine-Bistro

Today, my sister-in-law Esther and nephew Steven took me to Cine-Bistro for my birthday. We saw the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and had a wonderful dinner while we watched it. The movie, starring Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, and Maggie Smith, is an excellent film, well worth seeing. I have the best family – they are always so thoughtful and giving.

Dragon Carving

This is a picture of a dragon carving I made for a holster. I thought it turned out pretty well. Can’t wait until the holster is done. I’ll post another picture after it is.

Until next time…

II Samuel 19 – 21 and The Avengers

II Samuel 19 – 21

These three chapters of II Samuel discuss what happened after Absalom was killed. David was inconsolable. He openly wept for his son. As you can imagine, to the people who had fought for David and took part in fighting Absalom and his forces, it seemed as if David would rather have had them die than Absalom.

Once again, Joab intervenes and confronts David about his behavior. As David returns to Jerusalem, Shimei, who stoned him and cursed him as David and his troops fled, comes to greet David, begging for forgiveness. David, a man who was forgiven of much, spares his life.

David also discovers that Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba had deceived him when he told David that Mephibosheth supported Absalom. David decides to divide Mephibosheth’s land equally with Ziba, but Mephibosheth is content to have David back safely again.

The peace is not yet complete, though, since Sheba son of Bicri from the tribe of Benjamin decides to revolt. He runs off taking all the army of Israel. This army was led by Amasa, whom David had recently appointed commander of the army of Israel. There were two armies: the army of Judah (from the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin) and the army of Israel (from the other ten tribes). Joab kills Amasa.

Sheba, meanwhile, with “all the tribes of Israel” cmes to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. Joab eventually catches up and lays siege to the city. An old woman talks to Joab and offers the head of Sheba if Joab and the army will leave. Not being a fool, Joab accepts and returns to Jerusalem. Many lives and the city of Abel-beth-maacah were saved.

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 5, 38, 41, and 42.

The Avengers

Today, my friend Karen and I went to AMC to see The Avenger for the second time. We got there an hour early. Am I ever glad we did! The theater was filled up before the previews started. What a great movie.

We had lunch at Tijuana Flats – yum, yum. It’s been a long time since I got to eat there. Wonderful chimichanga.

Until next time…

Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, and 64 and Inflation Is Everywhere

Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, and 64

From the content of Psalm 26, it appears to have been written before David committed adultery and murder. He says he has acted with integrity and calls for the Lord to put him on trial and cross-examine him, to test his motives and his heart.

David certainly makes it clear that it is important to watch who we hang around with. He refuses to spend time with liars and hypocrites and hates the gatherings of those who do evil. He refuses to join in with the wicked. Do you ever consider who your friends are or where you hang around? Is it with people of integrity or do you sometimes feel uncomfortable in the presences of your friends? Sing a song of thanksgiving to the Lord and tell of his wonders. Even though David says he lives with integrity, he still asks God to redeem him and show him mercy. He recognizes, as we should, that only God can declare us innocent.

In Matthew 10:30, we are told that the very hairs on our head are numbered.

In Psalm 40, David talks about how his sins pile up so high, he see the way out and that those sins outnumber the hairs on his head. David was aware of how he had failed God, but he knew God would not fail him.

David cried out to the Lord and waited patiently for him to help. God did not let him down. He lifted him up from the mud and mire and set his feet on solid ground. Have you ever been knee-deep in real mud? It is not easy to move around. The mud attaches itself to you, pulls at you until it becomes almost impossible to move. God lifted David out of the mud, steadied him as he walked and gave him a new song to sing. And David felt the joy of those who trust in the Lord. David was in awe of God and the wonders he had performed. He talked about God’s faithfulness and saving power, of his unfailing love and tender mercies. God was his helper and savior. Where would David be without him?

Justice seems to be the theme of Psalm 58. The rulers of the world do not practice justice. Look at our own country. But God judges fairly and the godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. According to verse 11, “…there is truly a reward for those who live for God, surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.

Psalm 61 sounds a lot like Psalm 36, especially in terms of being safe beneath the shelter of God’s wings. David also saw God as a safe refuge who would lead him to the towering rock of safety. And, he once again calls on God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to watch over him. It doesn’t get any better than that.

If David knew nothing else, it is clear from Psalm 62 that he knew victory came from the Lord, David’s rock and his salvation. Instead of trying to solve his problems himself, David waited quietly for the Lord. His power came from the Lord.

