From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Fri Apr 1 21:32:34 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:32:34 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Saturday - Nehemiah 13 Message-ID: <4D967CB2.3000208@bibleseven.com> Saturday Nehemiah 13 Further Reforms by Nehemiah 13:1 On that day the book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people. They found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite may ever enter the assembly of God, 13:2 for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.) 13:3 When they heard the law, they removed from Israel all who were of mixed ancestry. 13:4 But prior to this time, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been appointed over the storerooms of the temple of our God. 13:5 He made for himself a large storeroom where previously they had been keeping the grain offering, the incense, and the vessels, along with the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil as commanded for the Levites, the singers, the gate keepers, and the offering for the priests. 13:6 During all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes of Babylon, I had gone back to the king. After some time I had requested leave of the king, 13:7 and I returned to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah by supplying him with a storeroom in the courts of the temple of God. 13:8 I was very upset, and I threw all of Tobiah's household possessions out of the storeroom. 13:9 Then I gave instructions that the storerooms should be purified, and I brought back the equipment of the temple of God, along with the grain offering and the incense. 13:10 I also discovered that the grain offerings for the Levites had not been provided, and that as a result the Levites and the singers who performed this work had all gone off to their fields. 13:11 So I registered a complaint with the leaders, asking "Why is the temple of God neglected?" Then I gathered them and reassigned them to their positions. 13:12 Then all of Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil to the storerooms. 13:13 I gave instructions that Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a certain Levite named Pedaiah be put in charge of the storerooms, and that Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, be their assistant, for they were regarded as trustworthy. It was then their responsibility to oversee the distribution to their colleagues. 13:14 Please remember me for this, O my God, and do not wipe out the kindness that I have done for the temple of my God and for its services! 13:15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in heaps of grain and loading them onto donkeys, along with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, and bringing them to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them on the day that they sold these provisions. 13:16 The people from Tyre who lived there were bringing fish and all kinds of merchandise and were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah -- and in Jerusalem, of all places! 13:17 So I registered a complaint with the nobles of Judah, saying to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 13:18 Isn't this the way your ancestors acted, causing our God to bring on them and on this city all this misfortune? And now you are causing even more wrath on Israel, profaning the Sabbath like this!" 13:19 When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be closed. I further directed that they were not to be opened until after the Sabbath. I positioned some of my young men at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. 13:20 The traders and sellers of all kinds of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice. 13:21 But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you repeat this, I will forcibly remove you!" From that time on they did not show up on the Sabbath. 13:22 Then I directed the Levites to purify themselves and come and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. For this please remember me, O my God, and have pity on me in keeping with your great love. 13:23 Also in those days I saw the men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 13:24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod (or the language of one of the other peoples mentioned) and were unable to speak the language of Judah. 13:25 So I entered a complaint with them. I called down a curse on them, and I struck some of the men and pulled out their hair. I had them swear by God saying, "You will not marry off your daughters to their sons, and you will not take any of their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! 13:26 Was it not because of things like these that King Solomon of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. But the foreign wives made even him sin! 13:27 Should we then in your case hear that you do all this great evil, thereby being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign wives?" 13:28 Now one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. So I banished him from my sight. 13:29 Please remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, the covenant of the priesthood, and the Levites. 13:30 So I purified them of everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to the priests and the Levites. 13:31 I also provided for the wood offering at the appointed times and also for the first fruits. Please remember me for good, O my God. Prayer Lord, You have regularly sent leaders to purify Your people from their rebellious sin, mercifully patiently allowing them to repent and to be restored. May I be careful not to fall into the pattern of sin and repentance when I should be growing and becoming more valuable as Your instrument of truth. Commentary When the law of Moses was read the people discovered the prohibition of Ammonites from fellowship with Israel and immediately removed those of mixed ancestry from Jerusalem. Nehemiah had returned to the service of king Artaxerxes but visited Jerusalem and discovered that Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobias, had displaced many of God's temple resources (in the storeroom) with those of Tobias. Nehemiah threw those things out and restored God's resources to their rightful place. The grain and other support due the Levite priest and singers had been withheld so that they had left to return to their homes and fields. Nehemiah called them back and offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil were gathered from Judah. Israelites and men from Tyre were doing business in Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Nehemiah filed complaints with the leaders, then closed the gates on the eve of the Sabbath, posting guards there. Sellers waited by the gates for two Sabbaths until Nehemiah threatened to punish them, then they stopped coming on the Sabbath. Nehemiah has the Levites purify themselves and take over responsibility for the guarding of the gates to protect the Sabbath. Nehemiah challenged all who had married pagans, especially the Levites, even banning the son of the high priest who had done so. Nehemiah even physically-assaulted some of the men who had allowed some of their daughters to marry pagans -- demanding that they cease doing so. He aggressively pursued the purification of Israel and instructed that the Levites to adhere to a more strict keeping of the laws. Interaction Consider When Nehemiah purged Israel of foreigners and of foreign (pagan) influences many families were divided and networks of commerce interrupted. Discuss Why was Nehemiah the one who had to challenge the people to do the right thing? Could not they and the priests see that what they was doing was wrong? Reflect King Solomon was given riches and wisdom yet he sold-out God because of the influence of pagan women. Share When have you discovered that someone in your life represented an influence which drew you away from the Lord God? What did you do? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life where you are not moving toward the purity He desires. Action: Today I will confess, repent, and accept the Lord's forgiveness. I will act courageously and immediately to intentionally alter my life so that the things that draw me away from the Lord God are eliminated and are replaced with those which encourage me along the pat to righteousness. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Sunday's text will be: Esther 1 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sat Apr 2 22:46:20 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:46:20 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Sunday - Esther 1 Message-ID: <4D97DF7C.7050606@bibleseven.com> Sunday Esther 1 1:1 The King Throws a Lavish Party The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus. (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.) 1:2 In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel, 1:3 in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media was present, as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces. 1:4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time -- a hundred and eighty days, to be exact! 1:5 When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. 1:6 The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone. 1:7 Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king's expense. 1:8 There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired. 1:9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus' royal palace. Queen Vashti is Removed from Her Royal Position 1:10 On the seventh day, as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, 1:11 to bring Queen Vashti into the king's presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive. 1:12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him. 1:13 The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times -- for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities. 1:14 Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom. 1:15 The king asked, "By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?" 1:16 Memucan then replied to the king and the officials, "The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 1:17 For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, 'When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.' 1:18 And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger! 1:19 If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she. 1:20 And let the king's decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly." 1:21 The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan. 1:22 He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its own script and to each people according to its own language, that every man should be ruling his family and should be speaking the language of his own people. Prayer Lord, when a government of men has as its highest authority the opinions of mere men, it is doomed to foolishness and failure. May I always remember that the King of Kings and Lord of lords is You -- and that as a Biblical Christian my ultimate authority is You. Commentary At the height of the worldly-glory of the Medo-Persian empire, then king Ahasuerus, offered a reception for special guests, army officials, and others that lasted a hundred and eighty days. During this time he flaunted his great wealth and possessions. The Queen, Vashti, also hosted a party for the women. Then for seven days the king, and separately the queen, indulged their guests in a banquet. By the seventh-day the king was drunk and ordered his servants to find the queen and require her to appear before his guests wearing her high-turban; she was to be displayed as yet another of his possessions. She refused his order. Furious, the king consulted his seven advisers as to what should be done about Vashti, and one recommended that he issue an edict that Vashti be removed as queen and replaced, and to further add that every woman must obey her husband. Such an edict applied from the king on down and could not be waived, even by the king. Interaction Consider The king was rendered less-than-wise by alcohol-poisoning. Discuss Might Vashti have been aware that the king was drunk, and that he'd regret trying to humiliate her, so she did not expect him to react in such an extreme way? Reflect The king's advisers seem to have been manipulating the situation to impose draconian obligations upon every wife in the kingdom -- to blindly obey any order, any whim, no matter how drunk or otherwise impaired their husband might be. (These ancient advisers are not alone in their extreme attitude toward married women.) Share When have you made a bad decision, or been the victim of one, as the result of the impaired condition of someone with greater authority? Was that person manipulated into an out-of-character and/or an out-of-proportion reaction by others? