1 Chronicles 19-20; Proverbs 17:15-28

Monday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-20; Proverbs 17:15-28

The forty-first day of summer.

Today's verse: "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight." —1 Chronicles 19:13, emphasis added

And now, from the serious to the silly . . .

Another verse from today's reading: "In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha." —1 Chronicles 20:6

In quite a coincidence, a story popped up in today's news about the descendents of Ernest Hemingway's six-toed cat. Click here for cat pictures and story. An article from the Bradenton Herald explains the silliness (or worse!) of government workers who can't resist meddling in trivial matters rather than do the hard work that taxpayers need to have done.

Click here to see Emily Dickinson.

Psalms 134-136

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 134-136

The fortieth day of summer.

A poem about light by Michael Blumenthal . . .
"Light, At Thirty-Two"

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights
His love endures forever. —Psalm 136:3-7 (emphasis added)

The LORD does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.

He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
he sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
—Psalm 135:6-7 (emphasis added)

While we were in church celebrating communion, a thunderstorm passed overhead. See pictures.

We had a party here tonight to honor Bob DeVries for receiving this year's ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Bob!

Acts 14; Proverbs 17:1-14

Saturday's Bible Reading: Acts 14; Proverbs 17:1-14

The thirty-ninth day of summer.

Wafa Sultan: I'm trying to change the mentality of my people. They have been hostages of their own beliefs and teachings for 14 centuries. No hostage can break the walls of his prison and get out by himself. An outsider has to help him escape his prison. I have been asking who the savior is, and answering myself by saying, "It is me." My people are in the middle of nowhere, lost and confused. The humanity's caravan has passed by them, and they're way too far from catching it. By changing their way of thinking, I am changing their behavior and eventually their future.

Acts 12-13; Proverbs 16:22-33

Friday's Bible Reading: Acts 12-13; Proverbs 16:22-33

The thirty-eighth day of summer.

Christianity Today has an interview with Michael Gerson that is very good. Someone should bring him to Grand Rapids to speak before his calendar is filled.

The city of Tyre is mentioned 59 times in Scripture, including twice in this week's Bible readings (1 Chronicles 14:1; Acts 12:20). It is of course also in the headlines. A search of Google News turned up "about" 10,700 results. Today's edition of Middle East Online has a matter-of-fact but alarming article that conveys the difficulty of fighting an "invisible" enemy ("Hezbollah fighting but nowhere to be found"). It sounds like evil incarnate—blend in, seduce, deceive, masquerade as good. If you follow the old adage, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you," what do you do when the hand belongs to the devil himself?!

And now, from the serious to the silly . . .

It's amazing what you can find on the internet—and no, I did not write this. (I would have used correct punctuation and have spelled imagery right.)

This author, Julie Ackerman Link is a fascinating writer who uses imagry and honesty to help you see the spiritual principles in a fresh, intelligent and honest way that the regular person can relate to and the intellectual can chew on. I loved this litte book and want to share it while I search for more of her writing —Vivian Hughes, review of Loving God with All My Soul

1 Chronicles 17-18; Proverbs 16:12-21

Thursday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 17-18; Proverbs 16:12-21

The thirty-seventh day of summer.

I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at athe beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. —1 Chronicles 17:9-10

Day 16 of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Will God intercede?

1 Chronicles 15-16; Proverbs 16:1-11

Wednesday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 15-16; Proverbs 16:1-11

The thirty-sixth day of summer.

Today I get my hair cut for the first time in a year. I'm starting to look kind of shaggy.

From shabby . . .

To chic . . .

Thanks to Pat at Grand Salon (who was recommended by my friend Patty Doren). Pat is also the person who so kindly came to my home a year ago and cut my long hair so I didn't have to suffer the trauma of having it all cut off in a public place.

Now, from the silly to the serious . . .

