Ephesians

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you wer sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

For this reson I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

I pray that the eyes o your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.   These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every anme that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.   And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in thesons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His wormanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by the so-called "circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of Promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both grougps into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 

AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.     For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by the revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.  By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.  To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.  Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are for your glory.  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and ot know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.  But to each one of us grace was given according tot he measure of Christ's gift.  Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."  (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He wo descended is Himself also He who ascended far above allt he heavens, so that He might fill all things.)   And He gave somea s apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the boyd of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together byw hat every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  So this I say, and affirm together witht he Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they having become callous, have given themselves over to the sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.  But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance witht he lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put ont he new self, which in the likesness of God ahs been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.  Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.  He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his won hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.  Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.   Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.    Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.  But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.   For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrathof God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  Do not participate int he unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that beomces visible is light.  For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be fillled witht he Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns ans spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to god , even the Father; an be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.  Wives, be subject to your won husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He HImself being the Savior of the body.  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.  So husbands ought also to to love their own wives as their own bodies.  he who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.  This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.  Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.  Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),  SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AN THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear adn trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.  With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.  And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that bother their Master and yours in in heaven, and ther is no partiality with Him.  Finally, be strong  in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take u the full amor of God, so that you will be able to resist int he evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish allt he flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,a nd pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me int he opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus,t he beloved brother and faithful minister int he Lord, will make everything known to you.  I ahve sent him to your for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hears.  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all those wo love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. 



Heat wave in December 2012

Breaking record high temps for the last few days.  Had to turn on the AC.  whew.

In my personal Bible Study--and as an old lady, I have the luxury of sipping coffee and reading and re-reading chapters of the Bible--a luxury busy moms of small children do not have.  But, I have been amazed at how God has drawn me to certain chapters, reading and re-reading and pondering and taking notes in the Genesis story again.  But, then, after a certain amazing sermon--given me the tantalizing strength to tackle Ephesians.  a book I usually avoid like the plague as Paul can be a bit technical, arguementative and hard-- but broken down into its parts, with a couple of running starts, I still wonder if it is a book to be read aloud in one sitting?  Why don't we do that then?  Or, was it to be studied? Piece by piece.  I have known preachers who take YEARS to get through it verse by verse, word by word.  And then when lifted out---certain passages scrape and grate against me. 

And I ply my husband at home with questions.  Like i should.  But, oh, to see the forrest and not just the trees that is Ephesians.  i noticed again this morning, that Paul seems to hint of an earlier book that explains the Mystery of Christ and the Church?  Now I shall ask which book is that?  For he seems to direct us back there. 

And Ephesians seems to remind me that we can't just sit home alone, for God designed something much bigger--we are part of Christ's Body.  Designed to work in the group God calls and knits together.  This is good to remember when I desire to jump ship.  It is so discouraging to hear our own Pastor badmouth another pastor, and to hear our own pastor badmouth David Barton.  It is tempting to put the house up for sale, move to Denton and attend Denton Bible Church.  There is nothing to hold us here.  Where would God have us serve?  Sometimes the messages and Bible Studies at our local church are good.  But, God seems to be holding the numbers down, seats empty, leadership thin and a woeful lack of mature teachers for the kids, teens.  The bulletin is mostly social.  And may I say I am not a fan of plays and crappy praise songs?  Hey, this is my online journal.  This is where I dump. 

Let us return to Ephesians.  Ephesians shouts unity, tolerance, being a part---because even as marriage is a power the enemy cannot stand, the church, the local body of believers, growing, struggling, working, serving each other and the community---is something the enemy hates even more.  How dare I critisize.  How dare we eat each other. 

But part of me was almost glad that we were called away to a more wild and hands on service last night.  Instead of the Lord's Supper---which our local church does wrong and only twice a year at best, we were called to a hospital room and a little guy wanting sloppy joes.  God works in mysterious ways. 

What if the Covenant of Marriage is a picture of the Gospel of Christ? What if the next generation will have trouble seeing the Gospel because they only know broken marriages, divorce, bitterness, and perversion? What if God set in motion 5,773 years ago the powerful team that is marriage to both protect frail, weaker man from the enemy and to declare God's love and God's image, God's order and God's better way.

As a teenager, I was taught that God's institutions included personal volition, marriage, the family, and the nation. I was taught that God guided and protected these down through the ages. When any or all are attacked, civilized society falls. fails. But, what if God set these up to reflect Himself, and the future?

I have listened to it again today--amazed how now I have even more questions about covenants, good and bad marriages in the Bible, etc. And the timing---drawn to the Genesis accounts that then echo in Ephesisans. And I need all the help I can get with Ephesisan!

 

is the Genesis 2:24 Leave, Be joined, Become one flesh applicable to the Gospel of Christ: Repent, Trust, Walk/Abide? and is "help meet suitable" in Genesis the same word for administration suitable in Eph 1:10?

 

A friend in Italy--an Air Force wife, posted a Denton Bible Church sermon from 2008 in a word search she did on "manhood" and I have now listened to that sermon and watched the video four times.  It is so rich.  It explains so much. 

 

I have not always been the best wife.  I was guilty of the roman novel fantasizing the professor talks about.  I have also been guilty of badmouthing my husband.  Especially early on, as I was used to telling my parents everything as a child---what happened at school, etc.  And I was guilty of badmouthing my husband with friends, falling into the trap of the evil feminist movement.  No excuse.  As a Christian, badmouthing anyone is sin, especially your husband. 

 

And I have wondered about those verses in Genesis---what was God saying we are made in the likeness of God?  How Day 6 was a VERY busy day.  Was it six days of creation or restoration?  Where did water come from?  And the characters that pop up in the story---when were they "created"?  the talking serpent.  the cherubim, the seraphim. 

 

The clues are all there.  And as I read over the chapters in my morning personal Bible story, I am left with more questions.  Adam lived almost a thousand years, but his last recorded words---"...and I did eat."  Lovely.  Eve gets to wax on about her son---with the help of the Lord.  Did God literally assist at the birth?  Did God answer her questions when her belly swelled and her firstborn murdered Abel? She knew.  She declares Seth a replacement for Abel.  "because Cain murdered Abel." 

 

What of Lamech in the naming of Noah?  What prophecy?  When "men called on the name of the Lord" did God prophecy that one would come to break the curse? 

 

After hearing the Denton Bible Church sermon, I want to study marriages in the Bible, the good and the bad.  God established marriage as a covenant relationship.  God puts in little girls the desire to be married.  God gives us the tools, the power, the instructions on how to be a good wife, and a good mate.  And ladies, we are told to submit ONLY to our own husband.  no other man.  Leave father and mother.  Leave and cleave.  How do you talk to your Mother about your husband?  Do I pray for my husband more than just God smack him upside the head?  Do I simmer and resent time at church because women are to keep silent and ask their husbands questions at home??   Or do I marvel at the power in submitting--how it pisses satan off. 

 

How enobling that we are given marriage as power, as protection, as a glimpse of God.  God invented marriage.  satan attacks it.  God lets satan rail, roam, roar, even try to devour.  But, the head of the serpent has been crushed.  Satan bit Jesus bruised His heel, and now Jesus sits at the Right Hand of God, King of kings and Lord of lords.  Above all.  And we share everything Christ has because He did the cross in our place, and desire that we Walk with Him.  ABide in Him.  Christ is the Head of the Church even as the husband is the head of our marriage. 

And Lord, please keep me from crusader arrogance because protecting marriage to protect the Gospel could confuse.  Instead, help me impress on the younger women how important marriage is--and to keep it holy.  pure.  It does not say obey when you feel like it.  It does not say when your husband loves as Christ loves.  It does not say obey to the point of sin or crime, nor endure abuse.  Love just like Christ loves in order to be a good witness and testimony to your children, the next generation and the world.  God set out good Christian marriages as a becon on a hill.  Expect attack.  Look to God for the energy, the motivation, the forgiveness, the daily removal of anger and bitterness that you are going to need to Love the gift God gave you: your dear husband, and truly be his helpmate suitable.

Found some old posts in the drafts folder

poking around, I found some old posts in the drafts folder.  decided to publish them so as to save them. 

I think the full bloom of blogging is gone.  I use it for an online journal.  But, if you just stumbled across my blog.  enjoy. 

And if someone knows how to save their favorites list off their internet explorerer...please let me know.  If/when a computer crashes, I grieve the loss of favorites sites bookmarked.  It takes a while to build them back up again. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I have been celebrating all week.  ha.   Mashed potatoes with cream cheese---whoop.  I'd add garlic, but not everyone in this house loves garlic as much as moi.

Re-arranging Chairs on the Titanic May 9, 2011

That is what housework feels like sometimes. I changed the sheets on the guest bed, and while Ben, our youngest, will use it on the weekends when he comes home from college... Andy will be here next weekend with his animals. So, I was getting that spare room ready, too. Bedspread all washed, and lap quilts all done and folded on the toddler bed---which won't get used for another month, but I want to get ready.