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you something in your life where you hold to an extreme standard, not supported by Biblical teaching, and/or out-of-proportion to circumstances. Action: Today I will humbly acknowledge the truth of what the Holy Spirit has revealed. I will confess, repent, and accept His forgiveness. I will request the prayers and accountability of a spiritually-mature fellow believer as I restore balance in my life. It may be rigidity in business, family, social, or religious matters, an intentional lack of boundaries in reaction to the rigidity of others, or some other imbalance. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Monday's text will be: Esther 2 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sun Apr 3 20:25:31 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:25:31 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Monday - Esther 2 Message-ID: <4D990FFB.3080401@bibleseven.com> Monday Esther 2 Esther Becomes Queen in Vashti's Place 2:1 When these things had been accomplished and the rage of King Ahasuerus had diminished, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided against her. 2:2 The king's servants who attended him said, "Let a search be conducted in the king's behalf for attractive young women. 2:3 And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the attractive young women to Susa the citadel, to the harem under the authority of Hegai, the king's eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire. 2:4 Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive become queen in place of Vashti." This seemed like a good idea to the king, so he acted accordingly. 2:5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 2:6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile. 2:7 Now he was acting as the guardian of Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor her mother was alive. This young woman was very attractive and had a beautiful figure. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her as if she were his own daughter. 2:8 It so happened that when the king's edict and his law became known many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 2:9 This young woman pleased him, and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. 2:10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so. 2:11 And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing and what might happen to her. 2:12 At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women, when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus -- for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women -- 2:13 the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace. 2:14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name. 2:15 When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her. 2:16 Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal residence in the tenth month (that is, the month of Tebeth) in the seventh year of his reign. 2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen in place of Vashti. 2:18 Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants -- it was actually Esther's banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king's expense. Mordecai Learns of a Plot against the King 2:19 Now when the young women were being gathered again, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. 2:20 Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her. Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her. 2:21 In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who protected the entrance, became angry and plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 2:22 When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy, he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai's behalf. 2:23 The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators hanged on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king's presence. Prayer Lord, even in the midst of the unpleasantness of a pagan kingdom, You are at work. May I be always mindful and watchful for Your mighty hand despite the foolish machinations of mere humans. Commentary When the king had recovered from his drunken and egotistical rage he remembered his extreme action versus Vashti and his advisers quickly suggested a means to acquire a new queen. The advisers recommended a search of the kingdom for the most attractive young women, a process of vetting, then his selection -- he agreed and Esther was among the candidates. Note: This does not appear to be a volunteer candidacy but rather these young women were pressed into service much like a man into the army. Esther's natural beauty, personal humility, and quick learning from the harem-eunuch resulted in the king's selection of her as his new queen. Esther had not disclosed her Jewish nationality as her adoptive uncle Mordecai had adviser her not to do so. Mordecai overheard the scheming of two of the eunuchs assigned to the king's court to murder him, he informed Esther who informed the king, the two men we captured and hanged and the details of their discovery and punishment was recorded in the record of activities in the king's court. Interaction Consider The king had acted when chemically-impaired and in a fit or ego-driven rage. His advisers had taken advantage of his vulnerability to get rid of the independent Vashti and to impose a form of relational slavery upon all of the married women in the kingdom. Discuss Did the king's advisers quickly recommend the process of replacing Vashti with a beautiful young woman because they knew that would appeal to his ego and lust, thus distracting him from recognizing how they had manipulated him into dethroning Vashti by edict? Reflect How demeaning must it have been for a young Jewish woman to be pulled from her home into the pagan king's harem, subjected to a year's preparation, then subjected to his sexual and social evaluation - with the possibility of being rejected and no longer a virgin available for a Jewish husband -- the preferred marriage for a young Jewish woman for which she had certainly been encouraged to dream and plan. Share When have you experienced or observed a young woman whose dreams have been diverted due to an unexpected marriage, or marriage-equivalent intimacy, and which created a high risk of a very bad outcome? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a challenging situation where His plan for you is not yet clear -- but always certain to come. Action: Today I will gratefully receive the assurance of the Lord God that despite my circumstances He has a plan for me. I will humbly submit to His Lordship in my circumstances, I will allow Him to be my strength in difficulties so that I may persevere with excellence (striving toward His standard), and be watchful for His directives to me. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Tuesday's text will be: Esther 3 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Mon Apr 4 21:07:19 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:07:19 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Tuesday - Esther 3 Message-ID: <4D9A6B47.5020209@bibleseven.com> Tuesday Esther 3 Haman Conspires to Destroy the Jews 3:1 Some time later King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position above that of all the officials who were with him. 3:2 As a result, all the king's servants who were at the king's gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage. 3:3 Then the servants of the king who were at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you violating the king's commandment?" 3:4 And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai's part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew. 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he was filled with rage. 3:6 But the thought of striking out against Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed of the identity of Mordecai's people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai) who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus. 3:7 In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus' reign, /pur/ (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar). 3:8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a particular people that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king's laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them. 3:9 If the king is so inclined, let an edict be issued to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to be conveyed to the king's treasuries for the officials who carry out this business." 3:10 So the king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who was hostile toward the Jews. 3:11 The king replied to Haman, "Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish." 3:12 So the royal scribes were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king's satraps and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to its language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king's signet ring. 3:13 Letters were sent by the runners to all the king's provinces stating that they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. 3:14 A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, so that they would be prepared for this day. 3:15 The messengers scurried forth with the king's order. The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar! Prayer Lord, the failure of a leader to be obedient and to eliminate an enemy (in the OT often a pagan people, in the NT a sin or sin-inducing situation) leads to trouble later on. May I remember that there is no such thing as a sin without negative consequences. Commentary King Ahasuerus promoted Haman to the highest rank in his court and ordered that he be treated as royalty, including the submission of bowing at his passing, and immediate obedience. Mordecai, Esther's adoptive uncle, refused to bow to Haman -- which infuriated him. Upon discovering that he was a Jew Haman sought to attack all Jews, rather than Mordecai as an isolated individual, as that seemed to be beneath the station of a member of royalty. Haman took the opportunity of a special moment on the Medo-Persian royal calendar to request a favor of the king. He asked that a foreign people, whose cultural laws kept them from keeping the king's laws, be destroyed -- and he even offered to pay for it. The king told him to keep his money and to make it so -- giving him his signet ring as the symbol of authority. Haman had the scribes write the edit to obliterate the Jews and couriers to deliver it throughout the kingdom. There in Susa, as the king and Haman dined, the city outside was in an uproar. Interaction Consider It is believed that Haman, the Agagite, was a descendant of Agag of the Amalekites. King Saul was supposed to have destroyed them but failed to do so -- leaving a remnant to remain as long-term enemies of the Jews. Discuss The text does not say that Haman knew of the relationship between Queen Esther and Mordecai, but if he did, might that help to explain his reluctance to attack Mordecai directly? Reflect King Ahasuerus seemed to be prone to easy manipulation and Haman to carelessness when it came to details -- failing to discover ahead of time that the queen was a Jew and was related to Mordecai. Share When have you experienced of observed the petty anger of someone with authority causing trouble for many? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a sin that you have left unaddressed and which will at some point harm you, and probably others. Action: Today I will confess, repent of, and accept the Lord's forgiveness for a sin which I am committing and/or am tolerating, and I agree to act promptly to deal with it. It may be an unhealthy environment that I could avoid or change, for myself or those over whom I have authority, or an repeated activity that I could prevent. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Wednesday's text will be: Esther 4 - 5 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Tue Apr 5 21:21:32 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:21:32 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Wednesday - Esther 4 - 5 Message-ID: <4D9BC01C.2040204@bibleseven.com> Wednesday Esther 4 - 5 Esther Decides to Risk Everything in order to Help Her People 4:1 Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud and bitter voice. 4:2 But he went no further than the king's gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. 4:3 Throughout each and every province where the king's edict and law were announced there was considerable mourning among the Jews, along with fasting, weeping, and sorrow. Sackcloth and ashes were characteristic of many. 4:4 When Esther's female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai's behavior, the queen was overcome with anguish. Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth, he would not accept them. 4:5 So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs who had been placed at her service, and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai's behavior. 4:6 So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king's gate. 4:7 Then Mordecai related to him everything that had happened to him, even the specific amount of money that Haman had offered to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews to be destroyed. 