10 p.m. For the first time in about two weeks I've been able to connect to the webcam in Tiberias—The Galilee Experience. It is just after 5 a.m. in Israel, and it is eerily dark. Usually the hotels are brightly lit at night, casting their reflection on the ripples of the water. But not now, not during war. Only a few dim lights give any hint of civilization. Soon the sun will be up and the city will no longer have darkness as a hiding place.

1 Chronicles 13-14; Proverbs 15:22-33

Tuesday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 13-14; Proverbs 15:22-33

The thirty-fifth day of summer. Five months until Christmas.

The port of ancient Tyre:



Today, Israeli bombs are hitting the seaside city of Tyre. But long ago when Hiram was king of Tyre, he sent messengers, cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for Israel's King David.

1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. —1 Chronicles 1-2

Lord, how long will it be until the peoples of the world are building cities rather than bombing them? We know that shalom is your will for the world, and we long for the day when you will accomplish this mighty work in the hearts and minds of all your people. Please hear our cries for permanent peace.

1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 15:12-21

Monday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 15:12-21

The thirty-fourth day of summer.

Psalms 131-133

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 131-133

The thirty-third day of summer.

Home again after a great weekend at the Larsens' cottage near Traverse City.

Acts 11; Proverbs 15:1-11

Saturday's Bible Reading: Acts 11; Proverbs 15:1-11

The thirty-second day of summer.

Van Cliburn concert at Interlochen with the Larsens. (See below.)

The First International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition was an event designed to demonstrate Soviet cultural superiority during the Cold War, on the heels of their technological victory of the Sputnik launch only weeks before. Cliburn's luminous virtuosity in his competition finale performances of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 earned him a standing ovation which lasted a full eight minutes. The Soviet judges were compelled to ask Premier Nikita Khrushchev for permission to give the first prize to an American. "Is he the best?" Khrushchev asked them. "Then give him the prize!" Cliburn returned home to a ticker-tape parade in New York City, the only time that honour has been accorded a classical musician. TIME put him on their cover, proclaiming him as "The Texan Who Conquered Russia." —http://www.answers.com/topic/van-cliburn

Acts 10; Proverbs 14:25-35

Friday's Bible Reading: Acts 10; Proverbs 14:25-35

The thirty-first day of summer.

Here's an aerial view of modern-day Caesarea, the city where Cornelius the Roman centurion lived (Acts 10).

1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 14:12-24

Thursday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 14:12-24

The thirtieth day of summer.

Severe thunderstorms are rolling through this morning. "Stay away from windows," said the TV meteorologist. That's kind of hard to do in this house. I guess it's not a good morning for a bath. No bathtub devotions.



When I added this picture this morning (20 July 2006) I thought I was memorializing the radar image of the storm that was rolling across the state. But when I came back to it later today, the storm was gone. Hmm. Kind of like the ants in my mailbox on June 23.

1 Chronicles 7-8; Proverbs 14:1-11

Wednesday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-8; Proverbs 14:1-11

The twenty-ninth day of summer.

1 Chronicles 5-6; Proverbs 13:13-25

Tuesday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 5-6; Proverbs 13:13-25

The twenty-eighth day of summer.

1 Chronicles 3-4; Proverbs 13:1-12

Monday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-4; Proverbs 13:1-12

The twenty-seventh day of summer.

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Glub, glub, blog . . .

Just as I climbed into the bathtub this morning, my neighbor climbed onto his lawnmower. While I was trying to meet with God, he was attacking nature. Day and night God grows the grass without making a sound. Why does it take a big noisy machine to cut it down to size?

From yesterday's Psalm . . .

5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow.... —Psalm 129:5-6

The war in Israel shows no sign of letting up. Hezbollah continues to launch missiles against Zion.

While I was driving to lunch today I heard part of an interview about food on The Diane Rehm Show. Among the points mentioned was that grass-fed cattle are a much better food source than those that are corn-fed.

So grass was today's theme. But I really wanted to write something about Jabez and his territory from today's reading in 1 Chronicles 4. Maybe I'll add more tomorrow.

