tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81454433371576600742024-03-12T23:04:14.350-05:00The Life I Readthe life I lead
is the life I read...
the life I led
was the life I read...K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-41600609037708397492020-12-29T11:49:00.000-06:002020-12-29T11:49:14.966-06:00Reading Psalms and Lighting Candles: a Hebrew Word Study<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt_gCKijGIg/X-trNVA9L0I/AAAAAAAABJQ/QrPDUC5EbwEvbb_aMnDAc7oM08k9ufwBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Advent%2BPsalms%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="113" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt_gCKijGIg/X-trNVA9L0I/AAAAAAAABJQ/QrPDUC5EbwEvbb_aMnDAc7oM08k9ufwBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h113/Advent%2BPsalms%2B2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In the darkest season of the year, we wait for the light. We light candles to represent the coming Light. This blog post reprises my facebook books prepared for my church during 2020: A collection of verses from the Psalms which help define five Hebrew words:<p></p><p> Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. Messiah.</p><p>The last section includes my own translation of the 89th Psalm.</p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_1eh" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMgkIaXp4KU/X-tk1X9y3iI/AAAAAAAABIw/e7kvcZQeG0wCoKVLCVXCYl9hzgzG2WrEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Tik%2Bvah%2Bhope%2BAdvent.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMgkIaXp4KU/X-tk1X9y3iI/AAAAAAAABIw/e7kvcZQeG0wCoKVLCVXCYl9hzgzG2WrEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Tik%2Bvah%2Bhope%2BAdvent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_23z" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow marks the first Sunday of Advent and many will light a candle to represent Hope. I offer a few tidbits from my study notes on the Psalms in Hebrew, the first language of all the tongues that have raised their voices in hope throughout 3,000 years.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Hebrew word is Tikvah. Hope in a time of waiting. Hope is waiting for a new day to dawn although this night is dark and long. Biblical hope is more than wishful thinking or dreaming. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tikvah is expectation, and expectation is not a passive word. It is preparation. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Expectation is a woman awaiting the birth of her child. It is labor, sometimes painful. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hope is no misty daydream; hope comes with faith which "gives substance to things hoped for" and makes our hope "sure and certain." </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tikvah is living and acting today as if our hope had already come while we wait for the coming. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tikvah. The Hebrew root refers to a cord or a binding together. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It is Rahab's red cord, the hope of her family's salvation although the walls of Jericho will tumble. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hope is the rope lowered into a pit to rescue the one who is trapped. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hope is the lifeline tossed to one who has been overwhelmed in the sea after the ship has floundered and all is lost. All is lost, except the life that reaches for and grabs the lifeline, holding tight,, waiting the promised rescue.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 9:18 "For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 33:18,22 "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love... Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 39:7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 42:11 & 43:5 "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 62:5 "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 71:5,14 "For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth." "But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 78:7 "So that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 119:81 "My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 119:74 "Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 130:5, 7 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope..."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 146:5 "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 147:11 "...the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: start; white-space: normal;"><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;"></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veFB_K0Gt74/X-tlom562uI/AAAAAAAABJE/HttwBk4101EJpEGhTr6vAtZ7jeJqC3k-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Shalom%2BAdven%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_1p3" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Shalom, Shalom. Peace, perfect peace.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"Shalom" appears more frequently in The Prophets than in the Psalms. It is a word spoken and promised by Yeshua, Jesus. Paul, the Apostle, defining the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ/Messiah wrote: “For He is our shalom, the One who made the two into one and broke down the middle wall of separation” (Eph. 2:14).</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This idea of Shalom, both one of the names of the LORD and the doing of YWWH, is one of the most significant themes of Hebrew Scripture. "Shalom" and its New Testament Greek counterpart "eirene" and their cognates appear 550 times in the Bible. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In most of our English Bibles, we translate "shalom" as "peace" and it means so much more than an absence of war or conflict. It is not a passive feeling, but an active making. God makes peace; the children of God are called to be peacemakers. The concept of shalom is one of the most significant themes in Hebrew Scripture.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">What is peace? What is this "peace that passeth understanding?"</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Quoting Dr. Cornelius "Neal" Plantinga's book Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"Shalom is …the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be…the full flourishing of human life in all aspects, as God intended it to be."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Where there is Shalom, there is:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Righteousness, Justice, Community, Integrity, Well-being, Wholeness, Connectedness, Salvation...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">When God give us peace, we find that God has also given us:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Health, Reconciliation, Contentment, and Abundance.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In the Psalms, the emphasis is on the interdependent relationship of righteousness and peace. In the Psalms, Shalom is frequently associated with Torah/the Word or Law of the LORD. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Advent is a season of expectant waiting. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We await the coming and the coming again of our Messiah, our Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The 72nd Psalm is believed to be Solomon's Coronation hymn and foreshadows the coming of the everlasting kingdom promised to the house of David. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So, we light candles to push back the darkness.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We wait.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We hope.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We renew our faith and continue the work of peace which is God at work within us and through us. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 4:8 I will lie down in peace and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 34:14 Keep apart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 37:37 Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; For the man of peace will have a posterity.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 72:3, 7 Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness…. In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 85:10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 119:165 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 122:6,7, 8 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces."</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, "May peace be within you.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 125:5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 128:6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 147:14 He [the LORD} makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of wheat. "</div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="l9j0dhe7" id="jsc_c_1p4" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="linmgsc8 opwvks06 i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 hzruof5a pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4" style="border-bottom: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); border-top: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px; text-align: start; white-space: normal;"><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;"></span></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYCMwRDa-KA/X-tlB2i70bI/AAAAAAAABI4/GXTHW6WmdnsTS-l_4QpLrVva0STqwrYUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Advent%2B3%2BSim%2BChah%2BJoy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYCMwRDa-KA/X-tlB2i70bI/AAAAAAAABI4/GXTHW6WmdnsTS-l_4QpLrVva0STqwrYUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Advent%2B3%2BSim%2BChah%2BJoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Some thoughts for the 3rd Sunday of Advent:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">First, Hope-- waiting in expectation. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Second, Peace—the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">While we wait in hope, while we sit in prayer seeking peace and do the work of peacemaking, finally there comes a spark to light the night. That spark is joy. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Happiness is dependent on events but joy is deeper; it grows, and glows, from the inside out. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It is the fruit of wisdom that comes from delight in the Word, the Law, Torah. Joy is relationship, gratitude, and worship.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Light the candle of Joy and </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“Let us be weary of the dark voices crying doom;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let us be weary of the fearful voices crying only for their nation;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let us be weary of the disinherited voices crying in hopelessness; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices sing the laughter of God; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices sing good news to the poor; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices sing restitution of the oppressed; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices sing healing of the violated; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices sing the return of the banned; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">let our voices be the laughter of God. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Amen.” -- paraphrased from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, during the 18th century*</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Let our voices sing for Joy:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 21:6 For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 45:7, 15 Psalm 45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, your God has anointed You with the oil of joy… They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They will enter into the King's palace.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 97:11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 106:5 That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with Your inheritance.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 137:6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my highest </div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><p><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZQ5fcgFwUg/X-tjOWjwOBI/AAAAAAAABIk/2xA1RvrA2-wTCx-B_Z6Iil1HHnhD7o8yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Hebrew%2Blove%2Bchesed.jpg" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZQ5fcgFwUg/X-tjOWjwOBI/AAAAAAAABIk/2xA1RvrA2-wTCx-B_Z6Iil1HHnhD7o8yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Hebrew%2Blove%2Bchesed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_112" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;">Tomorrow night we light a candle for Love.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This Hebrew word for love is Chesed and is used 130 times in Psalms, half the times it is used in all of Hebrew Scripture. What does this word mean?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Chesed is </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">always and ever loving-kindness, mercy, pity, grace, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">always sufficient, pressed down & overflowing loving provision,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">always caring, tender, shepherding, compassionate, doing the best thing for the other</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">always steadfast, never to be shaken, never-coming-to-an- end, without limit</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Faithful Love.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Interestingly, “chesed” derives from a primitive Hebrew root “chacad” which evokes the image of bowing one’s head in courtesy to an equal and means to show kindness to another. Thus, God’s chesed originates in Creation: “Let us create humankind in our own image.”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Any instance of God’s chesed is an invitation to relationship, to conversation, to friendship, to a life walked in company with God as Abraham, Moses & David experienced. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That invitation and relationship is affirmed by Jesus, our Immanuel, God-with-Us, in his final discourse where he said “but I have called you friends.” (John 15)</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 5:7 “…as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy…”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 6 “O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord—how long? Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 13:5-6 “I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 17:6-8 “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings…”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy (chesed) shall follow me all the days of my life.” </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 36:7-9 “How precious is your faithful love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 33:18 “Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his love.”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalms 63:1, 3: “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water… Because your love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">85:9-12 “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good…”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> 86:5, 15-16 “Thou, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” “You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 107:1-2 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” I like to use this verse to introduce a listing of all the ways God has loved me and people I know when I offer a prayer of thanksgiving.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Read the 89th Psalm to see the covenant with the House of David. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Read the 103rd Psalm for a catalog of God’s chesed.</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><p><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8aavuh87lI/X-tgadI0QaI/AAAAAAAABHw/pujJR4sN-AEOrEbHze8al5oQxhkfsXd5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Messiah%2BHebrew%2BAdvent.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8aavuh87lI/X-tgadI0QaI/AAAAAAAABHw/pujJR4sN-AEOrEbHze8al5oQxhkfsXd5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Messiah%2BHebrew%2BAdvent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: left;">Tonight, we light the “Christ” candle and celebrate the most unlikely birth of the King of kings. “Christ,” like the Hebrew “Messiah”, means “Anointed One.” There are many biblical instances of anointing. Oils, specially prepared, fragrant with spices and perfumes,were used for healing, for preparing brides and grooms, for confirming legal contracts, for preparing the dead for burial. </span></div><p></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_cn" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Holy oil (using a special recipe that could be used for no other purpose) was used to consecrate, make sacred, confirm the holiness of everything in the Tent of Presence in the Tabernacle and in the Holy of Holies of the Temple. This anointing of material things set them apart from the ordinary, dedicated them to the service of God, a preparation for and reminder of the Presence of God in the midst of God’s people.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Special oils were used to anoint people. These holy oils were prepared and consecrated to be “poured out” to the last drop over the head, to flow down the face and into the beards and over the bodies, and so confirm that these ordinary flesh and blood people were chosen, dedicated, set apart for the service of God and a reminder of God’s Presence in the midst of God’s people.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Priests were anointed.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Kings were anointed.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Prophets were anointed.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Generation after generation.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In Israel, it was known that the LORD had made a covenant with David that could not be broken. The prophets spoke of an Anointed One, Messiah, who was coming to redeem the nation, to reign as Highest King on David’s throne, to make right all that was wrong. For the sake of God’s people, this Messiah would suffer and through suffering prove God’s faithful love and would be lifted up, victorious. The Light of Israel’s God would become the Light of the world.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For this Messiah, they waited. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For this Messiah, we wait.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There are many Psalms that are Royal or Messianic Psalms: Psalms 2, 8,16, 22, 23, 24,40, 41, 45, 68, 72, 89, 102, 110, 118. There are other psalms that while not strictly messianic are related to the person, life, rejection, suffering, resurrection of Messiah. The messianic Psalms are often quoted and interpreted by New Testament writers. The 110th Psalm is the most frequently quoted Psalm and the Hebrew Scripture most frequently cited by the writers of the New Testament. Jesus himself offered teaching from the 110th Psalm.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 22:22-31</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“I will declare Your name in the midst of the assembly. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">All you who honor and worship the LORD, sing praises!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Honor and stand in awe!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The LORD has not spurned nor scorned the affliction of the lowly.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God has seen.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God has heard.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God has acted.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For You, Lord, my praise in the assembly…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The poor will eat and be filled.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Those who seek the LORD, sing praises!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">May you be of good cheer forever.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">All the far ends of the earth will remember</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And return to the LORD.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Let all the families of the nations bow down,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For the LORD is king…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">All generations will serve Him</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">They shall come and declare righteousness to a people yet unborn.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God has done it! It is finished!"</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 24:8-11 </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"Who is the king of glory?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The LORD, most strong and mighty</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The LORD, who is valiant in battle.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Lift up your heads, O gates,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And lift up, eternal portals,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That the king of glory may enter.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Who is he, the king of glory?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">LORD Sabaoth, He is the king of glory."</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 45:3-8 </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"You are loveliest of the sons of man,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Grace flows from your lips.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, God has blessed you forever.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Gird your sword on your thigh, O warrior,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your glory and grandeur.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And in your grandeur pass onward,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mounted on a word of truth, humility, and justice…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your throne of God is forevermore.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">A scepter of right, your kingship’s scepter.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You loved justice and hated evil.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, did God your God anoint you</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">With oil of joy over your fellows.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Myrrh and aloes and cassia…"</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 110 </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"The LORD has sworn. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">He will not change heart.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You are priest forever.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">By my solemn word, my righteous king*.” </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">*This less familiar translation is that of Robert Alter in his The Hebrew Bible (2019). Melchizedek means “righteous king.” Melchizedek was the priest and king of Salem. The word “salem” is related to shalom, peace. Jesus is indeed Sar Shalom (Prince of Peace), priest forever and righteous king “in the order of Melchizedek.”</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 89:1-29, 33-37 </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">[This is my own phrasing although in many places I follow other translations, most notably KJV, New English Bible (1970), Amplified Classic, Green’s Interlinear (1985), and Robert Alter’s The Hebrew Bible.]</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I will sing of the mercy and loving-kindness of the LORD forever;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness for all generations.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For I have said, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mercy and loving-kindness shall be built up forever; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your faithfulness will You establish in the very heavens, unchanging and perpetual.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You have said [These are the words of God]:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“I have made a covenant with My chosen one,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I have sworn to David My servant,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your Seed I will establish forever, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and I will build up your throne for all generations.” </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Selah</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Let heaven praise Your wonders, O LORD, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For who in the heavens can compare to the LORD? </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Who among the mighty can be likened to the Lord,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">a God held in awe in the council of the holy ones, and worshipped in awe above?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">YHWH Elohim Sabaoth, who is a mighty one like unto You, O Lord, with Your faithfulness round You? </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You rule the tides of the sea; when waves arise, You still them.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You have broken Rahab in pieces; with Your mighty arm You have scattered Your enemies.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The heavens are Yours, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">the earth is Yours;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">the world and all that is in it is Yours;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You created them.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The north and the south, You created them; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout joy of Your name.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your right hand is soaring high.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">mercy and loving-kindness and truth go before Your presence.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">they walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In Your name they rejoice all the day, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and in Your righteousness they are exalted.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For You are the glory of their strength </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and by Your favor our horn is lifted up!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For YHWH is our shield and the Holy One of Israel is our king.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You once spoke in a vision to Your faithful and did say: </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“I have gifted a mighty One with the power to help; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I have lifted up one chosen from among the people.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I found David, My servant; </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">with My holy oil I anointed him,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And my hand shall hold firm with him forever </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and my arm will strengthen him.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">No enemy shall strike him; no wickedness shall bring him low. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I will beat down his foes before his face and defeat those who hate him.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">My faithfulness and mercy and loving-kindness shall be with him, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and in My name shall his horn be lifted up.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I will set the sea in his hand; the rivers in his right hand.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">He shall cry to Me, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You are my Father, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">my God, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and the Rock of my salvation!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And I will make him My firstborn,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">the King of kings of the earth.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Forever My mercy and loving-kindness will keep him</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> and My covenant with him shall stand fast and be confirmed.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">His seed will continue </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and his throne endure as the days of heavens…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I will never remove my mercy from him;</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">my faithfulness will not fail.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I have spoken a covenant and I will not change.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness which cannot be violated, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I do not lie to David. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">His seed will endure forever </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and in My presence David’s throne will last </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">like the Sun and the Moon in the heavens, a faithful witness. "[Selah.]</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ozuftl9m tvfksri0" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb j83agx80 pfnyh3mw i1fnvgqd gs1a9yip owycx6da btwxx1t3 ph5uu5jm b3onmgus e5nlhep0 ecm0bbzt nkwizq5d roh60bw9 mysgfdmx hddg9phg" style="align-items: stretch; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px -2px; padding: 4px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb j83agx80 cbu4d94t g5gj957u d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz rj1gh0hx buofh1pr n8tt0mok hyh9befq iuny7tx3 ipjc6fyt" style="box-sizing: border-box; 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font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; padding: 6px 4px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v lrazzd5p m9osqain" color="var(--secondary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 b5wmifdl hzruof5a pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4 c5ndavph art1omkt ot9fgl3s" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-radius: 4px; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px;"><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;"></span><span class="rfua0xdk pmk7jnqg pfx3uekm ay7djpcl ema1e40h q45zohi1" data-html2canvas-ignore="true" style="clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div>K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-28377148535587931182020-11-19T15:30:00.001-06:002020-11-19T20:08:41.377-06:00Hebrew Poetics: Concantenation through the Psalms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRk9_bLl8is/X7bPAVwvSlI/AAAAAAAABG8/qMp9RfxOZx84xElfnoQz6HJycXZ2yjSEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Hebrew%2BBlessed%2BHallelujah.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRk9_bLl8is/X7bPAVwvSlI/AAAAAAAABG8/qMp9RfxOZx84xElfnoQz6HJycXZ2yjSEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Hebrew%2BBlessed%2BHallelujah.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff7f0; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff7f0; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 24px;">[Teaching notes by K Cummings Pipes, SouthwestCentralHouston, ZOOM class</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> This is the second in a series. Here is a link to Part 1:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-brief-introduction-to-hebrew-poetics.html" target="_blank">Hebrew Poetics in Psalm 1</a>]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Andrea read Psalm 1.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; text-align: justify;">Blessed! How blessed!</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: justify;">Not a statement of fact. Not a teaching or code of law. It's a procl</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: justify;">amation, a shout, an assertion of deep fulfillment, a state of harmony
with the world, with others, and with oneself. It's a </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: justify;">bold and joyous celebration of unity
and peace with the God whose name we know.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed! </span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">‘ashrei</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> in Hebrew a strong… interjection</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">So begins the first Psalm. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">The word “bless” in its various Hebrew
forms is the most commonly used word in the Psalms. Over 100 times.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Translators use the word “happy” but that
word is perhaps “too light" to suggest the depth of meaning hidden in the Hebrew
word. Blessedness is a deep state of satisfaction, of fulfillment, of unity and
peace with the God whose image we bear.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The word “blessed” may also be used to
refer to God, most notably in the phrase “Blessed be the LORD” where the root
idea is of “prostration and bowing in an attitude to adoration and praise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“Blessing” as it applies to individuals,
to Israel as the chosen people of God, and to the LORD God [</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">YHWH Adonai Elohim] i</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">s the over-arching theme of the Psalms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">When we began our study in September, I asked: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">What does it mean to be blessed? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Who is blessed? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">How do we see blessing in times of fear,
pain, loss, doubt, oppression, separation, death? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">How do we recover our balance? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">How do we find “the level place” [that
idea is one of the meanings of the word “bless”] that level place where we can
walk in safety and security. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Where is the “straight path, the open
way” to promised blessing? [those, too, are meanings in the word “bless”] </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">What is the “next step”? [yet another
meaning of “bless”]”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Today we have come full circle in our study of
the Psalms--</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">this collection of Hebrew poems </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">written by many individuals, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">over at least a millennium. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Even until this day, we read and hear the
words of the Psalms and we echo them: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">wondering at the “works of God’s hands,” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">celebrating the life and covenant of
Israel’s poet/king David. I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">n a world coming apart with Asaph we cry
for justice and we rely on “the steadfast love of the Lord.” We lament </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">suffering, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">searching for “the way” out of captivity. We rejoice </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">in the teaching of Torah, the
Word of the LORD, “looking to the hills from whence cometh our help” and
ascending to that higher ground, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">walking up the next step of the Temple
courts, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">step by step, nearer to the Holy of Holies </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">and the presence of God, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“singing a new song,” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">in the assembly of the righteous, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">and shouting Hallelujah!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">What is it that draws that Hallelujah out
of our hearts and out of mouths? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“Blessed be the name of the LORD!” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“My soul kneels” and I “sing a new song” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">of blessing and praise because I know I
am blessed. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">We are blessed! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Blessed! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Ashrei! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Hallelujah!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">What do these ancient songs, the hymnal
of God’s people </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">for more than 3,000
years, [think about that--3,000 years!] teach us about what it means to be blessed?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">How I wish we had time to read them all
and I’m grateful that some of these have been part of Andrea’s teaching these last few weeks. Here is a quick tour through the Psalms (each numbered in parenthesis) of what it means to be blessed: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed is anyone who is wise and walks
the way of the Lord and find refuge in Yahweh (1)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed are forgiven (32)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh
(33)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed have a concern for the
helpless (41)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are the upright, the pure in
heart (73)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed trust Yahweh Sabbaoth, Lord
of Hosts (84)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed are instructed by God and
taught Torah, and given respite from adversity (94)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed sing a new song (98)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed “fear the LORD and find great
joy in his commandments” (112)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are “those who walk the way of
the LORD… and seek God in their hearts” (119)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed are those who bless God: b</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">ecause we know</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">God hears (138). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">God examines us and knows us (139). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">God rescues me (140). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">God is my refuge (141). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Blessed are the people who have Yahweh
for their God. (144)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The blessed bless the name of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">As the first Psalm promised and as all
scripture teaches: t</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">o be blessed is to stand in the
congregation of the righteous. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">All these </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> blessings our ours. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Ashrei! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Blessed!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed with </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“The abundant riches of Christ Jesus our
Lord who loves us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God.” (Ephesians 5:2)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brent lead us in a song of thanksgiving, #68 in our hymnal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTmZKotTYw" target="_blank">Give Thanks (Don Moen) lyrics</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Andrea read the 150</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">
Psalm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Having begun our study with the first
Psalm, we have spent the last several weeks with the last, the 150th. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">We sometimes read a single Psalm and then
find ourselves a bit lost or uneasy. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Reading the 150</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Psalm is
like coming late to a party: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">the feasting is well underway, the wine
of good spirits is flowing, the band is loud, some folks are singing along, and
the crowd is dancing about and shouting good cheer. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">It’s easy to feel a bit confused and
overwhelmed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Lectionary readings and Sunday orders of
service teach us to read a psalm as standing alone or perhaps as it relates to
other scripture. We would seldom view a few verses from the Gospels or the Epistles
as free standing,</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">without context. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Yet, most of the time, we read a single psalm with no context and then we find ourselves a bit lost or uneasy.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Sometimes, even the comfort we derive
from the beloved 23</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Psalm may feel a bit… forced? Shaky, uncertain? As if we need something different, something more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">That confusion or uncertainty may be
because we are neglecting one of the primary devices of Hebrew poetics: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Concantenation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Concantenation is a group of things
combined or joined or linked together to produce a particular result or effect.
It takes separate things and makes them into a series.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">In Hebrew poetics, concantenation is key
word linking, a chain of repeated words or words repeated from verse to verse
to verse. [Examples Psalms 25, 123, 130]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Some commentators believe that
concatenation is the underlying structure of the entire book of Psalms </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">e.g. each psalm connects to the psalm
that follows. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Examples Psalm 1 & 2 are linked by
“blessed” and by</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“meditate” or “plot”
which share roots. Psalm 2 & 3 are linked by “way” with “perish.” Psalm 3
& 4 by “holy hill” etc.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">While I wouldn’t say that this linking from psalm to psalm to psalm is the underlying structure of the book of Psalms, I do think
that it’s a great tool for putting the psalms in context. It can help indentify clusters of psalms that are more powerful when read together as a series.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">For example: our understanding of the 23</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">
Psalm is greatly enhanced if we read it as part of a concatenated sequence, Psalms 23-28, about our shepherding God. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> I usually begin this reading with Psalm
22 which is not part of the series because it contains the words Jesus spoke from
the cross. I like to remember Jesus praying this psalm. The cross of Christ is always a good starting place for a follower
of Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Hear these very shortened excerpts:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yahweh!