4:8 He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people. 4:9 So Hathach returned and related Mordecai's instructions to Esther. 4:10 Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai: 4:11 "All the servants of the king and the people of the king's provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court -- that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!" 4:12 When Esther's reply was conveyed to Mordecai, 4:13 he said to take back this answer to Esther: 4:14 "Don't imagine that because you are part of the king's household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father's household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!" 4:15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 4:16 "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don't eat and don't drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!" 4:17 So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him. Esther Appeals to the King for Help 5:1 It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king's quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance. 5:2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. 5:3 The king said to her, "What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even as much as half the kingdom will be given to you!" 5:4 Esther replied, "If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." 5:5 The king replied, "Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 5:6 While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, "What is your request? It shall be given to you. What is your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done!" 5:7 Esther responded, "My request and my petition is this: 5:8 If I have found favor in the king's sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes. Haman Expresses His Hatred of Mordecai 5:9 Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king's gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. 5:10 But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh. 5:11 Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king's other officials and servants. 5:12 Haman said, "Furthermore, Queen Esther invited only me to accompany the king to the banquet that she prepared! And also tomorrow I am invited along with the king. 5:13 Yet all of this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." 5:14 Haman's wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows seventy-five feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented." It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built. Prayer Lord, You are in our future and where Your great plan is involved You make a way, while still allowing mere men to wander about in their confused rebellion and half-hearted relationship with You. May I be watchful for those moments where You give me a rare opportunity to be your uniquely-prepared instrument -- knowing that You will find another way should I fail to step-up. Commentary Mordecai, along with many Jews throughout the kingdom, mourned the evil edict in sackcloth. Esther heard that Mordecai was in sackcloth and sent a servant to inquire as to the reason. Mordecai sent and explanation, a copy of the edict, and a request that she plead with the king to revoke the edict. Esther responded that she had not been granted permission to appear in the king's court for thirty days and that the law required death of anyone who appeared there uninvited -- unless the king extended his scepter -- granting mercy. Mordecai explained that she, and her whole family may suffer death from the edict and the Lord God would defend His people through another means -- but that she may have been placed where she was (as queen) so that she could be His instrument of rescue. Esther acknowledged the truth of his wise counsel, agreed to risk her life and approach the king uninvited, and asked that Mordecai and others fast and pray along with her and her attendants for three days. After three days Esther went to the king and he granted her favor to approach, though uninvited, and asked her what she wanted -- saying that she might have as much as half of his kingdom. She asked he and Haman to join her for a banquet she would prepare. At the banquet the king again asked what was her desire and she responded that if they would come again to a second banquet at that time she would share her request, and they agreed. Haman bragged to family and friends of his great possessions, power, and prestige, and to alone have been invited by the queen to join the king at two banquets. Haman also confessed that the refusal of Mordecai to be submissive to him poisoned the well of his happiness. "Haman's wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows seventy-five feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented."" Haman did so. Interaction Consider Mordecai was certain that the Lord God would not allow all of His people to be destroyed, but feared a nightmare along the way, and was sorrowful that such a scheme would even exist. Discuss Why would Haman allow the disrespect of one man, in an entire kingdom, to spoil his happiness -- given all that he had? Reflect Haman's scheme to obliterate a nation, due to the offense of a single individual, may reasonably motivate the reader to wonder if he may have been manipulated by a demonic evil (seeking a victory in a generations-old battle with the Lord God) rather than mere dislike of a man. Share When have you been confronted with an ethical decision which could cost you a great deal and may or may not have led even to the opportunity to make a difference? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you an opportunity in your life for which He has prepared you uniquely to be His instrument. Action: Today I will humbly acknowledge and accept the calling of the Lord God to serve Him. I will accept His strength and draw up courage from Him in order to step-out in faith despite the worldly-threats that await. I will ask at least one fellow believer to pray in-agreement with me for courage, protection, and wisdom. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Thursday's text will be: Esther 6 - 7 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From reece.sherman at gmail.com Tue Apr 5 22:35:05 2011 From: reece.sherman at gmail.com (Reece Sherman) Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 02:35:05 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Linux4christians] Reece Sherman wants to stay in touch on LinkedIn Message-ID: <2052348027.2617609.1302057305685.JavaMail.app@ela4-bed34.prod> LinkedIn ------------ I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Reece Sherman Reece Sherman Owner at Selfpublishedbookstore.com Birmingham, Alabama Area Confirm that you know Reece Sherman https://www.linkedin.com/e/550sy-gm5nauz6-5b/isd/2642483241/axnQ3Fa8/ -- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Wed Apr 6 21:16:12 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:16:12 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Thursday - Esther 6 - 7 Message-ID: <4D9D105C.8010008@bibleseven.com> Thursday Esther 6 - 7 The Turning Point: The King Honors Mordecai 6:1 Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king's presence, 6:2 it was found written that Mordecai had disclosed that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 6:3 The king asked, "What great honor was bestowed on Mordecai because of this?" The king's attendants who served him responded, "Not a thing was done for him." 6:4 Then the king said, "Who is that in the courtyard?" Now Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had constructed for him. 6:5 The king's attendants said to him, "It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard." The king said, "Let him enter." 6:6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, "What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Who is it that the king would want to honor more than me?" 6:7 So Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king wishes to honor, 6:8 let them bring royal attire which the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden -- one bearing the royal insignia! 6:9 Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king's noble officials. Let him then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about through the plaza of the city on the horse, calling before him, 'So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!'" 6:10 The king then said to Haman, "Go quickly! Take the clothing and the horse, just as you have described, and do as you just indicated to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. Don't neglect a single thing of all that you have said." 6:11 So Haman took the clothing and the horse, and he clothed Mordecai. He led him about on the horse throughout the plaza of the city, calling before him, "So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!" 6:12 Then Mordecai again sat at the king's gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head. 6:13 Haman then related to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. These wise men, along with his wife Zeresh, said to him, "If indeed this Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall is Jewish, you will not prevail against him. No, you will surely fall before him!" 6:14 While they were still speaking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared. The King Has Haman Executed 7:1 So the king and Haman came to dine with Queen Esther. 7:2 On the second day of the banquet of wine the king asked Esther, "What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you. And what is your petition? Ask up to half the kingdom, and it shall be done!" 7:3 Queen Esther replied, "If I have met with your approval, O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition. 7:4 For we have been sold -- both I and my people -- to destruction and to slaughter and to annihilation! If we had simply been sold as male and female slaves, I would have remained silent, for such distress would not have been sufficient for troubling the king." 7:5 Then King Ahasuerus responded to Queen Esther, "Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who is presumptuous enough to act in this way?" 7:6 Esther replied, "The oppressor and enemy is this evil Haman!" Then Haman became terrified in the presence of the king and queen. 7:7 In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him. 7:8 When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down on the couch where Esther was lying. The king exclaimed, "Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I am still in the building!" As these words left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 7:9 Harbona, one of the king's eunuchs, said, "Indeed, there is the gallows that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke out in the king's behalf. It stands near Haman's home and is seventy-five feet high." The king said, "Hang him on it!" 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The king's rage then abated. Prayer Lord, amidst the petty price and insane rage of men with power, You work Your will to preserve Your people. May I never fear those who conspire to block Your path -- they will be swept aside. Commentary On the eve of the second banquet with Esther the king's sleep was troubled so he asked to see the book of events of his royal court. When he came to the story of Mordecai discovering and reporting the assassins he asked what great honor had been given Mordecai as a reward. Discovering that nothing had been done he pondered how to make things right. Haman, consumed by his hatred of Mordecai had arrived in the courtyard, hoping for an audience with the king where he hoped to persuade him to have Mordecai hanged on the huge gallows he had built. The king inquired as to who was in the courtyard and when he heard it was Haman he summoned him. The king asked Haman how he should greatly-honor a man and Haman, also consumed by pride, presuming that he was the intended-beneficiary he described a grandiose display. The king ordered him to personally implement his scheme for Mordecai. Haman did so then covered his face and returned to his family and associates. When he described his terrible humiliation they warned him that if Mordecai was indeed a Jew that he, not Mordecai, would be destroyed should he continue his crusade against him. Just as they spoke the royal eunuchs arrived to escort him to Esther's banquet. The king challenged Esther, wanting to know what was her request, and again offering up to half of his kingdom as a gift to her. She asked him for her life, and that of her people, qualifying that had they been sold into slavery she would not have troubled him -- but they were to be annihilated. The king, as before with Vashti, flew into an indignant rage and demanded to know who was responsible -- at which time Esther named Haman. The King stormed out onto the patio and while he was out there Haman threw himself upon Esther to plead for mercy -- the king returning to the room imagined Haman was sexually-assaulting the queen and his rage escalated. A nearby eunuch suggested the king hand Haman on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and the king agreed, only ceasing from his rage once Haman was dead. Interaction Consider The Lord God is neither mocked nor thwarted, yet He has an apparent sense of humor, hoisting those who conspire against His people on their own petard. (Haman was forced to personally deliver to his nemesis, Mordecai, the public display of the king's affection that he wrongly believed was coming to him.) Discuss How might Haman's wife and associated have known that Haman faced certain doom -- predicated on the new information that Mordecai was a Jew? Reflect The same alcohol-fueled rage of the king which, manipulated by his advisers, led to Vashti's banishment and the imposition of slave-like regulations upon all of the married women in the kingdom was turned against the evil Haman. Share When have you observed a pattern of bad turned to good by the Lord God? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place where you have felt overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness. Action: Today I will confess my fears and accept the Lord's assurance of loving protection. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Friday's text will be: Esther 8 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Thu Apr 7 22:09:20 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:09:20 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Friday - Esther 8 Message-ID: <4D9E6E50.5040208@bibleseven.com> Friday Esther 8 The King Acts to Protect the Jews 8:1 On that same day King Ahasuerus gave the estate of Haman, that adversary of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Now Mordecai had come before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her. 8:2 The king then removed his signet ring (the very one he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's estate. 8:3 Then Esther again spoke with the king, falling at his feet. She wept and begged him for mercy, that he might nullify the evil of Haman the Agagite which he had intended against the Jews. 8:4 When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she arose and stood before the king. 8:5 She said, "If the king is so inclined and if I have met with his approval and if the matter is agreeable to the king and if I am attractive to him, let an edict be written rescinding those recorded intentions of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, which he wrote in order to destroy the Jews who are throughout all the king's provinces. 8:6 For how can I watch the calamity that will befall my people, and how can I watch the destruction of my relatives?" 8:7 King Ahasuerus replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have already given Haman's estate to Esther, and he has been hanged on the gallows because he took hostile action against the Jews. 8:8 Now you write in the king's name whatever in your opinion is appropriate concerning the Jews and seal it with the king's signet ring. Any decree that is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring cannot be rescinded. 8:9 The king's scribes were quickly summoned -- in the third month (that is, the month of Sivan), on the twenty-third day. They wrote out everything that Mordecai instructed to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces all the way from India to Ethiopia -- a hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all -- to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, and to the Jews according to their own script and their own language. 8:10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. He then sent letters by couriers on horses, who rode royal horses that were very swift. 8:11 The king thereby allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and to stand up for themselves -- to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any army of whatever people or province that should become their adversaries, including their women and children, and to confiscate their property. 8:12 This was to take place on a certain day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus -- namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar). 8:13 A copy of the edict was to be presented as law throughout each and every province and made known to all peoples, so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves from their enemies. 8:14 The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king's edict without delay. And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well. 8:15 Now Mordecai went out from the king's presence in purple and white royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa shouted with joy. 8:16 For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor. 8:17 Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king's edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them. Prayer Lord, it is often not merely enough to stop the sin, You know that the aftereffects continue and they also must be addressed. May I recognize that when sin happens it always has collateral consequences, and those ongoing consequences must not be ignored. Commentary Haman's extensive estate was given to Esther who appointed Mordecai as executor. Esther also explained to the king her relationship with Mordecai and then pleaded with him to save her people. The king explained that he had done what he could but then gave Mordecai his royal signet ring and encouraged Esther and Mordecai to do whatever was necessary. Mordecai summoned the scribes and had them dispatch the new orders. The new orders were for the Jews to arm themselves for self-defense and to aggressively defend themselves against anyone of any age or any position who threatened them. Many pretended to be Jews out of fear. Mordecai went into the streets of Susa in royal court attire and there were great celebrations. Interaction Consider Haman had been punished for his attempted genocide, but the monstrous plot he had set in motion was still just that, in motion. Discuss Why could not the king merely issue another proclamation declaring the first one null and void, and be assured that nothing would happen? Reflect The Lord God had turned what Haman, servant of Satan, had intended for terrible evil -- against the Jews -- to good beyond what anyone may have expected. Not only was Haman stopped, all of those who hated the Jews in the kingdom were themselves in mortal danger from the Jews (by order of the king), and the second and third most powerful people in the kingdom (within which they were captive subjects) were now Jews. Share When have you experienced or observed the Lord God turning something that the enemy clearly intended for evil into something that contained blessing and glory to Him? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of a blessing He had brought in a place where you only saw the possibility of evil or greater evil. Action: Today I will share the story of the Lord God's intervention with at least one fellow believer and together we will praise and worship Him. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Saturday's text will be: Esther 9 - 10 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Fri Apr 8 10:17:42 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:17:42 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] 20 Years of Linux down, and the best is yet to come Message-ID: <4D9F1906.9090901@lightlink.com> http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/20-years-of-linux-down-and-the-best-is-yet-to-come/8613?tag=nl.e589 -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Fri Apr 8 22:37:50 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:37:50 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Saturday - Esther 9 - 10 Message-ID: <4D9FC67E.4060803@bibleseven.com> Saturday Esther 9 - 10 The Jews Prevail over Their Enemies 9:1 In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies. 9:2 The Jews assembled themselves in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to strike out against those who were seeking their harm. No one was able to stand before them, for dread of them fell on all the peoples. 9:3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who performed the king's business were assisting the Jews, for the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. 9:4 Mordecai was of high rank in the king's palace, and word about him was spreading throughout all the provinces. His influence continued to become greater and greater. 9:5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies. 9:6 In Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 9:7 In addition, they also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 9:8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9:9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, 9:10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not confiscate their property. 9:11 On that same day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was brought to the king's attention. 9:12 Then the king said to Queen Esther, "In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman! What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? What is your request? It shall be given to you. What other petition do you have? It shall be done." 9:13 Esther replied, "If the king is so inclined, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to act tomorrow also according to today's law, and let them hang the ten sons of Haman on the gallows." 9:14 So the king issued orders for this to be done. A law was passed in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 9:15 The Jews who were in Susa then assembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they killed three hundred men in Susa. But they did not confiscate their property. 9:16 The rest of the Jews who were throughout the provinces of the king assembled in order to stand up for themselves and to have rest from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of their adversaries, but they did not confiscate their property. 9:17 All of this happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. They then rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day for banqueting and happiness. The Origins of the Feast of Purim 9:18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth days, and rested on the fifteenth, making it a day for banqueting and happiness. 9:19 This is why the Jews who are in the rural country -- those who live in rural cities -- set aside the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a holiday for happiness, banqueting, holiday, and sending gifts to one another. 9:20 Mordecai wrote these matters down and sent letters to all the Jews who were throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 9:21 to have them observe the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar each year 9:22 as the time when the Jews gave themselves rest from their enemies -- the month when their trouble was turned to happiness and their mourning to a holiday. These were to be days of banqueting, happiness, sending gifts to one another, and providing for the poor. 9:23 So the Jews committed themselves to continue what they had begun to do and to what Mordecai had written to them. 9:24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised plans against the Jews to destroy them. He had cast /pur/ (that is, the lot) in order to afflict and destroy them. 9:25 But when the matter came to the king's attention, the king gave written orders that Haman's evil intentions that he had devised against the Jews should fall on his own head. He and his sons were hanged on the gallows. 9:26 For this reason these days are known as /Purim/, after the name of /pur/. 9:27 Therefore, because of the account found in this letter and what they had faced in this regard and what had happened to them, the Jews established as binding on themselves, their descendants, and all who joined their company that they should observe these two days without fail, just as written and at the appropriate time on an annual basis. 9:28 These days were to be remembered and to be celebrated in every generation and in every family, every province, and every city. The Jews were not to fail to observe these days of Purim; the remembrance of them was not to cease among their descendants. 9:29 So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim. 9:30 Letters were sent to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the empire of Ahasuerus -- words of true peace -- 9:31 to establish these days of Purim in their proper times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established, and just as they had established both for themselves and their descendants, matters pertaining to fasting and lamentation. 9:32 Esther's command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded. Mordecai's Fame Increases 10:1 King Ahasuerus then imposed forced labor on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. 