Psalm 64 repeats this theme as David pictures God shooting down his enemies with his arrows. Verse 10 sums it up well: “The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.”

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 19 – 21.

Inflation Is Everywhere

 

Today, I went to see the movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting. I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I didn’t enjoy the fact the AMC raised their already outrageous rates for popcorn. Now, I know the price of popcorn has gone up, but does that justify a twenty-fice cent rate increase? It wasn’t that long ago that the theater raised its price for the movies shown before noon by 20% – yes, from $5 to $6.

I’m currently considering seeing my movies on Netflix and saving a ton of money by making my own popcorn. I would be able to take as many intermissions as I want to when I want to. In fact, according to the NETFLIX.COM site: “For only $7.99 a month, you get unlimited movies & TV episodes instantly over the Internet to your TV or computer. There are no commercials, and you can pause, rewind, fast forward or rewatch as often as you like. It's really that easy!”

The monthly charge for Netflix is less than the now $12 Combo # 1 that I usually order at the theater. I would just have to wait until the movie comes out on DVD to see it.  After tomorrow when Karen and I are going to see The Avengers for the second time, I think I’ll sign up for the free one-month trial at Netflix.

Knife Case

I recently made this knofe case for the manager of the mobile home park where I live. It urned out pretty well, don’t you think?

Until next time…

II Samuel 16 – 18 and One for the Money

II Samuel 16 - 18

When we last left David, he and his followers were fleeing from Absalom. If you recall, David had quietly sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem together with Zadok the priest, his son Ahimaaz, Abiathar, and his son Jonathan. He told Zadok that he would stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait for a report from them. He also sent Hushai the Arkite back to Jerusalem to act as an adviser to Absalom and to inform Zadok and Abiathar of Absalom’s plans. In other words, Hushai, and Zadok and his crew were to be David’s spies. He encouraged Hushai to give Absalom bad advice, since David’s former adviser Ahithophel had stayed behind and was now working for Absalom.

After he left the Mount of Olives, David ran into Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth. Ziba had brought two donkeys loaded down with bread, raisins, summer fruit and wine for David. After he was told that Mephibosheth had stayed behind in Jerusalem --in other words, had pledged his loyalty to Absalom – David gave all of what Mephibosheth owned to Ziba.

What did you think about David’s response to Shimei son of Gera? Instead of having him killed for cursing him and throwing stones at him, David rebuked his people for threatening to “take care of” him. His reasoning was that the Lord would see he was being wrong and would bless him because of the curses.

Well, things worked out pretty much as David hoped. Absalom eventually followed Hushai’s advice and disregarded Ahithophel’s. Ahimaaz and Jonathon warned David of Absalom’s approach. 20,000 of Absalom’s men were killed in the battle against David’s troops and poor Absalom got his hair caught in a tree and was then killed by Joab. Can you believe he disregarded David’s order to be gentle with Absalom?

We also learn that because Absalom had no sons, he had built a monument to himself, Absalom’s Monument. David was overcome with grief, wishing he had died instead of his son. The Scriptures don’t say, but he must have been doubly sad knowing that his actions with Bathsheba dn Uriah had helped bring him to this point.

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 26, 40, 58/, 61, 62, and 64.

One for the Money

I know you have heard me talk about the movie One for the Money, based on the book by Janet Evanovich. It came out on DVD Tuesday and, today, I went over to Walmart and bought one. Can’t wait to watch it.

Until next time…

Psalm 3, 4, 12, 13, 28, and 55 and New Internet Connection

Psalm 3, 4, 12, 13, 28, and 55

I hope reading the Bible chronologically is bringing the Psalms alive to you. Today, for example, we read Psalm 3 which is described as “regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom” – exactly what we read about yesterday. David recognized that he had enemies and that many were against him, that they were saying God would not rescue him. David’s faith, though, is amazing. He saw the Lord as his shield and his glory, as the one who held his head high. In the midst of all of this turmoil, he was able to sleep and wake up in safety. Why? He knew that the Lord was watching over him. Therefore, he was not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surrounded him. He knew that his victory was not because of anything he could do, but that any victory he enjoyed would come from the Lord.

David’s ability to lie down and sleep in peace while surrounded by enemies is mentioned in Psalm 4 also. Did you notice he described God as the one who declared him innocent? He was absolutely sure that the Lord would answer when he called to him, but he warns people not to sin by letting anger control them. Anger is an emotion, but it is one we do not have to let control us. His advice to think about things overnight and remain silent is great advice. We are also advised to offer sacrifices in the right apirit and trust the Lord. Remember the Lord will keep us safe.