my shepherd… for your name’s sake, even though I walk through a valley
dark as death… I shall dwell in the house of the LORD…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“The earth is the LORD’s… who may go up the
mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in God’s holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart… Lift
up your heads, you gates….” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Unto thee, O LORD my God, I lift up my
heart… for your Name’s sake, forgive… for I have waited for thee, O LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“Give me justice, O LORD… for your
constant love is before my eyes and I live in your truth. I have not sat among
worthless men… nor sit among the ungodly… O LORD, I love the beauty of your
house… I will bless the LORD in the full assembly.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“The LORD is my light and my salvation…
One thing I ask of the LORD, one thing I seek: that I may dwell in the house of
the LORD… Now I can raise up my head… Teach me your way, O LORD… wait for the
LORD, be strong, take courage, and wait for the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“To you, O LORD, I call, O my Rock… I
lift up my hands… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed be the LORD, my strength and my
shield… Save your people and bless your own, shepherd them, carry them
forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> A</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">t the end of the book of Psalms, we find
another such series of concantenated psalms. There are many others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalms 138 – 144 form a collection of “Davidic”
psalms which concludes with 145<sup>th</sup> Psalm, a Davidic Song of Praise </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">which is followed by five psalms each
beginning and ending with "</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Halleljah!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">These Psalms reprise the themes of Book 1 of the Psalms.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Brent led us in a song not in our hymnal but well known to us. I am linking to an on-line version. Bless the Lord, O my soul (10,000 reasons)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A" target="_blank">Matt Redman singing the hymn he wrote. Bless the Lord O My Soul 10000 Reasonshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">I have a group of friends who play an
interesting game that might be called Concantenation. They carry on conversations
composed entirely of quotations from books, or movies, or songs. In the middle
of normal conversation, usually mundane small talk, someone tosses in a line
from let’s say a movie. Someone else recognizes the line and responds with
another line from the same movie or maybe from another movie. A line from
another movie spoken by the same actor or from a song that was part of the
score or from the same film genre. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">The
trick is to keep the conversation going so that it sounds like normal
conversation. Listeners are either amused or confused. For the record, I’m
completely clueless when it comes to this game.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">One aspect of poetry is word play. The psalmist who wrote the 144</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Psalm is playing a
similar game: almost every verse is a quotation from another Psalm. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm 144 is a reprise of Davidic themes
from Book I of the Psalms: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">God is my refuge. God is my rock. God is my shield. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Rescue me. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Lead Me. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Show me the way.t go.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> Larry read Psalm 144</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Did some of that sound familiar? The very clever psalmist has not only
made a psalm of quotations but has given it a similar structure to the 18</span><sup style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">
from which it quotes. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm 144:1-11, 15 all come from other psalms. Verses 11-14 are an
insertion that counts the blessings of being returned from Captivity and settled in a propsering land. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Verse 1</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">a</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="34" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">18:34</st1:time><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> &36</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Verse 3</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 8:4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Verse 4</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">39:6, 102:11</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Verse 5</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">18:9, 104:32</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Verse </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">6</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="14" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">18:14</st1:time></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><st1:time hour="18" minute="14" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">Verse </st1:time><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">7-8</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="16" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">18:16</st1:time></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><st1:time hour="18" minute="16" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">Verse 9 </st1:time><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">33:2-3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Verse 10 </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="50" style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" w:st="on">18:50</st1:time></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 24px; text-indent: 48px;">[Insertion verse 11-14 count blessings. If used in Temple liturgy these verses might be changed for occasion.]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 24px; text-indent: 48px;">Verse </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">15b</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">quotes</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">33:12a</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> The concantenated series is followed by </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm
145, a Davidic Psalm of Praise. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Although
there are many psalms that include praise, this is the only one to bear the
title.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Roianna read the 145th Psalm.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Taking all we have gleaned from this quick overview of Psalms, and the psalms and devotional commentaries that Andrea has shared in the last 3 months, let's turn again to the last psalm, Psalm 150, </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> but let’s get to that party at the beginning of the victorious festival.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalms
146-150 is the gathering promised in verse 5 of</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm 1. We are standing in the courts of the righteous, the gathering
of God’s people, the assembly of the godly to sing the praise high above all
praise.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">"Praise above all praise" is</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> the definition of “Hallelujah” It’s a compound word: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">“Hallel”
Praise “u” above all all praise followed by “jah” or “Yah” a shortened version
of the holy name of God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">These
psalms both begin and end with “Hallelujah” and there are 10 of them. In the
numerologies of ancient times, 10 serves as a multiplier and implies “no limit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">[You
may recall Jesus made use of this multiplier when he told his disciple to
forgive his brother 70 x 7 times, 7 x 10 x 7 times.] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Those
of us who read and pray the daily lectionary will find ourselves reading these
psalms again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Praise above all praise echoing through all ages, no limit, eternal!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalms
146-150 conclude the story of the Psalms—the story of a man, the story of a
king, the story of a nation, the story of a return from Captivity. Together
they are a victorious festival of praise. These psalms also move to an ever-widening circle, from personal to national to the natural world of heavens and earth to the courts of the righteous to everyone and everything in all Creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm
146 the redeemed individual praises God, our sufficient help<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm
147 praises the redeemer of Israel in the restored city of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm
148 praises God who is the Creator heaven & earth, "in whom all things move and have their being"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm
149 is the “new song in the assembly of the faithful” where the “timbrel and
the lyre” celebrate God’s victory and justice, the righteous judgement of God. This last Hallelujah </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm echoes </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> the first Psalm and completes the circle. If we were to follow the concanetation we would end in the beginning, a new beginning.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Psalm
150 is a frenetic shouted Hallelujah with song and dance. Mention is made of
seven musical instruments: ram’s horn, lute, lyre, timbrel, strings, flute,
cymbals. Probably those 7 instruments are meant to recall the 7 days of the
Creation poem of Genesis 1.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfprVif7ayk/X7bidH1M-eI/AAAAAAAABHI/ZTTb8J4Ut-Qd2J9DUj8-DshlMtqeByIkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2015/Alter%2BHebrew%2BBible%2Bcover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1816" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfprVif7ayk/X7bidH1M-eI/AAAAAAAABHI/ZTTb8J4Ut-Qd2J9DUj8-DshlMtqeByIkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w180-h200/Alter%2BHebrew%2BBible%2Bcover.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Robert Alter in a foot note in his magnificent translation of The Hebrew Bible: "Let all that has breath praise Yah." Appropriately, the psalm and the book conclude on a note of universalism: not Israel alone but every living thing is exhorted to praise the God of all creation. From this grandly resonate conclusion one can see how the B</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">ook of Psalms has spoken to people </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">through the ages, across the borders of nations,
language, and sectarian division.” </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Many
people use the book of Psalms as a primer to prayer. All prayer finally, in one
way or another, becomes praise. The Psalms teach us not to be insensitive to
all the doubts, fears, tears, and pain that are summed up and gathered together
in these final psalms of praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Prayer
almost never begins in praise; it usually begins in hurt. But, if we keep
turning toward God for the next step, if we pray often and long, if we wait
upon the Lord, prayer will finally grow into praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">This
does not mean that every prayer we make will be capped off with praise but that
the life of prayer is always reaching toward God, reaching toward praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Years
ago, when I first taught Psalms to our Thursday Bible C</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt;">lass, Frances Mathews
responded,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“Might
as well start learning to do it now because as near as I can tell that’s what
we’ll be doing for eternity.” </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Frances
Mathews, Ladies Bible Class, Southwest Central Church of Christ , Houston,
TX 1995<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-79020531685627148522020-09-03T23:46:00.005-05:002020-11-19T15:37:38.936-06:00A Brief Introduction to Hebrew Poetics in Psalm 1. <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1a5EJfiXfM/X1F1oB9izMI/AAAAAAAABC8/4C7IowETbXEyDBuUhH1n4v_NSf3zXpQEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Psalm%2B1%2BCarthel%2Bpainting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1a5EJfiXfM/X1F1oB9izMI/AAAAAAAABC8/4C7IowETbXEyDBuUhH1n4v_NSf3zXpQEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Psalm%2B1%2BCarthel%2Bpainting.jpg" title="Psalm 1 overlaid on painting by Winnie Carthel" width="400" /></a></div><br />The message of the First Psalm overlaid on a painting by Floyd County Artisit Winnie Carthel which hangs on the wall of my bedroom.<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>[Teaching notes by K Cummings Pipes, SouthwestCentralHouston, ZOOM class</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>This is the first of a series of 2. I link the November 19 post with Part 2 <a href="http://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2020/11/hebrew-poetics-concantenation-through.html" target="_blank">Hebrew Poetics: Concantentaionhttp://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2020/11/hebrew-poetics-concantenation-through.html</a>]</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i>"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."</i></b></span> Psalm 1:1 KJV</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed!</span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">How
blessed! Happy! How happy!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">It's n</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">ot a
statement of fact. Not a teaching or code of law.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">It's a </span>proclamation, a shout, an assertion of deep fulfillment,
a state of harmony with the world, with others, and with oneself</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">It's a bold and joyous celebration of unity and peace with the God whose name we know, the God whose name we whisper.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed! </span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">‘ashrei</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> in Hebrew a strong,
masculine interjection</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">So
begins the first Psalm.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The
word “bless” in its various Hebrew forms is the most commonly used word in the
Psalms. Over 100 times.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro", serif; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
idea of blessing is the over-arching theme of the Psalms.</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">What
does it mean to be blessed? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Who
is blessed? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we see blessing in times of fear, pain, loss, doubt, oppression, separation,
death? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">How
do we recover our balance? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">How
do we find “the level place” [that idea is one of the meanings of the word
“bless”] that level place where we can walk in safety and security?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Where
is the “straight path, the open way” to promised blessing? [those, too, are
meanings in the word “bless”]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">When
I’m lost, when I’ve stumbled, when I don’t know the way, how do I find the way
back?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">What
is the “next step”? [yet another meaning of “bless”]</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia Pro",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">A Hebrew
scholar notes the possibility that “Blessing!”
’ashrei may be an sound-alike pun
on ‘ashurim “steps” and this idea reinforces the walking metaphor of the first Psalm. </span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">[Robert Alte</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">r citing Nahum Sarna]</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njshjJ66yV4/X1F5GHMpjtI/AAAAAAAABDI/gsMaSN6FPxoFylkKODW-nI8TtIvfcRyPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2015/Alter%2BHebrew%2BBible%2Bcover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1816" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njshjJ66yV4/X1F5GHMpjtI/AAAAAAAABDI/gsMaSN6FPxoFylkKODW-nI8TtIvfcRyPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Alter%2BHebrew%2BBible%2Bcover.jpg" /></a></div><br />In the
handouts for this lesson, I provided a copy of Psalm 1 from one of the most
recent translations of Hebrew scripture into English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert Alter’s highly annotated translation
is excellent and belongs in the library of any serious student of the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">I took
the liberty of changing Alter’s v. 1 “Happy” to “Blessed” and added 2 “!” to
make visible the strong masculine interjection of the Hebrew.</span></p><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 1 (Robert Alter’s
translation.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">1<span> </span>Blessed! </span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">“the man who has </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">not walked in the wicked’s
counsel, </span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">nor stood in</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> the way of offenders has
stood, </span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>nor in the session of scoffers
sat.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>2<span> </span>But the LORD’s teaching is his
desire, </i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>And His teaching he murmurs day
and night.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>3<span> </span>And he shall be like a tree
planted by streams of water </i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>that bears its fruit in its
season,</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>and its leaf does not wither—</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>and in all that he does he
prospers.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">4<span> </span>Not so! the wicked,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> but like c</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">haff that the wind
drives away.</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">5</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Therefore, the wicked will not
stand up in judgment, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>nor offenders in the band of the
righteous.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">6<span> </span>For the LORD embraces the way of
the righteous,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>And the way of the wicked is lost.”</i></span></span></div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Today I’m charged with presenting
a brief introduction to some aspects of Hebrew poetics applied to the First
Psalm. Some of those basic principles are:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Word
choice not only definitions but hidden meanings and the “sounds” of alliteration,
rhyme, puns, play on words, shadings of meaning.</span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Metaphor
and Imagery </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Structure
which in Psalms is usually defined by key word repetition and parallelism of
phrases.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Imagery
and metaphor are the language of poetry, where a simple picture of something
quite common and ordinary is elevated into something greater, more complex, more
powerful, more beautiful, more eternal:</span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">"<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>all
the world’s a stage, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>love is a red red rose, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>hope is the thing with feathers, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>conscience is a man’s compass, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>let justice flow down like a river, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>shall we
gather at the river, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>I am the light of the world, </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>I am the good Shepherd…"</b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Throughout
Hebrew scripture, one of the primary identities of God is the One Who Speaks.
God speaks in Creation, God speaks to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God speaks from a burning
bush, from Mount Sinai and the giving of the Ten Words; God speaks to kings,
and by prophets etc.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">As
the writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews reminds us: <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>“Long
ago God spoke… in many and various ways… but in these last days God has spoken
to us by a Son.” </b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Apostle John asserts that Jesus is the Word, from Alpha to Omega, from beginning
to end, the final word. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">There can be a lot of meaning wrapped up in a single
word.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Nowhere
is that more evident than in Hebrew scripture.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Biblical
Hebrew has fewer than 9,000 words (8,198 attested) formed from 2,099
roots. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Modern Hebrew has 6 times that
many words. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">English may have many as ¾ of a million. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">William Shakespeare (approx.
contemporaneous with the KJV) used 31,534 unique words, more than 3 times the
number of words in all of Biblical Hebrew.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">So, we
begin to see the translators’ dilemma:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">every Hebrew word has layer after layer
after layer of meaning.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">When
I studied Hebrew with <a href="https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=196648614" target="_blank">Rabbi Samuel Karff</a>, he suggested that, when translating a
passage from Hebrew to English, one should look carefully at all the possible
meanings of a Hebrew word and all the possible meanings of that word’s root.
The words chosen to translate are strongly dependent on context. Especially in
the wisdom writings which include the Psalms, one should “hold in one’s mind,
all the meanings” and look carefully at the repetitions of those words within
the psalm. “When in doubt, include more not fewer meanings and look at them in
the context of all scripture.” The Rabbi laughed and told me, “don’t bother with the
Greek just bring your reading, your understanding of Hebrew scripture into your
understanding of Messiah in your Christian text."</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now
returning to Psalm 1.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve
already noted the “walking metaphors” hidden in the root meanings of the word “bless.”
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">We
might even say that, at its most basic level, to be blessed is to be walking in
the way of the LORD.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">[It
is worth noting the Hebrew words used to refer to God. The Hebrew Elohim is
translated “God.” The Hebrew Adonai is translated “Lord” and emphasizes God’s
authority. That word may also be used for a man in authority. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Here in this first
Psalm and elsewhere, particularly in the older Psalms 3-72 which are offered in
the context David’s life—as man and as God’s anointed King—the Hebrew word is
the personal name of God, too holy to be spoken aloud. Thus, the word in text
would be written “Yah-weh” or “Y-h W-h” but is always spoken as “the LORD” to
distinguish from “Adonai.” </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Some newer translations omit the all caps, but the
distinction between these words is important to preserve. We bow to the Lord;
we have an intimate personal relationship, a spiritual relationship, a
breath-to-breath relationship with the LORD whose name we know and whisper.]</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk48241678" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk48241678" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Similar layers of meanings are also hidden in the words “the way” and “the law”</span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The Hebrew word “the way” derek and its
primitive root darak are used over 800 times in Hebrew scripture, 80 times in
the Psalms.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">phrase “walking the way” means</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">a road as it is walked one step at a time, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">a pathway, a journey, a course of life, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">a mode of action, custom or habit, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">conversation, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">direction.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Eugene Peterson titled</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">his book about the Psalms of Ascent (120-134)
using the apt phrase: <span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i>“a long obedience in the same direction.”</i></b></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I
should also note that the root word darak can mean treading the harvest,
threshing the grain from the chaff which is blown away with the wind. This layer of meaning in the word "darak" is a</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> powerful reinforcement of the shortened metaphor in v. 4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The
Hebrew word “the law” is Torah and its primitive root is “yarah” yaw-raw are
frequently associated with “walking the way.”</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">We
usually think of Torah almost as a legal term, meaning precept or statute but
the derivation and related words expand our idea of Torah to include </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“teaching”
the word Robert Alter chose for his translation, to instruct, to inform, to direct.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">There are other images hidden in the idea of The Law, the Word of the Lord:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">flowing
as water (or falling as rain) – a blessing image,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">to point out as if by aiming a finger, to indicate direction,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">a boundary, a hedgerow that marks the path, a turning in the road. [which became
the dominant understanding of the word in 19<sup>th</sup> and 20<sup>th</sup>
Centuries commentaries.]</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Also
hidden deep in the layers of the word yarah are words for “turtle dove” and “bullock” the
sacrificial animals for the poor and the rich. I wept with joy when I first
noticed this hidden meaning. The primary purpose of Torah, the Law of the LORD,
is not legalism but chesed, the Hebrew word that can be translated as grace, unfailing love, the steadfast love of the Lord. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The Torah of
Hebrew scripture and the Gospel’s new commandment of love both point to
reconciliation with God, with our selves, and with others.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">It is
no surprise, then, that within the structure of many Psalms, Torah, the Law of
the Lord, is often associated with words for salvation and blessing.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Finally,
both Hebrew words or their roots, Torah the law of the LORD and darak the
pathways of righteousness, include archery images: setting the arrow, bending
the bow, and shooting the arrow on a straight course to the target.</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Which
is why I often pray a short prayer I wrote many years ago while on retreat with our Youth Group at Rockcleft:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord God, shoot us like arrows along your chosen course.</span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us fly straight and true as you
direct us.</span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us hit the target.</span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> Let
us not miss the mark</span></i></b><i style="font-size: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Psalm
1 is rich in other metaphors:</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“A
tree planted by the water” which the Apostle Paul echoes in Ephesians with
“rooted and grounded in faith”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“by
rivers of water” “living water” which in Hebrew imagery evoke a reminder of
God’s Spirit on the face of the waters teeming with life and of God’s provision
of springs in a desert.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
pause to visualize these images of the growing tree with roots nourished in
living water. Recall all the times in the Bible where rivers are the setting,
where water is mentioned:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Creation,
Jacob’s Well, the Red Sea and the Jordan river where the foreign leper Naaman found
healing, the waters of Babylon where the people hung their harps because they
could no longer sing the psalms of Zion, baptisms </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">[both Hebrew Scripture and the New Testament offer examples. The Hebrew word is "mikvah" a pool of living water for immersion and purification which brings one into the presence of God.]</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The tree that is planted is living water is a rich, rich metaphor.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">This broadening understanding of Hebrew scripture brings a new perspective to Jesus changing water into
wine and speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well and proclaiming that the
those who receive his “living water will never thirst”… </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">What
the tree and the water and the blessed man of Psalm 1 have in common is growth
and movement. Living things grow. The one who is blessed is walking, moving
toward God. Note that the verbs used in v. 1 of this Psalm are those used in
the beloved 23</span><sup>rd</sup><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Psalm</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">v. 3
offers a rich and verbose description of that blessed growth: fruit abundant in
season, leaves that don’t wither.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">A
tree can withstand a drought without withering when it drinks living water. It
is fruitful and prospers. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">It is worth noting here that a tree that bears fruit often
requires pruning, its growth is not only nourished by the living water but
shaped by the will of One who tends tree.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The
word "prosper" yatsliah is a masculine verb, more likely to be used to refer to a
man than a tree. Its use here makes clear that this image of a fruitful tree is
a metaphor of the blessed man, the godly man who is walking the way.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">This
metaphor of the fruitful tree and the prospering man (blessed!) pushes us back up to the descriptors in v. 1 </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">This
poetic device--word choice and metaphor reinforced by the structure of the poem--reminds us that there is a man who made other choices. There is a man who chose to walk in
the counsel of the ungodly and to stand in the way of sinners and to sit down
with the scornful. That man moved in the
wrong direction and stopped moving.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Then in verse 4, the interjection: “Not so! the wicked”</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Usually
KJV does a better job than many more recent translations at catching the
rhythms of the Hebrew but here it fails.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“Not so!” punches in forceful opposition to the “Blessed!” of v. 1</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">The
verse that follows that “Not so!” is so very short in comparison to the blessed
abundance of v. 3</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">v. 4 is
short and abrupt and very sharp and serves as a verbal “cutting off” a
perishing, if you will. The structure of the psalm implies "Torah" but there is no "Torah" in any of its many layers in the ungodly man who is not fruitful and is blown away in the wind as chaff from the threshing floor.<br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">v. 5 because they would not walk in the way of the
Lord, because they “stood in the way of sinners” they will not stand up in the judgement.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Here
the psalmist is using two different words for "stand" but playing with the images.
Because they stood where they should not have stood and sat down, the wicked
now cannot stand up. They do not have a leg to stand on in the congregation of
the righteous.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">["the congregation of the righteous" is an image of judgement and is a thematic idea which we will revisit at the end of this study when we look at Psalm 150.]</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>F</o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">inally,
there is a metaphor in v. 6 although it is hidden in our English
translations.</span></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“The
LORD knoweth the way of the righteous” could be more rightly translated using a
visually evocative metaphor:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">“The
LORD shepherds the way of the righteous.” </span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Robert
Alter translated this phrase: “… the LORD embraces the way of the righteous”
and noted that the “The Hebrew-- literally “knows” -- is a verb often used for
intimate connection, the sexual union of man and wife.</span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I like Alter’s </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">translation, because it calls to mind the 85</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
Psalm which also speaks to the idea of judgement;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>“Gracious
love and faithful truth are joined together; righteousness and peace embrace
and kiss.”</b></i></span></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> (my translation)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I
close with a quote from my favorite Old Testament theologian, Walter Brueggmann
(Israel’s Praise):</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">“Psalms are not only
responses to the reality of relationship with the biblical God but also
expressions that help reshape that relationship with God. That is, psalms not only reflect reality but
also shift reality</span></i></b><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">." </span></i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAwR6r3WjMg/X1KzAmu6WoI/AAAAAAAABDU/SB-z7-IzljEkJoKy-8MNRXtcPROAhsuewCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/KCP%2B3%2BSept%2B2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAwR6r3WjMg/X1KzAmu6WoI/AAAAAAAABDU/SB-z7-IzljEkJoKy-8MNRXtcPROAhsuewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/KCP%2B3%2BSept%2B2020.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 24pt; text-align: justify;">We stopped here for a short Q&A before continuing with a very quick look at the structure of Psalm 1. </span></div></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm
1 has two interlocking structures: (1)
two lines in parallel, repeated which is the structure of the oldest
Hebrew poetry and (2) the chiastic/nested or ring structures of newer, [post
Captivity] writings.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Structure: linear through
time, A & B offer contrasting rather than similar parallel lines:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">present: A 1-3 Blessed
</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">not
walking, standing, or sitting with the
wicked</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">B 4-5 the
wicked</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> not standing with the
assembly of righteous</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">future: A 6 Blessed </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">walk
the way God watches over</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">B 6 the
wicked</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">walk
the way that perishes</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And a chiastic structure: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[think of this kind of
structure as Russian dolls, go in and then back out. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The key point is usually
in the middle and I’ve seen a few examples that go all the way into a G or even
an I point. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 1 presents one of the less common structures where there is
no middle point, which shifts the emphasis to A and A’. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In this case, the interior point D has been moved to the
end, probably to support the linear, parallel structure ABAB of the older
Hebrew poems. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is very unusual for a Psalm to have such a complex structure.]</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> A 1 The blessed walk/stand/sit not with
wicked…</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> B 2 their way (Torah)</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> C 3 Comparison: like tree/water</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> fruitful,
useful</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> C’ 4 Comparison: like chaff/wind</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> not
nourishing, trash</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> B’ "not
so" (their way implied: not Torah) </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A’ 5 The wicked do not stand with righteous</span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">powerful & authoritative:
D 6 <b>God
shepherds the way of the righteous<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">the way of the wicked
perishes</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Taken
together the structure of this Psalm underline the primary message of this psalm:</span></b></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To
be blessed is to walk the way that God knows, watches over, shepherds. </span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The wicked (ungodly) follow a way that is cut
off (from God) and that way is not "the way" and perishes.</span></b> </span></div><br /></div></div>K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-31200312210970102572019-12-30T18:56:00.003-06:002020-12-29T10:49:53.462-06:00One syllabus of my life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently accepted a Facebook challenge: "<span style="text-align: center;">One book a day, for seven days, which has had an effect on you. No details, just the cover." </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Such a challenge can nearly kill me because I always have something more I want to say, but mostly I played by the rules. </span>I chose 7 books from my library shelves, arranged them on my library table in the order in which I had read them, took a photo of each, and posted. After the fact, I realized that in some sense, this list was one possible syllabus of The Life I Read.</div>
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I had been tagged for the challenge my the daughter of my dearest high school friend. When Sarah and I were together, our conversations usually began, "What are you reading and what have you learned." Our primary shared interest was science but there were multiple intersections and crossroads. She read a lot more art and music than I did; I spent more time with poetry and philosophy/theology. Our tastes in fiction/literature were very different but we were both working our way through the recommended reading list for college prep and it really helped to bounce our ideas of each other.</div>
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In Sarah's memory, I wanted the first book to be one that we had read and discussed. So I dug deep into the past for Book 1: Albert Schweitzer's autobiography, <b><i>Out of My Life and Thought,</i></b> originally published in 1931. Sarah and I read it circa 1965. I have revisited it several times over the years and I bought the 2009 version pictured. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"<b>I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. I can do no other than have compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning and the foundation of all ethics."</b></span></i><b> </b></div>
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- Albert Schweitzer</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KOE0UMhGdA/Xgpksnc09UI/AAAAAAAABBE/QXcqWbmQKtoit6B8Ic6t2io_ABc7rgFXACEwYBhgL/s1600/Schweitzer%2BOut%2Bof%2BMy%2BLife%2Band%2BTimes.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="648" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KOE0UMhGdA/Xgpksnc09UI/AAAAAAAABBE/QXcqWbmQKtoit6B8Ic6t2io_ABc7rgFXACEwYBhgL/s200/Schweitzer%2BOut%2Bof%2BMy%2BLife%2Band%2BTimes.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What effect did this book have on me? At a time when I was very unsure if I believed in God at all, it made me consider faith and belief from a different perspective. I learned that meaningful faith required a lot more than the mental assent to a list of beliefs or even a series of regularly practiced rites and worship. Meaningful faith demanded a day-in-day-out practice (like playing any musical instrument well) and was grounded not only (or possibly not at all) in Scripture but in caring for others. </div>
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Meaningful faith required sacrifices of time, of thought, of talent, of work, of engagement with people and cultures that were not my own, and finally of life itself.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>"We are all so much together, but we are all dying of loneliness."</b></span></i> - Albert Schweitzer</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3Tu5kul66M/XgpklOb-rHI/AAAAAAAABA4/wsdwFsHo6kkQmmUfC_Y3yFFNW-nVwAETwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Dorothy%2BDay%2BWritings.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="680" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3Tu5kul66M/XgpklOb-rHI/AAAAAAAABA4/wsdwFsHo6kkQmmUfC_Y3yFFNW-nVwAETwCEwYBhgL/s200/Dorothy%2BDay%2BWritings.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I found myself revisiting Schweitzer's life and thought when I was introduced to Dorothy Day whose autobiography is titled, <b><i>The Long Loneliness.</i></b> </div>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community."</span></i></b> - Dorothy Day</div>
<div>
I read Day for many years in bits and pieces as she was quoted by others who shared her devotion to "the care of the least of these," her hands-on care of the poor and displaced, and her social activism. At first I considered her difficult, strange, and radical but I have come to see that meaningful faith is radical. I've done much of my reading of Dorothy Day digitally but her Selected Writings is part of my print library. </div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only by their actions.</i>"</span></b> - Dorothy Day</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jxmkfzNtjA/XgpkgsrgbWI/AAAAAAAABBI/VMGXuBMqKwYpaM93M_AUgnoRvLluK68uwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annie%2BDillard%2BBooks.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="562" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jxmkfzNtjA/XgpkgsrgbWI/AAAAAAAABBI/VMGXuBMqKwYpaM93M_AUgnoRvLluK68uwCEwYBhgL/s200/Annie%2BDillard%2BBooks.jpg" width="116" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
There was a time when Rachel Carson's <b><i>Silent Spring</i></b> would have been on my list. It echoes Schweitzer's<b> </b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace."</b> </span></i></div>
<div>
Rachel Carson writes beautifully and her work is the bedrock of the environmental movement. <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"In Nature, nothing exists alone." -</span></i></b> Rachel Carson As much as I love it, I do not have a copy of <i><b>Silent Spring</b></i> in my print library so I turned to Annie Dillard. </div>
<div>
I was introduced to Dillard as part of a course on environmental writers but her work is so much more. She has taught me more about seeing the profound in the prosaic, the eternal in the passing moment than any other prose writer. Her books are both environmental and theological in tone and outlook. I posted both <b><i>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek</i></b> and the lesser known <b><i>Teaching a Stone to Talk, Expeditions and Encounters. </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"The notion of the infinite variety of detail and the multiplicity of forms is a pleasing one; in complexity are the fringes of beauty, and in variety are generosity and exuberance."</span></i></b> - Annie Dillard</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0zjJdVTixA/XgpkpPo2YDI/AAAAAAAABA8/YuFV30arsDkpG-VYFDgNg8P9oOk1NO9pgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Caleb%2BMcDaniel%2BSweet%2BLiberty.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="778" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0zjJdVTixA/XgpkpPo2YDI/AAAAAAAABA8/YuFV30arsDkpG-VYFDgNg8P9oOk1NO9pgCEwYBhgL/s200/Caleb%2BMcDaniel%2BSweet%2BLiberty.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The seventh book I posted was W. Caleb McDaniel's <b><i>Sweet Taste of Liberty. A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America</i></b>. It's an unusual choice for me for a couple of reasons: (1) it's history, very readable history but not a genre I dive deeply into and, frankly, I most likely would not have read it if it had not been written by a friend and (2) it's recently published and I read it within the past year. Ordinarily I allow a book to ferment a bit more before it becomes something that has had an affect on me. </div>