Our house is so quiet now, and I got so sweaty trying to remove the dust from nooks and cranies... and trying to see the rooms through little eyes. Are we baby proof? Time to find the electrical plug covers. Seven month, David will be eight months when he comes here, so we need to re-think the cords and dangling things.

Bob helped me clean out the hall closet. It is now a cat haven. Complete with cat door. Kitty litter, and food and water bowls... Wish we had a cat perch to put in there. In cleaning out the closet, I was able to donate some old suits to Mission Arlington. Those folks are so friendly about taking anything. Even an old surge protector. And I got the magazines mailed to my Mother with the Filipino recipe I think she will remember from when exchange students visited our house when I was a kid. I know it seems silly to mail magazines to my Mom, but she knows I can get rather too creative with recipes---best to let her read it herself so that she knows I did not forget something or tweek it already. ha. I tried to help her over the phone with facebook today, but, she just wants to see recently added photos, and finds facebook not easy to navagate around.

Now for some Mother's Day observations: I want to remember celebrating early with Ben and his classmate from college. We went to Carrabbas on Friday when they were not busy. It was fun. A silly expense, but the food was good. So, on Sunday, Bob gave his Sunday School lesson, and then because Ben and his friend were all packed and ready to head back to collge, we just went to Whataburger for lunch. The onion rings were good. I thought Bob liked going there for the burgers, but he ordered a chicken sandwich. He was not impressed. How silly. Why order chicken at a burger place? I don't understand. When we got home, there was a pro-flowers box leaning up next to the car, and the phone was ringing---James from Afghanistan!!! YAY So good to hear his voice. We also got to talk to his wife, Amber on the phone, too, and we could hear Baby James.

I was nodding off at the computer on Sunday afternoon, so we took naps. Then we got to talk on the phone with the firstborn and his family in Alaska 6pm our time, which is 3pm and almost naptime for them.

So--for Mother's Day--I got to hug the youngest son, hear the other two on the phone, arrange two dozen roses in vases. (could not fit them all into the one that came with) and eat chocolate. And take a nap. Our pastor taught from Hosea for Mother's Day !!! What a brave man. And a lady that has been attending our church since she was a teenager told her motherhood story---barren until age 40, then twin girls. Those girls are now graduated from college, and one is married, the other to be married soon. And all without a word about her ex. That is what made it amazing to me. Since one of our sons tracked with the twins through junior high and high school, we know the story--and just let me say, that woman has a right to bitterness, but she chose not to go there. She chose to only discuss the positive. That was amazing.

All that is left is purchasing some art materials for our 4 year old granddaughter to use when she gets here in a month, and keep an eye out for pink sheets for the bed in case the Disney "Cars" theme on the toddler bed is just too small for her now. I went through the toys, and noticed that the blocks are marked 18 months, so no use getting them out of the wrappers unless our daughter-in-law approve. I culled through the Chevron car collection, and took off the small choking hazards, and pulled the pink and purple cars to the front. Our granddaughter may play with them like dolls as they have eyes and mouths, and their own claymation commercials, but the beanie babies will probably see more air time. And the Toy Story puppets. And the dinosaur egg. Maybe I can get someone to put new batteries in the elephant. I do need to move the books to a lower shelf, and de-clutter the shelf with the dvds.

I don't know if our granddaughter will get to stay and play here a month or more---we can hope. But, I know our daughter-in-law wants to find a house for rent close to her folks and grandparents in Houston. We just want to make them feel welcome as they move down from Alaska, and wait for

Baby James??

The Two Hour Tribute, and Six Hour Reception Feb 15, 2010

It was a once in a lifetime event, and I am thinking that we won't see some of these dear folks until heaven home, as Bob's cousins are scattered across the country. And even though I have tried over the years to explain connections and relatives to our sons, Ben still came up to me after and proclaimed, I did not know I had another blonde girl cousin with our last name. Girl cousins are kinda rare to him. (He has two more girl cousins I bet he would not recognize a room full of relatives.)

And how come the very same child who has not listened to your explanations of relations obviously did not listen to the good sermon about being gentle and kind, either? During the reception, he decides to "kid" one of the cousins wives, and all over a chair. Shesh. We had been sitting for two hours during the wonderful tribute where every sibling, and every grandchild spoke. Why did Ben decide to be a pill with Lisa? I had to take a snowball out of his hands. And Bob was oblivious. I try not to yell at my husband unless it is an emergency, and Ben needed a man to sit on him. gently. If he had not driven with us, I would have been tempted to ask him to leave. I wanted him to meet his relatives, and know he is part of a big family that gets along. What got into him? Someone made a crack about his long hair, but he gave the his oft repeated "it would make my Dad too happy to cut my hair". Seriously? Yet, he gets along with his Dad and shows Bob stuff he has built or done at his solar power constrution job. Gotta keep praying.

Gary Horton came and spoke yesterday at our church. It was so good to be reminded to keep praying...especially for the hard to love, the pierced, the tattooed, the difficult, insecure, rebellious. I look at them as carrying a lot of baggage, but they are precious to God, and need God to change their lives and give them purpose. We need to pray that God open doors and get Gary into school to give the Gospel. That is what our future generation needs.

One story stands out in my mind from the day. Bob's uncle had the same name and signature as his own father. When Bob's uncle was overseas in the Battle of the Bulge, and sending his $22 a month paycheck back home, it was either put in a joint account or the bank messed up, because when Bob's granddad wrote checks, he used up all Bob's uncle's money. When Bob's uncle and dad came home from WWII, they came home to no money, and all their possessions had been sold by a second wife. All their precious books, and things, gone. And Bob's uncle was not bitter about it. He never complained nor spoke of it, but went on and got a job and got married, and raised a wonderful family, and made a conscious decision to be a better father and husband than he had had. a daily, conscious decision...to start his day reading his Bible, praying, looking into the Word for what to do, how to act, and then he lived it. He was respected all his life in his town, and seen to be strong and gentle. Reflected in the stories from the sons and daughter, was this theme of a true gentleman.

Bob's oldest brother, both a preacher and a prof at a Bible college, did okay in the sermon portion. Everyone else loved it, and thought it great, but to me it was just okay. I wanted more about passing the baton. I wanted more about admonishing the next generation as this looked like the last opportunity for that. But, God the Holy Spirit directed Joel to preach other things. Like, be careful what God you serve. A god of your own making, or the One True God.

Maybe they ran out of room on the bulletin, but the myriad of nieces and nephews, grands and greats were left off. And Bob's uncle's influence of the El Paso Williamsons was not mentioned here either as it had with Aunt Mary's funeral. At Aunt Mary's funeral, we were all directed to sit shoulder to shoulder, and the orphaned El Paso Williamsons got to say thanks. This time, we had wandered in early, and sat apart. I was so glad James and Amber were there to hear the stories. And I hope Ben appreciates them some day. But, I wish Andy and Lauren could have heard them, too. As these stories from Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, and El Paso are part of their rich heretage, too.

Bob's uncle's daughter shared some of the near death experiences which sound more like a gift and something to ponder, as she was amazed they happened while all three of them were there. Usually, her brothers took turns flying into town to see their Dad, and at the end, the lucid times seemed to be rare as they knew he was ready to go, and yet lingered for a few weeks in hospice. At one point, he seemed to be talking to another place when he bold demanded of some unseen entity: "who are you? come here, who are you?" and then proclaimed, "I am William R. Williamson, junior, and I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ..." as if in some part of the angelic conflict, his spirit was still lucid and alive and awake. A man of prayer to the end, a prayer warrior all his life, doing spiritual battle to the end, too. All three of his children witnessed it and were so thankful for this and other glimpses into that unseen realm. They could tell a difference in when he was halucinating or confused, and when he was clearly declaring or conversing with the next world.

Dangerously Hot (old post found in draft folder from July 2009

We are under a heat advisory until Monday night at 7pm. Why 7pm? Is that when the temperature dips below one hundred degrees?

Even the nights are warmish. I think the day started at 85 degrees this morning. And the water coming out of the "cold" water side will wilt lettuce. I can take a whole bath and shower just using the "cold" side. We might as well turn off the hot water heater this month.

Bob has waited until the yard is somewhat shaded to mow. He wants to mow so that he can water and keep the yard sorta green for a few more weeks.

We attended Amber's church this morning. Drove the route between our two churches to check the milage, and noticed that one of the streets have changed. Bob fixed the maps on google earth so that we can print out a few to keep with us, and post the link for incoming relatives. Amber's church is small, but they have done such an amazing amount of remodeling since we were there at Christmas. Carpet, and padded pews, and the textured walls reminded me of angels' wings. I wonder if they planned it thataway. I tried to imagine Amber and her eight bridesmaids all lined up. It will be packed, but fun. I wonder if Amber and her crew will step up on the stage to be seen easier? It is a big step. And I hope all the dear ladies and gentlemen eat a good lunch, and drink plenty of water. We don't want anyone fainting.