In Psalm 12, David appears a little down because it seems as if the godly are “fast disappearing.” He gives some examples and then relays how the Lord replies: “I have seen the violence done to the helpless and I have heard the groans of the poor.” David knows God will rise up to rescue the helpless because his promises are pure. He knew God would protect the oppressed even though the wicked strut about and evil is praised throughout the land.

In Psalm 13, David starts out sounding as if he thinks or feels that the Lord has forsaken him, as if the Lord is not hearing him pray or answering his prayers, but then David declares his faith in God’s unfailing love. He rejoices because God has rescued him and sings to the Lord because the Lord was good to him.

Psalm 28:8 reminds me of my “life verse,” Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run into it and are safe.” David sees God, who gives his people strength as a safe fortress. He sees God as his strength and shield, one David trusts with all his hear. God helps him and David’s hear is filled with joy.

You know, God can be depended upon to hear our cries for mercy, even though it may not seem like it at times.

Verse 22 sums up Psalm 55 – “Give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” David is a good example of this: he starts the Psalm with a litany of problems and pleas for help. He turns it all over to the Lord and his attitude seems to change. He seems to realize that God will take care of him. Guess what! God will take care of you and me, too.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 16 - 18.

New Internet Connection

Yesterday, the Bright House installer finally found my camper and installed a high-speed Internet connection in my camper. It works great. I can watch GBTV and other video now without continuous stopping and starting. Yahoo!

Until next time…

II Samuel 13 – 15 and Think Like A Man

II Samuel 13 – 15

In these three chapters, we see a fulfillment of God’s words to David indicating that David’s household would rebel against him. Amnon was David’s oldest son, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. Absalom was David’s third son, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal. I found it odd that Tamar is referred to as Absalom’s beautiful sister, not as David’s beautiful daughter.

The story of Amnon, Absalom, and Tamar is almost like a modern soap opera, with Amnon’s obsession with Tamar, the rape of Tamar, the rejection of Tamar, the eventual murder of Amnon, the rebellion of Absalom, and David fleeing the city of Jerusalem ahead of his son’s armies. These events could keep screenwriters busy for several seasons.

Another party in this story is David’s nephew, Jonadab, son of David’s brother Shimea. It certainly shows how important selecting the proper counselor is. Jonadab was a devious, seemingly sociopathic man. I wonder if he was jealous of Amnon, firstborn son of his uncle, King David. Do you suppose he was trying to stir up trouble? It sure looked that way and he certainly succeeded.

Absalom clearly loved his sister Tamar and who can blame him for being angry with Amnon. We’re told that David was also very angry, but he didn’t allow that hatred to fester and drive him to revenge.

Absalom gathered all of his brothers for a feast and murdered Amnon. Rather than helping him, his other brothers “jumped on their mules and fled.” Poor David was first told that Absalom had killed all of his brothers. Imagine his relief when he discovered only Amnon had been killed. And there was Jonadab, telling David that Absalom had been plotting to kill Amnon ever since Amnon raped Tamar.

Joab was a true friend of David and knew David was hurting because of his separation from Absalom. When Absalom killed Amnon, it was as if David lost two sons. He persuaded David to call Absalom back through some clever trickery. We’re told that Absalom had three sons and one daughter (named Tamar) – these were David’s grandchildren. No doubt they were estranged from David also.

It is clear that Absalom resented his father, maybe because he did not punish Amnon for Tamar’s rape, or perhaps Absalom resented Amnon because he was the firstborn son. In any case, he begins to turn the people toward him and against his father. Eventually, David must flee, but he sows the seeds of Absalom’s eventual destruction. How David must have continued regret his sins, knowing that all of the trouble with Absalom was a result of it. Yes, God forgave him, but there were still consequences to what his sin set in motion.

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 3, 4, 12, 13, 28, and 55.

Think Like A Man

This morning, I went to AMC and saw the movie Think Like A Man. It was based on the book, Act Like A Lady; Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey. I spent most of the movie laughing out loud. One of my favorite actresses, Taraji P. Henson of the TV show Person of Interest played a great part. I couldn’t really have named anyone else in the movie, but the entire cast did a great job.

See it if you get a chance.

Until next time….