<div>
This book tells the story of one woman and her fight for freedom and justice, justice that is defined as restitution. It gives a particular face to a pervasive problem. </div>
<div>
This book popped onto my reading list at just the right moment when I am seeing more clearly how slavery has always been the Achilles heel of American Democracy. I thought we had fought and won the battle with the Civil Rights Movement and all we needed was some time to bring about "liberty and justice for all." </div>
<div>
I see now that was wishful thinking. Seeing the cost of slavery detailed in one life makes it easier for me to extrapolate to the costs still carried by the black communities today. </div>
<div>
Because I read McDaniel's book, I revisit Dorothy Day's radical social activism which is grounded in radical Christian practice. </div>
<div>
A year ago, I'm not sure I would have seen (perhaps I wouldn't have even tried to see) a case for reparations. Having read this book, I gave full consideration to and endorse without reservation Pete Buttigieg's Douglass Plan for restorative justice. If you want to know about it here is the link: <a href="https://peteforamerica.com/policies/douglass-plan/">https://peteforamerica.com/policies/douglass-plan/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWuls8GEqZg/XgpkpG3nGoI/AAAAAAAABBI/pJucCle6tZQAdOYb_A3XGQHQuc7rFhS5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/C%2BS%2BLewis%2BNarnia%2Bbooks.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="960" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWuls8GEqZg/XgpkpG3nGoI/AAAAAAAABBI/pJucCle6tZQAdOYb_A3XGQHQuc7rFhS5QCEwYBhgL/s200/C%2BS%2BLewis%2BNarnia%2Bbooks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
So what other books were on the list?</div>
<div>
<b><i>Voyage of the Dawntreader. The Chronicles of Narnia</i></b> by C.S. Lewis which shows how bravery, even in the very small, is powerful and effective in the battle between good and evil. Reckless, radical faith is often needed and that is an idea that both Schweitzer and Day would have honored.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqAGVSgeYnI/Xgpk49p43VI/AAAAAAAABBM/1VcbD4Olnfw8d1fLhdwbjuPXdrO92RHIACEwYBhgL/s1600/N%2BT%2BWright%2BThe%2BLast%2BWord.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="602" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqAGVSgeYnI/Xgpk49p43VI/AAAAAAAABBM/1VcbD4Olnfw8d1fLhdwbjuPXdrO92RHIACEwYBhgL/s200/N%2BT%2BWright%2BThe%2BLast%2BWord.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
All such lists of books always call me to post one of my favorite theologians which means not only C.S. Lewis but these days whatever has recently come from the pen of either Walter Brueggemann or N. T. Wright. I went with this N.T. Wright because it is a very clear statement of how and why no one political party owns the Bible. This book is one of the many that has helped me formalize my insistence that I am neither Evangelical nor Fundamentalist and it is my Christian calling not to be.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkS4FLavMfQ/Xgpkz7SqjAI/AAAAAAAABBI/RpWhzKLTGOINVW6nxuCtUYBnNjSG9uJhACEwYBhgL/s1600/Laddie%2BLassie%2Bcovers.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkS4FLavMfQ/Xgpkz7SqjAI/AAAAAAAABBI/RpWhzKLTGOINVW6nxuCtUYBnNjSG9uJhACEwYBhgL/s200/Laddie%2BLassie%2Bcovers.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The remaining selection is from my Evelyn Whitaker Library because it's my project and never far from my heart. I can never pass up a chance to make others aware of the wonderful writings of "the author of Tip Cat" who published anonymously. Laddie was one of her first published works and tells of the story of a successful London doctor and his loving mother and his failure to care for her. Over 20 years later Whitaker published another story reversing the gender. A woman nurse of exceptional ability and potential is called home to care for her aged and abusive father. Together the books present a deft contrast between gender roles and societal expectations. </div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-75550971606583892572019-10-20T20:54:00.000-05:002019-10-20T21:07:17.471-05:00LAMENT: "a time to weep... to mourn... to rend... to speak..."<br />
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<span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The serious study of Hebrew Prophets is a dangerous business but the church where I worship is willing to grapple with serious things and to hear judgment and instruction. We have spent the last several weeks with the Prophet Jeremiah whose words all too often seem all too pertinent for our time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today I was asked to lead our congregation in a prayer of lament.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A biblical lament [there are many examples in the Psalms] is comprised of 5 parts:</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgTHDjW4U4s/Xa0SZELixrI/AAAAAAAAA_s/X0u8Y0ibUuI3TTj1nTZwrbxJmxvZpPMmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/lament%2B20%2BOctober%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1440" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgTHDjW4U4s/Xa0SZELixrI/AAAAAAAAA_s/X0u8Y0ibUuI3TTj1nTZwrbxJmxvZpPMmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/lament%2B20%2BOctober%2B2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The cry. A suffering people cry out to their God, uncertain that there is a God to answer.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The complaint. The suffering is described and the people demand that God see their pain.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The confession. The "real problem" is acknowledged and the source of suffering becomes clear to the people.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The profession. The people turn back to God in trust and dare to hope that God hears, God sees, God restores.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The shout of praise. The people, still suffering but now hopeful, praise the God whose love is the one eternal thing in a challenging world. </span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A
Psalm of Lament by K Cummings Pipes</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> 20 October 2019<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Based
on Lamentations and The Beatitudes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">[I begin with the cry from the 130th Psalm. Phrases in quotations are from Lamentations with the exception of the one marked with <b>*</b> which is from </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Walter Br</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">ueggemann's collection of prayers, "Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth," Fortress Press, 2003.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“Out of
the</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;"> depths, we cry”</span></b> to you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">O Lord,
Our God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
are <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“lost and wandering” </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and no
longer know The Way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
“<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">weep through the night <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">and know
no rest.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
are <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“deceived”</span></b> and <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“betrayed” </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and all
that was sweet is now bitter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“Out of
the depths, we cry”</span></b> to you, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">O Lord,
Our God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“See, O
Lord!”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
have been <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“caught in the net and stumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>We
have rebelled against you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Our
sins are a yoke around our necks;<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">we
are enslaved in darkness.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We take
your blessing for granted <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in
our greed for more and in our refusal to share.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We take
your mercy for granted <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">while refusing to be merciful<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>to orphans
and strangers and exiles <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">who plead
for help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We claim
to be your children <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">while
making war, not peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We live
in a <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“seduced world… </span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">so
that we rarely see </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;"> the truth of these matters.”*</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But this
morning, in this moment, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we
see the truth <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and
we come to you as we are <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in all
our faithless faith <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and
dare to hope for rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">For you,
O LORD, are enthroned forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>“Bring us
back to you.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"Forgive
us."<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>“Renew
us."<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"Revive
us.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>“The
LORD’s kindness has not ended.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The
LORD’s mercies are not exhausted.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Your
steadfast love is new every morning. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Great is
Your faithfulness!”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">O Lord, Our
God, hear our cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-12640647131323561502018-12-11T17:56:00.000-06:002018-12-11T17:56:03.879-06:00Gingerbread Bundt Cake<div id="HeadNotes" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiWRmE36kDU/XBBOX2NwxFI/AAAAAAAAA90/JSUcHL7hL9sJIbvuBtYueCwnN1N01_qQACLcBGAs/s1600/gingerbreadbundtcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiWRmE36kDU/XBBOX2NwxFI/AAAAAAAAA90/JSUcHL7hL9sJIbvuBtYueCwnN1N01_qQACLcBGAs/s320/gingerbreadbundtcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I usually serve this cake with my homemade lemon curd and I use the same mixing bowl and beaters for the cake. Since I don't wash them in between the cake has just a touch of lemon. This cake is extra moist and tender. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
I have, at times, added golden raisin, chopped dates, pecans, and a little candied ginger and called it fruitcake. Good fruit cake. As my sister-in-law once said, "This is wonderful! It's what you always hope fruitcake will be but it never is."</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cake baking tip: Be sure to let the butter, eggs, and water warm to room temperature if at all possible. It will make for a better rise and an improved texture.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<b>Preheat the oven to 350°F</b>. Lightly grease a 10- to 12-cup bundt-style pan. (I use Baker's Joy spray to prep the pan.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">In a large bowl sift <b>2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour</b>. Then remeasure and remove 2 1/2 cups from the bowl and put it back into the sifter. Some of the first will be left and will not be used.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">To the sifter add</span></div>
<ul class="ingredient-list" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.8em;">
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>2 1/2 teaspoons ginger, </b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>2 teaspoons cinnamon, </b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1 teaspoon nutmeg,</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/2 teaspoon cloves, </b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">[the traditional would reduce the cinnamon by 1/2 teaspoon and use allspice but no one in my family has every used allspice. We all like cinnamon.]</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/2 teaspoon salt</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/4 teaspoon baking soda</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1 teaspoon baking powder</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">and sift again.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">[This double-sifting will make for a lighter cake with a more tender crumb.]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">Set aside.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">In the large mixer bowl, cream together (beat until fluffy)</span></div>
<ul class="ingredient-list" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.8em;">
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>3/4 cup (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">Add, one at a time, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl after each addition. </li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>2 large eggs</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">Stir in</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">1/2<b> cup of Louisiana or East Texas dark cane syrup</b>.</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">[The traditional is molasses but I live in the South and my great grandparents made cane syrup.]</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><br /></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">Add the flour mixture in three additions alternately with</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1 cup water (room temperature)</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">starting and ending with the flour. Mix just until smooth.</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><br /></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>Bake the cake for 55 to 65 minutes</b>, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.</li>
</ul>
<div>
[I set a timer at 45 minutes to check to see. In my oven this cake usually takes just a bit less than an hour.]</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Remove the cake from the oven, cool it in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While the cake is baking, make the glaze.</div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span id="Instructions">Pour the glaze over the warm cake. I usually have a plate under the rack to catch the glaze that runs off so I can pour that back over the cake.. </span></div>
<div>
<span>The granulated sugar gives the cake a sugary coat which is another nod to </span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pfeffernüsse</span><span>.</span></div>
<div>
<span>Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.</span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span>I like to garnish the cake with a good dollop of lemon curd and either a small dip of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.</span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: inherit;">Glaze</span></div>
<div>
<ul class="ingredient-list" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.8em;">
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/3 cup Grand Marnier</b> [French cognac with bitter orange liqueur]</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">[some would use Triple Sec or rum or even water]</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/4 teaspoon ginger</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;">[I'm excessively fond of ginger so I double this which gives the glaze the bite of <span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pfeffernüsse</span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">]</span></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>1/4 teaspoon cinnamon</b></li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="break-inside: avoid; margin: 0.2em 0px;"><b>3/4 cup granulated sugar</b></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfwQZrh4sHE/XBAskK8TbFI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4AP1YfAM7gAZzEVR34Hqa4CkvA0XcHGxQCLcBGAs/s1600/lemon%2Bcurd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfwQZrh4sHE/XBAskK8TbFI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4AP1YfAM7gAZzEVR34Hqa4CkvA0XcHGxQCLcBGAs/s320/lemon%2Bcurd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div>
Here is a link to my 2014 post with my recipe for lemon curd. <a href="http://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/search?q=lemon+curd" target="_blank">The Life I Read: Holiday recipes 2014 Lemon Curd</a></div>
</div>
K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-88181521067959208662018-11-16T19:00:00.003-06:002020-11-14T11:13:07.176-06:00How to Secure Peace in an Anxious World: the 23rd Psalm<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS2Rf_Oi3ls/W-4Zeb9dKzI/AAAAAAAAA80/hE23VtgOlWUwLTN2tTJHc4HDNuBLE622wCLcBGAs/s1600/YHWH%2BRa%2BAh%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="791" height="113" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS2Rf_Oi3ls/W-4Zeb9dKzI/AAAAAAAAA80/hE23VtgOlWUwLTN2tTJHc4HDNuBLE622wCLcBGAs/s320/YHWH%2BRa%2BAh%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><h2>
YWWH Ra'ah LORD, My Shepherd</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sometime
last August, Andrea Castle Engle handed me her outline for the Thursday Bible Class at SouthwestCentralHouston and asked me to
reflect on <i><b>How to Secure Peace in an Anxious World.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">She had
chosen a key verse: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”</span></i> Psalm 4:8</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Andrea focused on the 4<sup>th</sup> Chapter of Philippians for the semester's study, asserting that it is a toolbox for dealing with anxiety, for finding peace and rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">She's right! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Andrea invited me as a guest speaker to conclude the study, asking me to consider how the Pauline Epistle related to the <b>Davidic 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">These two
texts go hand-in-hand:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">(1) Paul urging the Philippians
and us to <i><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">“be anxious in nothing”</span></b></i> but to <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"rejoice in the Lord</span></i></b>" and trust God’s
provision to meet our needs and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">(2) David’s song celebrating the
ways that the LORD shepherds us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
This post includes not only my teaching on that day in November 2018 but links to a number of resources I use for Psalms and Hebrew study. It does not include any additional commentary on Philippians.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From
early childhood, we learn the 23<sup>rd</sup> Psalm and are taught to
recite it in times of stress, anxiety, fear, uncertainty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister repeated it over and over and over on her
Careflight to the Emergency Cardiac Unit in Waco after her heart attack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she was never afraid because, no
matter what might happen, she was safe because <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">“the Lord is my shepherd.</span></i></b>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">My own husband David often recited the 23rd as well as the 130th Psalm last year as we walked through the dark valley. Many others </span>have similar
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The 23<sup>rd</sup> Psalm is the standard scripture imprinted on funeral memorial folders. It is known as the American funeral psalm and read at almost all funerals. At my parents' memorials we recited it by memory because our family flock all know and find comfort and peace in these words which echo down the generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This song of an ancient shepherd,
this prayer of Israel’s shepherd king is still our comfort even in the darkest
valley. Saying these words enables us to <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">“lay me down in peace and sleep” </span></i></b>for
the <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">“LORD only makes me dwell in safety.”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Like many Psalms, the 23</span><sup>rd</sup><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> is very visual and grounded in the day-to-day life of Israel. Here is a link to a 4-minute video to help with our visualization of shepherds and sheep in Israel where you won't find sheep grazing in <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"belly-deep alfafah... What are those? Rock eating sheep?"</span></i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8MwiTs0hM" target="_blank">Ray Vander Laan's Green Pastures</a><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b><i>"Worry is dealing with tomorrow's problems on today's pasture."</i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">
</span>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: justify;">In most English translations, the psalm begins with what sounds to our ears as a straightforward statement: "The LORD is my shepherd." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">In Hebrew, it begins with a Name of God: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>YWWH Ra'ah LORD! My Shepherd! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The word that is translated "LORD" is an appeal to the great "I AM" who is the One who keeps covenant and rescues His people. It is the personal name of God, almost too holy to be spoken aloud. The addition of "Ra'ah" makes it personal to the psalmist; it is an appeal to the One who is "My Shepherd." Yes, He is the shepherd of the flock but He is unequivocally the shepherd of each individual sheep. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">When a sheep falls off a cliff, or wanders from the path and away from the flock and green pastures, or is threatened by a predator, or gets a hoof trapped in the rocks and is alone and in danger, the sheep bleats, "BAA! BAA! BAA! "My Shepherd! Come! Help me! I'm in a dark valley; you are my shepherd. I know your name; I hear your voice. I am completely dependent on you to save me." The 23rd Psalm begins with a call to remember that relationship between me and my shepherd. For God to remember; for me to remember.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The Psalms are poetry and poetry is by far the most difficult genre to move from one language to another. Poetry is not literal; it is not word-for-word. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Poetry is more like music than it is like narrative. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Much of the meaning of poetry happens between the lines, by the sounds of the words, by repetitions, by alliterations, by re-definitions and nuance, and by the structure of the verse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Noted translator and author of <b><i>The Poetics of Translation: History, Theory, and Practice </i></b>(1993) Willis Barnstone said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>"A translation is an x-ray, not a xerox."</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Hebrew poetics are not always visible in our translations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is link to a gathering of many the translations of the 23<sup>rd</sup> Psalm into English:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://theory.stanford.edu/~oldham/church/ps23-translations-2006Feb22/ps23-translations-2006Feb22.pdf" target="_blank">Psalms 23 translations (Stanford)-2006Feb22 PDF</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I have recast an English translation of Psalm 23 as a spoken word duet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I chose to use a less familiar </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">version (NEB 1966) and have toyed with it a bit, hoping to make it more reflective of the assumptions and emphasis which are obvious in the Hebrew but don’t really translate into English. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">In particular the phrase <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"for His name's sake"</span></i></b> is the central idea of the Psalm. Hebrew poetics make it the unseen modifier of every verse. Every action in the Psalm is <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">"for His name's sake"</span></b> and flows from the very being of God because of the relationship of the Psalmist to his God, because of the relation of the shepherd to His sheep. I hope you will hear these </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">very familiar verses with fresh ears and perhaps with new understanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am most grateful to Cynthia Byrd Clemmons, my partner in spoken word. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">[I have fine-tuned it a bit since we read it.] </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">YHWH Ra’ah – LORD my Shepherd!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For his name’s sake, </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I shall
want nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For his name’s sake</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> he makes
me lie down in green pastures, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">and leads
me beside the waters of peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For his name’s sake, </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He renews
life within me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He guides
me in right paths <b>for his name’s sake,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">even
though I walk through a valley dark as death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Even
though I walk through a valley dark as death, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He guides
me in right paths <b>for his name’s sake,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For your name’s sake, </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I fear no
evil, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">for thou,
YHWH Ra’ah, art with me, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">thy staff
and thy crook are my comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For your name’s sake,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thou,
YHWH Ra’ah, spread a table for me in the sight of my enemies; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">thou,
YHWH Ra’ah, have richly bathed my head with oil, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">and my
cup runs over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For his name’s sake</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">, Goodness
and love unfailing, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">these
will follow me all the days of my life, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">because
He is my shepherd,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I shall
dwell in the house of YHWH my whole life long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">One the tools I use to understand the poetics of Hebrew is to listen to the Psalms as they are sung in the Hebrew. Here is link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn2Tw1IEAF0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn2Tw1IEAF0</a></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b>Now for a close reading of the Psalm.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The structure of the Psalm is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">ABCDA'B'C' which indicates a linear correspondence between verses in the first and in the second half of the Psalm. It would also indicate that verse 4 is the main point and the turning point of the Psalm. <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Eve</span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">n though</span></i></b>" is the pivot which marks the psalmist's act of remembering who God is and who he is. It is an act of profound rebellion in defiance of current circumstance which moves the sheep nearer and back into the presence of his shepherd. This movement is reflected in the psalm which moves</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">from exterior pastures to interior banquet table in the house</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">from needs of today to all the days and forever</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">from the Shepherd leading to Goodness and mercy following</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">from "He" to "Thou" </span></span></li>
</ol>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">According to the paradigm of my favorite Christian scholar of Hebrew Scriptures, <b>Walter Brueggemann</b>, <b>ABC</b> represent <b>Orientation</b> - I understand my relationship to the Shepherd and have everything I need. <b>D</b> is the event of <b>Disorientation</b> - the dark valley that challenges my understanding of that relationship, the lack that makes me question the Shepherd's provision and maybe his existence, that moment of dissonance marked by doubt, despair, and death which forces me to change direction. <b>A'B'C'</b> represent <b>Reorientation </b>- <b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"the faithful self speaks to the doubting soul"</span></i></b> and I again trust the Shepherd to provide abundantly, fears lose their power, and my hope is renewed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t13nkmbHDFs/W-8nYiEXYbI/AAAAAAAAA9M/ve7ppOPulXgg8FqtXae1rWQn2KPOcRKUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Brueggermann%2Bbook%2BSpirituality%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPsalms.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t13nkmbHDFs/W-8nYiEXYbI/AAAAAAAAA9M/ve7ppOPulXgg8FqtXae1rWQn2KPOcRKUgCLcBGAs/s320/Brueggermann%2Bbook%2BSpirituality%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPsalms.jpg" width="187" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> [Brueggemann's impeccable scholarship and prophetic voice are unsurpassed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I highly recommend any book by Brueggemann but for the purposes of this blog I'll go with </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://fortresspress.com/product/spirituality-psalms" target="_blank">Spirituality of the Psalms</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am currently reading: <b><i>The Gospel of Hope.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I've been privileged to "sit at his feet" several times. Here is a link to the lecture I listened to this morning:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/55836664" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/55836664</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Here is a gathering of Brueggemann quotations:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/48472.Walter_Brueggemann" target="_blank">Brueggemann quotes on Good Reads</a>]</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Psalm 23 NEB 1966 with notes</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b>1 The LORD is my shepherd; </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">YWWH -Ra'ah </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Personal name of God and relationship to psalmist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The name that is the source of "for His name's sake" and the impetus of all God's action and all my response.</span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I shall want nothing</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><b> </b>Because the LORD is my Shepherd I need nothing more. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">All the actions are God’s: makes to lie, leads, renews, guides. I respond to God’s actions.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">B</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>2 He
makes me lie down in green pastures, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>and leads
me beside the waters of peace; </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">"lie down" is </span><span face=""ezra sil" , "sbl hebrew" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , "century schoolbook l" , "times new roman" , "cardo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 23px; text-align: -webkit-right;">יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">carries meanings of rest and to spread out in a safe resting place. It shares a common root with "dwell" which will be echoed in verse 6</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Recall that "green pastures" is a place where the needs of today are met.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">It is essentially the prayer Jesus taught: "Give us today our daily bread."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">C</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b>3 he renews life within me,</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">All life comes from the breath of God who provides the needs of our lives in food, water, peace, rest. I think "he restores my soul" is the better translation. The Hebrew word translated "life" or "soul" is "nephesh" </span></span><span face=""ezra sil" , "sbl hebrew" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , "century schoolbook l" , "times new roman" , "cardo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 23px; text-align: -webkit-right;">נַפְשִׁ֥ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">which also means a living being, a self, a person having desire, passion, appetite, emotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">D</span><table align="right" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>He guides
me in right paths </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">for his name’s sake,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Note: "paths' is plural like the grazing paths cross-crossing the Judean hillsides. While each sheep chooses and follows its own narrow path, the flock moves in the same direction as the shepherd. I think we are often quite arrogant sheep when we criticize another's path.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">for his name’s sake,</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">recalls the opening shout of the psalmist: YWHW Ra'ah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The poem's structure means that his phrase is the unspoken modifier of every verse. Some English translation move this phrase to the front but in Hebrew it falls between "paths" and "even though" and it must be there to maintain the poetical structure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">4<b> even
though I walk through a valley dark as death. </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The turning point, the pivot of the Psalm. The structure would bear a translation as a mirrored phrase: "He guides me in right paths for his name's sake even though I walk through a valley dark as death. Even though I walk through a valley dark as death, He guides me right paths for His name's sake."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I fear no
evil, </b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>for thou
art with me,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>thy staff
and thy crook are my comfor</b>t.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The pivot from "He" to "Thou" is a turn toward the Shepherd and brings Him near. In v. 1, I want nothing; in verse 4b, I fear nothing. The Shepherd's tools for rescue and defense comfort the sheep.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Thou" also indicates the nearness of the Shepherd and the fact that the sheep knows the shepherd's voice and names him "My Shepherd."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">B’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>5 Thou
spreadest a table for me in the sight of my enemies; thou hast richly bathed my
head with oil, </b></span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> and my cup runs over.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Images echo those of v. 2 but have multiplied to abundant hospitality (a banquet feast and an anointed head) and so much wine that cups overflow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">How safe must one feel to sit at a table with enemies?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">We might also see in the presence of "bread, oil, and wine" the liturgical presence of the Holy One of Israel. Christians might extend these images to the Eucharist, the Communion Table.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">C’</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Goodness
and love unfailing, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>these
will follow me all the days of my life, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>and I
shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A rabbi
once told me that the attributes of God were names of God and proof of His
Presence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He and I were both waiting for our cars to come from the valet parking at M.D. Anderson Hospital. It was the first night of Chanukah and, after answering my question about the pronunciation of a Hebrew phrase-- "May those in need of healing find refu'ah sh'leima"--the rabbi asked if I would like to hear his Shabbat teaching. Of course, I counted it an honor and a blessing. He reviewed the history of Chanukah and then said that always the greater miracle, greater even than the oil in the Temple lamps, is </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Shalom because it is one of the names of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">"Goodness and love unfailing" the attributes of My Shepherd and a sure sign of his presence. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">"Love unfailing" in Hebrew is checed </span></span><span face=""ezra sil" , "sbl hebrew" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , "century schoolbook l" , "times new roman" , "cardo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 23px; text-align: -webkit-right;">וָחֶ֣סֶד </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> "the steafast love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end." The word is used 130 times in the Psalms. Interestingly it derives from a primitive root which means to bow one's head in courtesy to an equal, to be kind and merciful. Thus, God's checed originates in Creation: "Let us make man in our own image." Any instance of God's checed is an invitation to relationship, to conversation, to friendship with God as Abraham, Moses, and David experienced. It is Immanuel--God with Us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I have previously taught and blogged on "the house of YHWH" in the Psalms.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Here is a link to that blog: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> <a href="https://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2015/02/dwell-in-house-ba-yith.html" target="_blank">to dwell in the house of the LORD in Psalms</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I was once privileged to sit at the feet of Rabbi Harold S. Kushner as he presented Psalm 23 and post my notes here so I can find them later.<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">most recognizable psalm, America's funeral psalm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Rabbi Kushner, calls it a 3-act play depicting one
man's story:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> first,
peace & serenity; then darkness and grief; finally new relationship with
God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> God,
the source of strength at a time when all seemed lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For Kushner, "the 23<sup>rd</sup> offers
lessons on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> gratitude
("my cup runneth over"), <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> direction
"he guides me in straight paths, for his name's sake),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> and
inner peace (he makes me lie down in green pastures").<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">"God's promise is never that life would
be fair; God's promise is that whenever we have to confront the unfairness, He
will be with us."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">"The most important lesson is that in times of trouble
God does not explain, God comforts."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Rabbi Harold S. Kushner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-50740216020606436662018-01-12T18:39:00.000-06:002018-01-12T18:39:04.447-06:00"goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to they rest."<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQuu9tuntg/WllB_7DUMSI/AAAAAAAAA78/LC0O4U1f9vc9xqMlvNkdmdrffnGZ8ubTQCLcBGAs/s1600/PipesDavidNov2015-Best%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQuu9tuntg/WllB_7DUMSI/AAAAAAAAA78/LC0O4U1f9vc9xqMlvNkdmdrffnGZ8ubTQCLcBGAs/s320/PipesDavidNov2015-Best%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>David Meggs Pipes</b><br />27 November 1948 - 3 January 2018</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
Meggs Pipes was the eldest child of Charles David Pipes and Betty Meggs Pipes.
He was born November 27, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas. The family would grow to
include two sisters Mary Nel, Melinda Beth, and a brother, Bryan Charles. Charles Pipes was recalled to active duty for
the Korean War and the family moved frequently with U.S. Air Force Duty
assignments. David said that home was wherever his parents were and the church was
their extended family in San Antonio, New Mexico, North Carolina, Puerto Rico,
California, the Philippines, and Abilene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
started school in Roswell, New Mexico where he chased lizards and became an
avid reader. Young David dreamt much of sailing ships and heroic naval battles
with the historical Admiral Horatio Nelson and the fictional Captain Horatio
Hornblower. While in Puerto Rico the family enjoyed a cruise culminating in a
passage through the Panama Canal and, to his dismay, David suffered sea
sickness. Always able to make the best of a bad situation, he spent his days in
the library where an older gentleman taught him to play chess. Later in high
school, the chess club became a fun diversion and David formed life-long
friendships with his fellow club members. Many years later, he won the
competitions to represent Rice University at the NCAA chess tournament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upon
leaving Puerto Rico, the family was stationed back in California where David
was baptized into Christ Jesus and learned leadership skills for public
speaking from a dedicated Christian mentor whom David emulated as he mentored
young men in his church. David graduated from Ramona High School in Riverside
in 1966, as a National Merit Scholar. Immediately afterward the family was
stationed in the Philippines and Charles was flying into Viet Nam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
September 1966, David arrived in Houston to attend Rice University. He started as a "Hanszen gentleman" and was among the upperclassman who volunteered to move to the new college where he was a member of Lovett's constitutional committee. During
these college years David joined the Rice Players as a stage hand and had roles in Hamlet and School for Scandal. He often assisted Andrea
Castles (later Engle) in Brown College theater productions including The Second Shepherd's Pageant. He earned pocket money as a Physics grader and tutored Rice Basketball players. A gifted teacher, David tutored a host of friends at Rice and many young people through the decades. David played a
lot of bridge both on campus and duplicate on Friday nights with his regular bridge partner, Keith McGregor. While in graduate school, he was in Army R.O.T.C. serving as Executive Officer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David began attending the
Central Church of Christ in 1966 and was an active member of their college group. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Except
for the three years he spent in the U.S. Army, David lived in Houston and
worshiped with this church for 50 years, half of the 100 years we will celebrate
this coming weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
September 1967, David met K Cummings at Central’s college welcome party in the
home of Terry and Beverly Koonce. It took him a couple of weeks to persuade K
to go to a football game with him but almost from that moment they were a
couple. They ate both lunch and dinner together most days and attended various
campus events together. When David’s parents came to visit at Lovett College,
they were told “he spends all of his time over at Brown with K Cummings.” David
and K fell in love working with the children at Central's Drew Street Mission, at
college devotionals in the home of R.L. and Jean Sanders, and at the Sunday
night spaghetti dinners served to college students in Central’s fellowship hall
which is now The Black Lab restaurant. Eating at the site of so many happy
memories remained a special treat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
earned three degrees from Rice University: Bachelor of Arts in 1970, Master of
Chemical Engineering in 1971, and Master Science (Environmental Science and Engineering) in 1974. His was one of the first environmental degrees issued. David and K continued to be actively involved at Rice and are members of The Owl Club and Friends of Fondren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
and K were married on September 4, 1971. When David completed his graduate
work, he served his country in the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency.