It will take folks 30 minutes or so to drive back to our church for the reception where we have lots of room in our church gym. I am encouraging some of Bob's cousins with small children to come just to the reception, as we can still visit, and it will be easier on their kids. Bob asked if we would be inviting anyone from our church, but how do you invite a select few and not everyone? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. And while family understand we can't all fit into Amber's church, they are flexibale about coming to the reception for a good visit. We kinda need a head count to give the catorers. or is it caterers. or how about catorors?

Amber's church members may wonder why no one from our church attended, but I hope they understand why. And I hope they will feel welcome at our church.

As soon as the reception is over, we have to get the gym ready for church the next day---200 chairs wheeled out of their storage rooms and set up. Bob has been on the chair crews for years, and can do it in an hour with four other men who know what they are doing. Bob likes to set them precisely. Our church threw us a curve ball by deciding to add yet another "ministry" of opening the gym Friday afternoons. Just when are we going to have time to decorate. It is not right to be mad at your own church, but ... And Bob and I have been pondering just how much tea, limeade, and lemonade for 150 people in super hot weather. I am sure there is a formula on google somewhere. Ice hauled from the grocery store next door.

It will all work out. I just hope James and Amber look back with good memories. And I hope they are able to laugh at all that transpires. No matter what.

Now if we can just find someone to keep our church open from 2-6pm, and greet the cake lady, and catorers, and receptionees, and help with the music....

James was home this weekend

And we only ate breakfast with him once.   (publishing an old post from a drafts folder) 

I think we missed our opportunity on Saturday night.

He heads back to Lawton today. He says he'll be by to pick up his laundry later. But, he has a full day scheduled with Amber. And that is as it should be. Yesterday we showed Amber and her sister and niece and nephew the facilities, and they discussed table placement. Then James showed them the botanical gardens, but he said he also experienced a flat tire. Yikes. Got it fixed at Walmart. That is good.

Next weekend, James does not come home here. We'll be going to Ohio to see firstborn become a captain. And then June 6th--Ben wants to go with us to see Hannah graduate from high school with us at Reed Arena. Our social calendar is getting exciting!

Bob google earthed the trip to Ohio. Google earth has pictures of the streets and houses and businesses now, as if you are driving down the street!!! Amazing, and so helpful for the directionally challenged like me. And so fun to zoom in on the farm in Illinois. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would send me to the north bedroom to fetch a sweater, and I had NOT a clue as to which bedroom was north, and google earth helps me figure out which way was which. I did not learn to drive in Illinois, which is my excuse for not knowing the four points of the compass. And it was cloudy a lot---so I could not use the sun. That is my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. Ha. I should have had a watch with a compass as a kid.

I would like to thank my husband again for over and above and beyond the call of duty---the hours and hours shopping, researching, schlepping, re-arranging, plugging in stuff, downloading stuff, and getting this new computer stack set up and going so that I can wile away my hours playing on the computer. What few interesting articles I find him, I don't think it is a fair exchange. Bob does not ask for much. He seems so grateful for any meal (except yogurt), peanut butter cookies, and clean black socks. And of course, a game of Scrabble. But, we did not get to do that much between computer revivial, retreaval, and power outages. But, Bob did a funny, funny post about our adventures Sunday. I can tell it is going to be and awesome post when he sits in his chair laughing at his own writing. And then we get to bouncing comment ideas off each other. Whoa. And Bob's commenters are so kind to help me out with even more ideas. We hope no one from church (if anyone reads Bob's blog) is offended. We have had poor attitudes about the music at church for years. It is not just the present administration.

Maybe, in heaven, God will not only fix our attitudes about worship music, but give us the great music to sing. And maybe He has a special place for hymn lovers---a special hymns only section as well as a seven-eleven place for those who lean thataway, for their enjoyment. I don't know. And won't it be fun to hear the original Psalms in their original music. Bob thinks it will sound mournful

What are you holding?

Genesis 21:17, 18 And God heard the lad crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.”

Deut. 11:22 For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.

Deut. 32 (Moses’ song) …For I proclaim the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. …He has made you and established you. …Remember the days of old…See now that I, I AM He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal; and there is no one who can deliver from My Hand. Indeed, I lift up My Hand to heaven, and say, as I live forever, if I sharpen My flashing sword, and My Hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, and I will repay those who hate Me.

Joshua 22:5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalm 74:21-23 When my heart was embittered, and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee, Thou has taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 56:1 Thus says the Lord: Preserve justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who takes hold of it, who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.

Jeremiah 2:13 For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cistern, that can hold no water.

Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve god and mammon.

Matt. 12:11 And He said to them: What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into the pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out?

Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Mark 7:8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.

Luke 8:15 And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Col. 1:17 And HE (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

I Th. 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

Rev. 2:25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Rev. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me: Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Oppossums

I finally saw a possum in action.

We were sitting here last Saturday night, and there was a spotlight south of us lighting the power lines and I saw a possum walk along the phone lines. The big, heavy cables run along the back fence line that divides our back yard from the neighbor's back yard. My dear husband corrects me that the top lines are power, and the lower heavy-duty cables are phone. Birds often perch on the five lines like musical notes.

Years ago, I caught a possum red-handed in the garage feasting on cat food. So, I purchased a possum trap from our feed and seed store, and we bait the trap with cat food in the back yard and transport possums to a new kingdom near the Trinity. We asked the local animal control what they do with possums turned in, and found out they release them at the nearest park---but, we just could not do that to our friends who live near the park. We bungee the cage type trap to the back of the pick-up truck and haul them five or six miles north to the wildlife preserve near the river.

I guess its time to bait the trap again. These possums are bigger than cats, and I don't want them to tangle with neighbor cats. Possums are one ugly creature. And stink !!!!!!!!!!!! Whew.  

(found this post in a drafts folder.)

hearts

hearts think
He was grieved in His heart
heart moves
hearts stirred
heart willing
heart compelled to express a skill
heart compelled to teach
hearts melt
hearts stubborn
hearts forget
why is your heart sad?
merry hearts
a heart of integrity
hearts sank
a willing heart
heart of heaven


Just a few of the 865 hearts found in 801 verses in Quickverse ! Take it to heart. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, might...and these words I am commanding you today shall be on your heart...teach them diligently...talk of them at home, while traveling, morning and night...bind them...write them...

Deut. 8:2 says God tests hearts. God humbles. God tests to know wha is in your heart whether you would keep His commandments. Deut. 8:5 Know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

Impress these words on mine, God says, on your heart and teach them to your children. And in Deut. 32:46 Take to your heart God's Word: it is your life.

Dang. I remembered the password.

November 21, 2012  Ramblings of a Baker...

Thanksgiving is upon us early this year.  Lovely.  Our "normal" is change.  (Normal is only a dryer setting, anyway)

Back in 1997, our transmission dropped out of our minivan on the road to grandmother's house, and we limped back home.  I dashed to the store, and we did our own Thanksgiving feast here at home.  That was a challenge. 

I am thankful none of my sons are deployed this year.  Those were sober Thanksgiving past.

And I am thankful for the good weather.  Windows open.  Trees turning gold and orange. 

But, I have always found Thanksgiving to be a bit much.  Getting food on the table hot, fresh, ready and juggling oven time, thawing time, and not poison anyone...getting leftovers frantically back into the frig.  The wreckage.  The delicious leftovers.  Easily microwaveable. 

How did my grandmothers do it?  Both put on spreads that would be fit for a king!  And without the conveniences of close grocery stores.  The prep work...killing the actual bird, removal of feathers---something I have never had to do in my life.  Our turkeys come nicely shrink wrapped. Sure, a few slimy quills sometimes need pulled out.  And sanitizing the sink is of major importance.  But, I remember how nothing was wasted.  Neck and gibblets simmered on a back burner to make the gravy.  Gravy. None of us need it anymore. 

We were ready to drive to where the grandkids are--half of them, anyway, and give their poor parents a break, but plans change.  They got a much better offer.  And I was suspicious that our youngest, 25 year old electrician had big plans for when we were gone.  Sure enough, he asked when we'd be leaving, and when he found out we were not, confessed hours of work he had put in planning the electrical change out of the circuit breaker boxes.  Yikes.  Bob has been wanting to do this since we moved in....thirty years ago...but it slipped down the list of priorities.  Our house was a fire in the making.  The kitchen is wired such that three things at once trip a fuse.  (this adds to the challenge of cooking Thanksgiving feasts)

So, I do not always feel very Thankful on Thanksgiving---no excuse this year.  Even with the added challenge to cook just so much that we do not have a lot of leftovers, as power will be out most of Friday when Ben changes out the electrical box---and his boss comes inspect on Saturday. 

I made bread yesterday.  It was eighty degrees---best for bread rising.  I need to use up this jar of yeast, and Bob loves fresh bread.  Kind of a trial run for rolls...maybe. 

Today, the pies are in the oven.  And by pies, I mean pumpkin pie custard.  I don't like crusts.  I don't do crusts.  My crusts turn out like cardboard.  And I am suspicious of weird ingreds in store bought pie crusts.  I am thankful for small pyrex dishes...  But, what possessed me to buy the big can? 