Psalm 32, 51, 86, and 122

From our reading yesterday, we know that David knew what it was to sin and to be forgiven. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and used the Ammonites to kill Uriah the Hittite. He knew the joy he speaks of in Psalm 32 “for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight.” What a wonderful Psalm.He also talks about the joy that comes “for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty.” It’s not that David didn’t commit sin – he did, but the guilt of that sin was cleared by the Lord.

Let’s face it: we all sin. Thank God for Jesus who bore the guilt of our sin before we were ever born.

We also get a small picture of what David went through before he confessed his sin: his body wasted away, he groaned all day long, he felt the Lord’s hand of discipline heavy on him, and his strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Psalm 51 shows us David’s repentant spirit and his prayer to God for forgiveness. We’re told it is a Psalm regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David committed adultery with Bathsheba. This prayer could definitely be called the sinner’s prayer. We ask for mercy from God, not because of any righteousness or merit on our part, but because of his UNFAILING LOVE, because of his great COMPASSION. God alone is able to blot out the stain of our sin, wash us clean from our guilt, and purify us from our sin. And once our sins are dealt with we can have our joy back, we can rejoice. Notice also that David is not sacrificing a burnt offering here. He realizes the sacrifice God is looking for is a broken spirit, a broken and repentant heart.

In Psalm 86, we see a number of blessings that God can provide us:

• He can hear our prayer
• He can protect us
• He can save us
• He is merciful
• He gives happiness
• He is good and ready to forgive
• He is full of unfailing love for all those who ask for help
• He hears our prayers
• We can call to him whenever we’re in trouble
• He will answer us
• No pagan god is like our Lord
• The nations will come and bow down before our Lord
• He is great and performs wonderful deeds
• He alone is God
• He can teach us his ways
• We can live according to his truth
• He can grant purity of heart
• His love for us is great
• He has rescued us from the depths of death
• He is a God of compassion and mercy
• He is slow to anger
• He is filled with unfailing love and faithfulness
• He gives strength to his servants
• He helps and comforts us

I don’t know about you, but I am overwhelmed by the blessings of God.

It is interesting that we would be studying Psalm 122 since we are nearing Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim), when the people celebrate their Love for the City of Peace. I hope you pray for peace in Jerusalem every day. God promises there will be peace within the walls of Jerusalem. Pray for that peace.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 13 – 15.

II Samuel 11 – 12 and I Chronicles 20

I am always saddened when I read about David and Bathsheba, where David, described as a man after God’s own heart, commits adultery and then has the husband of the woman he slept with murdered via the sword of the Ammonites.

On the other hand, I am also heartened by the fact that Bathsheba is one of the four women mentioned in Matthew in the line of Christ. We have already encountered the other three women: Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. Tamar played the prostitute, Rahab was a prostitute, and Ruth was a Moabitess, not a Hebrew.

David, who should have been on the battlefield with his army, but instead he sent Joab and the army to fight the Ammonites. This must have caused David to have a lot of free time. He’s walking on the rooftop when he sees a gorgeous woman taking a bath. Even though he finds out that she is the wife of one of his best fighters (we first saw the name Uriah the Hittite in a list of The Thirty, David’s special fighters), he sends for her and sleeps with her. Nothing is said about whether she consented to this or not; I doubt she would have dared say no. Of course, she becomes pregnant and given the circumstances, there is no way the baby could be Uriah’s.

Hoping Uriah will sleep with Bathsheba and think the baby is his if he is home for a few days, David sends for him, but Uriah refuses to sleep with his wife, even after David gets him drunk. What a devious man David was! When that didn’t work, he orders Joab to put Uriah close to the city wall, where he is sure to be killed. Sure enough, Uriah is killed. Once the mourning period was over, David sends for Bathsheba and marries her.

Sounds like something out of a soap opera, doesn’t it? What on earth was David thinking? He knew right from wrong. When Nathan the prophet told him the story of the rich man and the man with only one little lamb, he saw the injustice. When Nathan said, “You are the man,” David confessed his guilt. Our wonderful Lord forgave David, but there were still consequences: David and Bathsheba’s child died from a deadly illness and the Lord promised that David’s household would revel against him.

How sad!

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 32, 51, 86, and 122.

Until next time…

Psalm 65, 66, 67, 69, and 70

The five Psalms we read today all seem to have the importance of praising God as their theme. After all, God answers our prayers and, as Psalm 65:3 says, “Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.” God is the hope of everyone on earth, and he takes care of the earth. The global warming alarmists think man can destroy the world, but man simply doesn’t have the power.