During that time, he developed many standards for water treatment, including
the famous “Pipes sniff test” as the first indicator of a well-run plant. He
would sometimes introduce himself, “Pipes the name; sewers the game.” While stationed in Maryland, David and K
worshiped and taught children and David chaired the benevolence committee at
Aberdeen Church of Christ. Not long ago,
the elders of that church thanked him for his influence in Men’s Business
Meetings, creating an atmosphere of peace and forgiveness. David’s stories of
the Central Church in Houston had been “instrumental in teaching what a good
eldership might be. Remarkable wisdom in a young man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Having
completed his military service, David and K returned to Houston in 1976 to
enjoy the benefits of being close to Rice and to take up again the work of
teaching a generation and a half of children of Southwest Central Church, where
he served as a Deacon and then an Elder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As a graduate student, David had worked on a consulting project for S& B Engineers and Constructors. Upon learning that David was job interviewing in Houston, Dr. Bill Brookshire offered him a position and in 1976 David began his career with S&B Engineers and Constructors where he would become
a Principal Process Engineer in a department that is ably led by his brother
and best friend, Bryan. David loved engineering and mentored many young engineers. He was honored to be awarded the company's S.A.B.E.R.--Safety, Attitude, Best Practices, Excellence, Reliability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">During a recent interview with a doctor about his goals
for treatment, David listed three things: “be at home with K, worship with my
church, and get back to work at S&B so I can be with my friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">David,
age 69, died Wednesday, January 3, 2018, while a patient at M. D. Anderson
Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he was cared for with great kindness by the
nursing staff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
is survived by his wife of 46 years, K Cummings Pipes, who held his hand
through this life’s journey, by his dear mother, Betty, by his brother Bryan
and his wife Dee, by his sisters, Beth Cook and Mary Nel McLane and her husband
Charles, by nieces, nephews, God children, extended family, and a host of
friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Honorary
pallbearers: his nephews, Josh Gregory
and his son Tilson, Kendall Cummings II, Bryan McLane, James McLane, Carl
Sinkule, Damon Easter, Joseph Niles, and David’s namesake, David Michelletti.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do not “mourn as others do
who have no hope.” </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">
1 Thessalonians 4:13—Weymouth New Testament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A memorial service was officiated by Steve Sargent, 8 January 2018, at Southwest Central Church of Christ, 4011 W. Bellfort, Houston, TX.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://swcentral.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018.01.08_11.02_01.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is the link to David's Memorial Service.</a></span></div>
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{The sounds of weeping and wailing are not from me or his family. Our church is culturally diverse and David, as a shepherd of the flock, was much loved and is deeply mourned my his extended church family.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">At his memorial service, his brother-in-law, Jack Gregory, offered these words:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"On behalf of
the Pipes family, “Thank you!” Thank you
for the overwhelming support offered to K through the past difficult
months. “Thank you” for your attendance
here at David’s memorial service today.
And “Thank you” for helping us honor God as we honor David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just a couple of days ago I read a short blog about prayer
that has impacted my thinking and, I hope, will impact my prayers in the
future. It’s amazing how one simple word
can radically change my prayer life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those of
us that live life on this side of heaven, our prayers are so often centered on
“us” – on the needs and wants that we face in our daily lives and not so often
on the eternal. Without a doubt, many of
you have joined me in praying for David’s healing through this “battle” that he
has been fighting for the past year especially.
We have all prayed in earnest and with a great deal of hope and faith
that David would be healed physically – that he and his situation would become
“better” . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And here is
that one little word . . . that one little change in my prayer: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Instead of
praying <b>“Lord, make this BETTER”</b> maybe
I need to pray . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lord, make this COUNT!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God, David
is dying. Make the leukemia go away if
possible. BUT don’t just make it better,
make it COUNT! Make this time be about
YOU and YOUR kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is
exactly what David knew was important – exactly what he understood when he read
(or when he asked K to read to him) Psalm 130.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Out of the depths I cry to you,
LORD; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be
attentive to my cry for mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I wait for the LORD, my whole being
waits, and in his word I put my hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I wait for the Lord more than watchmen
wait for the morning, yes, more than watchmen wait for the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On New
Year’s Eve, K heard David, in his sleep, say “I’m dying. No unanswered prayers!” </span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He wanted us to know that our prayers for
healing WERE NOT <b><i><u>unanswered</u></i></b> prayer just because he died. Just the opposite is true . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He
knew that, IT COUNTED! He had full faith
that “because of his life, he knew his death would COUNT for God’s kingdom here
on earth”. He knew it would count for
his precious church family here in this building. He trusted that lives . . . OUR lives would
be eternally affected and affirmed in the promise of eternity with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
thank God for hearing our prayers and answering each of them fully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I love
the phrase “In the Fullness of Time”. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For
David, it <b>IS BETTER! </b> And for each of us . . . Now – in the fullness
of time – <b>IT COUNTS!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Prayer
. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://bronlea.com/2013/08/06/one-little-word-that-radically-changed-my-prayers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is the link to the blog that Jack Gregory cited. </a></span></div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-142014311816835142017-06-14T19:02:00.001-05:002017-06-15T11:35:49.147-05:00Genesis 1: probably not the way you heard it in Sunday School. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKQYO9Ywxfg/WUHGmbDyP1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/kjMxaUwE_scRBJfXEo1Vyz76X0-N98_sACLcBGAs/s1600/word%2Bcloud%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="931" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKQYO9Ywxfg/WUHGmbDyP1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/kjMxaUwE_scRBJfXEo1Vyz76X0-N98_sACLcBGAs/s320/word%2Bcloud%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On Sunday 11 July 2017 at Southwest Central Houston, I preached my first sermon. I am 68 years old; I never thought such a thing would be possible in the fellowship where my husband and I have chosen to worship and serve since our university days. I am publishing my sermon as written and I was pretty close to the script. There were a couple of stutters and missteps early on but I did get into the groove. One of my male friends said, "I saw that silver hair in the pulpit and you started and I said, 'Oh, oh! we're in trouble." I certainly intended this sermon as a response, a corrective, to much faulty teaching, doctrine, and practice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I will also add a link to the audio posted by my church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">I had prepared a PowerPoint and there were a number of additional slides. I attempted to use only slides which I believed to be in the public domain but I am only going to publish the word clouds I made myself and NASA's Carina Nebula. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Call to
Worship: </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i>“Every
Sunday people come to church overwhelmed by chaos.”</i></b></span> (Walter </span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Brueggemann from notes I made during a lecture I attended</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">) As our own Phil Rice so often prays, “Our world is a mess…” We are overwhelmed by the mess
and chaos of politics, poverty, illness, loss, exhaustion, pain, indecision... </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yes, we
gather here as people overwhelmed by chaos. We gather here to encourage one
another, to proclaim faith in the Creator, to remember Jesus, and through our
presence and our praise, by the Spirit of the living God, we <span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="font-style: italic;">“transform chaos
into creation.” </b>(WB said, <i><b>"by our liturgy we transform...</b></i> )</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">{The congregation read the 8th Psalm in unison and I cited that Psalm in my conclusion.}</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTpQ5kU1w0s/WUHGhsoMvMI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KnyGg6nSQ5Y98AVaBWaDQrhQkI3KwZKhgCLcBGAs/s1600/James%2BWeldon%2BJohnson%2BCreation%2BWord%2BCloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1029" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTpQ5kU1w0s/WUHGhsoMvMI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KnyGg6nSQ5Y98AVaBWaDQrhQkI3KwZKhgCLcBGAs/s320/James%2BWeldon%2BJohnson%2BCreation%2BWord%2BCloud.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cynthia
Bird graced us with her spoken word performance of “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson, 1871-1938.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b>Link to the recording. After Cynthia, I begin speaking about 06:25</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://swcentral.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017.06.11_00.28_01.mp3" target="_blank">http://swcentral.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017.06.11_00.28_01.mp3</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I had trouble loading this audio on my iPad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Sermon: </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bb4Sx-nfRJ8/WUHGqH_w0mI/AAAAAAAAA6w/hrcpvOpLNtEmjHT7gjOd5z0UikP_Nxd0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Word%2Bcloud%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="890" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bb4Sx-nfRJ8/WUHGqH_w0mI/AAAAAAAAA6w/hrcpvOpLNtEmjHT7gjOd5z0UikP_Nxd0wCLcBGAs/s400/Word%2Bcloud%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>The Creation: not like you heard it in Sunday School </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>by K Cummings Pipes 11 June 2017</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The
message I bring today is rooted in my concern for ever increasing numbers of
friends, family, and even a few of my former Sunday School kids who come to me
and whisper, “In my heart I believe, or really want to believe, in a loving God
but I just cannot believe…” And the thing they cannot believe is usually some
very simple version of The Creation Story which denies all the evidence of
geology, physics, astronomy, and biology…” And it breaks my heart that we
Christians have needlessly erected such a barrier to faith. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The Apostle Paul wrote:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“…that which is known about God is evident,
for God has made it evident. For since the creation of the world God’s
invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly
seen, being understood through what has been made.” {Romans 1:19-20}</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So
today we’re going to take a fresh look at the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Word of God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
the Apostle Paul wrote a single letter to the church…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
tongues of fire and the Holy Spirit-filled preaching of Pentecost…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
<b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” and “was the light of all humankind…</span></i></b>
(John 1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yes,
The Word of God before</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
all the Writings of Hebrew Wisdom that <b><i>“are a lamp unto my feet and a light
unto my path…” </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
the Prophets…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
the Law<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
the 10 “words” of Sinai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Indeed,
before any word was ever written...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
the voice from a burning bush called Moses to lead God’s own people to freedom…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
Jacob…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
Isaac…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
God called Abraham…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the beginning...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“In the
beginning, God created the heavens
and the earth. The earth was without form and empty and darkness covered the
face of the deep, The Spirit of God was moving gently on the face of the waters,
the breath of God moved across the face of the deep. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then God said…”</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes,
that’s it! The Word of God! When God spoke and “<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">made evident, His invisible
attributes.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Then God said</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">, ‘Let
there be light! And light there was! And God saw the light was good.”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">We call this text the creation story but it is
not historical narrative. It is a poem and the word, <b><i>create</i> </b></span><b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">בָּרָ֣א </span></b><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrew/bara_1254.htm" title="bā·rā: created -- Occurrence 1 of 5."><b><span style="color: #99d6ff; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">bā-rā</span></b></a><b> in
Hebrew Strong 1254 </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">will
not be used again until v. 21 (when God creates the life of the sea and the
birds) </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">and
again in v. 27 (when God creates the life of the earth and then humans in God’s own image)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Contrary
to what you may have heard, contrary to what I once taught<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">create</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> does not mean “make
something out of nothing.” Creation means something new! something is that
has never been before <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Hebrew word conveys a sense of “feeding” as wool is fed onto the spindle when
making thread or as a weaver “feeds the loom”.
There may be a reason we say “the web of life” Everything is woven together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Hebrew word <i>create</i> also conveys a
sense of “fattening” or growth through abundant nourishment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--R94Y9geBR8/WUHEoJg0irI/AAAAAAAAA6g/I3MzcPA-F-sod2Knoz2Rt0Am_Yc5efhqgCLcBGAs/s1600/carian%2Bnebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1024" height="191" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--R94Y9geBR8/WUHEoJg0irI/AAAAAAAAA6g/I3MzcPA-F-sod2Knoz2Rt0Am_Yc5efhqgCLcBGAs/s400/carian%2Bnebula.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">{There was also a slide with Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days...}</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus, Creation
is not instantaneous; it is a process over time. And that is why the Genesis
text includes 6 time markers and a Sabbath rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are finite beings and we experience time as finite. We have
little concept of eternity. But God is not finite and His Days are not as our
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">But at
least one thing we all learned in Sunday School is absolutely correct! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Only
God creates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Rather
than a focus on the word </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">create</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, what
the text says repeatedly is that God spoke, <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“</span></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And God said…”</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
this text is primarily about the Word of God, the Spoken Word of God. Other
than speaking, God’s actions on the first days are “separating and dividing”:
Light from darkness. Day from Night. Waters above from waters below. Heavens. Sea.
Earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And God said</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Let
there be Light”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And God
saw the light was good.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">God
separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day and the
darkness God called Night. And there was evening
and there was morning, one day. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>Evening and morning”</i> this phrase marks
the transition form one Creation Day to the next. In it we may see images of completion and
new beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Remembering
that the first verse described earth as “empty and dark” and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">that
God spent the first days separating light and darkness, we might also see that
phrase, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">evening and morning</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">, as a
boundary separating darkness and light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Or we could view it, especially since
it is closely associated with a numbering, as the end of one step in the
creative process and the beginning of another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then God said</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, Let
there be an expanse, separating the waters above and the waters below. And God made this expanse and
separated the waters above and the waters below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">God
called the expanse Heaven And there was evening and there was morning, (Day 2)</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God
“made” </span><b><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%;">וַיַּ֣עַשׂ </span></b><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrew/vaiyaas_6213.htm" title="way·ya·‘aś: And made -- Occurrence 1 of 236."><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #0092f2; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">way·ya·‘aś</span></a><span class="reftrans"><b><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span><b>in Hebrew Strong 6213</b><span class="reftrans"><b><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">ThisInI</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: #FDFEFF; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-table-left: right; mso-table-lspace: 2.25pt; mso-table-rspace: 2.25pt; mso-table-top: middle; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .25in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: .25in; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 99.0%;" width="99%"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 2.25pt; mso-element-left: right; mso-element-top: middle; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="height: .25in; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: .75pt;" width="1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 2.25pt; mso-element-left: right; mso-element-top: middle; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Hebrew, this is neither the same word nor does it have the same meaning as <b>create”
</b></span><b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 107%;">בָּרָ֣א </span></b><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrew/bara_1254.htm" title="bā·rā: created -- Occurrence 1 of 5."><b><span style="color: #99d6ff; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">bā-rā</span></b></a><b> in
Hebrew Strong 1254</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
verb “to make” hints at ideas of separation, preparation, purpose, provision.
When God “creates” the result is something new! Something now is that has never
been before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God
“makes” by using something that is already present in the creation and shapes
it, forms it to serve a purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">{This distinction between "create" and "make" is the crux of my interpretation of the Genesis Creation Poem.}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In this
passage God made the expanse (e.g. the firmament). Later God made the sun, the
moon, and the stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And God said</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, “Let
the waters be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear. And God
called the dry land Earth and the collection of waters God called Sea. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And God
saw that it was good.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And God said</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> , “Let the earth sprout” </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Doesn’t
that recall the creation image of growth through abundant nourishment? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Note
also that the text does not say that God created nor that God made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God
spoke: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Let the earth sprout” vegetation,
plants bearing seeds, and trees bearing fruit with seeds each according to
their own kind. And God saw that it was good . And there was evening and there
was morning. (Day 3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And God said</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">, “Let
there be lights in the expanse to separate the day from the night, and let them
be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be for lights
in the heavens to give light on the earth. </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God made</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> the sun and the moon
and stars in the heavens for a purpose:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">…to
rule over the day and the night and to separate the light from the darkness.
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, Day
4.</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Then God said</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">, “Let the waters swarm with living
creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the heavens. God created…</span></i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(There’s
that word create)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">God
created great sea animals and every living creature that moves and the waters
swarmed according to their own kind and the winged birds according to their own
kind, and God saw that it was good. And God blessed the living creatures,
saying<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Be
fruitful and multiply and fill the <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">waters
in the sea, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">There
was evening and there was morning.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Day 5
was a bit different! As in the first verse, God both speaks and creates. What
he creates are the living creatures of the Sea and the living creatures of the
Sky. In Hebrew, they are </span><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #351c75; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 17.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>נֶ֣פֶשׁ
</i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">nephesh
chay “living beings having the breath of life” </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Breath
of life” recalls the first verse of Genesis, when God’s breath moved across the
face of the deep, when the Spirit </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">moved
gently over the waters. That first act of creation has been followed by a
second, “living creations having the breath of life.” Something new! Something
now is that has never been before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">nephesh
chay </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some translators would say, “living souls.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
should note that this is exactly the same phrase that will be used in verse 27
for all the beasts of the earth and for humankind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And for
the very first time, God speaks a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Everything
that has breath has been blessed by God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">” living
creatures nephesh chay , each according
to their own kind: Cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their own kind and the
cattle according to their own kind”
and so it was! <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">God created</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> the
beasts of the earth according to their
own kind and everything that creeps upon the earth according to their own kind. And God saw that it was good.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8G4nxjW1bA/WUHEua6VUuI/AAAAAAAAA6k/VVgC4FzBT1AKZKSA5Hm5tcxjNMVMLOxtgCLcBGAs/s1600/word%2Bcloud%2Banimals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1021" height="214" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8G4nxjW1bA/WUHEua6VUuI/AAAAAAAAA6k/VVgC4FzBT1AKZKSA5Hm5tcxjNMVMLOxtgCLcBGAs/s320/word%2Bcloud%2Banimals.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At this
point all the vegetation that the earth sprouted, all the living creatures that
swarmed in the sea, all the birds that filled the sky, all the animals that the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">earth
brought forth have been described as reproducing <i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">“each according to their own
kind.”</span></b></i> Each well suited and fruitful in its own environment of Sea or Sky or
Earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God has
seen that all this life is good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But at
this mid-point on Day 6 things are about to change<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Then God said</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">, “Let
Us make humankind in Our image,
according to Our likeness…”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here,
the word is make </span><b><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%;">וַיַּ֣עַשׂ,
</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> with its ideas of separation, preparation,
purpose, provision. And from that moment, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">although
humans are among the living creatures that the earth brought forth, we are no
longer </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">according to the same kind </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">as
are other living creatures of Sea, Sky, and Earth. We are not only nephesh
chay, living creatures having the breath of life but we have been </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">made</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"> “like God.” We are not limited but
move between all the environments of earth, sea, and sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And we were
made for a purpose:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">“let
them rule over the fish of the sea an over the birds of the heavens and over
the cattle and over all the earth, over every creeping thing that creeps on the
earth.”</span></b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">{After the fact, both David and I noticed that "to rule" was also the purpose of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Something to consider.}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The
purpose for which God made humans was to “rule” and in Hebrew that word “rule”
means absolute authority as a king. {Of script here, I added, "sometimes I wish it didn't but it does."}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">But for far too long, we have used that
word “rule” to excuse our domination and greedy exploitation of Earth and its
creatures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can
learn about God’s means by<span style="color: #351c75;"> <i><b>“let them rule”</b></i></span> by reading about what he required of
the biblical kings <i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">“to be just and fair and merciful, to care for and provide
for the poor and weak and the stranger among them.” </span></b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can
see God’s own care for the earth in many scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">{There was a lovely landscape slide with Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.}</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because
we are made like God and in God’s image our rule must be like God’s:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">full of
love and attention and intention, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">to
tend, to care, to grow, to provide, to protect all the environments and living
creatures of Earth, Sky, and Sea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As Josh
Day reminded us last week,<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“Both the land and the people belong to God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“God created man in
God’s own image, in the image of God, God created him; male and female God
created them.” And God blessed them…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here the word is create </span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 107%;">בָּרָ֣</span></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Humans, male and female in the image of God. Something new!