I have an iron skillet of water at the bottom of the oven on the lowest rack.  this seems to be helping keep the pie custardy.  Smells good.  My fav is lots of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg--  and I used acutal canned milk like you are suppose to according to the recipe.  The flan of the pumpkin world.  Tastes pretty good.  The little pyrex bowls cook faster...and give the cook a chance to taste test safely. 

Ham was outrageously priced at Tom Thumb this year.  Yikes.  I passed on ham.  Ben likes ham, however, so if he comes over, I may need to dash to Cracker Barrel for a few servings.  Cracker Barrel has the best cornbread dressing, too.  I still have dressing in the freezer ready to go---and seeing as how I am the only one that eats it...when I used up the peso jar.

Good thing little ears were not around to hear grannie curse at the can opener.  I had everything laid out, ready to go, spices in a little bowl and everything.  The can opener balked at the huge can of pumpkin.  Seriously?  Curse words were heard.  I think it was the angle.  I was sitting down because I can no longer stand for long periods of time.  When I stood up, the can opener worked fine.  It is hard to find a reliable, good quality can opener.  Guess I am going to have to find a Pampered chef or something.  Good grief.

Next, the turkey wrestling.  Just a "fresh" turkey breast so that we can use it up by Friday.  ha. 

I will slip it into the oven when the pies are done.  cook it in a plastic-for-oven bag.  Keep it moist, hopefully.  And we will start celebrating tonight.  Yip.  Saving the mashed potatoes for tomorrow.  The cream cheese, whipping cream, butter are ready.   And the frozen asparagus. 

I like this way better.  Stretching it out a little instead of being stressed out about the pans, and oven time.  Bob complains of me stuffing him, anyway. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.  I am so thankful God gives me neat ideas.  And He has blessed me with such good memories.  Thanksgivings with my grandparents, parents, boys--as babies and growing up.  And now they have babies of their own.  Grandbabies are the best.  But, making our house safer with electric upgrades is part of making this a safer place when they visit. 

I am thankful we don't have to pack or impose on anyone this year.  And I am thankful for the luxury of time to play with recipes and please my husband. 

1pm...pies out, turkey in.  sink santitizing.  hot water, then bleach. 

note to self:  when wiping the water spills from the oven door, use a paper towel next year.  one white dishrag ruined.  oh, well.  I can knit another.   I had "cleaned the oven" weeks ago, but neglected to wipe it down with a wet paper towel.  The clean setting on the oven merely turns spills to smoke and ash.  Lots and lots of smoke---have to wait for a day when you can open the windows comfortably...and sit outside a while.

Make memories!  You are making them whether you think you are or not.  Like a movie in my head---the tremendous spread my grandmothers did.  Did we thank them?  Did they know?  Thank you, Grandma James.  Thank you, Nannie.  I miss you. 

update #2 almost 7pm.  Dishes are washed.  David Barton talked about how the original feast was a three day affair...looks like we are doing that!  Fresh baked bread and sweet potatoes on Tuesday night, turkey, sweet potatoes, celery raw, pumpkin pie with whipped cream on Wednesday night with Ben!  and tomorrow---we shall dine upon the rest of the turkey, and I shall make mashed potatoes with cream cheese, and asparagus, and more pumpkin pie with whipped cream.  What fun!  Easier on the old tummies to stretch it out over three days.  ha.   Ben said thank you.  Ben loves home cooked meals.  I hope and pray God give him a wife that loves to cook, but mostly, a godly woman who reads and studies her Bible every day. 

Bob and Ben are off to purchase the electrical supplies for Friday's project.  yay.

Bob called home tonight and asked, has Ben called yet?  Bob is really getting into this project.  I hope and pray it is a time of bonding with father and son.  I hope Ben does not regret it.  He kinda likes to work alone and then suprise us.  I was planning on leaving a project out on the counter...funny.

Thank you, Lord for a wonderful feast.  The turkey was moist even though I set it going at 1pm and kept adjusting the temp from 350 to 300.  The plastic oven bag and then putting a lid on it helped with an easy clean up and kept it moist.  

Ben also noted that when folks ask what ya doing for Thanksgiving, that every year has been different.  We have so much to be grateful for.  Thank you, Lord for healthy sons home from Afghanistan.  Please get us ready for eternity with You.    In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Siblings

October 1, 2012  Monday

Robert and Laura Meredith had six children.  Their daughter, Dorthy was my Grandmother. I called her Grandma James.  I remember Great Grandmother Laura Meredith as a beautiful yet frail lady in her eighties when I was in junior high.  I knew her as a relative that stayed with my Grandma for weeks, sometimes months at a time, and then in the nursing home in Farmer City, Illinois. 

I did not know to ask—but what was it like having six children? Were they all birthed at home?  And it seems like there was one more who died as a young man.  I will check with my Mother, but Great Grandmother Laura may have birthed seven.

Now the last of them are gone on to heaven home.  Great Uncle Lester died recently.  He was in his nineties.  Like his other sister, Great Aunt Lou, dementia robbed them of a good end.   I have memories of Uncle Lester and his wife traveling with a trailer in their retirement parked at the farm, and visiting us once in El Paso in 1980?  Aunt Lou and her husband lived part of their retirement at the corner house on the farm, so we got to visit that vivacious lady when we visited Grandpa and Grandma James’ farm.

It is hard for our granddaughter to wrap her mind around her own parents having siblings, let alone her grannie having siblings.  And maybe, when she is a grannie, the last of my generation will be dying out.  And she will wonder what it was like for me to have a younger sister, and two younger brothers.  

Next weekend, the descendants of Robert Laura Meredith gather to remember and learn.  And their great-great-great grandson, David Mace Williamson turns two years old.  And their great-great-great granddaughter finished her second week of kindergarten.  And their great-great-great grandsons in Missouri will soon be moving to Louisiana.  I wonder how many great-great-greats they have?  I can think of at least a dozen.

My Grandpa James still has a little sister alive---the last of his side.  Grandpa Wilbur James had three sisters.  Cousins still live near the original farms. 

Eleven Years Ago

Eleven years ago, I was sitting here just like this, poking around on the computer.  I had walked home from the auto repair shop where I had dropped off the van for repairs after dropping our middle son off at high school.  Bob took our youngest to his private school in Fort Worth, where he was taking special classes for dyslexia.

As I watched events unfold, and heard radio reports, I was able to find tiny postage stamp size coverage online, and walked into our backyard to tell Bob's brother, studying in our little house, that a tower had fallen.  He dropped me off at the repair shop and then headed to his in-laws house as he wanted to see coverage on a tv.  We did not have a tv at the time, trying to focus on the boys reading skills, and trying to control the garbage on tv to impressionable young minds.

Our firstborn was a sophomore in college...band member in one of the most patriotic colleges, in the ROTC program.  I was not worried about him.  But, knowing we were now at war, it would not be long before his upper classmen were sent to meet this enemy of radical islam over there.  I was so thankful our new president had a military background and respected the advice of his military admirals and generals. 

Remember how quiet the skies were that next week?  Remember the stories that came out of the events---stories of heros and selfless bravery.  I could not get enough.  Even last year, on the Tenth Anniversary, I learned so much from the stories.  These stories should be taught in our schools, but sadly, the schools have been hyjacked by teachers unions, liberal professors and teaching to look good on tests rather than history.  And since we are not learning from history, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes. 

Eleven years later: I am a grannie of four beautiful, healthy grandchildren.  Two of my sons are captains! They have both done funeral duty.  One more than the other.  We are empty nesters.  I can no longer make 4 mile long hikes on a beautiful September morning.  Sometimes my hip gives out. I move slower.  I need larger font. 

I am concerned that people are allowed to come live here without proper screening.  We should only allow people to live here that embrace our God given freedom. rights. justice. the desire to live respecting the religion of others. Our borders should be secure.

I am concerned that our leaders are afraid to declare a purpose, a mission in Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Did we learn nothing from Vietnam?  There should be consequences for killing our soldiers---especially, the soldiers trying to train them to govern themselves.   Eleven years out, we have all lost friends and relatives over there.  My husband has a cousin buried at Arlington in Virginia.   But, the media does not mention the fallen unless you live in their city. Where is the monument to the now over 6,000?  Are their stories, their acts of heroism being taught at school? 

Scott Baker on the Blazecast posed the question: why no outrage to the story on disrespect shown the flag at a university.

It was a super big flag.
Supposidly for dimocrats---some of us do not expect them to show respect.

But, here on the Eleventh Anniversary from September 11th, 2001, have we been teaching patriotism to our children in schools?  Are we outraged when children are not taught the pledge let alone given the opportunity to say it each day?

The flag is a symbol. It is dear to some of us.  Madison Rising, a conservative rock band of which a member is a vet, is promoting a new version of the Star Spangled Banner.  To meet the criticism that no one has the SSB on their ipod, Madison Rising has a version that will get your blood pumping.  Elderly folks may find it offensive.  But, if it gives our national anthem new life, so be it.