Psalm 66 talks about letting “the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises.” God tests us and purifies us like silver.

Psalm 67 doesn’t just refer to individuals praising God, but to the nations praising him. There is a promise implied in verses 6 and 7 if all the nations praise him: “Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the earth will fear him.”

Even in Psalm 69, which is a dramatic prayer of David for God to rescue him, he speaks of praising God’ name with singing and honoring him with thanksgiving. He says this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle. He even calls on heaven and earth to praise the Lord.

In Psalm 70, another prayer of David’s for rescue, David says, “May all who love your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘God is great!.’”

Let us praise the Lord.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 11 – 12 and I Chronicles 20.

Until next time…

II Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, and Psalm 20 and Dark Shadows

II Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, and Psalm 20

If I had to name one, I would say the theme of today’s reading is found in Psalm 20:7: “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.”

We first heard of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, in I Samuel. Nahash had been oppressing Israelites who lived east of Jordan River. Nahash was a cruel man who gouged out the eyes of the Israelites who wanted a treaty with him.

For some reason, when David learned of the death of Nahash, he decided to show loyalty to Nahash’s son Hanun by sending ambassadors to let Hanun know how he sympathized with him regarding the death of his father. Hanun got some really bad advice – the Ammonite commanders told Hanun that David’s ambassadors were there to spy on the city. Hanun shaved off half of each ambassador’s bear and cut off their robes at the buttocks. They sent these men back to David in shame.

Someone must have let the Ammonites know how angry David was because they hired Aramaean mercenaries to beef up their army. Through some crafty maneuvering, Joab routed the Arameans, who had 7000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. The Arameans sent for reinforcements, but it didn’t help. They again fled from the Israelites. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites.

As David says in Psalm 20:7: “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.”

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 65, 66, 67, 69, and 70.

Dark Shadows

In the 1960s, ABC had a melodramatic soap opera called Dark Shadows which featured ghosts, vampires, werewolves, etc. Apparently, as a child, Johnny Depp was fascinated bye the TV series. That must be why he was so eager to star in the movie.

What a great performance by all of the characters: Johnnyt played vampire Barnabus Collins. Michelle Pfeiffer played a modern day member of the Collins family. Helena Bonham Carter, well-known for her role of Bellatrix Lestrange inj the Harry Potter series, did a fantastic job. Jackie Earle Haley, who was recently in the TV series Human Target.

I really enjoyed this movie. It was scary and hilarious and heartwarming with lots of unexpected plot twists and turns.

See if if you get a chance.

Until next time…

Psalm 50, 53, 60, and 75

Psalm 50 is another of the twelve Psalms of Asaph, assistant to Heman. We’ve looked at some of his Psalms before: Psalm 73, 76, and 78.

In Psalm 50, he makes the point that God does not need their sacrifices or burnt offerings. You’ve probably all heard the words of the song “He Owns the Cattle” by John W. Peterson:

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell -
He is my Father so they're mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -
I know that He will care for me.

God tells them to make thankfulness their sacrifice to God and to keep their vows made to him. God promises that if they do that, we can call on him when we are in trouble and he will rescue us and we will give God glory. Thankfulness as a sacrifice? It’s so easy to be thankful when everything is going our way, but to be thankful when it looks as if our world is falling apart is truly a sacrifice. It takes faith in God that he is watching over us, that his wings shelter us, as mentioned in Psalm 36. God tells us that giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors him and if you keep to his path, he will reveal the salvation of God.

Psalm 53 is described as a meditation, something we should think about, but what are we to think about? First, to put it bluntly, atheists are fools, because only fools say in their hearts that God does not exist. Romans 1:19 - 20 says, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

It is in this Psalm that God makes it clear that “no one does good, not a single one,” but it also talks about God restoring his people and rescue Israel. We would be without hope if Jesus had not paid the price for us – As Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” In verse 6 of the same chapter, Paul says: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

Psalm 60 was written as a result of a specific event – David’s battle agains Aramnaharaim and Aram-zobah and Joab killed 12,000 Edomites.

Do you suppose David had experienced an earthquake before he wrote this Psalm? He says in verse 2: “You have shaken our land and split it open.” And then pleads ”Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.” He finally asks God for help against their enemies recognizing the human help is useless. His faith in God is very clear, however, in verse 12: “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.”