Something now is that has never been before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">These humans, so loved by God that when we became utterly lost
and separated from all that God intended, Jesus came. </span><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">The Word made
flesh to live</span></i></b><span style="color: #001320;">, to teach, to die, and to live again to make in us a new creation. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">{I hit those last words strongly. We, individually and collectively are a new creation!}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We humans are like all life on earth nephesh chay, “creatures
have the breath of life” but we also are not <b>“according to our kind.”</b> We are made the likeness and created the
image of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That fact requires our recognition of God’s image in all people. </span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And that recognition demands that when we look at other people, we look for the
image of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How differently might we treat those who are strangers or poor
or sick if we saw God in every face? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that not the point of much of Jesus’ teaching? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">{My slide was Jesus a new commandment to love.}</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Would we be slower to judge, </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">slower to say “not good” to those God himself declared to be
very good?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Might we not more deeply appreciate the gifts others share with
us through their study of history, sociology, art, and literature? It is commonly said that the humanities may teach us what it means to be human. I assert that it may also teach us what it means to be like a God described in scripture as a poet, a weaver, a gardener, an artist, a builder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Would we be so sure of doctrines like “original sin”
and the unworthiness of people if we saw in every face, including our own, the
one thing that God both made and created, the likeness and the image of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope today that we have heard The Creation poem differently. </span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
hope that we have removed highlights from endless debates of 24 hour days and young
earth/old earth and that we are now focused on what the Bible tells us “God
said.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If so, we may now see in it consistencies with the science we may have
also learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This very good creation is the Spoken Word of God, it is the
Word that is ever and always in all times and in all places available to all
people. Whether or not they </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">hold a Bible in their hands or hear the Good News of Jesus. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">This very good
creation, this expanding universe, makes </span><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">“evident God’s invisible attributes,
God’s eternal power and divine nature.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On some level we have all always known this. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we take a walk
in the woods, or sit on a beach, or plant a garden, or admire a mountain, or </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">as the Psalmist did millennia ago </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">when we contemplate the night sky, </span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">we know and we feel both very
small and very </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">big</span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">and time feels unending</span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">and beauty overwhelms us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That feeling is awe! For in those moments God has been revealed
to us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">God’s Spoken Word in Creation calls us to praise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">Jesus, The Word made Flesh, calls us to communion with God and with one another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">{Sermon is over. I had been remarkably calm but after I returned to my seat, my hands shook very badly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">After communion and intercessory prayer, our church does "a sending out" which is supposed to be a very short note about how to apply the sermon during the coming week. We were over time--not me, I stayed well within the sermon's allotted time--so I did not deliver the sending out but we went straight to our church's mission statement.}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">My friends, the study of God’s Word, written or spoken, is a holy endeavor. Serving people created in God’s image is a holy endeavor. Learning how the universe works is also a holy endeavor. And our tools for learning how the universe works are the tools of science. Science can never prove or disprove God but it can </span><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">make evident God’s invisible attributes </span></i></b><span style="color: #001320;">and so lead people to faith.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #001320;">Mission Statement:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">As God has loved us<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">We will meet people on common ground<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And journey together to the higher ground<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Of life in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.</span></i></b><span style="color: #001320;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">{I am very grateful that I had this opportunity to speak from the pulpit. I am very grateful to attend an egalitarian church within a historically non-egalitarian tradition. I had much support and encouragement from my friends. And for that I am most grateful. By substituting the word "God" for all pronouns I avoided the gendered "he" because God's own image is both male and female and a whole lot more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O God. ...to the Glory of God!"}</span></div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-86343862112899957302017-05-02T16:49:00.002-05:002017-05-03T12:00:25.940-05:00"There ain't a body, be it mouse or man, that ain't made better by a little soup."<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A2tkmwXii4/WQj7Rbml1iI/AAAAAAAAA5c/EthCTRfMCQwNvFap1dKYXIefbmPXajWMACLcB/s1600/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A2tkmwXii4/WQj7Rbml1iI/AAAAAAAAA5c/EthCTRfMCQwNvFap1dKYXIefbmPXajWMACLcB/s320/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup.jpg" width="176" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Today I'm making soup. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">I like to make soup because it's basically just putting a bunch of good stuff into a pot (or a slow cooker) and going away to do whatever one wishes or needs to do. The bits and pieces will cook, the flavors will meld; soup is like a good community it makes a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. As the pot bubbles happily, the soup will fill the kitchen, the house, the world with an aroma of savory goodness. When day is done and one drags oneself to the home hearth, tired and perhaps depressed, soup will be ready to fill the empty places, to warm the cold, to comfort with a full tummy and maybe, just maybe a little peace or at least some rest. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #181818;"><b>John Steinbeck</b> (East of Eden) said, </span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>"The lore has not died out of the world, and you will find people who believe that soup will cure any hurt or illness and is no bad thing to have for the funeral either."</i></b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">As the school year ends with all sorts of assessments and testing and field trips and rushing desperation, my church will show the teachers at Shearn Elementary (just a few blocks away from our building) a little appreciation. I'm making soup for lunch tomorrow. </span><br />
<b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"That is soup that you are smelling... times are terrible. And when times are terrible soup is the answer. Don't it smell like the answer?" </span></i></b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>Kate Di Camillo</b> (The Tale of Despereaux) who is also the source of the quote that titles this blog. </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">My soup is both my "thank you" to all the educators who have spent this year with our children and my prayer for them as they face the final weeks of this year. I like it when I can ground my prayer with action.</span><br />
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The guests around my dinner table now often include vegetarians. I have found soup a helpful solution. On a recent menu was Vegetable Beef Stew, Deconstructed. I made a classic French Onion Soup in the slow cooker with a chuck roast. Before serving I removed the roast, shredded it, and served it on a platter. In a separate pot I had made a vegetarian veggie soup. My guests served themselves. Some ate veggie soup. Some ate French onion soup. Some like my husband ate mostly meat. Others Reconstucted Vegetable Beef Stew by taking some out of both pots. A salad, a selection of cheeses, and crispy bread. Delish!<br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Soup is for me a dangerous undertaking with somewhat uncertain results. The first line of one of my never-finished-writing-it novels reads: </span><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"She was the kind of woman who couldn't make soup; she always ended up with a stew." </span></i></b>That's me!<br />
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My soup of the day is a <b>creamy vegetable spinach artichoke soup with tortellini and mushrooms</b>.<br />
I don't think soups require recipes (probably how I end up with stew, huh?) but here goes:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzVYZIOBDqc/WQj7o7pS-uI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ow6zrKNPDEQJvTORz_xDkHEKEBtrYSaNwCLcB/s1600/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzVYZIOBDqc/WQj7o7pS-uI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ow6zrKNPDEQJvTORz_xDkHEKEBtrYSaNwCLcB/s320/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup%2B2.jpg" width="176" /></a>Melt 5 Tbsp. <b>butter</b>. Add 5 ribs of <b>celery</b> (diced fine) and 2 sweet <b>onions</b> (diced).<br />
Saute for a few minutes (medium heat) and add 8 oz. <b>sliced mushrooms</b>.<br />
Season with g<b>ranulated garlic and parsley, basil, thyme, black pepper, salt</b>.<br />
Add 5 oz. bag of <b>baby spinach</b> (when I make it again, I'll use 2 bags).<br />
Saute until spinach wilts.<br />
I had about 2 cups of good homemade <b>chicken stock</b> in the freezer and that was already in the <b>slow cooker (5 quart oval) </b>thawing. I added 2 cups of Swanson's <b>chicken broth</b>. (If I hadn't had the stock that needed to be used, I'd just use more broth. If I went with a vegetable broth, the soup would be vegetarian. I lined the cooker to make this clean-up a bit easier.)<br />
Add 16 oz. bag of <b>frozen mixed vegetables</b>.<br />
Add the celery, onion, mushrooms, spinach mixture.<br />
Add 2 cans (14 oz. 5-7 count) <b>artichoke heart</b>s (drained and quartered).<br />
Add 1 1/2 cups of <b>Half-and-Half</b>.<br />
Add 1/4 cup <b>Grated Parmesan Cheese</b> (I grated it, not from that green can.)<br />
Lightly Stir.<br />
Cook on high for 3 hours.<br />
Which will be just in time for me to adjust seasonings and have a bowl for supper.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bApHgF9vhZw/WQoMcidjjDI/AAAAAAAAA58/FcSIBusX4vEu-8vutQv85EvcP7V0gGtQACLcB/s1600/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bApHgF9vhZw/WQoMcidjjDI/AAAAAAAAA58/FcSIBusX4vEu-8vutQv85EvcP7V0gGtQACLcB/s320/creamy%2Bspinach%2Bartichoke%2Bsoup%2B3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"If a cook can't make soup between two and seven, she can't make it in a week."</span></i></b> Anthony Trollope, (Can You Forgive Her?) My Trollope reading got interrupted a couple of years ago and slipped so far to the bottom of the list that he was gone. I'm hoping to get back to him soon.<br />
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Before reheating, I may add a bit more broth or cream if the soup is not soupy enough.<br />
And I expect I'll probably add a bit more Grated Parmesan.<br />
I'll refrigerate over night and reheat tomorrow morning.<br />
When it's good and warm I'll add 10 oz. of four cheese <b>tortellini</b> and cook on high for about 30 minutes. (Tortellini could have gone in with everything else but I like it a bit firmer. I thought the overnight wait would make it mushy. In fact, someone who is not me could have made this soup the morning of the luncheon but I don't do mornings.)<br />
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Then I'll turn the setting to warm, unplug the slow cooker, and take it to Shearn for the teachers' soup and salad luncheon.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"If you feel all damp and lonely like a mushroom, find the thick, creamy soup of joyfulness and just dive into it in order to make life tastier."</span></i></b> Munia Khan, a poet I've recently discovered. I don't yet know whether I like her but I do like this image.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Another soup related discovery: I like seasoned croutons in soup even better than crackers.</span><br />
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<br />K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-56914023792312267272017-02-01T17:44:00.000-06:002017-02-01T17:44:10.057-06:00Bamboo: Symbol of the Upright Scholar<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrkIh7WdxbU/WJJeHnnSBvI/AAAAAAAAA4k/TmnLgy97YKYm0myGhyWEP_Ce4qecU-VUgCLcB/s1600/bamboo%2Bpublic%2Bdomain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrkIh7WdxbU/WJJeHnnSBvI/AAAAAAAAA4k/TmnLgy97YKYm0myGhyWEP_Ce4qecU-VUgCLcB/s320/bamboo%2Bpublic%2Bdomain.jpg" width="162" /></a>Making a few notes re. my birthday visit a week or so ago to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston with my dear friend since college days. We've been walking through that museum together for almost 50 years. Such a friendship is the best gift!<br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;">MFAH Emperors Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei</span><br />
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Cathey noted the dynasty changes and interactions with other world cultures. This was particularly noteworthy in the interactions of Taoist and Buddhist Emperors and the art they collected.<br />
In the 14th Century, world trade gave Chinese potters access to Persian Cobalt and the pottery changed from exquisite white and pale green solids to blue and white that is now almost a <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-size: x-small;">cliché</span> </b></span>of Asian art.<br />
I noted how each emperor and the single empress appeared to demonstrate artistic taste and literary skill as proof of their qualifications to lead. The arts which the emperors both made (the royal calligraphy was done in a special red ink) and collected in some sense legitimized their reigns.<br />
Each change of dynasty required those artists who were part of the court to decide whether they would remain loyal to the overthrown dynasty and lose their positions or whether they would support the new emperor.<br />
We also wondered if art projects, especially the large pottery collections, might have been employment programs, an economic alliance, a sort of quid pro quo.<br />
Funny how the past reverberates into the present. The day we visited Mr. Trump had proclaimed that he would not fund the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. I wept.<br />
I noted a calligraphic quote from Kangxi, Emperor of the Qing dynasty, which may prove good advice for the times in which we are living:<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"A kind edict: Heed rashness and persevere."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWHlKtN4ML8/WJJnKBzYW3I/AAAAAAAAA48/hpUGTCPZgjQz07YMmeSpqgcdHW1462NoACLcB/s1600/20170201_163457_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWHlKtN4ML8/WJJnKBzYW3I/AAAAAAAAA48/hpUGTCPZgjQz07YMmeSpqgcdHW1462NoACLcB/s200/20170201_163457_resized.jpg" width="112" /></a>When I was a sophomore at Floydada High School, the world history teacher was Mr. O. W. Lewis who loved Chinese history. I was surprised and grateful at how much I remembered. I wish he could have walked through this exhibition with me.<br />
I am grateful for so many teachers, past and present.<br />
My very most favorite things were small painted cards that were made as gifts for friends: <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Bamboo, symbol of the upright scholar." </span></i></b>So the little public domain illustration at the top of this post is for all the "upright scholars" in my life.<br />
I've always subscribed to the "don't draw what you can trace, don't trace what you can photocopy, and don't photocopy what you can cut and paste" theory of illustration. I fear I have little artistic talent like Kubla Khan who <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"expressed his artistic inclinations through appreciation."</span></i></b><br />
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Another great favorite was the gourd (also Kangxi, I think) which had been encased in a patterned wooden or ceramic mold so that as it grew the mold transferred the pattern to the gourd. A difficult art combining both human artistry and the work of nature. Here is a link to a piece that is very similar if not the same one in the exhibit: <a href="http://treasure.chinesecio.com/en/article/2009-08/25/content_13735.htm" target="_blank">http://treasure.chinesecio.com/en/article/2009-08/25/content_13735.htm</a><br />
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Let's heed poet Mary Oliver's quote and <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"think again of dangerous and noble things."</span></i></b> Let's all strive to be <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"upright scholars"</span></i></b> and "<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing."</span></i></b><br />
Remember, emperors live and die, dynasties rise and fall, but art and literature and things of "<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">beauty are a joy forever." </span></i></b>Let's save as much of it as we can.<br />
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<br />K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-11543166038670279792017-01-23T20:24:00.000-06:002017-01-26T11:08:09.035-06:00Victorian Flower Gems: My Feminist Brooch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1sn5I9pM7M/WIarWxj0XXI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/cjPmnuea7EUfH9iOeLFzz5kvwpAd4mvLACEw/s1600/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bblack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1sn5I9pM7M/WIarWxj0XXI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/cjPmnuea7EUfH9iOeLFzz5kvwpAd4mvLACEw/s320/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bblack.jpg" width="250" /></a>My love of costume
jewelry is well known to my friends. I am blessed to have several pieces that belonged
to my grandmothers and at least one that belonged to a great grandmother. When
I shop an antique store, a pawn shop, or an estate sale, I
always browse the jewelry for something interesting or pretty. My collecting
rule is simply that I must be able to afford it and I must like it. If I see
something of intrinsic value that is under priced, I buy it. Once I told a pair
of weeping sisters at their mother’s estate sale to reconsider selling a couple
of sterling silver earrings bearing a well-known designer mark for $2.00
because I heard them talking about how their parents had honeymooned in Mexico
and I knew those earrings to be of that vintage and that they were really worth
at least several hundred dollars. Knowing that, they decided to keep them. I
felt good about that. (I might have been less generous if I had liked the earrings better.)</div>
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I often grab
up odds and ends, even broken jewelry that is cheap with good stones or
interesting beads because I do a bit of beading and some jewelry repair. Many a
friend has asked me to replace a missing stone in a treasured family heirloom
or to go through the contents of her mother’s or grandmother’s treasure boxes
to help decide what to keep, what to have appraised, what to sell, and what to
discard. Some have brought me baggies of old jewelry because “no one wants
these but I thought of you.” Such a haphazard collection is better described as
an accumulation because few of my pieces have been cataloged or documented.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I had
more money, it is possible I’d collect the real thing but perhaps not. One of
the things I love about this old jewelry is that it was the pride and joy of
ordinary women who pinned it on their best dresses or coat lapels and wore it
to town, to work, to parties, to weddings, to social and civic events, and to
church. These sparkly items made those middle class or poor women feel pretty,
rich, and valued. They contributed to their identities. These brooches and pins
are the ones displayed in old photographs. Those pieces that are passed down
through families become a connection to history that is both personal and
cultural. Such women’s history is not always recorded elsewhere. There is
something in me that says these things that have been so treasured are not (or
should not be) rubbish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many of the pieces
reflect the aesthetics of their time and may be considered works of art. I have
several pieces that I never wear but display on my dresser top or enjoy as
beautiful art that I can hold in the palm of my hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A couple of
decades ago for my birthday, my sister-in-law gave me a vintage brooch. She had
bought it at an estate sale from a mutual friend (who is a bit older than I)
who thought it might have once belonged to her grandmother or one of her aunts.
She had no memories associated with it and needed a bit of cash and to
unclutter her house. My sister-in-law was very pleased at my delight upon
unwrapping it, saying, “It looked like something you might like even if it is
missing several stones. I thought about trying to clean it up a bit but decided
you would prefer to do it yourself.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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She was
right. I gently cleaned the brooch with a soft brush and some canned air. I
decided not to risk unsetting the stones with a more vigorous or liquid based
cleaning. I judged there to have been at least two previous attempts at repair.
When one of those ordinary women has tried to repair a family piece, I see it
as an indicator of the value attached to the piece by its owner. My advice is
that unless you can pay a professional to do a repair, unless they or you have access
to matching stones, don’t do anything. Consider the missing stone part of the
history and charm of the piece, pin it on your shoulder or lapel and wear it
with pride and joy as our foremothers did. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I wish I had
taken a “before” picture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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An original “ruby”
had been reset but poorly and there is visible glue residue that obscures the
sparkle. A second “ruby” had also been replaced with a slightly smaller but
well matched red glass stone and again I note glue residue. One of the “emeralds”
had also been reset or replaced; that stone is a lighter color and perhaps just
a bit smaller so it could be a near miss replacement. Since glue residue is
again visible, it could be that the glue has damaged the foil backing of the
green glass stone which would dull the color. Fearing I might damage those
stones I left most of the glue residue in place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left all those stones in place since I
thought they enhanced rather than detracted from the brooch and were a part of
its history that I wished to honor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is one
large pearl and its setting entirely missing which leaves a small gap in the
lower left center of the brooch. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A poorly
executed replacement had been attempted for the missing smaller pearl. I
removed a simulated pearl glass bead that was too large for the setting with
the hole in that bead distractingly visible. I may one day attempt a repair
if/when I find a well-matched replacement pearl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There were
several odd beads stuck onto the ends of some of the prongs along the bottom of
the pin. Wrong materials, wrong color, wrong style, and clearly not elements
that were original to the brooch. I removed and discarded them. I suppose there
might have been something on those prongs but I cannot imagine what, and this
large brooch with multiple stones and settings is certainly enough. At that
point I had a small, sculptural piece to lay on an antique handkerchief on the
dresser in my flowers and lace over-the-top-Victorian bathroom in my previous
house. I loved it there and had no intention to wear it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xcUMtjtxgQ/WIawR6-N8lI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jGwzDqPFbJEEozr1kLa_y5NSMsLidMZJgCEw/s1600/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Btable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xcUMtjtxgQ/WIawR6-N8lI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jGwzDqPFbJEEozr1kLa_y5NSMsLidMZJgCEw/s320/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Btable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then one day
a few years later, I saw a near identical piece with genuine gem stones in
either a museum’s exhibition catalog (a
reliable source) or a vendor’s catalog (a not so reliable source.)<br />
For this
blog post, I cannot find the citation and it’s possible it was among the notes
I lost in a computer crash that I could not recover. (Yes, I know. I thought I
was backed up. Early auto back-up technology failed me. Alas!)<br />
If memory serves, the original was a 19<sup>th</sup> Century brooch with emeralds, rubies,
pearls, diamonds, amethysts, and smaller pearls in an 18-carat gold setting. The
description named the original owner saying it had been custom made for her to
proclaim her support for both Women’s Suffrage and Christian Temperance. My
memory of the description of this original museum quality piece is that it
dated to about 1850. The presence of three large diamonds could be indicative
of a date after 1867 when South African diamonds were discovered and diamonds became
more available.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few other
dates may be helpful in considering the dating of my brooch and the original
upon which it is based.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The British
Association for the Promotion of Temperance was established in 1835 and in 1884
the National Temperance Federation was founded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Earl of
Carlyle introduced a bill for female suffrage in 1851, and Jacob Bright introduced
a bill for woman suffrage in the House of Commons in 1870. In 1897 local
British societies that were advocating women’s suffrage merged into the
National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. In 1903 the more militant
Suffragettes emerged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The “language
of flowers” expressed in fine jewelry was at its most popular in Victorian
Britain between 1837 (or a bit earlier) and about 1850 and remained popular
with the rising middle class and in America to 1880 or so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Late Victorian author Evelyn Whitaker (I
archive books and ephemeral materials pertaining to her life and work) made
extensive use of the language of flowers in her books, particularly in her
novel <u>Laddie.</u> In 1876 <u>Laddie </u>was the prize story for the
Christmas number of <u>The Monthly Packet of Evening Readings for Members of
the English Church</u>. Its first book edition, published anonymously, was in
1879 by Walter Smith, London.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IINeeo6ms8/WIawgT0uWKI/AAAAAAAAA4A/xhwPPaT0tMUjFTPpA7Bp-JwsMiE4WnY3QCLcB/s1600/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IINeeo6ms8/WIawgT0uWKI/AAAAAAAAA4A/xhwPPaT0tMUjFTPpA7Bp-JwsMiE4WnY3QCLcB/s320/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bback.jpg" width="320" /></a>At first
glance, my brooch appears to be a late 19<sup>th</sup> or early 20<sup>th</sup>
Century (circa 1897) reproduction of the circa 1851 museum quality piece that
once belonged to a wealthy woman who supported both Women’s Suffrage and
Christian Temperance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The brooch
has a <b>stamped brass filigree base</b> with multiple adjustable settings connected
to a second brass setting atop it that contains multiple settings for various
floral elements and settings for stones and beads. The brooch is very 3 dimensional
and mimics a floral gathering. The workmanship is excellent.<br />
The aesthetic is
pure 19<sup>th</sup> Century but the locking C-clasp which appears to be original is a strong argument that my brooch may be a WWII era American Victorian Revival
reproduction. The gem stones with the possible exception of the pearls are all
imitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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o:title="" croptop="18560f" cropbottom="15648f" cropleft="10669f"
cropright="285f"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]-->In any case, the
meanings behind the stones and setting make this brooch a strong feminist
statement and I wear it with pride and joy on appropriate occasions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now a close
reading of the brooch:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A<b> double
infinity bow</b> at the top indicates two things “tied together forever” a symbol
of unity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The<b> ivy
leaves</b> scattered throughout the brooch’s setting symbolize fidelity, eternal
faithfulness, and friendship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The presence
of a <b>diamond,</b> symbol of purity and eternity, is intended to bring the wearer
strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>3 Emeralds</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> Emeralds are </span>the gemstone for Venus signifying
womanhood as a giver of life. In Christian symbology
it is the color of the evergreen, <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">eternally green and
growing Eternal life. </span> Emeralds are
believed to enable clear thinking about past, present, future. Suffragette green
represented hope and spring, the season of new life.<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">The emeralds are i</span>n a 3-petal floral setting
which I don’t recognize. The three petals could reinforce the idea of past,
present, future. If it is a stylized pansy, it would signify remembrance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Given its location in
the setting and its proximity to two of the rubies , this emerald element might
say <b>“Remember all life flows through women/mothers.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>3 Rubies</b><b> </b> <b>"Who can find a worthy woman, a woman of
valor. Her value is greater than rubies.”</b> The image from Proverbs 31 is a salute to wisdom, particularly feminine wisdom. A ruby may also
represent courage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Each ruby is set in <b>six-petal rosette</b>, associated with Aphrodite and represents sexual energy, and
femininity. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Six is a perfect number. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It is sometimes
called the “Seed of Life” and represents Creation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Beside one
of the ruby rosettes is a diamond to signify purity and strength.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beside the
second ruby rosette is a <b>large pearl</b>, “the pearl of great price” from the
parables of Jesus. Pearls are sometimes viewed as symbols of purity and
feminine wisdom.<o:p></o:p><br />
The third ruby is flanked by a diamond and a large pearl which is missing in my brooch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>3 Amethysts </b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> The purple amethyst</span> is the symbol of royalty and political power.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ancients thought it was
formed from Dionysus’ drunken tears, a meaning that may be reinforced by the
tear drop shape. V<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">ictorians often used
seed pearls to symbolize tears but these seem a bit too big.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For the suffragette,
purple is not only the color of royalty but of freedom and dignity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Amethysts also symbolize chastity, sobriety, and self-control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>5 pearls</b>
around each amethyst<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>V<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">ictorians often used seed pearls to symbolize tears but these seem a bit too big. I think they are</span> again“the
pearl of great price” representing the thing of such value that it is worth pursuing at all costs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For
the suffragette, white is the color of purity in both private and public lives and pearls are often used in suffragette jewelry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For
the temperance advocate, the goal would be sobriety.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five
is a significant number in biblical numerology and indicates the grace of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>"The goals of both Women's Suffrage and Christian Temperance are worth pursuing at all costs and are achievable by the grace of God."</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emeralds, Pearls, and Amethysts may represent the green (Give),
white (Women), and violet (Votes) of the suffragette banners.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rubies, Amethysts, Pearls, and Emeralds may also mean <b>“for
the sake of your dear mother/wife pledge yourself to sobriety and the pearl of
great price, everlasting life.”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pNEA-0eM3ck/WIawaBdnmNI/AAAAAAAAA34/tPy8gBC_H-syMb3oqKwRd_fyRqbulY1EgCLcB/s1600/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pNEA-0eM3ck/WIawaBdnmNI/AAAAAAAAA34/tPy8gBC_H-syMb3oqKwRd_fyRqbulY1EgCLcB/s320/Victorian%2BFeminisit%2BBrooch%2Bme.jpg" width="250" /></a>On <b>Friday 20 January 2017, Inauguration Day</b> I dressed in all
black as a sign of mourning and I wore this brooch. I wore it again on
Saturday. I couldn’t march but I did go to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
which one of my friends had suggested as an alternative activity to affirm support
for the National Endowment for the Arts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other jewelry is this picture:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Birthstone amethyst earrings that belonged to my paternal
grandmother, Oma Calahan Cummings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gold cross belonged to my mother, Dorthy Wieland
Cummings, who bought it at a “junk shop” and wore it throughout her teen years
as a profession of faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I beaded my necklace of natural garnets (my birth stone) and
antique Czechoslovakian ruby glass beads. My mother loved it at first sight and
also had a January birthday so I loaned it to her for a decade or so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pink stone and pearl pin ornamenting the hanger is one
of my first pieces of jewelry. I've had the Victorian reproduction piece
since about the seventh grade. The dress is the one I wore for my sister’s
wedding as her matron of honor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you know something about my brooch that I don’t?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 595.5pt;">
Have you perhaps seen the original in a museum?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 595.5pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do you have a special piece of jewelry?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 595.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Name your favorite feminist/suffragette. Mine is whoever
wore the original of my brooch. </div>
K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-70458217864973166312015-09-18T12:39:00.001-05:002015-09-18T12:41:58.470-05:00" Goosedom" notes<br />
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 24pt;">N</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 20pt;">INETEENTH</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 24pt;">-C</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 20pt;">ENTURY</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 24pt;"> G</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 20pt;">ENDER</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 24pt;"> S</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 20pt;">TUDIES</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<img src="http://www.ncgsjournal.com/bline.GIF" height="2" width="450" /></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 16pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: Perpetua; font-size: 14pt;">SSUE<span style="font-size: 16pt;"> 8.1 </span>(SPRING 2012)</span></div>
<div class="txt" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<strong>Charlotte Yonge’s “Goosedom”</strong></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
By <a href="http://www.ncgsjournal.com/issue81/contributorbios81.htm#hill"><span style="color: #80000;">Georgina O’Brien Hill</span></a>, University of Chester<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="return1"></a></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #fce6c9;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.ncgsjournal.com/issue81/hill.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ncgsjournal.com/issue81/hill.htm</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 align="center" class="page_header" style="color: #006666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
C<a href="http://community.dur.ac.uk/c.e.schultze/context/goslings.html" target="_blank">http://community.dur.ac.uk/c.e.schultze/context/goslings.html</a>harlotte Yonge:<br />The Goslings</h2>
<div class="page_subheader" style="background-position: 50% 50%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center;">
Charlotte Yonge's essay society for teenage girls and young women</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="normal" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="31"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><hr />
<h1 class="page_header" style="color: #006666; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
THE GOSLING SOCIETY</h1>
<h1 class="page_subheader" style="background-position: 50% 50%; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
1859-1877</h1>
<div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
<b>Unidentified Goslings</b></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
PETREL</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
OWL</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
PENA</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
HUMMING BIRD</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
OSTRICH</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffed;">
ROWAN TREE</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-7604773679512310962015-09-17T18:22:00.000-05:002015-09-17T18:25:09.010-05:00Allingham's Old Worn WomanThis painting by Helen Allingham (1848-1926) "Old Worn Woman" reminds me of an illustration in one of Evelyn Whitaker's books or maybe its cover. <br />
I need to follow-up. No time just now.<br />
A link to the blog where I found it from the BWWA facebook group.<br />
