Of the Week

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying , Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish...

Artist: Marcus Warner Album: Liberation Year: 2014 "This world is but canvas to our imaginations." Henry David Thoreau

book cover image (used by permission of Scroll Publishing) Author: David Bercot Year: 1999 Most people today don't know very much about the Christian missionary Patrick, and many of the myths about him are simply not true. However, the real story of Patrick's life is a truly remarkable one. David Bercot's book Let Me Die in Ireland  tells this story. But Let Me Die in Ireland is more than just a history book; its story-telling style makes it an enjoyable read. Bercot used Patrick's writings, historical information, modern research, and even personal visits to the English and Irish countrysides as the basis of his work. Patrick's story shows us what it means to follow Christ, no matter the cost. He was a man of God devoted to prayer, and we can learn much from his example.  I highly recommend this book. You can purchase Let Me Die in Ireland from Scroll Publishing.  Here are the options: individual book Kindle edition evangelism rate audio book ...

Language Classical Latin contains 23 letters. 23 is XXIII in Roman numerals and 二十三 in Chinese symbols. Mathematics 23 is 10111 in the binary numbering system, 27 in octal, and 17 in hexadecimal. According to the birthday paradox, in a group of 23 (or more) randomly chosen people, the probability is more than 50% that some pair of them will have the same birthday. 23! is 23 digits long in base 10. Only three other numbers have this property: 1, 22, and 24. 23 is a happy number :-) Bible Tola Judged Israel for 23 years (Judges 10:1-2). The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the best-known Biblical Psalm. Jehoahaz was 23 when he began to reign over Judah (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Chronicles 36:2). In Jeremiah 25:3, Jeremiah said that he had received and proclaimed God's Word for 23 years (up to that point). The 23rd verse of the New Testament (Matthew 1:23) cites the 23rd book of the Bible (Isaiah). Years In 23 BC,  Herod Archelaus was born. In AD 23,  Pliny the Elder was born...

As of the date of this post, these are some of my favorite national anthem melodies. This ranking was made based on my preference for the music without respect to any of the words of these anthems. The purpose of this post is to share good melodies, not to inspire patriotism toward any earthly nation. Just in case you're curious, some of the runner-ups were Finland / Estonia, Mongolia, Marshall Islands, Sweden, Samoa, Cook Islands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ireland. [2017-06-27 edit: I also like the second half of the South African national anthem.] 20. Zimbabwe 19. Austria 18. New Zealand (one of two) 17. Somalia 16. Canada 15. Spain 14. Israel 13. Malawi 12. Australia 11. France See my  post from 2017-02-25  for the top 10 . . . " if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of a nation" Andrew Fletcher

As of the date of this post, these are my favorite ten national anthem melodies. This ranking was made based on my preference for the music without respect to any of the words of these anthems. The purpose of this post is to share good melodies, not to inspire patriotism toward any earthly nation. So here goes the countdown! 10. Namibia 9. Bahamas 8. Russia 7. United States 6. Tanzania / Zambia / South Africa (half) 5. Kosovo 4. Wales 3. Germany 2. Netherlands 1. United Kingdom / New Zealand (one of two) / Liechtenstein "fear thou the LORD and the king" Proverbs 24:21

Words: John Fawcett Music: Hans Georg Nägeli Arrangement:  Low­ell Ma­son Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one Our comforts and our cares. We share each other’s woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again. This glorious hope revives Our courage by the way; While each in expectation lives, And longs to see the day. From sorrow, toil and pain, And sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity. "the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness  before God, even ou...

A Mac and Its Chauffeur August 2016 You Lookin' At Me? August 2016 Not Seen August 2016 Simple Still Life August 2016 Open Composition August 2016 Abstract Chairs August 2016 Abstract September 2016 Pencil Bag—Gone Wild September 2016 Drapery—or a Striped Mountain? September 2016 Pattern of Love September 2016 The Pillar Box September 2016 Pinwheel Galaxy September 2016 Crumpled September 2016 24-hour Clock September 2016 Hallway in Wake Forest, NC October 2016 Perspectives October 2016 Dishing Up October 2016 Pillar October & November 2016 Reflections November 2016 Complementary Colors November 2016 Copy of Winslow Homer's Sailing off Gloucester 2016 (Homer's: c. 1880) "drawing is the basis of art" Arshile Gorky