In eleven years of watching the radical islam animals enjoy burning our flag too much---even constructing crude copies just to burn them, it is as if we are picking our battles and choosing not to play their game.  If they want to go ape shit over our flag, we can't stop them...short of turning them to glass.  We are too nice.  We instead desire to be a beacon.  A place of refuge.  If you come here, you will find freedom, and fairness and justice....unless you are the fetus in a black teenager. 

Both of my sons have presided over funerals where their job, their duty and privilege was to hand the widow a folded up flag.  It is up to their generation to decide. I defer to them.  Only on military installations do you stand to honor our flag and all it stands for---before a movie.  Only on military installations have I heard the daily honor given the flag raising, lowering, and salute to all fifty states. 

It is if there is nothing sacred anymore.  People are told to remove their signage at campsites because it is political and hence "offensive?"  Soon, flying the flag may be deemed offensive to half our country.  And that is sad.

If I personally witnessed someone on my street, in my city disrespecting the flag, I will try to gently teach.  But, best to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be concerned about the soul of the one disrespecting that flag--for only then, when the soul is right with God, will they then be given the desire, as I was, to honor and revere our God given rights, and learn that under God there is a worthy and unworthy manner of doing everything. 

a month later

August 7, 2012, Tuesday

Internet is down. Probably the heat is to blame, but I am just too lazy to drive down to the corner and see if a truck is messing with it.  And it has been a month since a blog post.  So, I figure I could get one ready and then copy and paste. 

July was an exciting month. July 2^nd, Abby turned 2,000 days old.  I turned 56 years old on the 3^rd. Baby Matthew turned 111 days on July 11^th after a very silly, boring “all-star” game.  Abby, Lauren, and Baby David flew down July 13^th.  Actually, their luggage and Emma cat made it on time, because they were kicked off the plane in Seattle when Lauren used the word, “fever”.  By the time parametics checked David out, the Tylenol kicked in, he was feeling better, and the plane had left.  Never use the word, fever, or “sick” to a stewardess.  It is the excuse she needs to kick you off her plane.   David gave whatever he had to Bob and I---and we are still coughing up crud.  But, it was worth it.  We had a wonderful visit with Abby and David.  Lauren drove them down to see her folks, and then flew to Alabama to see Andy graduate from captains school.  We got to keep Abby and David for a whole week.  All by ourselves.  Bob should have asked for subs, as Baby David did not understand why GrandDad had to hide behind his laptop getting a Sunday School lesson ready. 

We got to see Andy briefly on their flight back to DFW, but Andy had to fly on.  Lauren and the kids flew back to Alaska Sunday the 29^th.  The day Bob turned 22,100 and Baby James turned 555 days on Monday the 30^th.  David turned 666 days on August 2^nd. 

Ben moved back home from Austin.  He had worked for Walker for one year and they offer a transfer after one year.  He said they were laying people off in Austin, anyway.  Bob took off the 20^th of July and helped him haul stuff home.  The turtles in the 40 gallon aquarium were a hit with the grandkids.

We saw niece Jomona on August 3^rd up at Bob’s brother’s house in Frisco.  Aunt Sally fed us well.  I loved the broccoli salad she got from Costcos---she said it is a kit.  Comes with shredded and whole broc and dressing and nuts.  Good and crunchy.  And since I lost my sense of smell with my cold/cough, texture is good.

I know not to use any nose drops or spray.  Just Vicks.  But, lost my sense of smell anyway which makes food kinda bland.  No desire for chocolate.  Put the bags in the frig for another day.   Our AC went out on the 18^th of July.  Even though we were second on the list, it was noon before the repairman installed a new capacitor.  Now I don’t trust the AC nor the frig.  I don’t think the frig keeps things cold enough.  Time to replace it.  Still no dishwasher.  I don’t mind washing.  I look at the clouds.  Get clean hands. 

Amber posted a wonderful video of Baby Matthew (4 and a half months old) laughing at Baby James (18 and a half months old).  What a wonderful gift: laughing babies! 

The Grandkids are coming! The Grandkids are coming!

Unable/unwilling to travel up there, we are so glad firstborn's wife and kids are flying down here from Alaska.  yay!  Firstborn graduates from captains school the end of July, so this way, firstborn's wife and kids can visit friends in Houston, see a new baby born to a bridesmaid, see the other set of grandparents and great grands...then come back here and we will watch the kids whilst firstborn's wife goes to see her husband graduate.  No children allowed.  so sad. 

I really need to write a thank you to the Air Force for being anti-children so we get to watch them!  ha. 

Carseats are installed.  A chore we tackle early in the morning down here in Texas!  The toddler bed is re-assembled.  I even found the little "L" wrench and did it myself.  Thanks to how well our youngest son took it apart and taped the screws and bolts to the frame so they did not get lost.  yay. 

I found a "Cars" themed stroller at Walmart.  $14.  what a deal.  the umbrella-fold kind that fits nicely in the trunk area.  And I already had "Cars" themed sheets on the toddler bed.  Baby David likes cars.  I have a "Mighty Machine" DVD for him that he might like.  Purchased it many moon ago for just a time like this.

And Walmart had these cute pink tees with flags on them for $2 !!!  I should have bought more. 

I am excited.  Anything we can do to help our military folk.  We just want the trip/flights to go smoothly.  And for them to have a good trip.  They move to Florida in September, and things will be hectic then---to hectic for much of a visit, if they even get to come through here.  If it were me, I'd have the cars shipped, and fly directly to Florida.  It is just toooo long a drive for kids. 

But, however we can help.  Bob is saving vacation days.  Soon we will find out where the middle captain and family go next.  They move one more time this year, too.

I still have their high chair from last summer, too.  yay.  Glad I hung on to it.  I figure with three grands under age 2, we will still use it for years to come.  And the pink queen sized sheets were a good investment, as granddaughter loves pink.  I even have some pink towels just for her.  Am I a crazy grannie or what. 

And our youngest son moves back here from Austin July 20th.  yay.  He is an electrician.  I have a list of things that need fixed---the garage light, install a new dishwasher.  He says he will be working at the airport.  The company he has been with for a year now allows transfers and he jumped at it.  His friends are here, and it will be so good to have him back!

He will get to see his niece and nephew and be closer to help out when Cam is in the hospital, too.

Cam was suppose to come this weekend for another round of chemo, but some numbers were not right, so next weekend.  

and today--Saturday, July 7th is lima day at Cracker Barrel.

Birthday 2012

Dreaming:  I awoke in Alaska to the sound of my grandchildren laughing and giggling.  The cool mountain air ...  

Hey, I warned you it was a dream.  If I were thinner...in shape...if I could fit in an airline seat...

Dream Two:  to actually visit Iceland and see these places they feature live on live cams.  Looks so nice and cold.  Anything cold in July and August in Texas is a daydream.

Reality:  woke up listening to the radio, as Bob was getting up, getting showered and ready to go to work.  Our plan is for me to take him to the train, then pick him up after work at the train station and motor up to Carrabbas for some veal piccatta and garlic mashed potatoes.  Yummy.  I live a blessed life.  That was the plan.  anyhoo...

Gross out alert.  You might want to stop reading now if you would care to dwell on everything pure, gentle, beautiful and poop free.  You have been warned.  here is where I dump stuff.  Bob has no time to read my crap at work, so I dump it here.  Kinda an online journal.  A place where I dump crap and then turn and count my blessings.  For I am truly blessed.

This is 2012.  I was born in 1956 and I turn 56 this day.  Fun with numbers.

Now for the crap:  For the past few years, my periods have become irregular.  A few years ago, they got strangely heavy, so I went to my regular doctor, who sent me to a gnocologist and failing to make it through that visit due to bleeding everywhere and making a mess, and losing it, I sought another opinion from another gynocologist who reccommended lots of tests, one of which went awry and is already documented on this blog.  That gynocologists solution was to recommend a hysterectomy.  I wanted to wait and see if I was indeed in menopause.  Last year, I got five months "off".  Not consecutive, but, hey.  Heavy bleeding in Sept of '11, but heavy spotting and blood clots started up in January of this year, 2012.  I got March "off" but I have experienced heavy bleeding almost 24/7 except for the month of March.  Feeling tired, at times constipated, sitting on towells, taking showers, has been my life.  Washing underware, sheets, pants...soaking towels in the "soak" cycle of the washer for hours on end...laundry today is lined up for their turn.  I see three loads. 

The stores have been plentiful with ripe fruit:  strawberries, cherries, watermelon...

And I am an impulse buyer.  Walmart had this huge bag of natural almonds.  Bob loves cherries, and I bought two bags so we'd have plenty for the 4th of July.  Well, eating a handful of almonds, and then lots of cherries---and maybe something we ate on Sunday at Mexican Inn---I have not had to worry about constipation.  Blowouts, more like. 

I dropped Bob off at the train station.  And treated myself to a trip to Walmart.  They are not crowded at all early in the morning.  In fact, you have to go in the west door, as it is the only one open 24/7. 