Psalm 75 is another song of Asaph. He starts right out giving thanks to God, because God is near. “People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.” He warns the proud and defiant not to raise their fists against God, because God alone judges and decides who will rise and who will fall.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, and Psalm 20.

Until next time…

II Samuel 8 – 9 and I Chronicles 18 and The Lucky One (for May 9, 2012)

Once again, I lost my Internet connection and, although I had this written, could not post it. I’m trying again this morning.  I hope Bright House gets out here soon – this is very frustrating.

II Samuel 8 – 9 and I Chronicles 18

II Samuel 8 and I Chronicles 18 are almost word for word alike, although I think II Samuel was probably written before I Chronicles 18 since it refers to Solomon melting the bronze that was taken from Hadadezer and molding it into a great bronze basin called the Sea.

It’s clear that David’s army was formidable, but we know that David won because the Lord was on his side. I was somewhat turned off by the the fact that David crippled all but the chariot horses required for 100 chariots (perhaps as many as 1000 or more) captured from Hadadezer, to say nothing of the fact that he measured off groups of Moabites and executed 2 groups for every group he left alive.

However, my heart was warmed at the care David offered Saul’s remaining grandson, Jonathon’s son, the crippled Mephibosheth. Loyalty and promises were obviously very important to David.

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75.

The Lucky One

Today, I went to AMC to see The Lucky One, starring Taylor Shilling, Zac Efron, and Blythe Danner.What a great movie! If you get nothing more out of it than a new appreciation for our veterans, it’s worth the price of the film. IT is a touching story – take your Kleenex.

I also went to the second half of my leather class where we worked more on the purse we started last week. I’ll post a picture once I get it finished.

Until next time…

Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, and 39

Thee of the five Psalms we read today have a common theme: the unfailing love of the Lord.

• In Psalm 25:7, David says: “Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
• Verse 10 says: “The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.”
• Psalm 33:5 says: “He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”
• Verse18 says: “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.”
• Psalm 36:5 says: “Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the heavens.”
• Verse 7 of that same Psalm says: “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.”
• Verse 10 pleads for God to: “Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.”

Where would we be without the unfailing love of the Lord, this unfailing love that fills the earth? Not only does God’s unfailing love fill the earth, it is as vast as the heavens. It is in the light of God’s unfailing love that he does not remember our sins. The picture of all humanity sheltering under the shadow of God’s wings is beautiful. It always reminds me of the story I heard about a prairie chicken someone found after a fire on the range. When they nudged the bird, they found her chicks safe and alive under the shadow of her wings. This is how God through his unfailing love protects us.

Psalm 29 does not speak specifically of the unfailing love of the Lord, but does speak of the results of it. In verse 11, David says: “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”

In Psalm 39, David asks the question: “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?” His answer shows God’s unfailing love: My only hope is in you.”

Let’s start each day thanking God for his unfailing love. Without it, life would be hopeless.

Tomorrow, it’s II Samuel 8 – 9 and I Chronicles 18.

Until next time…

II Samuel 7 and I Chronicles 17

Sorry for the delay ion posting this blog – it should have been posted yesterday – but my internet connection failed and there was a huge thunderstorm so I didn’t want to run to my cousin’s to reset the connection. In any case, here it is:

The two chapters we read today are almost identical. They recount the desire of David to build a house for the Lord. As you will no doubt recall, Hiram of Tyre built a cedar palace for David. Since David did not think it was right that he should dwell in a palace while the Ark of the Covenant was “out there in a tent,” he sent for Nathan the prophet. I couldn’t find any reference to this prophet before this, although David did have a son named Nathan. This is clearly not David’s son Nathan.

In any case, Nathan told David to do whatever he had in mind. He knew God was with David. Nathan obviously listened to the Lord since that very night, the Lord told Nathan that David was not the one to build a house for him. Instead, God said He would make David’s name as famous as anyone who ever lived on the earth. Since the Jews were scattered all over the world and since the Jewish star is referred to as the “Star of David,” we’d have to say that promise is true.

God also told David (through Nathan) that He would provide a homeland for his people Israel. And, instead of David building a house for God, God would build a house for David – a dynasty of kings. God said he would raise up one of David’s ancestors, one of his sons and would make his kingdom strong. It was David’s son who would build the temple and God would secure his son’s throne forever.

While this referred to Solomon, who did build the temple, it also referred to Jesus Christ who would reign forever. David was very thankful and praised God in a beautiful prayer.

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, and 39.

Until next time…