Photo by Allan Stanglin (u sed by permission) Retrieved from allanstanglin.com Poet: Sidney Lanier Year: 1880 Into the woods my Master went, Clean forspent, forspent. Into the woods my Master came, Forspent with love and shame. But the olives they were not blind to Him, The little gray leaves were kind to Him: The thorn-tree had a mind to Him When into the woods He came. Out of the woods my Master went, And He was well content. Out of the woods my Master came, Content with death and shame. When Death and Shame would woo Him last, From under the trees they drew Him last: 'Twas on a tree they slew Him—last When out of the woods He came. "And  there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:43-44 KJV

Through three points not in a straight line, one circle and only one can be passed. I got the exact wording of this geometric principle from A Beka Book's Plane Geometry  by F. Eugene Seymour, a book I used in my eleventh grade geometry class. In the text, this principle is found on page 166 as a corollary to Construction 12 (the construction of a circle around a triangle). Something about this corollary intrigued me, and it's one of those random facts I never forgot. " A circle is a round straight line with a hole in the middle. "   a schoolchild (quoted by Mark Twain)

Inauguration Day 2017 In honor of today's transfer of Presidential power in the United States, I am posting a song. This simple song goes through the last names of all the U.S. Presidents. Enjoy! " The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." U.S. Constitution

David’s Psalm of praise. I will exalt thee, my God, my king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; and there is no end of his greatness. Generation after generation shall praise thy works, and tell of thy power. And they shall speak of the glorious majesty of thy holiness, and recount thy wonders. And they shall speak of the power of thy terrible acts; and recount thy greatness. They shall utter the memory of the abundance of thy goodness, and shall exult in thy righteousness. The Lord is compassionate, and merciful; long-suffering, and abundant in mercy. The Lord is good to those that wait on him; and his compassions are over all his works. Let all thy works, O Lord, give thanks to thee; and let thy saints bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy dominion; to make known to the sons of men thy power, and the glorious maj...

Movies:         The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)         The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies  (2014)         The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  (2001)         The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers  (2002)         The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King  (2003) Compiler: Mark Ashurst (2016-2017) "May it be the shadow's call Will fly away. May it be you journey on To light the day." Enya

Peace to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ! The grace with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ — undecayingly! Amen.

Work: Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 ( Christmas Concerto ) Composer:  Arcangelo Corelli Year published: 1714 "The eighth of these concertos, composed for the purpose of being performed on Christmas Eve, . . . is exquisitely beautiful, and seems destined to bid defiance to the attacks of time. The whole is full of profound religious feeling" anonymous

Happy Wright Brothers Day! Observed on: December 17 In: United States of America Established by: President Dwight D. Eisenhower On this day in 1903, "Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright [made] the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight. . . . The modern aviation age was born. Three more tests were made that day, with Wilbur and Orville alternately flying the airplane. Wilbur flew the last flight, covering 852 feet in 59 seconds." History.com "When my brother and I set out on this game we did not think it would be possible for a man to fly within fifty years. " Wilbur Wright

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Lawson elizabethwinpennylawson.com Used by permission Poet: Robert Frost Year written: 1922 Year published: 1923 Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. " He giveth snow like wool " Psalm 147:16 KJV

Artist: Matt Maher Year: 2016 One star burns in the darkness, Shines with the promise—Emmanuel. One child born in the stillness, Living within us—Emmanuel. We're singing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let there be peace." Singing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let it start in me." One voice speaks for the voiceless, Hope for the hopeless—Emmanuel. One love brings us together, Now and forever—Emmanuel. We're singing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let there be peace." Singing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let it start in me." Do not be afraid. His love is strong enough to save us. Nothing stands in the way. His love is strong enough to lead us. We sing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let there be peace." Singing, "Glory, glory! Let there be peace. Let it start in me. Let there be peace. Let it start in me." "let the peace of God rule in your hearts" ...

Sermon title:  "Where Are the Nine?" Summary: We should be like the one who thanked Jesus, instead of like the nine who did not (see Luke 17:11-19). Preacher: Howard Boone Frank, Jr. Date: 1994-02-20am Congregation: Byron Church of Christ Click here to hear the sermon You can hear other sermons by HB Frank on . . . WordPress iTunes Internet Archive " And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" Luke 17:17 ASV

Words: Frances R. Havergal (1872) Music: George Hews (1835) Lord, speak to me that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou has sought, so let me seek Thine erring children lost and lone. O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. O strengthen me, that while I stand Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart. O give Thine own sweet rest to me, That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from Thee, To weary ones in needful hour. O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart overflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when, and w...