<a href="https://reveriesunderthesignofausten.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/helen-allingham-1848-1926/" target="_blank">https://reveriesunderthesignofausten.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/helen-allingham-1848-1926/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Ud0iVHQMw/VftI-nIHItI/AAAAAAAAA1c/izQRWVK2Sl0/s1600/HelenAllinghamOldWoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Ud0iVHQMw/VftI-nIHItI/AAAAAAAAA1c/izQRWVK2Sl0/s320/HelenAllinghamOldWoman.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-46460438405318677852015-09-17T16:45:00.001-05:002015-09-18T11:11:14.057-05:00Sometimes I need a Yia Yia...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frkna5S5HyA/Vfsbg28K05I/AAAAAAAAA1E/zHioWvV-89A/s1600/Mrs.%2BBeeton%2527s%2BInvalid%2BCookery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frkna5S5HyA/Vfsbg28K05I/AAAAAAAAA1E/zHioWvV-89A/s320/Mrs.%2BBeeton%2527s%2BInvalid%2BCookery.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from Mrs. Beeton's Everyday Cookery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am not feeling well today and what I really, really want is a huge bowl of Yia Yia's Chicken Soup from my favorite Greek restaurant which closed several years ago when the owners went home to Greece to care for an aging mother. I miss them, I miss the restaurant, I miss the herbed lamb souvlaki, but most of all I miss Yia Yia's chicken soup.<br />
<br />
The healing powers of chicken soup are legendary. I was never really sure if it was the soup or the maternal hands that prepared and served it. <br />
<br />
My own mother, an excellent cook, did not often make soups. She made stews laden with big chunks of meat and home grown vegetables. Her chicken and homemade egg noodles can warm a winter's night and right a world turned upside down.<br />
Both my grandmothers cooked much like my mother. My maternal grandmother, Mary B. Wieland's German heritage added thick stews made with sausage and cabbage and beets and potatoes, lots of potatoes--all delicious but none serving much medicinal purpose.<br />
We are a generally healthy clan with appetites to match and have little need for "invalid cookery."<b><span style="color: #660000;">*</span></b><br />
<br />
"Invalid" is an interesting word rooted {and now I'm down the rabbit hole} in the Latin, meaning"not strong" or "without strength" which in the 17th Century came to be used for the sick and infirm. It is a word that now may be considered politically incorrect, as are a couple of its synonyms e.g. "illegitimate" and "illegal."<br />
Adjectives applied to people are increasingly at issue. I think that sometimes we use language to define, to limit, to stereotype, to divide, to disempower. Our words reveal our thinking of "them" as something other, of something less than I. It can say "you are not one of us, you do not matter." It comes as no surprise that people may be hurt (which might have been part of our intent) and may become angry and object to our attitude and to our words. Those "words that never hurt" can lead to "sticks and stones" and suddenly the issue becomes political. To me it is seems less "political correctness" and more a matter of "treating others as you would like to be treated." <br />
{Dear reader, these rabbit holes and my compulsion to explore the world of words is one reason I never seem to get anything done. I've been lost in the dictionary, multiple cookbooks, a nursing archive, and the interwebs for hours. I usually call it research and I justify this excursion by noting that Evelyn Whitaker features many a sick room in her novels. In truth, I'm indulging myself because I'm not well.}<br />
<br />
Returning to the subject at hand:<br />
My husband's mother never enjoyed cooking and produced a brood of picky eaters who often prefer the pale store bought version to yummy homemade. David once said he thought it was "tragic that a cook of your skill and taste is married to a man who can so little appreciate really good food." His comfort food of choice is Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.<br />
Campbell's out-of-a-can-with-too-much-salt-and-very-little-Chicken-with-overcooked-limp-pasty-Noodles-Soup that I find unbearably bland and barely edible. Nonetheless, there are always several cans in my pantry because "the healing powers of chicken soup are legendary" and an ailing husband must be comforted with chicken soup like his mother made.<br />
<br />
I'm going to share a secret. The woman who owned that Greek restaurant and made her Yia Yia's chicken soup said, "almost any soup can be turned into Avgolemono soup, even that nasty canned stuff can be improved with an egg and some lemon juice. Just remember to add lots of extra dill. Most of the recipes don't call for dill but that's how my Yia Yia made it and that's what you like."<br />
<br />
Yes, I sometimes make Yia Yia's Chicken Soup using <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216792/yia-yias-avgolemono/" target="_blank">a classic recipe</a> for Avgolemono (Egg & Lemon) Chicken Soup and I add dill, dried or fresh and lots of it. Like my Greek friend I may use the traditional pasta but "sometimes I make it with rice because you Houstonians like rice" and often I have rice already cooked in my fridge. <br />
While I never had a Yia Yia, my soup is always very, very good. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DL4rd_TKkA/VfsbgpNf1cI/AAAAAAAAA1A/GEg7rO--yIM/s1600/Mrs.%2BBeeton%2527s%2BEveryday%2BCookery%2B1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DL4rd_TKkA/VfsbgpNf1cI/AAAAAAAAA1A/GEg7rO--yIM/s320/Mrs.%2BBeeton%2527s%2BEveryday%2BCookery%2B1907.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1907 edition from my collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today I'm sick, much too sick to cook and I understand Mrs. Beeton's admonishment to<i style="color: #351c75; font-weight: bold;"> ". . . give such food as affords most nourishment for the least work. . . ."* </i><br />
Especially when the cook is also the patient.<br />
<br />
Needing the legendary healing powers of chicken soup, I grab that Campbell's can from the pantry. I put it in a pan and add half a can of water. Then I add a lot of dill, dried and handy in my spice rack. (Sometimes I add a dash of onion powder and some celery seed but not today.) While it heats, I separate an egg and beat the yolk very well. I whisk the juice of a lemon into the yolk. Temper it with hot broth, then stir it into the soup. I sometimes strain out those limp noodles and I hope there's some crusty bread or a few croutons, but, whatever is at hand, I eat and feel better.<br />
<br />
*Here is link to <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=oNA0AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=mrs+beeton%27s+everyday+cookery&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAGoVChMIuI20yNj-xwIVF52ICh37kQPB#v=onepage&q=mrs%20beeton's%20everyday%20cookery&f=false" target="_blank">the 1907 edition of Mrs. Beeton's Everyday Cookery. London: Ward & Lock,</a> which is in my collection. Her advice for Invalid Cookery is on pages 107-109 and there is no mention of chicken soup.<br />
Here is another link with recipes from <span id="goog_132227009"></span><a href="http://www.exclassics.com/beeton/beet38.htm" target="_blank">those chapters from an earlier edition<span id="goog_132227010"></span></a>. I think I'll just skip the Eel Broth and the Rabbits Cooked in Milk.<br />
<br />
{Dear reader, Yes! It is really research since finding this recipe may explain a rabbit included in the "Notices to Correspondents" of <b>The Monthly Packet</b> (Charolotte Yonge, ed.) 1884: <span style="color: #674ea7;">"<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant: small-caps;">For </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">the <i>Buttercups Building Fund</i>, gratefully
acknowledged. Mrs. Barnett, £2; Stamps, 6d.; Lady returned from
Berks, £l; N. H., 5s.; a Rabbit, 2s.; privately acknowledged, £3
16s.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.6pt; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Miss Whitaker, Hinton, Twyford, Berks"</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.6pt; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alas!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.6pt; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those of us who visualized the bunny frolicking on the meadows lawn and being petted by sweet children, it may well have been so until it was prepared per Mrs. Beeton's recipe for invalid cookery.}</span></div>
K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-38925434117393757862015-03-19T12:06:00.000-05:002015-07-28T16:01:59.039-05:00Abandoned in a shoe box...A few days ago, "my memory turning to lace" could not produce the name of a woman I met at the British Women Writers Conference 2010 and with whom I had had a lovely conversation re. Christian Rossetti. I know that all my conference notes are carefully put away somewhere. Where? Not found. In turning a closet and one room into a disaster area, what I found was an archival box labeled: "K To Do" which I had not seen since we moved in 2012. Oh, my! Most stuff went straight to recycle but buried away were some pages torn from spiral notebooks. I usually keep a notebook at hand to scribble random thoughts, notes, to do lists, my journal. When a notebook is full I rip out the scribble pages, put an end date on the cover, and put it on the shelf on my other journals. I am always left with a few things that need to be transcribed to one of my projects. Such were the items that I simply abandoned and forgot.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh."</span></i> W.H. Auden </b>(1907 - 1973) I have no idea where I read this quote or why I noted it. For me it's not particularly true. The paper indicates that I noted it in the early 1980s and also has a tree of computer commands that I think are probably for my first computer, a <a href="http://oldcomputers.net/kayproii.html" target="_blank">KayproII</a> which David bought for me the first year it came out (1982) and I most happily used well into the 1990s until I finally had to give up and buy something that could run Microsoft Word.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"If my life was, in my view, finite, how would I change my life today? Today is finite. Indeed, each moment is finite. "Today while it is yet today..." Choose. Is my current choice the best choice for me? Is the continual laying aside (putting off) my dreams a lofty self-sacrifice for the greater good? Or, is it, in truth, a betrayal of myself? If I made the best choice for me, without regard for others, would I do more good, ultimately, for others, too?"</span></i></b> The type of notebook page and the pen I was using indicate that this note dates much later, the late 1990s. The first sentence may have been a writing prompt (I'm fairly certain that I would have written, "if my life <b>were</b>... finite... It's one of my grammarly sore spots.) from some psychological and spiritual guru or self-help book that I engaged before or during my Jubilee sabbatical in 1999. Still a good question for me to consider.<br />
<br />
Pages torn from another notebook (later, I think probably about 10 years ago) continue those thoughts about choices in a list:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Go see Mother & Daddy 4x/year Fall Spring</span></i></b> Since they moved to Clifton I have gone much more often and Daddy died last year. I think that four times might be a better choice for me than the every couple of months that I try to keep on my current calendar.</li>
<li><i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">??? Ladies Bible Class ??? Church Library</span></b></i> both of which I have now intentionally cut from my life</li>
<li><i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">need to stretch muslces: hamstrings! calves!</span></b></i> I still need to do that</li>
<li><i style="color: #351c75; font-weight: bold;">If someone told me what I'm telling me, I'd say, "Different times in life demand different priorities. It's okay to back off and do what you need/want to do for your family." </i>I'd still say the same except "family" might be changed to "yourself."</li>
<li><i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Mother and Daddy said, "You've been good your whole life, we think you should have fun."</span></b></i> I remember when they said that. We were lingering over breakfast before I left Clifton to go home. Often when Daddy said bye to one of his kids/grandkids/brothers/cousins, he'd say, "you be good now." Mother interrupted him and said, "No, Kendall. Don't you remember what we said we were going to tell her from now on." And they said in unison, "You've been good your whole life, we think you should have fun." Made me cry then. Makes me cry now.</li>
</ol>
<br />
The crumpled edges of the ripped spiral holes of the next page are interlocked with the previous, perhaps indicating a response to my parents' instruction, and that page is another list titled <b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">What's Fun?</span></i></b>:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">playing with Mandy</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">puttering in my house & yard plant flowers! birds!</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">writing - my creative work</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">reading</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">daydreaming about my trip to UK</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">music</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Rice baseball</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">dinner parties</span></i></b></li>
</ol>
<br />
I could have written that list yesterday.<br />
<br />
In 2000 as they do every four years, Weiss Tabletop Theater at Rice University staged an updated version of <a href="http://ricehistoricalsociety.org/images/cornerstones/RiceCornerstoneSpring2000.pdf" target="_blank">George Greanias's Hello, Hamlet! </a>(1964) which David and I attended with classmates with whom we had seen the second production in 1968. The program from that production enclosed a page from another notebook, from the time when I was using blue legal pads. In May 2003, we adopted Miss Mandy Whitepaws and I made a few notes for a musical a la Grenaias. Here is a list of songs to be adapted:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U43CnHckcMs/VQr-ZMi9tSI/AAAAAAAAAyI/aNClR7fGLlw/s1600/Mandy-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U43CnHckcMs/VQr-ZMi9tSI/AAAAAAAAAyI/aNClR7fGLlw/s1600/Mandy-3.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The portrait photo of Mandy<br />
made three weeks after we got her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Hello, Mandy! </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">"Well, hello, Mandy. Welcome home, Mandy. It's so nice to have a dog where she belongs..."</span></b></i> I still sing this one to her.<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"I Enjoy Being a Dog..." to the tune of "I Enjoy Being a Girl" to be reprised as a duet "I Enjoy Having a Dog..."</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Crazy..."</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"What Kind of Dog (Fool) Am I?"</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Look, I'm a Lassie tonight!" to "Luck, be a lady..."</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Some Bark, Some Don't" </span></i></b>to<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN2b8I9Yylw" target="_blank"> Freddie Hart's Some do, some don't</a><br />
"<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Bark, Bark, Mandy" to "Bye, Bye Birdie</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">and the grand finale</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">"Glory, Glory, Mandy Whitepaws (Hallelulja!)</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></b>
<br />
Other items will be going back into the box for K To Do later.K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-87727878326910925682015-03-16T15:44:00.000-05:002015-07-28T16:09:42.464-05:00“All human knowledge takes the form of interpretation.” <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEVoplzJ_9A/VQcUHKimBhI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/krU7_0Wi_f0/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEVoplzJ_9A/VQcUHKimBhI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/krU7_0Wi_f0/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter Benjamin. Clippings from a Google image search screen shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have always been an opportunistic reader, reading whatever happened to be at hand. I am also a disciplined reader; give me a list of required reading and I read through it. (Always excepting Ulysses by James Joyce--I tried and tried and tried again. Three strikes and out.) First and foremost, I am a meandering reader. When I read a book that mentions a book, I often go find that mentioned book and read it. I adore footnotes and bibliographies where more books can be found. Some of my most influential books and favorite authors were discovered in this way.<strong> Reading and the discovery of books is for me a metaphor for life: interconnectedness, chance, and serendipity</strong>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fcDpn5rFyg/VQcWDsKpFaI/AAAAAAAAAwc/HF3XNc0oE7I/s1600/mcmurtry%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fcDpn5rFyg/VQcWDsKpFaI/AAAAAAAAAwc/HF3XNc0oE7I/s1600/mcmurtry%2Bcover.jpg" /></a><a href="http://timeline.centennial.rice.edu/entry/193/" target="_blank"><strong>Larry McMurtry</strong></a> was an instructor, writer-in-residence, when I was an undergraduate at Rice University and I happened to be assigned to his section of English 100, 1967-68. At the time I was a science/engineering student or I would have missed that opportunity since potential English majors were assigned to English professors. Chance. Serendipity. Because I knew McMurtry, I follow his career and read his books, dutifully checking them off the list, although in general his books do not number among my favorites and I'm lagging behind the list.<br />
I have always most enjoyed McMurtry's non-fiction:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Narrow-Grave-Essays-Texas/dp/0684868695/ref=la_B000APV4GO_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426472109&sr=1-15" target="_blank"> In a Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas</a> (1968), <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Roads-Driving-Americas-Great-Highways-ebook/dp/B003NE6HH0/ref=sr_1_43?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426471587&sr=1-43&keywords=larry+mcmurtry" target="_blank">Roads: Driving America's Great Highways</a> (2000); <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Books-Memoir-Larry-McMurtry/dp/1416583351/ref=la_B000APV4GO_1_41?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426472179&sr=1-41" target="_blank">Books, a Memoir</a>; and my favorite <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walter-Benjamin-Dairy-Queen-Reflections/dp/0684870193/ref=la_B000APV4GO_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426472030&sr=1-9" target="_blank"><strong>Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections on Sixty and Beyond</strong></a> (1999). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWTm53yjHmc/VQcniRgZZAI/AAAAAAAAAxI/iLajyP-sbTA/s1600/walter%2Bbenjamine%2Billuminations%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWTm53yjHmc/VQcniRgZZAI/AAAAAAAAAxI/iLajyP-sbTA/s1600/walter%2Bbenjamine%2Billuminations%2Bcover.jpg" /></a></div>
So having read McMurtry, I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Illuminations-Essays-Reflections-Walter-Benjamin/dp/0805202412" target="_blank"><strong>Walter Benjamin's Illuminations: Essays and Reflections </strong></a><strong>. </strong><br />
Interconnectedness. I read it slowly giving myself time to reflect and think. <br />
Serendipity. I had read bits and pieces of Benjamin long before; my German professor was fond of having us translate paragraphs re. Kafka and Lestov. I had gathered a few English quotes for a paper on Kafka. Kafka is on my "do not like list" just ahead of James Joyce. While I do not share Benjamin's admiration for Kafka, I forgive him all those awful German paragraphs because he was my introduction to Proust.<br />
<br />
<strong>Harry Zohn's</strong> translation with <strong>Hannah Arendt's</strong> excellent introduction was, and is, pure joy. A joy I had forgotten--Benjamin has a lot to say about remembering and forgetting--until I stumbled upon <strong>Maria Popova's Brainpickings: Walter Benjamin on Information vs. Wisdom</strong> which presents a nice selection of quotes with commentary on Benjamin's essay: The <strong>Storyteller: Reflections on the Works of Nikolia Leskov</strong>.<br />
<a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/09/walter-benjamin-illuminations-the-storyteller/">http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/09/walter-benjamin-illuminations-the-storyteller/</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA5L5aUPJiY/VQcefq-6ASI/AAAAAAAAAw4/lItteH6tMEs/s1600/Mundaneum%2BPaul%2BOtlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA5L5aUPJiY/VQcefq-6ASI/AAAAAAAAAw4/lItteH6tMEs/s1600/Mundaneum%2BPaul%2BOtlet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mundaneum. Cataloging the World:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0199931410/braipick-20" target="_blank">Paul Otlet and the Birth of the Information Age</a>. <br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I loved this early 20th Century photo!<br />
<br />
Quoting Popova's blog: "<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">The most dazzling such transmutation takes place in an essay titled “The Storyteller,” in which Benjamin uses the work of 19th-century Russian writer Nikolai Leskov as a springboard for a higher-order meditation on the role of storytelling in society, the dangers of its decline, and how it shapes our relationship to truth, both public and private. The picture Benjamin paints begins in darkness but reaches toward the light."</span></strong></em><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">It is easy to see all the modern digital experience as interconnectedness</span><em><strong>,</strong></em></span><span style="color: black;"> chance, and serendipity.</span><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></strong></em> My favorites of Benjamin's essays are probably quite predictable to those who know me. <br />
Of course I want to visit his library and learn about <strong>the life he reads:</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqyZ8D6NSKM/VQcpFyXrYTI/AAAAAAAAAxU/4Is5y6ybMd0/s1600/alberto%2Bmanuela%2Blibrary%2Bnight%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqyZ8D6NSKM/VQcpFyXrYTI/AAAAAAAAAxU/4Is5y6ybMd0/s1600/alberto%2Bmanuela%2Blibrary%2Bnight%2Bcover.jpg" /></a><strong>"Unpacking My Library: A Talk about Book Collecting" </strong>jogs my memory. I have not yet finished <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Library-at-Night-Alberto-Manguel-ebook/dp/B001A1AW8S/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1426532344" target="_blank">Alberto Manguel's The Library at Night</a></strong> which has spent well over a year at my bedside. Somehow it was displaced and lies neglected but I look forward to the life I read tonight. Serendipity, indeed. And one of my favorite McMurtry books is also about collecting books.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Quoting Benjamin:</div>
“I<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"> am unpacking my library. Yes I am. The books are not yet on the shelves, not yet touched by the mild boredom of order. I cannot march up and down their ranks to pass them in review before a friendly audience. You need not fear any of that. Instead, I must ask you to join me in the disorder of crates that have been wrenched open, the air saturated with the dust of wood, the floor covered with torn paper, to join me among piles of volumes that are seeing daylight again after two years of darkness, so that you may be ready to share with me a bit of the mood -- it is certainly not an elegiac mood but, rather, one of anticipation -- which these books arouse in a genuine collector.”</span></strong></em> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzTKpX1XTw/VQcdBQ4MdbI/AAAAAAAAAws/ZLGP5N8rNpg/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzTKpX1XTw/VQcdBQ4MdbI/AAAAAAAAAws/ZLGP5N8rNpg/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of Google image search, March 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had just begun to learn Hebrew so that I could better understand the biblical Psalms when I first read <strong>"The Task of the Translator</strong>" and realized that: <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“All human knowledge takes the form of interpretation.”</span></em></strong> <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"Fragments of a vessel which are to be glued together must match one another in the smallest details, although they need not be like one another. In the same way a translation, instead of resembling the meaning of the original, must lovingly and in detail incorporate the original's mode of signification, thus making both the original and the translation recognizable as fragments of a greater language, just as fragments are part of a vessel</span></em></strong>.” <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnVZr7-KQTc/VQc1sb6vp2I/AAAAAAAAAxk/djP0UTipAlg/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnVZr7-KQTc/VQc1sb6vp2I/AAAAAAAAAxk/djP0UTipAlg/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technical Reproducibility.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" </strong> should be on every one's reading list. It anticipates and contributes to the discussion re. STEM and the humanities and why the humanities (history! literature! art!) are essential. Its relevance might be more easily recognized if the translation of the title had been truer to the German: "Das Kunstwerk im Zeitaler seiner technischen Reproduzierbarkeit" which Zohn revised to "The Work of Art in the Age of Technological Reproducibility" and I (with only my librarian's German) am bold to suggest "<strong>The Work of Art in a New Age of Technical Reproducibility." </strong>Given the very long time that art, literature, storytelling, history existed before the fairly recent advent of the scribe, the press, print, audio and video, digital ad inf. this Age is always New. The great thinkers of the past, like Walter Benjamin, help us navigate these uncertain waters.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“Every morning brings us news of the globe, and yet we are poor in noteworthy stories. This is because no event comes to us without being already shot through with explanation. In other words, by now almost nothing that happens benefits storytelling; almost everything benefits information. Actually, it is half the art of storytelling to keep a story free from explanation as one reproduces it. . . . The most extraordinary things, marvelous things, are related with the greatest accuracy, but the psychological connection of the event is not forced on the reader. It is left up to him to interpret things the way he understands them, and thus the narrative achieves an amplitude that information lacks.”</span></em></strong> <br />
<i></i><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“The value of information does not survive the moment in which it was new. It lives only at that moment; it has to surrender to it completely and explain itself to it without losing any time. A story is different. It does not expend itself. It preserves and concentrates its strength and is capable of releasing it even after a long time.”</span></em></strong> <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">“We do not always proclaim loudly the most important thing we have to say. Nor do we always privately share it with those closest to us, our intimate friends, those who have been most devotedly ready to receive our confession.”</span></strong></em> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/benjamin/" target="_blank">The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</a> notes: "<strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><em>With the outbreak of war in 1939, Benjamin was temporarily interned in the French “concentration camps” established for German citizens. On his release a few months later he returned to Paris and there continued his work in the Bibliothèque Nationale on The Arcades Project. The </em>notes for his unfinished research were left in the safekeeping of librarian and friend, the writer Georges Bataille<em>, as Benjamin fled Paris before the advancing German army in the summer of 1940. The last few months of Benjamin's life reflect the precarious experience of countless other Jewish Germans in Vichy France: a flight to the border and preparations for emigration by legal or illegal means. Lacking the necessary exit visa from France, he joined a guided party that crossed the Pyrenees in an attempt to enter Spain as illegal refugees. Turned back by customs officials, Benjamin took his life in the small, Spanish border town of Port Bou, on September 27, 1940."</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></em></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjhWLsmDKX4/VQc7SGth3TI/AAAAAAAAAx0/wWgsi8cI9bE/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjhWLsmDKX4/VQc7SGth3TI/AAAAAAAAAx0/wWgsi8cI9bE/s1600/Walter%2BBenjamin%2B007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<em></em><br />
What a horrible loss to all of humanity! <br />
Blame the Nazi Holocaust.<br />
Blame the petty bureaucrats at the border. <br />
Blame ourselves because we never seem to learn the basic lessons of compassion and peace.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">“In the end, we get older, we kill everyone who loves us through the worries we give them, through the troubled tenderness we inspire in them, and the fears we ceaselessly cause.”</span></strong></em><br />
<br />
Oh the back roads of Texas, I never stop at a Dairy Queen without remembering McMurtry and Benjamin and meandering through the life I read.<br />
<br />K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-63504961906384638282015-02-26T18:16:00.000-06:002015-03-16T09:01:50.210-05:00Dwell in the House... בֵּית ba yith<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OESwkqZ-9Bw/VO-0PAscP9I/AAAAAAAAAvo/aAig1ive9-w/s1600/Psalm%2B27%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OESwkqZ-9Bw/VO-0PAscP9I/AAAAAAAAAvo/aAig1ive9-w/s1600/Psalm%2B27%2B002.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">illumination of Psalm 27 by James S. Freemantle<br />
The Psalms of David, William Morrow, 1982</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I taught in October 2013 but failed to post my Hebrew word study of <br />
<strong>בֵּית ba yith </strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">which means <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">House, Household, Home, Family, Temple, Palace, Shelter, Stronghold, Door, </span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and, surprisingly, Daughter </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Strong’s # 1004 <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><a href="http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/1004.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/1004.htm</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a masculine noun and derives from a primitive root, also masculine
noun Strongs #1129,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> בָּנָה<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> b</span>a nah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> meaning </span><br />
<div align="right">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">to Build, to Repair, to Restore, to Get Children in particular Sons, to
Fortify <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hidden in
this word are ideas of home, refuge, provision, and conflict/warfare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of these
meanings are carried in the Hebrew word and specific meaning is deduced from
context.</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Very often the
meaning connotes not a place but set of intimate relationships like those of a
family.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are 2,056 occurrences of </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ba yith in Hebrew Scripture. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Bethlehem<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">לֶ֫חֶם</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“House of Bread” </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ba yith
<strong>בֵּית </strong>appears in the place name of the birthplace of Jesus, the city of David:<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bethlehem was indeed a House of Bread for an exiled Jewish widow
returning home in poverty with her Gentile daughter-in-law to glean grain from
the fields of Boaz with which to bake bread and survive at the margins of the
community. Later, Ruth and Boaz’s grandson, Jesse, would send his youngest son,
David, with bread for his brothers encamped with the army of Israel against the
army of the Philistines. In doing so, Bethlehem provided not only bread for an
army but a champion to defeat the enemy. (1 Samuel 17) This theme of provision
has an important place in our considerations of the meanings folded into the
phrase “House of God.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
David would build his own house and desire to build a <span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span> The House of the Lord. He would gather treasure for
the task which his son would bring to fruition. <br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>In time, through “the root of Jesse” which was the royal house of David,
God would provide the Messiah, the eternal king. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Bethlehem—the house of bread—is the birthplace of Jesus, the place where
God provided the bread of life. (John 6:35) Each week we treasure these things in our hearts as we “partake of the
bread, the body Christ.” At every Eucharist, we enter the House
of Yahweh and gather around the Lord’s Table and together eat the Bread
provided by God, our Father.<br />
<br />
Note: a similar word in the Semite language of the New Testament (Aramaic) means house and, in that language, Bethlehem becomes house of meat (flesh) making a wonderful word play for the place of incarnation where The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we will examine the use of </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ba yith<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> in the Psalms and develop an understanding of what it means to "dwell in the House of the Lord."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5:1-8</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the morning I will pray and watch – a cry for help<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To the
Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David. </span></span><br />
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation.</span> </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em> Give heed to the voice of my
cry, My King and my God, For to You I
will pray. <span class="versenum9">3</span> My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. <span class="versenum9">4</span> For You are not a God who
takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall
evil dwell with You. <span class="versenum9">5</span> The boastful shall not
stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. <span class="versenum9">6</span>
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty
and deceitful man. <span class="versenum9">7</span> But as for me, I will come into Your house</em></strong></span> </span><strong><em>בֵּית in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship
toward Your holy temple בֵּית.</em></strong></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em> <span class="versenum9">8</span> Lead me, O Lord, in Your
righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.</em></strong></span>
NKJV</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> Note: One of my other Hebrew words appear in this passage</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5:7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But as for me by your steadfast love </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ד<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#2617 Checed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Here
translated “in the multitude of Your mercy”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Jesus said <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">“My house shall be called a house of prayer…”</span></strong></em> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke
19:46], he quoted <strong>Isaiah 56: 6-8:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="line" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-line-height-alt: 7.35pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="selected"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;">And</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the foreigners who join
themselves to the <span class="apple-converted-space">L</span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">ord</span></span>, to
minister to him, to love the name of the <span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="selected">and to be his servants, </span>everyone
who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant--these
I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house</span> </span><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">בֵּית</span></span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">of prayer;</span></span></span></strong></em><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Rm15.16/"></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong><span style="color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #351c75;">their burnt offerings and their
sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house</span> </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">בֵּית</span></span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">shall be called a house</span> </span><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">בֵּית</span></span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span>, who
gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides
those already gathered.”</span></span></strong></em><span style="color: #363030; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a house of
prayer; it is a good place to be in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place where the foreigner/the
outcast/the “other” is welcomed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place where evil does not
dwell. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It may be entered by meditation and
prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 23<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A Psalm
of David. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> He makes me
to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. <span class="versenum9">3</span> He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of
righteousness For His name's sake. <span class="versenum9">4</span> Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You
are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. <span class="versenum9">5</span>
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head
with oil; My cup runs over. <span class="versenum9">6</span> Surely goodness and
mercy</span> </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ד</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a><span style="color: #351c75;">in the house</span> </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">of the Lord Forever.</span></span></span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a place of
provision, a place of rest, a place of restoration, a place of guidance. It is
the place where the sheep are with the shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place with no fear where evil
does not sit at the table, a place of safety for the sheep.. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place of celebration,
abundance, goodness and mercy </span></i></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ד<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">checed forever. It is eternal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 26</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
Psalm of David. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have
also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> Examine me, O
Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. <span class="versenum9">3</span></span>
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. <span class="versenum9">4</span> I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go
in with hypocrites. <span class="versenum9">5</span> I have hated the assembly of
evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. <span class="versenum9">6</span> I
will wash my hands in innocence; So I
will go about Your altar, O Lord, <span class="versenum9">7</span> That I may
proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. <span class="versenum9">8</span> Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house</span></em> </span></strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, <em><span style="color: #351c75;">And the place where Your glory dwells.</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> <span class="versenum9"><strong>9</strong></span> <strong>Do not gather my soul with
sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, <span class="versenum9">10</span> In
whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. <span class="versenum9">11</span> But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me
and be merciful to me. <span class="versenum9">12</span> My foot stands in an