10:2 Now all the actions carried out under his authority and his great achievements, along with an exact statement concerning the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was the highest-ranking Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants. Prayer Lord, from time to time You have purged evil people from a land, sometimes by Your own hand and sometimes using mere humans to accomplish Your will. May I be as aggressive in purging evil from my life as You have been in purging it from the land. Commentary The Jews met their enemies throughout the kingdom and killed 75,000 who were allied with the evil genocidal scheme of Haman. In Susa the ten sons of Haman were hanged on the same gallows as he and three hundred other co-conspirators were killed as well. The Jews did not take any of the property of those who were killed. Two days of celebration and remembrance, Purim, were added to the Jewish calendar. Mordecai continued to serve as the king's second-in-command and did well by the king and his own people. Interaction Consider Despite the second edict some 75,000 in the kingdom still tried to destroy the Jews. Discuss Did the Jews not take any of the property of the enemies whom they killed in order to act free of any selfish self-interest, other than self-defense? Reflect The celebration of Purim was in some ways a shadow of the Passover, celebrated the survival of a man-made purge. Share When have you experienced or observed standing for the right thing and while doing-so resisting the temptation to abuse righteous-power for selfish advantage? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a wrong against which He wants you to stand. Action: Today I will prayerfully discern the mission of the Holy Spirit. I will ask one who meets the Biblical definition of "elder" to pray for confirmation, and to then pray in-agreement for courage and wisdom. It may standing against the invasion of sin into a home or other gathering of believers, it may be standing for integrity in school or the workplace, it may be standing against efforts to misuse the power of government to attack Christians. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Sunday's text will be: Job 1-2 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mwmcmlln at mnsi.net Sat Apr 9 00:46:33 2011 From: mwmcmlln at mnsi.net (Mike McMullin) Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:46:33 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] 20 Years of Linux down, and the best is yet to come In-Reply-To: <4D9F1906.9090901@lightlink.com> References: <4D9F1906.9090901@lightlink.com> Message-ID: <1302324393.16380.13.camel@P-733-Lin> On Fri, 2011-04-08 at 10:17 -0400, Fred A. Miller wrote: > http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/20-years-of-linux-down-and-the-best-is-yet-to-come/8613?tag=nl.e589 Good article Fred, one thing I found surprising though was the attitude, leave MS the desktop, we'll take the servers and mobile devices. I tend to disagree with that, as long as i do what i do for a living, I'll need a good stable desktop workstation, and the current XP64 is a bit long in the tooth and showing it. :( It would be nice to be running stable across all the cpu'ed devices that I'll be using. From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sat Apr 9 22:19:52 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:19:52 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Sunday - Job 1-2 Message-ID: <4DA113C8.4060406@bibleseven.com> Sunday Job 1-2 I. The Prologue (1:1-2:13) Job's Good Life 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And that man was pure and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 1:2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 1:3 His possessions included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household. Thus he was the greatest of all the people in the east. 1:4 Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 1:5 When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's customary practice. Satan's Accusation of Job 1:6 Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord -- and Satan also arrived among them. 1:7 The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" And Satan answered the Lord, "From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it." 1:8 So the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil." 1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Is it for nothing that Job fears God? 1:10 Have you not made a hedge around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land. 1:11 But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!" 1:12 So the Lord said to Satan, "All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!" So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Job's Integrity in Adversity 1:13 Now the day came when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 1:14 and a messenger came to Job, saying, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them, 1:15 and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I -- only I alone -- escaped to tell you!" 1:16 While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants -- it has consumed them! And I -- only I alone -- escaped to tell you!" 1:17 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I -- only I alone -- escaped to tell you!" 1:18 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 1:19 and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I -- only I alone -- escaped to tell you!" 1:20 Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground. 1:21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!" 1:22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety. Satan's Additional Charge 2:1 Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also arrived among them to present himself before the Lord. 2:2 And the Lord said to Satan, "Where do you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it." 2:3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, so that you stirred me up to destroy him without reason." 2:4 But Satan answered the Lord, "Skin for skin! Indeed, a man will give up all that he has to save his life! 2:5 But extend your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!" 2:6 So the Lord said to Satan, "All right, he is in your power; only preserve his life." Job's Integrity in Suffering 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and he afflicted Job with a malignant ulcer from the sole of his feet to the top of his head. 2:8 Job took a shard of broken pottery to scrape himself with while he was sitting among the ashes. 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!" 2:10 But he replied, "You're talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?" In all this Job did not sin by what he said. The Visit of Job's Friends 2:11 When Job's three friends heard about all this calamity that had happened to him, each of them came from his own country -- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to come to show sympathy for him and to console him. 2:12 But when they gazed intently from a distance but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly. Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the air over their heads. 2:13 Then they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, yet no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. Prayer Lord, Your knowledge, justice, and wisdom are perfect. You are not concerned, the way that we are, about our worldly comforts because Your focus is upon our eternal well-being. While mere humans seize upon crises and tragedies as opportunities to promote their selfish personal agendas You use them to cleanse and to teach. May I be as Job and never doubt Your right to do as You please with me as I have surrendered all. Commentary Job was "... pure and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" and was the wealthiest man "... in the east". Job had seven grown sons and three daughters. He thought "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." and so he would offer burnt offerings for them. In the royal court of the Lord God "... the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord", and on that day Satan showed up, whereupon God challenged him to explain from what activity had he come. Satan declared that he had been walking around the world; the Lord knowing his heart then challenged him, "Have you considered my servant Job?" The Lord then described the positive attributes of Job in the world and in his relationship to Him as a challenge to Satan. Satan accused God of manipulating Job unfairly, providing great wealth and every other need, and protecting him from harm. Satan declared that if God removed those protections that Job would rebel and reject Him. The Lord God then gave Satan permission to try all of the things he had in mind to drive Job to rebellion, short of touching Job directly, and dismissed him from His royal court. Satan then used various tribes to raid and kill and destroy Job's animals and crops, and bizarre weather (fire and wind) to kill his children, as well as destroying buildings and servants. Job responded to the news by tearing his robes, falling to the ground, acknowledging the Lord's sovereignty over all things and His right to give them and to take them, and he never accused the Lord God of any "moral impropriety" in permitting these events. Once again Satan showed up in the royal court of God at a time allotted to the angels to present themselves. God challenged Satan, "... he [Job] still holds firmly to his integrity, so that you stirred me up to destroy him without reason." Satan replied that a human would do anything for their own well-being but might appear righteous when it is others who are suffering, so he asked to attack Job's health. God granted him permission, but not to kill Job. Satan struck Job with ulcers over his entire body and as he sat in the ashes of his formerly great estate, scraping them with a shard of broken pottery, his wife tempted him to "curse God and die" - Job chastised her for speaking like a non-believer and explained that we must be willing to accept both good gifts and difficult challenges from God. The text concluded that "Job did not sin by what he said." Job's three friends came to console him but so great was his affliction that they could not even recognize him from a distance so they tore their robes, threw dust in the air, and wept. Then they went to him and sat quietly for seven days as his terrible losses and great affliction rendered them speechless. Interaction Consider While Job never accused the Lord God of any "moral impropriety" and did not sin in saying "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away" the text does not say that Job was either perfect in his faith nor that he was without sin. Discuss Why would Job's wife say what she did? (Especially considering his reply that she sounded like a pagan.) Reflect Job's friends respected his angst and kept him company without feeling compelled to speak a word. Share When have you experienced or observed terrible loss and struggled with a right response to God and man? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone who is struggling with major losses -- whom He wants you to comfort. Action: Today I will make a special effort to assist and to encourage someone who is dealing with major losses. As is appropriate I will do so by just being-there without forcing my thoughts upon them. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Monday's text will be: Job 3 - 5 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sun Apr 10 22:03:57 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:03:57 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Monday - Job 3 - 5 Message-ID: <4DA2618D.6090907@bibleseven.com> Monday Job 3 - 5 II. Job's Dialogue With His Friends 3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born. 3:2 Job spoke up and said: 3:3 "Let the day on which I was born perish, and the night that said, 'A man has been conceived!' 3:4 That day -- let it be darkness; let not God on high regard it, nor let light shine on it! 3:5 Let darkness and the deepest shadow claim it; let a cloud settle on it; let whatever blackens the day terrify it! 3:6 That night -- let darkness seize it; let it not be included among the days of the year; let it not enter among the number of the months! 3:7 Indeed, let that night be barren; let no shout of joy penetrate it! 3:8 Let those who curse the day curse it -- those who are prepared to rouse Leviathan. 3:9 Let its morning stars be darkened; let it wait for daylight but find none, nor let it see the first rays of dawn, 3:10 because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb on me, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes! Job Wishes He Had Died at Birth 3:11 "Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb? 3:12 Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them? 3:13 For now I would be lying down and would be quiet, I would be asleep and then at peace 3:14 with kings and counselors of the earth who built for themselves places now desolate, 3:15 or with princes who possessed gold, who filled their palaces with silver. 