Psalms 128-130

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 128-130

The twenty-sixth day of summer.

Acts 9; Proverbs 12:15-28

Saturday's Bible Reading: Acts 9; Proverbs 12:15-28

The twenty-fifth day of summer.

Question: Why can't everyone just be happy to be alive rather than wish others were dead?!

Acts 8; Proverbs 12:1-14

Friday's Bible Reading: Acts 8; Proverbs 12:1-14

The twenty-fourth day of summer.

One year ago today I was admitted to the hospital with a temperature of 102.9 degrees.

1 Chronicles 1-2; Proverbs 11:22-31

Thursday's Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2; Proverbs 11:22-31

The twenty-third day of summer.

2 Kings 24-25; Proverbs 11:12-21

Wednesday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 24-25; Proverbs 11:12-21

The twenty-second day of summer. In Israel, Tammuz 16, 5766.

Tisha B'Av | The Three Weeks

As I frequently say, All Scripture is related, and all Scripture is relevant. Today's Bible reading is one of the more obvious examples.

For religious Jews, today is the beginning of three weeks of mourning for the fall of Jerusalem and the loss of the holy Temple, and today in 2 Kings 25 we read the account of that sad event.

Historically, this time of the year has been marked by tragedy for the Jewish people. According to Jewish sources, five great catastrophes occurred in Jewish history on the 17th of Tammuz:

Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai—in response to the sin of the Golden Calf.

The daily offerings in the First Temple were suspended during the siege of Jerusalem, after the Kohanim could no longer obtain animals.

Jerusalem's walls were breached, prior to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

Prior to the Great Revolt, the Roman general Apostamos burned a Torah scroll—setting a precedent for the horrifying burning of Jewish books throughout the centuries.

An idolatrous image was placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy Temple—a brazen act of blasphemy and desecration. (Rabbi Shraga Simmons, Aish.com)

From the look of today's headlines, this year may follow the same pattern.

However, as the holiday reminds us, God is eager to turn tragedy into triumph, and he promised to do so. Unlike the Israelites in the days of Zedekiah and Nebuchadnezzar, we have these words from the Lord spoken through the prophet Zechariah:

14 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me," says the LORD Almighty, 15 "so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.

18 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. 19 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace." (Zechariah 8: 14-19)

God asks so little of us . . . "Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do no plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely" (8:16-17). For that is what the Lord hates. We are simply to love truth and peace (8:19). Why is that so difficult?!

More on Tisha B'Av

I recommend reading all of Zechariah 8, or more if you can squeeze out the time.

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And now, from the sublime to, uh, other thoughts . . .

Every day should begin in the bathtub, preferably a bathtub with a window overlooking the woods. This morning when I had my devotions (in the bathtub), rain was still falling gently. The trees were absolutely still. The only thing making the leaves move were raindrops. The rain was like a symphony. First the sound came from one direction, then another. Slow, then fast. Gentle, then intense. All the leaves were showing their true colors after being bathed in an all-night shower. The accumulated dust of recent days had been put back in its place by heaven's baptismal font. And all the birds sang sweetly in gratitude to God for doing their housework.

2 Kings 22-23; Proverbs 11:1-11

Tuesday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 22-23; Proverbs 11:1-11

The twenty-first day of summer.

2 Kings 20-21; Proverbs 10:22-32

Monday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 20-21; Proverbs 10:22-32

The twentieth day of summer.

One year ago yesterday I had my knee-length hair cut to chin length to lessen the trauma of having it fall out. I am grateful to my good friend Patty Doren for helping me navigate that distressing ordeal. She was God's channel of blessing to me.

The Bible I've been using—The Spiritual Formation Bible—has this sidebar that goes with today's Bible reading in 2 Kings. The passage tells the story of King Hezekiah's illness, and the sidebar is relevant to those of us who seem to be on "the other side" of illness . . .