even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.</strong></span></em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Note in verse 8:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the movement from </span>habitation (city) to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>house<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> to the
</span>place where glory dwells<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(the Holy of Holies in the Temple)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a habitation,
a city, a place to settle.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It has an altar; it is a place where
God’s glory dwells.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is an even ground, a broad expanse
“a wide extended plain” where there is a congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 27:4-6<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
Psalm of David. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<strong><em><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The
Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?</span> </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"> When the
wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled
and fell. <span class="versenum9">3</span> Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be
confident. <span class="versenum9">4</span>
One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the
house</span></em> </span></strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <em><span style="color: #351c75;">of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of
the Lord, And to inquire in His temple</span></em> </span></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. <span class="versenum9">5</span>
<em><span style="color: #351c75;">For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret
place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock</span></em> </span></b>בֵּית<strong>. <span class="versenum9">6</span> <em><span style="color: #351c75;">And now my head shall be lifted
up above my enemies all around me;</span></em> <em><span style="color: #351c75;">Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in
His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.</span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="versenum9">7</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my
voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. <span class="versenum9">8</span>
When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face,
Lord, I will seek." <span class="versenum9">9</span> Do not hide Your face
from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not
leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. <span class="versenum9">10</span>
When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. <span class="versenum9">11</span> Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth
path, because of my enemies. <span class="versenum9">12</span> Do not deliver me
to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And
such as breathe out violence. <span class="versenum9">13</span> I would have lost
heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the
land of the living. <span class="versenum9">14</span> Wait on the Lord; Be of
good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
House of the Lord is a place where I may dwell forever. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is
beautiful and I can meditate there. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is
my hiding place, my shelter, my rock, my stronghold. </i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is a tent, a shelter in the wilderness; it is a tabernacle, the presence of the LORD wherever I am.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
House of the Lord is a place of thanksgiving and worship, joy and singing.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Psalm 30</u></strong></span> offered at the dedication of The House of David<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“joy
comes in the morning”<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Turning to a Psalm that Jesus quotes:
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Psalm 31:1-8, 19-24</u></strong></span></span><strong><u> </u></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Refuge, deliverance, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To the
Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;">In You, O Lord, I put my
trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness</span></em>. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"> Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of
refuge</span> </strong>בֵּית<strong>, <span style="color: #351c75;"><em>A fortress of defense to save me. <span class="versenum9">3</span>
For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me
and guide me. <span class="versenum9">4</span> Pull me out of the net which they
have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. <span class="versenum9">5</span>
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. <span class="versenum9">6</span> I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I
trust in the Lord. <span class="versenum9">7</span> I will be glad and rejoice in
Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in
adversities, <span class="versenum9">8</span> And have not shut me up into the
hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.</em></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><em> <span class="versenum9">9</span> Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I
am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! <span class="versenum9">10</span> For my life is spent with grief, And my years with
sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. <span class="versenum9">11</span> I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially
among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me
outside flee from me. <span class="versenum9">12</span> I am forgotten like a
dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. <span class="versenum9">13</span>
For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel
together against me, They scheme to take away my life. <span class="versenum9">14</span>
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." <span class="versenum9">15</span> My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand
of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. <span class="versenum9">16</span>
Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake. <span class="versenum9">17</span> Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called
upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. <span class="versenum9">18</span> Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak
insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. <span class="versenum9">19</span> Oh, how great
is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have
prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! <span class="versenum9">20</span> You shall hide them in the secret place of Your
presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From
the strife of tongues. <span class="versenum9">21</span> Blessed be the Lord, For
He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! <span class="versenum9">22</span>
For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes";
Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. <span class="versenum9">23</span> Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves
the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. <span class="versenum9">24</span>
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the
Lord</em></span>.<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a house of
defense, a place of refuge,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
stronghold, a fortress, a rock of strength. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a large
place, a level ground.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 52:8<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>9<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To the
Chief Musician. A Contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told
Saul, and said to him, 'David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.' <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God
endures continually.</span> </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>2</strong></span></span></span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> Your tongue devises
destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. <span class="versenum9"><strong>3</strong></span>
You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah <span class="versenum9"><strong>4</strong></span> You love all devouring words, You deceitful tongue. <span class="versenum9"><strong>5</strong></span> God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take
you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, And uproot you from the
land of the living. Selah <span class="versenum9"><strong>6</strong></span> The righteous also
shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, <span class="versenum9"><strong>7</strong></span>
"Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the
abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness</span></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;">." <span class="versenum9">8</span> But
I am like a green olive tree in the house</span></em> </b></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">of God; I trust in the
mercy </span></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ד</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <em><span style="color: #351c75;">of God forever and ever. <span class="versenum9">9</span> I will praise You forever, Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.</span></em></span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am like a green olive tree IN THE
HOUSE OF GOD (Elohim) Olive trees denote:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Fruitfulness, resilience, wisdom, faithfulness steadfastness,
continuity, and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a place of
olive trees. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place of growth and
rootedness, of </span></i></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ד </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">steadfast love forever.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place of waiting in the
presence of the godly.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div>
<o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Psalm 65</em></strong></span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A celebration
of God’s provision in Creation O GOD OF OUR SALVATION<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To the
Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Praise is awaiting You, O
God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed.</span> </span></b></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>2</strong></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. <span class="versenum9">3</span> Iniquities prevail against me; As for our
transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. <span class="versenum9">4</span>
Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in
Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house</span> </span></b></span></em><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,<em><span style="color: #351c75;"> Of Your holy temple</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. <span class="versenum9">5</span>
<em><span style="color: #351c75;">By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation,</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of
the far-off seas; <span class="versenum9"><strong>6</strong></span> Who established the mountains
by His strength, Being clothed with power; <span class="versenum9"><strong>7</strong></span> You
who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of
the peoples. <span class="versenum9"><strong>8</strong></span> They also who dwell in the farthest
parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and
evening rejoice. <span class="versenum9"><strong>9</strong></span> You visit the earth and water
it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their
grain, For so You have prepared it. <span class="versenum9"><strong>10</strong></span> You water
its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers,
You bless its growth. <span class="versenum9"><strong>11</strong></span> You crown the year with
Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. <span class="versenum9"><strong>12</strong></span>
They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on
every side. <span class="versenum9"><strong>13</strong></span> The pastures are clothed with
flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also
sing.</span></em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>65:4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blessed is the one you choose and bring
near, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>To
dwell in your courts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>WE
SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH THE GOODNESS OF YOUR HOUSE,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>THE HOLINESS
OF YOUR TEMPLE!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> T</o:p></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he House of the Lord is a place of
blessing, of justice, of satisfaction and contentment, of goodness, of holiness,
and worship.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div>
<o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To the
Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">How lovely is Your dwelling
place, O Lord of hosts!</span> </span></b></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>2</strong></span></span></span></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My
heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. <span class="versenum9">3</span>
Even the sparrow has found a home</span></em> </span></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, <em><span style="color: #351c75;">And the swallow a nest
for herself, Where she may lay her young-- Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God. <span class="versenum9">4</span> Blessed are those who dwell
in Your house</span></em> </span></b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">; <em><span style="color: #351c75;">They will still be
praising You. Selah</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> <span class="versenum9"><strong>5</strong></span>
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. <span class="versenum9"><strong>6</strong></span> As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it
a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. <span class="versenum9"><strong>7</strong></span>
They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. </span></em><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="b"></a><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="versenum9"><strong>8</strong></span> O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah <span class="versenum9"><strong>9</strong></span> O God, behold
our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. <span class="versenum9"><strong>10</strong></span></span></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"> For a day in Your courts is better than a
thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house</span></em> </b></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <em><span style="color: #351c75;">of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. <span class="versenum9">11</span> For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will
give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk
uprightly. <span class="versenum9">12</span> O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man
who trusts in You</span></em>!</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>84:1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord
of Hosts… Yahweh Sabbaoth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>84:3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Even the sparrow finds A HOME and the
swallow a nest for herself,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Where
she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of Hosts…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">84:4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>BLESSED ARE
THOSE WHO DWELL IN YOUR HOUSE </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever singing your
praise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>84:10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I WOULD RATHER BE A DOORKEEPER IN THE HOUSE
OF MY GOD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Than
dwell in the tents of wickedness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is a beautiful
dwelling place.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a home for even the very small,
the very weak, the most insignificant. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place for family, for mothers
and children. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a place of worship,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>blessing, and singing. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It has a door. There is no
wickedness, no evil there.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Psalm 892:12-15</u></strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1</strong></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to
Your name, O Most High;</span> </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2</span></span></em></strong><strong><em> To declare Your lovingkindness
in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, <span class="versenum9">3</span>
On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious
sound. <span class="versenum9">4</span> For You, Lord, have made me glad through
Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. <span class="versenum9">5</span>
O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. <span class="versenum9">6</span> A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool
understand this. <span class="versenum9">7</span> When the wicked spring up like
grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be
destroyed forever. <span class="versenum9">8</span> But You, Lord, are on high
forevermore. <span class="versenum9">9</span> For behold, Your enemies, O Lord,
For behold, Your enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be
scattered. <span class="versenum9">10</span> But my horn You have exalted like a
wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. <span class="versenum9">11</span>
My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies; My ears hear my desire on the
wicked Who rise up against me. <span class="versenum9">12</span> The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He
shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. <span class="versenum9">13</span> Those who
are planted in the house </em></strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><strong><em> of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts </em></strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><strong><em> of our God. <span class="versenum9">14</span> They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be
fresh and flourishing, <span class="versenum9">15</span> To declare that the Lord
is upright; He is my rock, </em></strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">בֵּית</span><strong><em> and there is no unrighteousness in Him.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Note: palms and cedar are evergreen e.g. like them we are ever green, alive, growing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Note: The Temple is built with the
cedars of Lebanon. The righteous build and are the stuff of which the House of
the Lord is built.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of the Lord is where we
flourish (grow and are fruitful) and where we are evergreen (always alive) and deeply
rooted. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is the place where we declare that
our Lord God is righteous and true and just.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is where we proclaim that God is the
rock, the foundation of our life. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Being in the House of the Lord is
what gives our old age life, creativity, and meaning. </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is, indeed, our home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you have a favorite Psalm (or other scripture) that might
be called a HOUSE where you dwell?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Describe a time when you beheld beauty and felt the presence
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What description of the House of the Lord is special for
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Materials not used with the LBC
study:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 101<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>describes not God’s House but ours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 127:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>A song of Ascent. Of Solomon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">127:1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>UNLESS
YAWEH BIULDS THE HOUSE,<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 128<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>A song of ascent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>128:3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Your
children will be like olive shoots around your table.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Repeated themes:</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dwelling, no evil, rescue, steadfast
lovingkindness <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">חָ֫סֶ</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ד</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Checed</span></b>, </div>
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provision:
abundance, beauty, creation, space room, joy, worship</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus in John 14:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">“In my father’s house are many mansions (rooms, houses)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">I go to prepare a place for you<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">That where I am, you may be also.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span>There is
ample room in the house of God, in “the Father’s” extended family, where the
righteous hope to dwell forever, where Jesus is in company with his friends.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-10801290675301741882015-02-16T18:07:00.000-06:002015-02-16T18:09:23.998-06:00South Plains School <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAqVJLkvSMw/VOJj5Drb6EI/AAAAAAAAAus/IR1BSivNXkc/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2Bfirst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAqVJLkvSMw/VOJj5Drb6EI/AAAAAAAAAus/IR1BSivNXkc/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2Bfirst.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1925 photo of Sunset School, housed in a wooden building. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I attended a rural school in Floyd County, Texas, and several years ago created a facebook group for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/378089986773/" target="_blank">South Plains School Alumni & Community</a>. <br />
Today one of the discussions took a bit of a turn from remembering and honoring a community member who had died to a discussion of the school's history. <br />
As it happened, a bit later in the day I came across an envelope of newspaper clippings from May 1988 when the school closed. It <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"was the last rural school in Floyd County and one of only seven in Texas."</span></strong></em> At one time there were <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">32 rural schools</span></strong></em> in Floyd County.<br />
My family had attended South Plains School for three generations and we had family connections going back four.<br />
<br />
The school <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"opened in 1895 as Sunset </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></em></strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMZABFv2OQE/VOJj4-VFKGI/AAAAAAAAAuk/WPW3Hg98WOE/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BSunset%2B1895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMZABFv2OQE/VOJj4-VFKGI/AAAAAAAAAuk/WPW3Hg98WOE/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BSunset%2B1895.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></em></strong></div>
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">School, district number eight,"</span></em></strong> in a one-room, wood frame building located 2 miles east of South Plains. Children walked, rode horseback, or came in buggies to attend. John Wilson, the oldest student of the school still living in Floyd County at its closing, started school at Sunset in 1914. They carried lunches (cold biscuit and sausage) in a syrup pail. He remembered <span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"the big rain of 1919... which filled the draw west and south of Sunset from bank to bank." </strong></em></span><span style="color: black;">The teacher thought it unsafe for the students to cross the flood and sent them to nearby homes of Grigsby Milton, Sr., Charlie Wilson, and Mrs. Vera Snodgrass.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ebsa25ll57s/VOJj5OhEHPI/AAAAAAAAAuo/mnyCjQZ-Gp4/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BSunset%2BSouth%2BPlains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ebsa25ll57s/VOJj5OhEHPI/AAAAAAAAAuo/mnyCjQZ-Gp4/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BSunset%2BSouth%2BPlains.jpg" height="352" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top and bottom are views are 1927 photos of the brick Sunset School.<br />
The middle view is the flat-roofed South Plains School,<br />
rebuilt from those bricks. I attended that school <br />
from the first through eighth grades.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"In 1926, a brick school building was erected one mile north</span></strong></em> (farther from that draw) <span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>from the original school. It was large for its days, containing eight rooms where an enrollment of 180 students studied. They ranged from primer to tenth grade." </strong></em><span style="color: black;">This new brick school building was I think located on the southeast corner</span> </span><span style="color: black;">of the half section homestead of my grandparents, Zach Carter and Oma Calahan Cummings. Her younger sisters and brothers attended the school. I think members of his family also attended Sunset School. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I think this building was also the first meeting place of the South Plains Baptist Church of which my great grandmother, Lala Delilah Shelby Calahan, was a member. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The location of new Sunset is marked by an electric substation on land still belonging to my family.</span><br />
The Fort Worth and Denver Railroad arrived in 1927 and the town of South Plains was located platted on the railroad halfway between Floydada and Silverton, the county seats of Floyd and Briscoe counties, and an equal distance from Lockney. The Sunset community decided to "<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">dismantle"</span></strong></em> and move its school to the new town. <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"Noel Deavenport, one of the students in all three schools--old Sunset, new Sunset, and South Plains--remembers helping clean the brick when the school was rebuilt."</span></strong></em> I can remember hearing my great uncles (Shelby and Junior Calahan) tell that same story. The South Plains school opened in the fall of 1929 with 133 students which would be the school's peak enrollment. <br />
I have been gleaning information and quoting an article by <strong>Neta Marble and Jim Reynolds, The Floyd County Hesperian, Volume 92, Number 25, Thursday, June 23, 1988 </strong>published upon the closing of the school and its students going to either Lockney or Floydada.<br />
Neta interviewed my father, <strong>Kendall K. Cummings</strong>, for that article. He attended ninth and tenth grades at South Plains School following the consolidation with Roseland School in 1935. (He had started school at Roseland. Yes, he rode a pony. Then attended school at Lone Star before moving back to Roseland. At that time South Plains offered only ten grades.<br />
Quoting Daddy: <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"Well over a hundred students were enrolled. We had six rooms and there was somebody in every room." He adds that some students from Cedar Hill were also attending South Plains. "They were trying to get the school accredited with a full high school then, but it went the other way." Two years later, South Plains School "was cut back to nine grades."</span></strong></em> <br />
<br />
After Daddy's graduation from South Plains in 1937 (we have the commencement program), he attended an additional year and graduated eleventh grade from Lockney High School in 1938. His younger brother, Sterling, and his sister, Delilah, would follow in his footsteps. <br />
The younger siblings, Mona, Jean, and Zach W., attended high school in Floydada.<br />
By the time I attended South Plains School, it had only eight grades. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_O9EHONLWI/VOJj5lsF0cI/AAAAAAAAAuw/c9mzo6LxEXM/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2Blsat%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_O9EHONLWI/VOJj5lsF0cI/AAAAAAAAAuw/c9mzo6LxEXM/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2Blsat%2Bday.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1988 photo Dallas Morning News, last days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was cut down to six grades and had only twenty-seven students enrolled before it closed in 1988.<br />
My brother's children, Kendall II and Victoria, had just finished the fifth and the second grades. She is the girl in pink on the left. He is the taller blond boy in the black and white shirt, at the back, fifth from the left.<br />
There was a reunion-homecoming to mark the end of the era. I flew home for the party. We had one of those rare "big rains" and couldn't get there for all of the events. We were able to make the party for which my mother had baked dozens of cookies.<br />
<br />
Newspaper articles were published in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Saturday, May 28, 1988 and in The Dallas Morning News, Sunday, May 29, 1988. I think there was some TV coverage.<br />
<br />
My aunt, Margaret Calahan, painted a picture.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgPugFpXZps/VOKEaMVr9zI/AAAAAAAAAvM/uJd3_hOjtw4/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BMCalahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgPugFpXZps/VOKEaMVr9zI/AAAAAAAAAvM/uJd3_hOjtw4/s1600/South%2BPlains%2BSchool%2BMCalahan.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
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My mother wrote a poem:<br />
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<br />
<br />
On the closing of South Plains School<br />
1928 - 1988<br />
by Dorthy Wieland Cummings<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Country school stands in a bed of weeds.<br />
Time has come!<br />
No school smell--glue and sweaty kids.<br />
The walls listen and long for laughter.<br />
Hallways, missing footsteps<br />
of boys and girls<br />
running through,<br />
happy skips of young feet.<br />
Dead silence.<br />
Where are they? Oh, where?<br />
Gone!<br />
No more!<br />
Forever...<br />
Just<br />
dead<br />
silence.<br />
Memories live.<br />
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<br />K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-24797536932008921012015-02-14T18:44:00.001-06:002015-07-28T16:49:36.699-05:00A book and its cover...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2FdfvsLiHc/VN-3aop4dAI/AAAAAAAAAuA/DzkDUPaRQIQ/s1600/The%2BParis%2BWinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2FdfvsLiHc/VN-3aop4dAI/AAAAAAAAAuA/DzkDUPaRQIQ/s1600/The%2BParis%2BWinter.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an idiomatic phrase which cautions against opinions based on outward appearances.<br />
.<strong><u>The Paris Winter</u> by Imogen Robertson</strong> is a book in which the plot hinges on the judgments the characters make based on appearances. From the first page to the last, in the world of this book nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be. The book surprises and its plot twists and twists again because of expectations that the reader brings to the book.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"Maud Heighton was always one of the first to arrive each day and set up her easel... the Englishwoman liked to sit on the far eastern side of the room. The challenge of the narrow angle... seemed to please her." </strong></em></span><span style="color: black;">from the first page of the first chapter</span><br />
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Despite the idiomatic injunction, my first judgment about a book is often "by its cover."<br />
I walked into <a href="http://www.murderbooks.com/" target="_blank">Murder by the Book</a>, my husband's favorite bookstore which we visit twice a month at minimum. Because David much prefers to read print and likes a real bookstore, we have a rule: If I first see a book at his bookstore, I must buy it there. Yes. Even if I really prefer reading Kindle's e Ink. Even if it is cheaper on Amazon. He loves that store and the people who work there and badly wants them to stay in business. The new arrivals table held a pricey hardback with a beautiful cover and I just had to pick it up. In a store with thousands of books, on a table with at least 25 titles, that was the one book I chose to pick up. I judged it by its cover.<br />
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<strong>Paris. Winter. A woman alone. Belle Epoch. The suggestion of canvas and paint.</strong><br />
I prefer London to Paris and 1890 to 1910 but I adore the Paris fashion of the Belle Epoch. Historical fiction is always promising. <br />
The <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Prologu</span></strong></em>e (yes, British spelling!) is an <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"Extract from the catalogue notes to the exhibition 'The Paris Winter: Anonymous Treasures from the de Civray Collection', Southwark Picture Gallery, London, 2010"</span></em></strong> I flip through pages and discover several more of the "Extracts..." scattered through the book. I adore art exhibits. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBLBZPhZx74/VN_GppWP3CI/AAAAAAAAAuU/zH_jt1Hma-E/s1600/pissarro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBLBZPhZx74/VN_GppWP3CI/AAAAAAAAAuU/zH_jt1Hma-E/s1600/pissarro.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
French Impressionism and Neo-impressionism is my favorite art genre and many of my favorite paintings are winter scenes. I spent many hours in front of <a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/morning-sunlight-on-the-snow-%C3%A9ragny-sur-epte-31810" target="_blank">Camille Pissarro's Morning Sunlight on the Snow, Eragny-sur-Epte, 1895 </a>when it was part of the Impressionist Landscape Exhibit at MFAH. It features a woman with her back to the viewer, tree branches, and winter light. For me the image evokes a feeling of vulnerability. <br />
I suspect the cover of <em>The Paris Winter</em> had a similar emotional tug for me.<br />
<br />
I opened the book and found the pages were a fairly heavy, textured paper. Reading this book would be a sensual pleasure.<br />
<br />
Because I am a librarian I noted the publisher: <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/pub_id/30204" target="_blank">St. Martin's Press</a> and on the reverse title <span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"First published in Great Britain..."</strong></em></span> <br />
Does it sound snobbish to say that I considered that a very good thing?<br />
I have a preference for British writers with their large vocabularies, cultural knowledge, and polished prose. And now I "judge" the perhaps vulnerable woman on the book jacket to be an Englishwoman, alone in Paris in 1910. Promising, indeed!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"She was on the wrong side of the glass, pressed up against it, but trapped by her manners, her sober serious nature, behind this invisible divide. She spent her evenings alone in cheap lodgings reading and sketching in poor light. Her illness last winter... had swallowed francs by the fistful.... Sometimes she felt her stock of bravery had been all used up in getting here at all." </span><span style="color: black;">page 18</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
The <strong>Cataloging-in-Publication Data from the Library of Congress</strong> categorizes the book as "<strong>Psychological fiction."</strong> I read the first three pages of the book and sample a page or so throughout the book. Robertson writes very well and the later pages appear to be as carefully written as the first.<br />
Here is a link to Imogen Robertson's blog re. this book and some of its historical background: <br />
<a href="https://imogenrobertson.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/the-paris-winter/" target="_blank">https://imogenrobertson.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/the-paris-winter/</a><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"Maud felt the strangeness of being on the wide streets of Paris with such a fragmented view..."</span></em></strong><br />
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"<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Maud wondered why it had been so important to her to stay in lodgings that could be thought respectable even when she was starving, why she paid the fees at Lafond's to paint the nude with no men in the room. She felt as if she were on a tower of Notre Dame looking down like one of the gargoyles at herself--herself as she had been, spinning in little circles in her sensible black working dress, as confined in her movements as a child's toy, when all around her, experiences and lives which she could not think of, could not admit to knowing, existed just out of sight."</span></strong></em><br />
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I bought the book. I binge read it. It was a delightful read.<br />
<br />
Would I have bought it or even picked it up to consider it if it bore a different cover?<br />
At left is the <strong>book jacket design for the U.K. edition.</strong><br />
I'm pretty certain I would have walked right by without a second look.<br />
Here is a link to a fun blog about book covers: <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/20/you-can-indeed-judge-a-book-by-its-cover.html">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/20/you-can-indeed-judge-a-book-by-its-cover.html</a><br />
<br />
Although the Murder-by-the-Book clerk who had read the book said not, my cursory browse caused me to think the book had a <span style="background-color: yellow;">gothic</span> tone. <br />
Having read it I would say that it follows the story arc and hits most of the elements of a classic gothic novel. Here is a fun link shared by a friend of a facebook friend that explains the elements of a gothic novel: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/interactive/2014/may/09/reading-gothic-novel-pictures">http://www.theguardian.com/books/interactive/2014/may/09/reading-gothic-novel-pictures</a><br />
In <em>The Paris Winter</em> by Imogen Robertson:<br />
<ol>
<li>No "murderous tyrant with scary eyes" but poverty, convention, manners are tyrants with murderous result beginning in the first book's first sentence with Rose Champion's suicide and their threat to Maud Heighton and her friends. The Morels are indeed "murderous tyrants" and Sylvie's drug glazed eyes are scary.</li>
<li>Maud is or seems to be "a pious, virginal orphan" and while her only fainting may be from hunger, her Russian friend and co-heroine, Tanya, does faint often.</li>
<li> Robertson does an excellent job of turning Paris, the City of Lights, into a setting that evokes both "a spooky castle" and "a stately home"</li>
<li>Both the Morels are monsters. Opium is a monster. Winter and poverty are also monsters. Maud herself becomes "a ghost." </li>
<li>Written in the 21st Century and set at the beginning of the 19th, it is set in "olden days"</li>
<li>The setting is of course a "foreign land."</li>
<li>The weather is always awful and gets worse until it turns Paris itself into a monster.</li>
<li>Everyone is scary. Scary rich people. Scary poor people. Scary men who think they can force a woman into marriage.</li>
<li>The laws of the land are "brazenly flouted" and even the moral rectitude of those who are Christian helpers of the English ladies in trouble in Paris is flouted when Charlotte helps with Maud's plan for revenge and accepts the stolen diamonds.</li>
</ol>