3:16 Or why was I not buried like a stillborn infant, like infants who have never seen the light? 3:17 There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. 3:18 There the prisoners relax together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor. 3:19 Small and great are there, and the slave is free from his master. Longing for Death 3:20 "Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter, 3:21 to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures, 3:22 who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave? 3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? 3:24 For my sighing comes in place of my food, and my groanings flow forth like water. 3:25 For the very thing I dreaded has happened to me, and what I feared has come upon me. 3:26 I have no ease, I have no quietness; I cannot rest; turmoil has come upon me." Eliphaz Begins to Speak 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 4:2 "If someone should attempt a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? 4:3 Look, you have instructed many; you have strengthened feeble hands. 4:4 Your words have supported those who stumbled, and you have strengthened the knees that gave way. 4:5 But now the same thing comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are terrified. 4:6 Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope? 4:7 Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed? 4:8 Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same. 4:9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. 4:10 There is the roaring of the lion and the growling of the young lion, but the teeth of the young lions are broken. 4:11 The mighty lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. Ungodly Complainers Provoke God's Wrath 4:12 "Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear caught a whisper of it. 4:13 In the troubling thoughts of the dreams in the night when a deep sleep falls on men, 4:14 a trembling gripped me -- and a terror! -- and made all my bones shake. 4:15 Then a breath of air passes by my face; it makes the hair of my flesh stand up. 4:16 It stands still, but I cannot recognize its appearance; an image is before my eyes, and I hear a murmuring voice: 4:17 "Is a mortal man righteous before God? Or a man pure before his Creator? 4:18 If God puts no trust in his servants and attributes folly to his angels, 4:19 how much more to those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth? 4:20 They are destroyed between morning and evening; they perish forever without anyone regarding it. 4:21 Is not their excess wealth taken away from them? They die, yet without attaining wisdom. 5:1 "Call now! Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? 5:2 For wrath kills the foolish person, and anger slays the silly one. 5:3 I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence. 5:4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered, nor is there anyone to deliver them. 5:5 The hungry eat up his harvest, and take it even from behind the thorns, and the thirsty swallow up their fortune. 5:6 For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground, 5:7 but people are born to trouble, as surely as the sparks fly upward. Blessings for the One Who Seeks God 5:8 "But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case. 5:9 He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number; 5:10 he gives rain on the earth, and sends water on the fields; 5:11 he sets the lowly on high, that those who mourn are raised to safety. 5:12 He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned! 5:13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end. 5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope about in the noontime as if it were night. 5:15 So he saves from the sword that comes from their mouth, even the poor from the hand of the powerful. 5:16 Thus the poor have hope, and iniquity shuts its mouth. 5:17 "Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 5:18 For he wounds, but he also bandages; he strikes, but his hands also heal. 5:19 He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you. 5:20 In time of famine he will redeem you from death, and in time of war from the power of the sword. 5:21 You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes. 5:22 You will laugh at destruction and famine and need not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 5:23 For you will have a pact with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. 5:24 And you will know that your home will be secure, and when you inspect your domains, you will not be missing anything. 5:25 You will also know that your children will be numerous, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. 5:26 You will come to your grave in a full age, As stacks of grain are harvested in their season. 5:27 Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good." Prayer Lord, sometimes we forget to lean on You and become overwhelmed by difficult circumstance; but You never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear -- with Your help. May I never despair of living as long as the Lord allows me to remain, as there is always something I can do for Him, even whispered prayers for others in the midst of my own suffering. Commentary Job spoke from his agony and wished-aloud that he had never been born. Eliphaz, one of Job's closest associates/friends, challenges Job to not be offended as he speaks as he feels that what he has to say is important because of what Job has said. Eliphaz recognizes that Job has been an encourager and teacher to many in their times of trouble, but seems to crumble when the same comes to him, and then asks "Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope?" Eliphaz suggests that Job needs to confess his secret sin so that the Lord God will not continue to punish him. He says that Job should please to the Lord God for understanding, mercy, and restoration. He declares that no mortal many is righteous before God, so Job needed to stop claiming to have been punished, despite a lack of sin. Eliphaz concludes that blessings come to those who seek the Lord but that one must not despise His discipline as it always has a cause and a purpose. Interaction Consider It is interesting that Job observes the common sleep, unaware of one-another and of the passage of time, among all who have died -- great and common, rich and poor, old and young. All await, though all are "asleep"; a term the apostle Paul also used. Discuss Why would Eliphaz assume that Job was hiding a specific sin, for which he certainly knew though refused to confess, that God was punishing him? Reflect Eliphaz embeds some questionable notions amidst a great deal of wisdom, much of which he may have learned from Job, based on his introductory compliments for him. Share When have you tried to comfort someone who was struggling with grief? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life that is so emotionally-powerful and scary, real (past or present) or imagined (a fear of what might happen), that you may wish to die rather than deal with it. Action: Today I will confess that I have believed the lie of the enemy that God is not sufficient, even in the most-scary places of my life. I will accept His forgiveness, I will repent (turn away from), and I will trust Him to guide me through to overcome. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Tuesday's text will be: Job 6 - 7 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From parrisdc at gmail.com Mon Apr 11 19:34:09 2011 From: parrisdc at gmail.com (Don Parris) Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:34:09 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] 20 Years of Linux down, and the best is yet to come In-Reply-To: <1302324393.16380.13.camel@P-733-Lin> References: <4D9F1906.9090901@lightlink.com> <1302324393.16380.13.camel@P-733-Lin> Message-ID: Heck, even for the eye-candy and simple pleasures of a decent desktop environment! I just posted on FB how I can't believe Windows Explorer can't even zoom on thumbnails. I have found Nautilus and Konqueror both to be far superior for actually doing things with files. I won't mention the built-in network tools (ssh, ftp, etc.) both browsers have. After all these years, my disdain for the Windows desktop has grown into pure loathing. Every time I go to work I feel half-crippled. :-( On 4/9/11, Mike McMullin wrote: > On Fri, 2011-04-08 at 10:17 -0400, Fred A. Miller wrote: >> http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/20-years-of-linux-down-and-the-best-is-yet-to-come/8613?tag=nl.e589 >> > > Good article Fred, one thing I found surprising though was the > attitude, leave MS the desktop, we'll take the servers and mobile > devices. I tend to disagree with that, as long as i do what i do for a > living, I'll need a good stable desktop workstation, and the current > XP64 is a bit long in the tooth and showing it. :( It would be nice to > be running stable across all the cpu'ed devices that I'll be using. > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > -- D.C. Parris, FMP LEED AP O+M Minister, Security/FM Coordinator, Free Software Advocate https://www.xing.com/profile/Don_Parris http://www.linkedin.com/in/dcparris http://www.facebook.com/don.parris From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Mon Apr 11 23:37:29 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:37:29 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Tuesday - Job 6 - 7 Message-ID: <4DA3C8F9.7020001@bibleseven.com> Tuesday Job 6 - 7 Job Replies to Eliphaz 6:1 Then Job responded: 6:2 "Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too! 6:3 But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild. 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God's sudden terrors are arrayed against me. Complaints Reflect Suffering 6:5 "Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its fodder? 6:6 Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 6:7 I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me. A Cry for Death 6:8 "Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for! 6:9 And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me. 6:10 Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. 6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life? 6:12 Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze? 6:13 Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me? Disappointing Friends 6:14 "To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 6:15 My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away. 6:16 They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them. 6:17 When they are scorched, they dry up, when it is hot, they vanish from their place. 6:18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. 6:19 The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them. 6:20 They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed. 6:21 For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid. Friends' Fears 6:22 "Have I ever said, 'Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor'? 6:23 Or 'Deliver me from the enemy's power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me'? No Sin Discovered 6:24 "Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken. 6:25 How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove? 6:26 Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? 6:27 Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend. Other Explanation 6:28 "Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face! 6:29 Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact! 6:30 Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things? The Brevity of Life 7:1 "Does not humanity have hard service on earth? Are not their days also like the days of a hired man? 7:2 Like a servant longing for the evening shadow, and like a hired man looking for his wages, 7:3 thus I have been made to inherit months of futility, and nights of sorrow have been appointed to me. 7:4 If I lie down, I say, 'When will I arise?', and the night stretches on and I toss and turn restlessly until the day dawns. 7:5 My body is clothed with worms and dirty scabs; my skin is broken and festering. 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle and they come to an end without hope. 7:7 Remember that my life is but a breath, that my eyes will never again see happiness. 7:8 The eye of him who sees me now will see me no more; your eyes will look for me, but I will be gone. 7:9 As a cloud is dispersed and then disappears, so the one who goes down to the grave does not come up again. 7:10 He returns no more to his house, nor does his place of residence know him any more. Job Remonstrates with God 7:11 "Therefore, I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 7:12 Am I the sea, or the creature of the deep, that you must put me under guard? 