I looked at the clothes, admired the baby clothing.  Cute slogans on little kid shirts.  Tempted to buy the one with an arrow that said, "my brother did it".  But, it was way too big for Baby James.

I got some yarn.  Fun colors.  They stock was low, but fun to look.  1.77 a skein nowadays. 

By the time I felt the urge, it was too late.  Just pulling down my pants smeared it everywhere.  Thankfully, I carry wet wipes.  But, I could not wait to get home and take a shower, then a bath.  Yikes.  What a mess.  Blowout on my birthday.  That oughta make it memorable.  Just like the day I was born.

while typing this--our local WBAP had this adventure.  Steve Lamb drove to a northern county to purchase fireworks.  they featured his purchases live online, which were funny to hear--like a kid in a candy shop.  But, ran into a snag wanting to drive them back to Dallas/Tarrant counties.  afraid of being arrested, he arranged to donate the firworks to a local church.  But, on-air kept saying things like he did not have them, he'd dumped them, he was someone else, etc... what a hoot.
 

Now for the blessings:  Count your blessings, name them one by one...

I am thankful for God's Perfect Plan.

Crime Scene

I feel like going to the police station and filling out a pre-crime scene report.  This pre-menopausal heavy bleeding is ridiculous.  I am doing sometimes two and three showers a day.  And at my size and girth...cleaning the bathroom after each visit means I am going through cases of wet wipes. 

I am thankful for the washer "soaker" cycle.  The only way to get blood out of towels and clothing.  And I am wearing out towels and clothing out by washing everything twice just to get the soap out. 

I have no desire to travel far.  And no way dare I sit in anyone else's house or car...  and if I do, I am nervous the whole time and check the chair when I get up.  Had to scrub a seat at church with a wet wipe. 

I don't think the evening primrose oil is doing anything.

I try to remember to take my iron tablet each day.

I can barely stay awake for late baseball games. 

Sure wish I had a clue as to how long this is going to go on. 

But, if anything happens to me, there is a record in my checkbook register.  Just say, "look, officer, her husband is innocent."  

I am thankful for wet wipes, extra long pads, pad with wings, and a working washer and dryer.   This must have been so vexing for women a hundred years ago.  

Prayer List

Supper was ready, and the table set with our two lonely plates...

I pulled the two quart round cassarole dish out of the microwave with a flourish...

Time to pray.  I had re-written the list, as it is getting longer by the day.  Bob looked it over, and started in. 

Bob chose some colorful words in his prayer this evening.  Do those get editted out in heaven?  They struck me as kinda funny, and then when I tried to stiffle me laugh, it made it worse.  So, here is Bob cursing away in the throne room, and I am giggling.  And he stops to ask me a name he forgot.  I managed to whisper it. 

Suppose our prayers are going higher than the ceiling?

Suppose God honors the behind-the-words intent? 

Pray without ceasing, the Bible says.  We need a verse in there about pray without laughing.  I remember Sarah got in big trouble for laughing behind the tent and then denying it...nine months later she gave birth to Laughter.  (Hebrew meaning for Isaac)

Passwords

I am thinking something naughty.  Passwords Crasswords!  oh, my.

Had to reset the password again.  Seems all the changing-of-the passwords over the weekend toggled some alert over at a.t.and t.  They threw Bob under the bus with the screen that said the owner (and his email address) had denied me access.  Sure.  I saved the screen and showed Bob once he got home from work.  He had to punch and click and poke around to figure it out, but he released me.  And my email is back up again.  Supposidly. 

We pay a.t.and t. over a hundred dollars a month for a land line and dsl.  What are we paying them for?  Don't call in for help.  I kept getting the wrong department, even though the number was from the computer screen!   a.t. and t. you are losing me.  I hate your name, I hate your poor service.  I hate your fix-it-yourself attitude.  And then sit and do a survey?  Are you crazy?

New password.  oh. my. 

Lovely.

Even twitter is fussing at me about not being about to send out emails.  Each time you get a new follower, they like to let you know.  Oh, well. 

the irony?  a. t. and t. wants you to connect facebook to your email.  Can you imagine me spamming and sending a worm to everyone I know?  Good grief. 

On another subject:  The Burger King sweet potato fries are good!  And I did not have to heat up the house using the oven.  Sadly, the service at Burger King is terrible to the point of non-existent.  We have been spoiled by going to McDonalds and Whataburger---they bring out your tray to your table!   Why don't the Burger King people send their workers over to a McDonalds or a Whataburger to see what service means??  The Whataburger people not only bring you your tray, but will offer you ketchup and sauce and napkins and straws--or whatever else you forgot.  

Yes, I'd use the Burger King drive through for a small sweet potato fries.  But, skip the smoothies.  McDonald's are tastier.   Fancy new chairs and tables and decorations inside the Burger King---but bring your wet wipes to wash your own table. 

We see these ads on the tv waiting for the Ranger game to continue.  That is how I learned about the sweet potato fries.   They are slender, tasty, and filling. 

It's a Fine Life

My dear, sweet husband is an excellent Sunday School teacher.  He does not think he is, but in my opinion, he is the best.  And I am so blessed to get a good Sunday School lesson each week.  He dutifully researches, writes, edits---going back over and over his notes.  I was a little suprised Saturday afternoon to hear him print out a copy, and make noises about any good movies in town. 

I saw him make more changes, and half-listen during the Ranger game.  And make yet another copy which involves emailing it to my big desk top computer, and then getting up out of his chair and getting into this desk chair to direct the printer to copy out pages 14-19 for example. 

Sunday morning, he was still editing, and I was not suprised.  I am used to his habits.  Sometimes he reads aloud his latest edition...so I try and get bathed and ready as to be an attentive audience.  It does not hurt me to hear it a couple of times.  Some of the concepts are so deep, and so carefully/expertly worded, that I miss things the first few times through. 

Last weeks lesson had brought out such howls from the listeners, revealing their deep misunderstanding on the subject of subordination.   Jesus is equal with God, Jesus IS God, and even though HE chose to to subordinate Himself to the Father's plan, never was He inferior.  Never was He less than God.  He is God, always has been God, and when He took on man, becoming a little lower than the angels, He became a unique Being.  The God-Man.  Equal with God and able to be our perfect substitute on the Cross, which was His mission.  He modeled for us serving.  Serving does not imply inferior either.  To think otherwise is to adopt satan's thinking. 

This was a hard one for the class for some reason.  Many are successful salesmen who somehow thing they are superior to their own wives---wives absent even---giving fuel to their superiority thought of having even done "church" somehow better or more faithfully. 

But, getting back to Bob's prep.  Sunday morning, he asked me politely to step aside so he could print out one more copy.  the most correct/edited version of his lesson.  I opened the email window, which contained earlier versions of his lesson attached to previous emails, and stepped aside.  Bob had to shower and shave---and he saves Sunday morning to shave his whole head, so it was getting close to 9:15am and time to get in the car and drive the one mile to the church.   I did not touch his lesson, and when he came out ready to go, I handed him what the printer had spit out.  I was tempted to ask if he wanted to double check if this was the right one, as there have been a few times where we got to church and Bob would discover he had printed the wrong one.  and older version.  Upon discussion later, Bob said he would have answered, yes.  So, good thing I did not question.

I was already guilty of covering his keys on the dresser with folded laundry.  Having to use my keys to get to church was unsettling, as we now had the mystery of where Bob's keys were.  We got to church in plenty of time for Bob to look over his notes and discover that it was an "old" version.  He ran out the door, nearly knocking late-comers over, and drove home and reprinted the lesson.  I doubt any of us could spot the differences in the old and new versions.  But, it was important for Bob, and I know not to argue.  He seemed sweaty during the deliverance of the lesson, and yet hit the points I think he was wanting to get out there.  

I don't know how to make Sunday morning any smoother---how to keep the house calmer, or how to not distract him while he prepares.   But, I try.  It is like a quest.  To serve.  Encourage.  Stay out of the way.  Hope I do not become a Sunday School lesson example.  ha.   But, part of me enjoys the predictable spectacle that is Sunday morning.  It is a fine life.  Fine life. 

We went to big church after Bob's lesson, and endured some questionable songs, but good sermon.  A sermon on the fruit of the Spirit---kindness, in particular.   We need reminders to be kind.  It does not come naturally.   the Holy Spirit produces it in us.  And makes us look marvelous.  attractive.

We got in our car to go home, oblivious of the darkly shaded-window tinting in the little black car behind us---who then tried to go around us on either side before we recognized our youngest: BEN!  Suprised his Dad for Father's Day!  (just like he had done for Mother's day last month).  We enjoyed a quick lunch at Whataburger---their taco fajitas are so good.  Then he drove back to Austin.  Ben is moving back here next month.  yay.   Transferring with his company.   His pilonidal sinus --- another on in a little different spot, is acting up.  all infected.  He got it lanced in Austin and had to stay home from work for a week taking antibiotics.  He needs it surgically removed, and they recommended laser surgery to remove hair on his lower back that get infected.  Maybe we can help him with that, too.  Whatever it takes---he is so hairy, and the hair folicles get infected.  I wonder if he will want to go back to the surgeon he had last time. 