The book also has strongly feminist elements, a triad of woman friends, and both a conventional marriage sub-plot and (spoiler alert) an unconventional love story. This book was a sensational read and worth every penny.K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-87906406440451258822015-02-04T17:26:00.000-06:002015-02-04T17:26:33.976-06:00Upcoming Books for SEASONS 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBEikZ8Uv40/VNKffyfvstI/AAAAAAAAAts/ofWiTFi4DnY/s1600/Gey%2Blab%2BHeLa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBEikZ8Uv40/VNKffyfvstI/AAAAAAAAAts/ofWiTFi4DnY/s1600/Gey%2Blab%2BHeLa.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margaret Gey and Minnie in the Geys laboratory.<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"> "Margaret's surgical training was the only reason</span></strong></em><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">the Gey lab was able to grow cells at all."</span></strong></em></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><em></em></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">SEASONS met in January to finish our discussion of Rebecca Skloot's </span><em><span style="color: black;">The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.</span> </em></span></strong><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"...this book isn't just about science; it's about gender, race, and life itself." </span></strong></em><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"We must not see any person as an abstraction." </span></strong></em><span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"Black scientists and technicians, many of them women, used cells from a black woman to help saves the lives of millions of Americans, most of them white. And they did so on the same campus--and at the very same time--that state officials were conducting the</span> infamous Tuskegee syphilis studies." </strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"...like it or not, we live in a market-driven society, and science is part of that market."</strong></em></span><br />
The subject is endlessly fascinating as it was when I first read about HeLa some decades ago while I was still a medical librarian. I found this book to be a very uneven read. It is far more memoir of the author's investigation than a history. It is all too easy to identify a limited world view, errors of fact, and faulty analysis. The tone is journalistic, lapsing at time into sensationalism. Yet with all these failings, it was a compelling read. I thought Bobbie's comment that we should perhaps "read this book empathetically rather than critically" was cogent. Here is a link that presents a very good <a href="http://pages.jh.edu/~jhumag/0400web/01.html" target="_blank">summary. It is also by Rebecca Skloot</a><br />
<br />
At our January meeting, SEASONS selected three books to read next:<br />
<ol>
<li>First up is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bean-Trees-Novel-Barbara-Kingsolver/dp/0061097314/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423090135&sr=1-4&keywords=kingsolver" target="_blank"><strong>Barbara Kingsolver's 1988 debut novel <em>The Bean Trees</em></strong><em>.</em></a> </li>
<li>Next we will dive into <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Daunted-Unexpected-Education-Society/dp/1439176590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423090655&sr=1-1&keywords=nothing+daunted" target="_blank"><em>Nothing Daunted: the unexpected education of two society girls in the West</em> by Dorothy Wickenden</a></strong>. I'm looking forward to this non-fiction account of two women teachers in Colorado in 1916.</li>
<li>The final selection for the first half of the year is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galileos-Daughter-Historical-Memoir-Science/dp/0802779654/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423091231&sr=1-1&keywords=dava+sobel+galileo%27s+daughter" target="_blank"><strong>Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter: a historical memoir of science, faith, and love.</strong></a><strong> </strong>17th Century, science, religion, and "a woman of exquisite mind"--oh, yes! This has been on my list for a long time and I'm glad to have the push to get it read.</li>
</ol>
Honorable mention:<br />
<br />
<strong> <em>Abigail Adams</em> by Woody Holton</strong>, winner of the Bancroft Prize. <br />
Some years ago I read <strong><em>My Dearest Friend: the Letters Abigail and John Adams </em></strong>and found it most interesting. <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”</span></em></strong> <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“We have too many high sounding words and too few actions that correspond with them.”</span></em></strong> <br />
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<br />K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-15469489492694598872015-01-29T16:04:00.001-06:002015-03-16T09:09:05.672-05:00“Deep down I know I could never be that innocent again..."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7kJOmKscc8/VMqDMWcomFI/AAAAAAAAAss/M7eEpflXzeg/s1600/Rice%2BVillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7kJOmKscc8/VMqDMWcomFI/AAAAAAAAAss/M7eEpflXzeg/s1600/Rice%2BVillage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Toys and Gifts where I listened to their story...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>“Deep down I know I could never be that innocent again, however much I'd like to be.”</strong></em></span> </div>
This quote and others in this blog are from <strong>Anne Frank's <em>The Diary of a Young Girl</em></strong>. <br />
When I first read this book I was a freshman in high school and the same age as Anne was when she was writing. I finished it with sobs and immediately read it again. I gave myself completely to the book.<br />
“<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>If I read a book that impresses me, I have to take myself firmly by the hand, before I mix with other people; otherwise they would think my mind rather queer.”</strong></em></span> <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eT55njUcM2s/VMqLjoZXieI/AAAAAAAAAs8/VAZJYUy0Mqg/s1600/anne%2Bfrank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eT55njUcM2s/VMqLjoZXieI/AAAAAAAAAs8/VAZJYUy0Mqg/s1600/anne%2Bfrank.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I was of course reading the original version, the only one available at the time. I have recently read the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Young-Girl-Ann-Frank-ebook/dp/B0041OT9W6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422559685&sr=1-1&keywords=anne+frank" target="_blank"> 2010 "diary as Anne Frank wrote it"</a> that includes the approximately 30% of Anne's diary--largely those sections dealing with her sexuality and her conflict with her mother--that were excised by her father Otto Frank. (And who can criticize a father who wished to preserve the innocent child that he would never see as an adult?) Nonetheless, the young teen reader I once was would have identified with those issues. The recognition of sexuality and maternal conflict are hallmarks of female adolescence and neither Anne nor I were exempt. During the time that I read the original I was quite depressed and I am not over stating when I say this book and taking Anne's advice saved me:<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”</span></em></strong> <br />
{How I wish that I could be certain, as Anne was, that "the simple beauty of nature" would "always" exist but I have also read <strong>Rachel Carson, Annie Dillard</strong>, and a host of environmental writers and am quite aware of our assaults on the earth that savage habitats while our haze and blazing light darken the sky and dim the stars.}<br />
At a time when my faith was most weak, Anne Frank was one of my best teachers:<br />
<div class="quote">
<div class="quoteDetails">
<div class="quoteText">
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“People who have a religion should be glad, for not everyone has the gift of believing in heavenly things. You don't necessarily even have to be afraid of punishment after death; purgatory, hell, and heaven are things that a lot of people can't accept, but still a religion, it doesn't matter which, keeps a person on the right path. It isn't the fear of God but the upholding of one's own honor and conscience. How noble and good everyone could be if, every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then, without realizing it you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day; of course, you achieve quite a lot in the course of time. Anyone can do this, it costs nothing and is certainly very helpful. Whoever doesn't know it must learn and find by experience that: "A quiet conscience makes one strong!”</span></em></strong> <br />
Decades later I would learn that a Jewish teenager had been my first teacher in the Daily Examen of Ignatian spirituality.</div>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lW_--z87o7w/VMqLjlGI9NI/AAAAAAAAAtA/6GkdfGLE3E8/s1600/anne%2Bfrank%2Bannex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lW_--z87o7w/VMqLjlGI9NI/AAAAAAAAAtA/6GkdfGLE3E8/s1600/anne%2Bfrank%2Bannex.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
Having revisited the friend of my youth, I am now considering reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Franks-Tales-Secret-Annex/dp/0553586386/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422559482&sr=1-9&keywords=anne+frank" target="_blank">her other writings. This link</a> is worth clicking to look inside and see the wonderful photographs (from the Peter Harban's hardcover edition) of Anne and of her handwriting. <br />
I think I would like to also consider Anne Frank as a feminist writer. <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“And now I have a question for you. 'Do you also put clothes on the flowers you've picked and refuse to talk about their delicate parts? I don't think there's a very big difference between people and nature, and since we're also a part of nature, why should we be ashamed of the way nature made us?”</span></em></strong> <br />
<br />
Houston is home to <a href="http://www.hmh.org/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Holocaust Museum</a> which I have not visited and may never visit despite the fact that I worked with and greatly admire Dr. Milton Boniuk whose name is on <a href="http://www.hmh.org/la_homeBRC.shtml" target="_blank">HMH Library</a> and who, with his wife Laurie in memory of their son, founded Rice University's<a href="http://boniuk.rice.edu/home.aspx" target="_blank"> Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance</a>.<br />
I don't go because I am convinced that I have a very good sense of the horror and just hearing or saying the word "holocaust" roils my stomach and can give me nightmares for weeks. <br />
I don't go because I heard the first hand account of the two lovely sisters who ran World Toy and Gifts that is pictured at the top of this posting. <br />
This street view no longer exists, torn down, gentrified, gone to all but those of us who remember.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk2yMBoaTeA/VMqqfHN9uLI/AAAAAAAAAtU/po1LmicJdzU/s1600/Rice%2BVillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk2yMBoaTeA/VMqqfHN9uLI/AAAAAAAAAtU/po1LmicJdzU/s1600/Rice%2BVillage.jpg" /></a></div>
I spent countless hours visiting the Rice Village; my first off-campus date with DMP was probably at the theater. I seldom walked to the Village without stopping at the toy store. I loved the things of childhood and the respite a good browse brought from academic stress. I often bought small gifts there for my friends because even adults, maybe especially adults, need the pleasure of play. Mostly I dropped in to say hello to the elderly sisters I had come to love. <br />
Once I brought them Valentine cookies that I had made. They reminded me of Grandma Wieland.<br />
<br />
I never knew their names. They weren't posted anywhere. I doubt they knew mine; my purchases were always small and in cash. By the time our relationship had grown into a friendship it would have been awkward to ask or perhaps we were just past the need for naming.<br />
<br />
We chatted; they were always asking me questions about where and how I grew up. <br />
They laughed and shared happy childhood memories.<br />
They learned my mother's family was German and that they had come to America in the 19th Century, "so before the war?" They asked that question more than often.<br />
They asked about what I read, what I studied, what I thought. <br />
"Have you read Anne Frank's Diary?" <br />
Then one day they rolled up their long sleeves; they wore long sleeves even in Houston's hot, humid summers. Even when the store was warm and stuffy.<br />
The older hesitated and the younger prodded her, "Sister, we decided... you know... we must tell the story."<br />
Their arms were tattooed with numbers. <br />
The older sister would not meet my eyes. She said, "You understand what this means." <br />
"Yes, a concentration camp during the war." <br />
And then she said she was "ashamed" of the numbers and what it meant. These dear ladies were ashamed to have survived when others had not. And it broke, it still breaks, my heart.<br />
Over the next several years whenever I visited the toy store and there were no customers, they shared their story. <br />
I listened. <br />
Sometimes they lapsed into German which I understood only in bits and pieces. <br />
Twice they sang songs to each other. <br />
Sometimes we cried.<br />
I have few regrets but I deeply regret that I did not go straight back to my dorm room and write down every word of their story me. <br />
I too often choose the demands of my daily ordinary life over what is truly important.<br />
<br />
I no longer remember their words but I will never forget the sound of their voices, the burden of their grief, the way the older would shake her head, the way the younger would pat her arm, the way they wrapped one arm around each other in a sort of sideways hug to get them through the ugly details. <br />
That is why I will not visit HMH. Because I know there are many voices telling the story of the Holocaust because we must not forget but I want to remember their voices, the voices of two sisters.<br />
The voices of my dear friends telling the story that was uniquely theirs.<br />
<br />
Although in truth it was not much different from many others. <br />
Not much different from Anne Frank's:<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"Jews and Christians wait, the whole world waits, and there are many who wait for death...” </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“No one is spared. The sick, the elderly, children, babies, and pregnant women - all marched to their death.” </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“...don’t believe the war is simply the work of politicians and capitalists. Oh no, the common man is every bit as guilty; otherwise, people and nations would have rebelled long ago! There’s a destructive urge in people, the urge to rage, murder and kill. And until all of humanity, without exception, undergoes a metamorphosis, wars will continue to be waged, and everything that has been carefully built up, cultivated and grown will be cut down and destroyed, only to start allover again!” </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">“If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example.”</span></strong></em> <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” </span></strong></em><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></strong></em><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"> “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”</span></strong></em> K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-16330334029188667072015-01-27T18:10:00.002-06:002015-01-27T18:10:45.043-06:00Elizabeth Gaskell's Home<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><strong><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GS8UMmwUKq8/VMgGG_qQpHI/AAAAAAAAAsM/3EYK4efxx_I/s1600/Gaskell%2BCranford%2B003.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></strong></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Title page of Gaskell's Cranford from my library</strong><br />
<strong>designed by Reginald Knowles in the style of William Morris.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Elizabeth Gaskell</strong> (1820 - 1865)became one of my favorite writers a decade or so ago after I read this charming little edition of <strong><em>Cranford A Tale</em></strong>. I had bought it as a decorative item for its gold embossed<br />
<a href="http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/bindings.html" target="_blank">"maroon leatherette cover"</a> with gilded pages and the phrase hidden in the gold on the cover and repeated on the lovely end papers of this volume: <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">"Everyman: I will go with thee and be thy guide, In thy most need to go by thy side." </span></em></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/rhys_obit.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/rhys_obit.html" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcraGPfXIhQ/VMgF-MvzqoI/AAAAAAAAAsE/6StnyBLLjHs/s1600/Gaskell%2BCranford%2B001.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyman's Library maroon leatherette cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">It is an early volume of </span><strong><em><span style="color: black;">Everyman's Library edited by Ernest Rhys #318 with "Forewords" by May Sinclair.</span></em></strong><br />
Here is a <a href="http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/rhys_obit.html" target="_blank">link to Rhys's obituary</a> by <strong>Robert Lynd</strong>. <br />
"This binding has a spine that is identical to the standard flat spine, with an additional floral gilt design on the cover. The corners of the binding are rounded, and the top edge of the pages is gilt. A silk book marker is also bound in. It originally sold for two shillings--twice the price of the standard cloth. This binding was phased out near the time that the quarter pigskin binding was discontinued." <span style="color: black;">So my volume was published between 1906 and 1918. Here is a link to collecting Everyman's Library where I found the binding information and other delightful meanders: <a href="http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/site_index.html">http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com/site_index.html</a></span></span><br />
<br />
I started meandering because one of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://blog.catherinepope.co.uk/2015/01/elizabeth-gaskell-and-the-meanings-of-home/" target="_blank">Catherine Pope - Victorian Geek,</a> noted that <strong>Elizabeth Gaskell's house in Manchester</strong> has been extensively renovated and is now open to the public. "Oh, to be in England..." but I'm not. I am instead enjoying a warm and sunny winter's day in Houston--screen door open to the fresh air and a happy dog napping on the patio, quite lovely--and I can make do with a virtual tour.<br />
<a href="http://www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/house" target="_blank">http://www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/house</a><br />
Oh, my! Who wouldn't want to visit a house where <strong>Charlotte Bronte</strong> once hid "<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">behind the curtains to avoid making small talk with other guests."</span></strong></em> Gaskell wrote an 1857 biography of Bronte just two years after her death. Gaskell's only published non-fiction, I think, created so much controversy that she vowed that no biography of herself should ever be written. <br />
<br />
In <strong><em>Women Novelists of Queen Victoria's Reign, A book of appreciations</em></strong> 1897, <strong>Edna Lyall</strong> wrote the chapter about Gaskell, available on the <a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/gaskell/lyall.html" target="_blank">Victorian Web</a>, and credited her with <span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"a mind as delicately pure as a child's, wedded to that true mother's heart which is wide enough to take in all the needy."</strong></em></span> A phrase that caused me to laugh aloud since "delicate purity" is not necessarily an attribute of childhood and, even it were, could not long survive within "a true mother's heart" encountering "all the needy" while visiting prison and writing about social ills and issues, in particular those of fallen womanhood. <br />
Sometime ago I stumbled upon this delightful reference: <strong><em><a href="http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3786&context=etd" target="_blank">Revoking Victorian Silences: Redemption of fallen women through speech in Elizabeth Gaskell's fiction</a></em></strong> by <strong>Comanchette Rene McBee</strong>, 2012, Iowa State University, and revisited it today.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooK8-eF621I/VMgkeEOn1aI/AAAAAAAAAsc/rZH7dpoJGS4/s1600/Lambert%2BGaskell%2BHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooK8-eF621I/VMgkeEOn1aI/AAAAAAAAAsc/rZH7dpoJGS4/s1600/Lambert%2BGaskell%2BHome.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Another favorite blogger, <a href="http://juxtabook.typepad.com/books/2014/10/elizabeth-gaskells-house-84-plymouth-grove-manchester.html" target="_blank">Catherine Hawley at Juxtabook</a> contributes a few details to my virtual tour as she describes her October visit to 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, to hear <strong>Carolyn Lambert</strong> discuss her book, <strong><em>Elizabeth Gaskell and the Meaning of Home</em></strong>, published by Victorian Secrets. Here is a link to their catalogue entry: <a href="http://www.victoriansecrets.co.uk/catalogue/the-meanings-of-home-in-elizabeth-gaskells-fiction/">http://www.victoriansecrets.co.uk/catalogue/the-meanings-of-home-in-elizabeth-gaskells-fiction/</a><br />
<br />
I have downloaded a sample of Lambert's book and am seriously considering buying it. Here is the Amazon link: <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meanings-Home-Elizabeth-Gaskells-Fiction/dp/1906469474/ref=sr_1_1?=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422381687&sr=1-1&keywords=lambert+Carolyn" target="_blank">Download a sample. Lambert's Meaning of Home... Gaskell's fiction.</a><br />
<br />
Gaskell's biography of Charlotte Bronte is in the public domain and widely available as a digital book free. I purchased this two volume Kindle edition from Amazon for $0.99 each because I thought the illustrations were worth a couple of bucks. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Charlotte-Bront%C3%AB-Illustrated-ebook/dp/B00FAXJO1I/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422399854&sr=1-3&keywords=gaskell+bronte" target="_blank">Volume one (Illustrated)</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Charlotte-Bront%C3%AB-Illustrated-ebook/dp/B00FAXJSKK/ref=sr_1_30?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422400064&sr=1-30&keywords=gaskell+bronte" target="_blank">Volume two (illustrated)</a><br />
<br />
I highly recommend reading <strong>Cranford </strong>or enjoying the excellent<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Episode-3-Cranford/dp/B004GTS80K/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1422400791&sr=1-1&keywords=cranford" target="_blank"> BBC production</a>. <br />
If you enjoy it, you'll probably also like <strong>Lark Rise to Candleford</strong> based on the semi-autobiographical novels of Flora Thompson.<br />
<br />
Gaskell is a great favorite and I have twice her been mentioned in my blog. These postings date to a time when I was doing a much better job of maintaining my reading list than I have done of late.<br />
Quoting those blogs:<br />
<br />
<strong>Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn: <em>Mary Barton</em>. 1848</strong>. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Kindle</span>. Project Gutenberg. This book is essentially a love story with characters about whom it is easy to care. That empathy is the snare to engage the reader in a discussion of capitalism and the conflict between mill owners and workers and in an investigation of power, money, and faith.<br />
<br />
<strong>Gaskell, Elizabeth: North and South</strong>. 1854. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Kindle.</span> Project Gutenberg. First published in serial form in <em>Household Words </em>1854-1855 and in volume form in 1855. The story concerns a dissenting Anglican minister and his family (wife and daughter) who move from their parish in the South to the cotton textile manufacturing city in the North and interact with both the owner of a mill and the men and women who work in the mills. Well-crafted characters and social interaction, especially between classes, are Gaskell's strong points. A compelling read. Highly recommended.K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-84050240091516277932015-01-21T19:28:00.001-06:002015-01-22T10:02:34.583-06:00Holiday Recipes 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ojdjj4fBVg/VMArbom4E-I/AAAAAAAAArU/YlwI4Lp3xFo/s1600/Tovolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ojdjj4fBVg/VMArbom4E-I/AAAAAAAAArU/YlwI4Lp3xFo/s1600/Tovolo.jpg" height="200" width="65" /></a></div>
I should have posted these last month but I was busy.<br />
The utensil pictured right is Tovolo's Better Batter Tool. It quickly became an essential in my kitchen.<br />
Great for batters, scrapes the side of the bowl better than a spatula.<br />
Stainless steel handle gives it a lot of strength.<br />
High temp silicone makes it useful in making everything.<br />
Without it, I don't think I'd have the strength to beat, beat, beat my date nut loaf for the necessary five minutes.<br />
<br />
See my previous blog for my grandmother's recipe for <strong>Texas Date Nut Loaf</strong> and my microwave adaption: <a href="http://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-date.html">http://the-life-i-read.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-date.html</a><br />
<br />
<strong><u>Classic Lemon Curd</u></strong><br />
<br />
Carmen gifted me with an abundance of lemons. Juicy. Sweet. I consulted the expert Janet and made lemon curd. The secret to no clumps and no cooked egg white bits is the technique.<br />
<br />
In large mixer bowl, cream about 2 minutes:<br />
<strong>9 Tablespoons unsalted butter (room temp.)</strong><br />
<strong>1 1/2 cups sugar</strong><br />
Slowly add:<br />
<strong>3 eggs</strong><br />
<strong>3 egg yolks</strong><br />
Beat for 1 minute.<br />
Mix in<br />
<strong>1 1/2 cups lemon juice</strong><br />
The mixture will look curdled and that is OK.<br />
In a heavy saucepan, cook the mixture over low heat until the butter melts and the mixture looks smooth.<br />
Increase the heat to medium, stirring constantly with that Tovolo tool until the mixture thickens. <br />
15 minutes or so<br />
Do NOT boil!<br />
When done it will leave a path on the back of a spoon, 170 degrees on thermometer.<br />
Remove from heat and add lemon zest.<br />
Transfer to a bowl, press the surface with plastic wrap, chill in the fridge.<br />
The curd will thicken as it cools.<br />
Cover tightly. Keep in the refrigerator for a week.<br />
<br />
May keep in the freezer up to two months.<br />
Thaw in the refrigerator!<br />
<br />
It is possible to prepare canning jars and lids and process for 20 minutes in a boiling water bath and keep it much longer. <br />
If there is ever an "off" or metallic smell, do not eat the curd.<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Ghirardelli 3-Minute Fudge</strong></u><br />
<br />
This fudge is by far the best I've ever had!<br />
The secret is starting with quality chocolate. <br />
I used Ghirardelli and made two batches, one with pecans and one without. Pecans were better.<br />
I also made one batch with butter and one without as the Ghirardelli suggested. The butter version was smoother, better fudge.<br />
I used the microwave rather than a double boiler. It is very easy to scorch chocolate.<br />
<br />
Butter an 8-inch square pan. <br />
Lining with wax paper was suggested but I thought the butter worked much better.<br />
<br />
In a microwave-safe bowl, put<br />
<strong>2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 bar (2 ounces) 100% Cacao unsweetened chocolate baking bar, chipped</strong><br />
<strong>14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand</strong>)<br />
Microwave 1 minute. <br />
Remove and stir.<br />
Return to microwave for 30 seconds.<br />
Remove and stir.<br />
Add <br />
<strong>1/4 cup butter, </strong>cut into 1 Tablespoon chunks<br />
Return to microwave, removing every 30 seconds to stir, until chocolate is melted and smooth.<br />
The whole process in the microwave takes 3 to 5 minutes.<br />
Stir in<br />
<strong>2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</strong>.<br />
<strong>1 cup pecans, chopped</strong> (optional) (or walnuts if you are not a Texan)<br />
Spread fudge evenly in prepared pan.<br />
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. <br />
<br />
Slice into squares.<br />
Makes about a dozen large pieces or 16 bite-sized pieces.<br />
I thought my cheese knife worked very well.<br />
<br />
Store uncovered at room temperature.<br />
I layered mine between wax paper and put in small tins for gifts and to serve at family gatherings.<br />
<br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>I must have about a thousand pound cake recipes</strong>. <br />
It is my favorite cake, warm or cold, glazed or plain, with or without fruit, toasted and buttered for breakfast...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txFcO9RgcvE/VMAxh9RoR5I/AAAAAAAAArk/2-8EM2KCGXc/s1600/stop%2Band%2Bsmell%2Brosemary.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txFcO9RgcvE/VMAxh9RoR5I/AAAAAAAAArk/2-8EM2KCGXc/s1600/stop%2Band%2Bsmell%2Brosemary.png" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
My favorite pound cake recipe is from the Houston Junior League's cookbook <u>Stop and Smell the Rosemary,</u> the best cookbook in my collection.<br />
One day during the holiday rush, I had no milk, no buttermilk, no sour cream, no yogurt, no canned milk. Nothing. And I needed a cake to take to dinner with friends. No time and even less motivation to make a trip to the grocery.<br />
I remembered an old southern favorite 7-Up Cake and decided that ginger ale might be a bit more seasonal.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Ginger Ale Bundt Cake</u></strong><br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.<br />
Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with Baker's Joy.<br />
Cream together<br />
<strong>1 cup butter</strong> at room temp<br />
<strong>1/2 cup shortening</strong><br />
<strong>3 cups sugar</strong><br />
about 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.<br />
Add <br />
<strong>1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 teaspoon lemon extract</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 teaspoon orange extract </strong><br />
<strong>1/2 teaspoon salt</strong><br />
Beat 1 minute.<br />
Add one at a time<br />
<strong>5 eggs </strong>at room temp<br />
Scraping down the bowl after each addition.<br />
At this point you want to beat it really, really well to incorporate a lot of air because this cake does not contain baking powder or soda as a leavening agent.<br />
Alternating between flour and ginger ale, ending with flour, add<br />
<strong>3 cups cake flour* </strong>(one cup, second cup, end with third)<br />
<strong>1 cup Canada Dry ginger ale</strong>, at room temp. (1/2 cup at a time)<br />
Beat just enough to incorporate the flour; do not overbeat. <br />
The ginger ale is serving as the leavening agent that will make the cake rise and you don't want to beat it death and lose all the carbonation.<br />
Spoon the batter into prepared pan.<br />
Bake about 1 hour 40 minutes until cake tests done (inserted toothpick comes out clean)<br />
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.<br />
Remove from pan and glaze.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JVzaBD71R8/VMEddGenXZI/AAAAAAAAAr0/onFnMQMeyYM/s1600/flour%2Bsifter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JVzaBD71R8/VMEddGenXZI/AAAAAAAAAr0/onFnMQMeyYM/s1600/flour%2Bsifter.jpg" /></a>*Nope, I didn't have cake flour either. I never have cake flour. When a recipe calls for cake flour, I <br />
sift regular flour. Measure 3 cups. Remove 2 Tablespoons of flour and add the rest to this recipe. <br />
My general rule for cake flour is to sift regular flour (I usually used Gold Medal unbleached) at least three times then measure the amount the recipe calls for being careful not to mash the flour and lose its lightness. <br />
I prefer a 3-4 cup stainless steel sifter with a rotating handle as pictured. One key to cake perfection is precise measurement and a really good sifter.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Ginger Ale Glaze</u></strong><br />
<strong>3 cups powdered sugar</strong>, sifted<br />
<strong>1/4 cup ginger ale</strong><br />
<strong>2 Tablespoons orange juice</strong>, fresh squeezed<br />
These amounts are approximate. Add more powdered sugar or more liquid one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Corn Pudding</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
Served with Honey-Baked Ham, it was so good, simple plain fare at a holiday table. And so easy.<br />
I made some changes to reduce fat and it worked great. They ate every bite.<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br />
Grease 9 x 13 inch Pyrex dish<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, beat<br />
<strong>2 eggs</strong><br />
Some recipes used only 1 egg but since I was not using sour cream I added the extra for richness.<br />
Add<br />
<strong>1 box Jiffy cornbread mix</strong><br />
Blend.<br />
Stir in<br />
1 stick <strong>melted butter</strong> (I used only <strong>1/2 stick</strong> and it was fine.)<br />
<strong>1 can whole kernel corn</strong><br />
<strong>1 can creamed corn</strong><br />
<strong>1 cup </strong>sour cream<strong>*</strong><br />
*In this recipe a <strong>substitution</strong> worked great. I used a bit more than a <strong>cup of cottage cheese (not low fat, 4%) and 2 Tablespoons of whole milk</strong> in the blender and pulsed it until it was the consistency of sour cream. I think yogurt would also work well. Had I been using low fat cottage cheese and milk, I think it would have needed the whole stick of butter.<br />
<br />
Some recipes add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese but I didn't think it need that.<br />
<br />
Bake about 40 minutes until clean toothpick in the center and the edges just begin to brown.<br />
Serve warm just out of the oven. It does not reheat well.K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145443337157660074.post-11295372354372856572015-01-20T21:16:00.001-06:002015-01-20T21:16:16.521-06:00"...that little newspaper..."Greeting me on my 66th birthday, Baby Sister writes: "My most favorite memory out of MANY, is time you spent reading aloud to me. "Little Women", "Jo's Boys", that little newspaper....shoot, even the funny papers. . . Whatever you read to me came alive. " <br />
Pretty close to my favorite memory also.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRekBZxqDYw/VL8DGctQe7I/AAAAAAAAAqs/cnbN3xMNQo4/s1600/Cappers%2BFarmer%2BJan%2B1949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRekBZxqDYw/VL8DGctQe7I/AAAAAAAAAqs/cnbN3xMNQo4/s1600/Cappers%2BFarmer%2BJan%2B1949.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 1949<br />
my birthday month</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The "little newspaper" was <strong>Capper's Farmer</strong> which usually arrived weekly just before noon in Thursday's mail--Rural Free Delivery. We were not allowed to read it until Daddy had finished it. For some reason, the male of the household required a "virgin" newspaper. I know this practice was not only our house rule because it is part of the comic routine of the BBC's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/astimegoesby/" target="_blank"><strong>"As Time Goes By"</strong></a> which DMP and I greatly enjoy. Twentieth Century movie clips and photos of the family breakfast table often feature the man of the house with a pristine newspaper. I noticed it on several episodes of <strong>Downton Abbey</strong>. The rule which I often considered unfair worked to my advantage since Friday was test day at school and Thursday evening was needed for review but my weekend reward was <a href="http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78005745/" target="_blank"><strong>Capper's Farmer</strong></a>. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkjI2ymiqkw/VL7sfH4cSyI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1KyjfB281KM/s1600/Arthur%2BCapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkjI2ymiqkw/VL7sfH4cSyI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1KyjfB281KM/s1600/Arthur%2BCapper.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/arthur-capper/12001" target="_blank"><strong>Arthur Capper</strong></a> published his weekly beginning in 1913 to inform "dirt farmers" and to support his political ambitions. He served Kansas as governor 1915-1919 and in the U. S. Senate 1919 - 1949. Scion of an abolitionist family, Arthur Capper was first president of NAACP in Topeka. A leader of the Farm Bloc and co-sponsor of the Capper-Volstead Act, he could attract controversy. <br />
<br />
I first came across my favorite example of such controversy in <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=230997" target="_blank">this 1922 article</a> from JAMA Vol. 79 No. 17 when doing retrospective bibliography as a medical librarian in the early 1980s. The link is to the only free source I could find on the net. In my youth I remember being shocked, amused, confused by some of the advertisements to be found in the back of such publications. Cures. Quackery. Devices. Pills. Potions. A primer to all the "we don't talk about those things."<br />
Arthur Capper died in 1951, the year my baby sister was born so "that little newspaper" which I would be reading to her several years later was no longer the product of his hand. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xQek4zhMXE/VL8DFQADFgI/AAAAAAAAArA/GnCnZGzs3GA/s1600/Capers%2BFarmer%2B1949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xQek4zhMXE/VL8DFQADFgI/AAAAAAAAArA/GnCnZGzs3GA/s1600/Capers%2BFarmer%2B1949.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1949</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I suppose <strong>Capper's Farmer</strong> which published through 1986 must have included serious articles about farming methods, issues, and politics of interest to my father but what I remember are the fillers and the articles meant for the farmer's wife.<br />
<br />
Recipes. Canning tips. Gardening guides. Dress and quilt patterns. <br />
Short poems. <br />
Quips. Quotes. House plans.<br />
<br />
The quilt patterns live on in the quilting blogs like this one.<br />
<a href="http://quilthistorytidbits--oldnewlydiscovered.yolasite.com/cappers-weekly-and-the-queen.php">http://quilthistorytidbits--oldnewlydiscovered.yolasite.com/cappers-weekly-and-the-queen.php</a><br />
<br />
I have my mother's cookbook which is full of clippings, many from the pages of "that little newspaper."<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phKsJDROYP0/VL8DF74mFyI/AAAAAAAAAqo/lwFYZZDm0ZI/s1600/Cappers%2BFarmer%2B1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phKsJDROYP0/VL8DF74mFyI/AAAAAAAAAqo/lwFYZZDm0ZI/s1600/Cappers%2BFarmer%2B1960.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1960<br />
I remember this cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Two examples that I remember:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"Take pride in compliments but keep this tip close by:</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>flattery is mostly soft soap</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>and soft soap is mostly lye."</strong></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>"We eat what we can and what we can't we can."</strong></em></span><br />
Which was always worth a smile during the long hot summers when we ate whatever the garden was "making" and spent countless hours shelling black eyes and beans, shucking and silking corn, peeling tomatoes or peaches while wishing for a bit of cool in a kitchen filled with pots of boiling water. No air conditioner for many of those summers.<br />
<br />
For Baby Sister and me, <strong>Capper's </strong>weekly was all about serialized fiction. In fact, most magazines in our house were valued for the serialized fiction. We adored the simple romance and the thrill of gothic. On those long lazy afternoons and evenings when I read aloud until my throat was too sore to read, we grew to know and love Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Nora Roberts, and a host of lesser writers whose names we never learned. <br />
Our most favorite of such stories was published not in Capper's but in <strong>The Ladies Home Journal</strong>. <br />
In April 1960, I was 10 years old; Baby Sis had just turned 8. Seems a bit young but we may have read it some years later from a back issue; I know we read it over and over again.<br />
<strong>Eleanor Hibbert writing as Victoria Holt, The Mistress of Mellyn.</strong><br />
Decades later I bought a first edition and read it aloud again while we made a long car trip together. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://royal-intrigue.net/mistress-of-mellyn-in-ladies-home-journal-april-1960/" target="_blank">Arleigh's great blog with pictures of LHJ April 1960 issue</a> is well worth visiting.K Cummings Pipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01651771206479169237noreply@blogger.com0