7:13 If I say, "My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint," 7:14 then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions, 7:15 so that I would prefer strangling, and death more than life. 7:16 I loathe it; I do not want to live forever; leave me alone, for my days are a vapor! Insignificance of Humans 7:17 "What is mankind that you make so much of them, and that you pay attention to them? 7:18 And that you visit them every morning, and try them every moment? 7:19 Will you never look away from me, will you not let me alone long enough to swallow my spittle? 7:20 If I have sinned -- what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to you? 7:21 And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, and you will seek me diligently, but I will be gone." Prayer Lord, we can be so confused, declaring your love and perfection then complaining when we are confronted with the difficulties of life in a fallen world. May I not forget that You are Holy and You define love, Your plan is perfect, and You are always right and righteous. Commentary Job continued to complain of his losses, and to long for death, while observing that he had been brought to the end of his prior considerable worldly means - with which he had always been able help himself (and others). Job challenged his friends as being unhelpful; falsely accusing him secret sin, oblivious to the reality that it didn't matter anyhow since he had lost everything of value. Job lamented that his life no longer had hope or purpose and that he had no expectation that he would every be happy again. Job then complained to the Lord God; declaring that since he, like all humans, was insignificant - so why would God continue to trouble him with His presence, why punish him so terribly, and why not just let him die? Job asked "If I have sinned -- what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to you? And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity?" then he said that he was about to lay down and die so that when God returned he would be gone. Interaction Consider Job is reasonably upset but has become defensive, both toward his friends and the Lord God. Discuss Why would Job chastise his friends for suggesting that he had sinned then implying that he may in fact have sinned, but somehow not against God, when he addressed God? Reflect It is interesting that Job threatens God with his own death, imagining that such would somehow successfully place him out of God's reach. Share When have you struggled so badly that you even questioned the love of God? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life where you have relied upon your own resources and believed that you were righteous of your own choices. Action: Today I will confess that I have not allowed the Lord God to be Lord of some parts of my life, that I have resented any effort He has made to challenge my choices, and have blamed Him when things went wrong. I will repent of that wrong-thinking and accept His forgiveness -- then I will enter into an accountability relation with one or more fellow believers to prayerfully reflect upon my attitude and choices so that they are of God and not the world. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Wednesday's text will be: Job 8 - 10 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hpp3 at lavabit.com Tue Apr 12 13:46:25 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:46:25 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? Message-ID: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I turn to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have gone to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at an address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I have to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP table. (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but that's another problem.) Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each other just fine.) Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer is to set everything static and keep a hosts file. I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each other just fine ever since Windows NT. Thoughts? _Eddy From l4c at thelinuxlink.net Tue Apr 12 14:28:53 2011 From: l4c at thelinuxlink.net (l4c) Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:28:53 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> Message-ID: <4DA499E5.3010100@thelinuxlink.net> On 04/12/2011 01:46 PM, Eddy Martin wrote: > Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I turn > to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. > > I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux > boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. > It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. > Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as > the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have gone > to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. > The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at an > address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, > update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I have > to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. > > My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP > table. > (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but that's > another problem.) > Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. > (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a > Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each > other just fine.) > > Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer is > to set everything static and keep a hosts file. > I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am > forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each > other just fine ever since Windows NT. > Thoughts? > > _Eddy > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians My suggestion would be to set up a vm that runs bind and dhcp. Get them talking to one another and then turn off dhcp on your router. That is pretty much how I do it. http://www.debian-administration.org/article/343/Configuring_Dynamic_DNS__DHCP_on_Debian_Stable or http://www.cameratim.com/computing/linux/using-bind-as-a-local-dns-server can help. -- -Linc Fessenden In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded - Yeah right... From bstaggs at staggs.net Tue Apr 12 14:40:49 2011 From: bstaggs at staggs.net (Billy F. Staggs) Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:40:49 -0500 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> Message-ID: <4DA49CB1.4060904@staggs.net> I setup my router to use DHCP reservations that way the computer/devices always get the same IP, but I have a consolidated place to manage them. -- bstaggs <>< On 4/12/2011 12:46 PM, Eddy Martin wrote: > Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I > turn to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. > > I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux > boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. > It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. > Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as > the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have > gone to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. > The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at > an address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, > update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I > have to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. > > My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP > table. > (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but > that's another problem.) > Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. > (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a > Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each > other just fine.) > > Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer > is to set everything static and keep a hosts file. > I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am > forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each > other just fine ever since Windows NT. > Thoughts? > > _Eddy > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Tue Apr 12 22:38:01 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:38:01 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Wednesday - Job 8 - 10 Message-ID: <4DA50C89.4000106@bibleseven.com> Wednesday Job 8 - 10 Bildad's First Speech to Job 8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke up and said: 8:2 "How long will you speak these things, seeing that the words of your mouth are like a great wind? 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right? 8:4 If your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. 8:5 But if you will look to God, and make your supplication to the Almighty, 8:6 if you become pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself for you, and will restore your righteous abode. 8:7 Your beginning will seem so small, since your future will flourish. 8:8 "For inquire now of the former generation, and pay attention to the findings of their ancestors; 8:9 For we were born yesterday and do not have knowledge, since our days on earth are but a shadow. 8:10 Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding? 8:11 Can the papyrus plant grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water? 8:12 While they are still beginning to flower and not ripe for cutting, they can wither away faster than any grass! 8:13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes, 8:14 whose trust is in something futile, whose security is a spider's web. 8:15 He leans against his house but it does not hold up, he takes hold of it but it does not stand. 8:16 He is a well-watered plant in the sun, its shoots spread over its garden. 8:17 It wraps its roots around a heap of stones and it looks for a place among stones. 8:18 If he is uprooted from his place, then that place will disown him, saying, 'I have never seen you!' 8:19 Indeed, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth others spring up. 8:20 "Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers. 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with gladness. 8:22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more." Job's Reply to Bildad 9:1 Then Job answered: 9:2 "Truly, I know that this is so. But how can a human be just before God? 9:3 If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand. 9:4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength -- who has resisted him and remained safe? 9:5 He who removes mountains suddenly, who overturns them in his anger; 9:6 he who shakes the earth out of its place so that its pillars tremble; 9:7 he who commands the sun and it does not shine and seals up the stars; 9:8 he alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea; 9:9 he makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky; 9:10 he does great and unsearchable things, and wonderful things without number. 9:11 If he passes by me, I cannot see him, if he goes by, I cannot perceive him. 9:12 If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him, 'What are you doing?' 9:13 God does not restrain his anger; under him the helpers of Rahab lie crushed. The Impossibility of Facing God in Court 9:14 "How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him! 9:15 Although I am innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my judge for mercy. 9:16 If I summoned him, and he answered me, I would not believe that he would be listening to my voice -- 9:17 he who crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds for no reason. 9:18 He does not allow me to recover my breath, for he fills me with bitterness. 9:19 If it is a matter of strength, most certainly he is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, he will say, 'Who will summon me?' 9:20 Although I am innocent, my mouth would condemn me; although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse. 9:21 I am blameless. I do not know myself. I despise my life. Accusation of God's Justice 9:22 "It is all one! That is why I say, 'He destroys the blameless and the guilty.' 9:23 If a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks at the despair of the innocent. 9:24 If a land has been given into the hand of a wicked man, he covers the faces of its judges; if it is not he, then who is it? Renewed Complaint 9:25 "My days are swifter than a runner, they speed by without seeing happiness. 9:26 They glide by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops down on its prey. 9:27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,' 9:28 I dread all my sufferings, for I know that you do not hold me blameless. 9:29 If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain? 9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands clean with lye, 9:31 then you plunge me into a slimy pit and my own clothes abhor me. 9:32 For he is not a human being like I am, that I might answer him, that we might come together in judgment. 