A wonderful Father's Day---good lesson, drama, excitement, got to see Ben, lunch, (did not have to cook) and a fun Ranger game after a nap!  What more could I ask?   These baseball games are long so that means two and three washrags knitted!

I don't know if other pastor's wives or Sunday School teachers wives experience it--but there is a battle raging on Sunday morning.  I am pulled to pray--for peace to reign because the unseen powers do not want these lessons taught.  I have requested we give up when relatives are here---grandbabies do not understand why GrandDad is hiding behind the computer laptop 24/7. 

One God, three Persons

One God, Three Persons.

God the Father is not superior or better than God the Son or God the Holy Spirt.  They all existed and share the same essence, characteristics, in complete Love and Harmony. 

Yesterday, Bob taught on the seven times God the Father speaks to God the Son in the Scripture and the Greek and Hebrew and parts of language issues.  It was like pulling a rock off a spot of ground and revealing the light of day to errors in thinking.  Some in the class revealed their hazy view of God as just manifestations of father, son, spirit...  Some revealed their problems with authority as in thinking subordinate infers inferior. 

It was and is a very complicated concept, and I am still wrapping my head around it, but I wanted to capture part and park it here to mull over it some more.  To think that Jesus is less than or not as smart or powerful or something as God the Father is error.  Jesus submitted to His Father's authority, but each had a role, each had a job to execute.

Bob put it more eloquently, and I am paraphrasing here, but to think Jesus was less than is Satan's thinking. 

The salesmen in the room, some very rich men, had trouble with the concept of Jesus equal with the Father.  They see themselves superior to everyone around them in the area of finance, deals, competition.  They probably see themselves superior to their wives.  sad.  God's example of "...wives submit" is the marriage covenant---where a man and woman are one before God.  Only God can empower us to love, honor, respect, submit to our husband.  And as a wife, I do so acknowledging God is over my husband and will be a much bigger, harsher, powerful judge.  I do not submit to illegal behavior---that would be criminal.  I submit because we each have roles, and my husband answers to God. 

Bob is smarter, especially in the area of math, grammar, etc.  I have been given gifts and talents, too. I am a very inferior example, as sometimes my obedience is not given joyfully.  But, it is a choice.  God tells us to submit because it is hard for us to do.  Our desire is to rule over our husbands, but there we are not happy, but tyrants. 

Jesus came to serve.  Jesus encouraged us to serve one another.  You cannot serve and entertain satanic thinking of superiority. 

I do not have permission to share Bob's lesson---but for any who would rather read it themselves--I will load it here.  Like I said, this journal is selfishly for me to remember and wrap my head around some deep truths.  Jesus willingly set aside His diety to show us how to live leaning on the Holy Spirit.  Jesus submitted to the Father's plan, humbled Himself, as He was the only one qualified to be the Lamb, the Sacrifice, go to the cross and take our place.   Here is Bob's lesson:

Lesson 2: Jesus is God Almighty

June 10, 2012

Studying the Bible as preparation for teaching it is both good and bad.  On the good side: Putting together a lesson forces you to be prepared with something that’s worth the time investment of your listeners.  When you’re teaching the Bible, coming unprepared dishonors God and does injury to the body of Christ.

But there’s also a down side to studying the Bible solely to teach it: When you’re preparing a lesson, you have to stay focused on the needs of the class.  You’re forced to filter out technical material that doesn’t contribute to the message.  If coming unprepared is a Bible teacher’s worst sin, then coming prepared with tons of extraneous detail is his second worst sin.  But (because so many people are at camp and I don’t want them to miss the flow of this series) today I’m going to commit that second worst sin; I’m going to tell you more than you ever wanted to know about verses eight and nine of Hebrews chapter one.

First, let me explain why I’ve focused on these two particular verses.

Q: We believe that there is only one God and that Jesus is God incarnate.  And we believe in the deity of Jesus Christ because the Bible says so.  So where in the Bible do we find the statement: “Jesus is God”?

A: There are at least seven passages in the New Testament that clearly state that Jesus is God (John 1:1; 1:18; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1).  One of those passages is right here in Hebrews chapter one.  Hebrews 1:8-9 states:

Hebrews 1:8-9 But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS [better: “your”] KINGDOM.

v9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”

Hebrews 1:8-9 is a direct quote from Psalm 45:6-7.  Thus, the task before us is to consider the equivalent Greek and Hebrew texts and, if the two texts are in accord, to determine an equivalent English translation of both.  Where either the Old Testament or New Testament text is ambiguous, we may use the other to clarify.  If the New Testament writer has intentionally modified the meaning of the sentence, we have to consider this as new revelation and give precedence the Greek text of Hebrews 1:8-9.  Fortunately, the Greek does not present us with this dilemma; the Greek of Hebrews 1:8-9 is lifted almost word for word from the primitive Septuagint text of Psalm 45:6-7.[1]  But unfortunately, the Greek of Hebrews 1:8,9 reproduces the ambiguities of the Psalm 45:6-7 Hebrew text.

The New American Standard Bible translates Psalm 45:6-7:

Psalm 45:6-7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

v7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows.

Psalm 45:6a – The opening phrase: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” is literally just the words: Your throne God perpetual and eternal.

There are five possible ways to translate the Hebrew text:

“Your divine throne is forever and ever”

“Your throne is God [or ‘God is your throne’] forever and ever”

“Your throne is God’s throne forever and ever”

“Your throne is like God’s throne forever and ever”

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever”

The first possible translation: “Your divine throne is forever and ever,” has been popularized by the Revised Standard Version.  This translation takes the word “God” ELOHIM as genitive ¾that is, “your throne of God is forever and ever.”  If ELOHIM here is understood as a genitive, then this is a double genitive: “throne” being the possession of both “you” (the Israelite king) and “God”.  Such a construction is found nowhere else in the Old Testament.  So, it’s very unlikely that ELOHIM here is a genitive, and so this is an improbable translation.

The second possible translation: “Your throne is God [or ‘God is your throne’] forever and ever” (which is adopted by the New World Translation published by Jehovah’s Witnesses) views ELOHIM as either the subject or a predicate nominative.  Grammatically no objection can be raised to this interpretation, but conceptually, this understanding is very difficult.  The concepts of “God” and “throne” are too dissimilar for a direct analogy.  A human king (as in Isaiah 22:23) might be called a throne, i.e., the preeminent monarch of a dynasty.  But we can hardly say that God Almighty is a preeminent monarch of a human dynasty―unless, of course, we’re saying that the preeminent monarch of David’s dynasty [Jesus Christ] is in fact God Almighty.

The only Old Testament parallels to such a statement would be: “You are my Rock and my Fortress” (Psalm 71:3; 91:2; Isaiah 26:4) and “You have been our dwelling place in all generations” (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1).  Since according to 1 Corinthians 10:4 Jesus Christ is “the Rock”, and since Matthew 1:23 says Jesus Christ is “Immanuel” (the God with whom the people of Israel dwelt), unless ELOHIM in Psalm 45:6 is Jesus Christ whose dynasty is forever and ever, then the metaphor just doesn’t work.

So, the translation “God is your throne forever and ever” is possible only if we understand it to mean “God [Jesus Christ as the eternal Davidic king] is your throne forever and ever.”

The third possible translation: “Your throne is God’s throne forever and ever” is a smoother rendering of the grammatical interpretation “Your throne, namely God, is forever and ever”, which (if taken literally) means God is a throne, specifically the throne belonging to the Israelite king who is being addressed in the 45^th Psalm.

This interpretation takes “God” and “throne” as equivalent terms.  There’s no grammatical reason to argue with this, but conceptually this is even more difficult than the second possible translation.  Rather than saying there is a similarity between “God” and “the throne of the king” this rendering asserts that “throne” and “God” are the same thing.  Parallels to such a grammatical construction may be found in:

            Genesis 11:1                           “The whole earth [was] one language”

            Exodus 9:31                            “The barley [was] ear and the flax [was] flower”

            Deuteronomy 33:25                “Your bars [shall be] iron and bronze”

            Ezra 10:13                              “The season [is] heavy showers”

            Psalm 45:8                              “All your robes [are] myrrh and aloes and cassia”

            Song of Solomon 2:15            “Our vineyards [are] blossom”

            Jeremiah 24:2                         “One basket [was] very good figs”

            Jeremiah 49:23                       “Hamath and Arpad [are] confusion”

            Ezekiel 41:22                          “Its walls [were] wood”

But note that in each of these appositional phrases, the ellipsis is better supplied with phrases such as “consists of,” “is made of,” “contains,” “is filled with,” or “is characterized by”.

But “God” is neither the material out of which a throne is made, nor a characteristic quality which a throne might possess.  “God” and a “throne” might share characteristics (e.g., both can be said to be eternal), but “God” and “the throne” cannot be said to be identical to the throne of an Israelite king.