Hezekiah turns to God in his illness and is granted an additional fifteen years of life. Safely delivered, he now shows off his wealth to impress envoys from Babylon. How quickly he turns God's blessings into a show of vanity! He prays for healing, he gets well and then, in all-too-human fashion, Hezekiah ignores the source of all goodness!

This is a sobering reminder that physical survival without spiritual renewal is a waste of suffering. The sidebar continues . . .

Think back to a significant illness in your life or in the life of a loved one. Remember your journey and how you sought after, and received, spiritual or physical recovery. Perhaps you are still longing for recovery. What have you learned through your experience about your relationship to God, to your family and to your friends? What changes in outlook and behavior did you make?

Lord, may I not waste my suffering by emerging with nothing more than a new hair-do. I want not just a new "look," but a new way of looking at the world.

Psalm 125-127

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalm 125-127

The nineteenth day of summer.

Verse from today's reading:

He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him. —Psalm 126:6

Acts 6-7; Proverbs 10:12-21

Saturday's Bible Reading: Acts 6-7; Proverbs 10:12-21

The eighteenth day of summer.

Acts 5; Proverbs 10:1-11

Friday's Bible Reading: Acts 5; Proverbs 10:1-11

The seventeenth day of summer.

The first anniversary of my first chemo treatment.

We drove to Grand Haven after supper. Parked in the farmers' market lot. Headed for the pier. Were suprised by how many people were still milling around. Figured out that this is Smoke on the Water powerboat racing weekend. Most boats were docked for the night, so it wasn't too noisy. We got soft ice cream and then saw Sandy Anderson and Heather sitting at a nearby picnic table. We chatted with them for a while before starting our walk. We made it to the pier in time to watch the sun set (9:26 p.m.). So peaceful.

2 Kings 18-19; Proverbs 9:10-18

Thursday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18-19; Proverbs 9:10-18

The sixteenth day of summer.

2 Kings 16-17; Proverbs 9:1-9

Wednesday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 16-17; Proverbs 9:1-9

The fifteenth day of summer.

Jay and Joelle left this morning to meet Janelle in Illinois at Rugh's place.

2 Kings 14-15; Proverbs 8:32-36

Tuesday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 14-15; Proverbs 8:32-36

The fourteenth day of summer.
The last full day of Joelle's visit.

The Fourth of July. Independence Day. Two hundred and thirty years ago the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, worthy reading for such a day as this. Also interesting to read is this short biography of England's George III, the British king referred to in the Declaration of Independence.

Solomon had this to say about freedom . . .

2 if you have been trapped by what you said,
TABensnared by the words of your mouth,

3 then do this, my son, to free yourself,
TABsince you have fallen into your neighbor's hands:
TABGo and humble yourself;
TABpress your plea with your neighbor! —Proverbs 6:2-3

Humility as a means to freedom . . . what a counter-intuitive concept!

2 Kings 12-13; Proverbs 8:12-31

Monday's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 12-13; Proverbs 8:12-31

The thirteenth day of summer.

Psalms 122-124

Sunday's Bible Reading: Psalms 122-124

The twelfth day of summer.

Jay sang at Big Star Lake Chapel morning and evening. We left home at 6:30 a.m. Spent the afternoon with the DeBruyne's. Got home at 8:45 p.m.

Acts 4; Proverbs 8:1-11

Saturday's Bible Reading: Acts 4; Proverbs 8:1-11

The eleventh day of summer.

Aha! I've figured it out. The reason so few hear the voice of Wisdom when she calls out is because Wisdom is an alto. Her buddy Understanding also has trouble being heard. The two of them probably sit next to one another in choir. If they sang soprano, everyone would hear them. A college friend of mine sang soprano. Whenever she would walk into a room and speak, everyone immediately turned their attention to her. Even if I was in the middle of a captivating story, her voice trumped my cleverness. So I guess I know how Wisdom feels when no one pays attention.

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This afternoon we're heading to Grand Haven to spend time with Doug and Donna on their boat. Yea! It's really summer.