The fourth possible translation: “Your throne is like God’s throne” presupposes that the comparative Hebrew preposition, the letter qoph (which is translated as “like”) was omitted and that the repetition of the word “throne” is implied.  A parallel for an omitted qoph is found in Song of Solomon 1:15 and 4:1 in the phrase “your eyes are [like] doves.”  The implied repetition of a word can be found in Psalm 80:10 “... And the boughs thereof were like [the boughs of] cedars of God.”  So there are Old Testament examples of an omitted qoph and there are also examples of the implied repetition of a noun, the combination of both within the same sentence is unprecedented (or at least without unambiguous parallel) in the Old Testament.  So it is extremely unlikely that this is the meaning which the writer of Psalm 45:6 intended.

The fifth possible translation: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” is the most common one [KJV, RV, ASV, Berkeley, NASB, JB, NAB, NIV, NRSV].  This translation considers ELOHIM to be a vocative.  ELOHIM then is addressed to the Israelite king in Psalm 45 whose marriage is being celebrated.  The implication of this phrase being quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 is that Psalm 45 is a messianic psalm addressed to Jesus Christ.

The translators of the Septuagint clearly interpreted ELOHIM in Psalm 45:6 as a vocative, accepting ELOHIM as a title addressed to the human king.  Thus, the most common translation of Psalm 45:6 is the best one.

Translation of Hebrews 1:8-9: Now that we’ve looked at all possible translations of the Hebrew text (Psalm 45:6) that’s being quoted in Hebrews 1:8, let’s look at the Greek of Hebrews 1:8.

There are two textual variants of Hebrews 1:8.  The last word of Hebrews 1:8 is either “AUTOU” (“his”) or “SOU” (“your”).  The supporting texts for “SOU” are both more ancient and more widely distributed geographically.  Further, it agrees with both the Masoretic Text (Hebrew) and with the Septuagint (Greek) text which is being quoted.  The reading “The righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom” presents us with an interpretational problem; it’s unclear who is the antecedent of AUTOU (“his”).

Hebrews 1:8 directly quotes the Septuagint of Psalm 45:6, only adding the words, KAI HE (“and the”) to connect the first and second phrases of the Septuagint rendering.

Psalm 45:6a       HO  THRONOS  SOU      HO  THEOS  EIS  TON  AIONA      TOU  AIONOS

Hebrews 1:8a     HO  THRONOS  SOU      HO  THEOS  EIS  TON  AIONA      TOU  AIONOS

Translation -      The     throne       of you     the   God        into the      age          of the  ages

Psalm 45:6b                     RABDOS          EUTHUTETOS  RABDOS  TES  BASILEIAS  SOU

Hebrews 1:8b     KAI  HE RABDOS  TES  EUTHUTETOS  RABDOS  TES  BASILEIAS  SOU

Translation -      and  the   scepter   of the       rectitude       scepter    of the    kingdom    of you

There are only two ways to interpret the Greek of Hebrews 1:8, both of which are equally acceptable grammatically:

“Your throne is God forever, and the scepter of your kingdom is the scepter of rectitude” (which has been adopted by the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation), or

“Your throne, O God, is forever, and the scepter of your kingdom is the scepter of rectitude” (which has been adopted by virtually all other translations).

The first translation: “Your throne is God forever” considers HO THEOS (“the God”) a nominative, either as the subject of the sentence or as a predicate noun.  Whether one renders the translation as “Your throne is God” or “God is your throne” the sentence equates HO THEOS (“the God”) with HO THRONOS SOU (“your throne”).  There is very little to recommend this translation over the interpretation of HO THEOS as a vocative.  Calling “God” the throne of a human monarch seems odd to say the least.  The concepts of “God” and “throne” are just too discordant to be equated.

The second translation: “Your throne, O God, is forever” considers, the words HO THEOS (“the God”) a vocative which refers to “the Son”.  The arguments in favor of this translation are:

     1)    The Septuagint translators clearly interpreted ELOHIM (“God”) in Psalm 45:6 as a vocative.  The use of the Septuagint translation by the writer of Hebrews supports this interpretation.

     2)    If one considered HO THEOS the subject of the sentence, the translation “God is your throne,” would have been better expressed by the word order: HO THEOS HO THRONOS SOU (“God [is] your throne forever”).  Alternatively, if one considers HO THEOS the predicate nominative (“Your throne [is] God forever”), then it would be better expressed by omitting the definite article for “God”.  But for a vocative the word order is perfectly consistent.

     3)    The opening words of verse 8, PROS DE TON HUION should be translated as: “But to the Son [He (God the Father) says]…”.  If God the Father is speaking to the Son, then why would He say: “God is your throne” instead of “I am your throne”?

     4)    Finally, the context itself argues for a superlative title for Jesus Christ.  In the first chapter of Hebrews, the writer is making the point that Jesus is superior to all the angels.  God’s calling Himself the throne of a mere creature denigrates God.  Whereas God’s calling His Son “God” glorifies the Son.

Thus, we are forced to conclude that the correct translation of Hebrews 1:8 is:

But to the Son [He says], “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,” and “the scepter of your kingdom is the scepter of rectitude.”

Hebrews 1:9 

In Hebrews 1:9 the first occurrence of HO THEOS might be considered a vocative, and would thus be translated: “Therefore, O God (the Son), your God (the Father) has appointed you ...”  Although that interpretation raises no theological issues for us who believe in the deity of Christ, the first occurrence of HO THEOS should probably be considered appositional and rendered as, “Therefore God, your God, has anointed you ...”  Then the second occurrence of HO THEOS is merely a clarification, a further specification of “the God” as “Your God”, the God of the Son.

Note verse nine asserts:

1.     That God the Father is the God of the Son, and

2.     That God the Father has anointed the Son (“Therefore God, your God, has anointed you ...”).

So the Son (whom God the Father called “God” in verse eight) is both subordinate to and commissioned by God [the Father].

Q: So does this imply that Jesus Christ (the one whom God the Father calls “God” in verse eight) is inferior to God the Father?

A: No!  It means the Son is subordinate to the Father―subordination is not the same thing as inferiority.

However, subordination does indicate distinctiveness; you can’t be subordinate to yourself.  The fact that God the Son was commissioned by and has obeyed God the Father implies that the Son is not the same person as the Father.

In the New Testament wherever writers refer to Jesus Christ as “God”, they’re always very careful to distinguish Jesus Christ from His Father. 

Q: Why?  Why did all the New Testament writers always mention God the Father wherever they call Jesus “God”?

A: To make sure that we don’t come away with the misimpression that they’re saying that Jesus is the same person as “God the Father”.  In every passage where Jesus is called “God”, God the Son is always clearly distinct from and subordinate to God the Father.  But the Son is never said to be inferior to God the Father.

In John 1:1-18 (as in Hebrews 1:8-9) the Apostle John juxtaposed “God” (whom the Word was with) and “God” (who the Word was).  The point John was making in the prologue of his Gospel is: Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to be the mediator between God and man.  And that’s a major theme in the Book of Hebrews: Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to be great high priest of a new covenant (Hebrews 2:17-3:1; 4:14-16; 5:1‑10; 6:20; 7:1‑28; 8:1‑13; 9:11; 10:21).

So just as did the Apostle John in the fourth Gospel, so the writer of Hebrews begins his dissertation on Jesus Christ’s qualification to mediate between God and man by affirming that Jesus Christ is fully divine, superior to Moses, the prophets and even the angels in every respect.  (Corollary: If Jesus Christ is superior to all angels, including the archangel Michael, then He is not the same person as the archangel Michael as Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly teach.)

Then (just a John did in Gospel) the writer of Hebrews also proves that Jesus is fully human ¾ “He entered ... with his own blood, once for all time into the holy place ...” (Hebrews 9:12).  Jesus, as the mediator between God and man, is equal to both parties of the covenant: He is both God and man.

Every week in Jewish synagogues the congregation recites the words of Deuteronomy 6:4: ADONAI ELOHENU; ADONAI ECHAD! ― which they translate as: “The LORD is our God; the LORD is one.”  But the better rendering is: “The LORD is our God; the LORD is the unique ― the LORD Jehovah is the unique God-man!”

If there’s time remaining, continue with Hebrews 1:10:

And [regarding the Son, God the Father says], “YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS.”

(which is a direct quotation from the Septuagint translation of Psalm 102:25)

Psalm 102:24-27 I say, “O, my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, Your years are throughout all generations.

v25 “Of old, You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

v26 “Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.

v27 “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

Q: When the writer of Hebrews says that God the Father was addressing the Son as the Lord of Psalm 102, who is God the Father saying Jesus is?

A: The “Lord” in Psalm 102 is the LORD, Jehovah.  So the writer of Hebrews doesn’t merely call our Lord Jesus Christ “God” in Hebrews 1:8; he calls Him “God Almighty”, “Jehovah Himself”, in Hebrews 1:10.

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[1]Due to the variation in the ordering of the Psalms and the numbering of the verses, the pertinent verses are Psalm 44:7-8 of the LXX.