9:33 Nor is there an arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both, 9:34 who would take his rod away from me so that his terror would not make me afraid. 9:35 Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me. An Appeal for Revelation 10:1 "I am weary of my life; I will complain without restraint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 10:2 I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; tell me why you are contending with me.' 10:3 Is it good for you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked? Motivations of God 10:4 "Do you have eyes of flesh, or do you see as a human being sees? 10:5 Are your days like the days of a mortal, or your years like the years of a mortal, 10:6 that you must search out my iniquity, and inquire about my sin, 10:7 although you know that I am not guilty, and that there is no one who can deliver out of your hand? Contradictions in God's Dealings 10:8 "Your hands have shaped me and made me, but now you destroy me completely. 10:9 Remember that you have made me as with the clay; will you return me to dust? 10:10 Did you not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese? 10:11 You clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews. 10:12 You gave me life and favor, and your intervention watched over my spirit. 10:13 "But these things you have concealed in your heart; I know that this is with you: 10:14 If I sinned, then you would watch me and you would not acquit me of my iniquity. 10:15 If I am guilty, woe to me, and if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head; I am full of shame, and satiated with my affliction. 10:16 If I lift myself up, you hunt me as a fierce lion, and again you display your power against me. 10:17 You bring new witnesses against me, and increase your anger against me; relief troops come against me. An Appeal for Relief 10:18 "Why then did you bring me out from the womb? I should have died and no eye would have seen me! 10:19 I should have been as though I had never existed; I should have been carried right from the womb to the grave! 10:20 Are not my days few? Cease, then, and leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort, 10:21 before I depart, never to return, to the land of darkness and the deepest shadow, 10:22 to the land of utter darkness, like the deepest darkness, and the deepest shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness." Prayer Lord, You allow Job -- and us -- to pour out our hearts, even though we may misrepresent You as we do so. May I always be honest with You, but also honest about You, because Your perfection is there to be plainly known in Your Word. Commentary Bildad challenged Job to acknowledge history -- that God rewards the righteous and punishes the sinner. He reminded Job that if he confessed and repented God would forgive him and make his future far more bright than his past. Job replied that he agreed with Bildad about the character of God, but he continued to declare that he was innocent. Job doubted the righteousness of God's justice, saying that he punished the guilty and innocent alike and "mocked" the innocent in their suffering. Job continued to complain to God, repeating his charge of unfair treatment -- because of his innocence -- and lamenting the absence of an arbiter between himself and God. Job again declared his desire to die since God had taken everything of value from him. Interaction Consider Job and Bildad agree that confession and repentance result in the Lord God's mercy and restoration. Discuss Why did Job drift into doubts about the righteousness of God's justice? Reflect How might one reconcile believing in a loving and merciful God who restores and also believe Him to be uncaring in His justice? Share When have you been so troubled in life that you blamed, and perhaps doubted, God? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place where you have, or have had, doubts about God -- perhaps based on a different perspective than that taught in your denomination. Action: Today I will confess my doubts and seek answers in prayer and in study of His Word, requesting assistance from one who meets the Biblical qualifications of an "elder" as necessary. I will accept His forgiveness and celebrate the new light in my walk with Him. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Thursday's text will be: Job 11-14 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mwmcmlln at mnsi.net Wed Apr 13 00:40:37 2011 From: mwmcmlln at mnsi.net (Mike McMullin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:40:37 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> Message-ID: <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> On Tue, 2011-04-12 at 10:46 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: > Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I turn > to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. > > I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux > boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. > It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. > Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as > the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have gone > to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. > The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at an > address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, > update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I have > to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. > > My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP > table. > (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but that's > another problem.) > Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. > (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a > Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each > other just fine.) > > Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer is > to set everything static and keep a hosts file. > I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am > forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each > other just fine ever since Windows NT. > Thoughts? I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. HTH From gorkon at gmail.com Wed Apr 13 06:47:51 2011 From: gorkon at gmail.com (Joel Mclaughlin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:47:51 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> Message-ID: Get a router that runs dd-wrt and you can DEFINITELY do this. The only thing you can't do is DNS. TO do that you'd have to setup bind somewhere. On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 12:40 AM, Mike McMullin wrote: > On Tue, 2011-04-12 at 10:46 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: >> Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I turn >> to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. >> >> I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux >> boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. >> It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. >> Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as >> the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have gone >> to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. >> The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at an >> address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, >> update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I have >> to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. >> >> My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP >> table. >> (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but that's >> another problem.) >> Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. >> (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a >> Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each >> other just fine.) >> >> Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer is >> to set everything static and keep a hosts file. >> I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am >> forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each >> other just fine ever since Windows NT. >> Thoughts? > > ?I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign > static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned > to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. ?HTH > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > -- Joel McLaughlin Life in Ohio Podcast life.in.ohio.pod at gmail.com gorkon at gmail.com http://lifeinohio.libsyn.com joel at geardiary.com geardiary.com From hpp3 at lavabit.com Wed Apr 13 13:27:00 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:27:00 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA499E5.3010100@thelinuxlink.net> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <4DA499E5.3010100@thelinuxlink.net> Message-ID: <4DA5DCE4.3020700@lavabit.com> On 04/12/2011 11:28 AM, l4c wrote: > On 04/12/2011 01:46 PM, Eddy Martin wrote: >> Hey all, I've scoured the internet for an answer to this, and so I turn >> to my brothers (and sisters, if you're out there!) for help. >> >> I have a router that connects 4 PCs in our home (3 of which are Linux >> boxes) to each other and the internet via cable modem. >> It is set up to assign addresses via DHCP. >> Over time, I have given up on manually administrating IP addresses, as >> the newer Linux distros we are using (namely, Ubuntu and Mint) have gone >> to some length to hide setting static IPs, so to DHCP we go. >> The result is, for weeks my wife's computer and/or the NAS box is at an >> address I can set it in the /etc/hosts file, but then one day, >> update/reboot/*poof* they're at different addresses, and suddenly I have >> to go digging in the router and re-editing my hosts file. >> >> My router can see hostnames, and displays them when I look up the DHCP >> table. >> (Sometimes my computer's hostname is in there, sometimes not, but that's >> another problem.) >> Our Linux computers, however, seem clueless. >> (The one Windows computer and the Windows XP I have running in a >> Virtualbox VM have no clue about Linux either, but they can see each >> other just fine.) >> >> Every time I look this up on the internet, 99% of the time the answer is >> to set everything static and keep a hosts file. >> I'm sorry, but this is 2011, not 1995 and the Windows computers I am >> forced to deal with in the working world seem to be able to find each >> other just fine ever since Windows NT. >> Thoughts? >> >> _Eddy >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Linux4christians mailing list >> Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net >> http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > > My suggestion would be to set up a vm that runs bind and dhcp. Get > them talking to one another and then turn off dhcp on your router. > That is pretty much how I do it. > http://www.debian-administration.org/article/343/Configuring_Dynamic_DNS__DHCP_on_Debian_Stable > > or > http://www.cameratim.com/computing/linux/using-bind-as-a-local-dns-server > can help. > Novel approach. If I just ran these things on my NAS (Debian running Samba shares and a printer, actually) I could do without the VM. Thanks for the links! From hpp3 at lavabit.com Wed Apr 13 13:29:15 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:15 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA49CB1.4060904@staggs.net> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <4DA49CB1.4060904@staggs.net> Message-ID: <4DA5DD6B.1010607@lavabit.com> On 04/12/2011 11:40 AM, Billy F. Staggs wrote: > I setup my router to use DHCP reservations that way the > computer/devices always get the same IP, but I have a consolidated > place to manage them. > > -- > bstaggs <>< > I wish my router did this! I will soon be in the market for a new router so I can be ready for IPv6, I'll look for DHCP Reservations in the specs when I finally spring for it. From hpp3 at lavabit.com Wed Apr 13 13:31:40 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:31:40 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> Message-ID: <4DA5DDFC.80404@lavabit.com> On 04/12/2011 09:40 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: > > I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign > static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned > to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. HTH > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians No, my router doesn't. It tracks hostnames and MAC addresses, so it should be able to, but I've gone through the manual a hundred times and can't find anything like this. Would be useful, though... From gorkon at gmail.com Wed Apr 13 13:38:12 2011 From: gorkon at gmail.com (Joel Mclaughlin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:38:12 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA5DD6B.1010607@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <4DA49CB1.4060904@staggs.net> <4DA5DD6B.1010607@lavabit.com> Message-ID: Like I said....dd-wrt does this. You use DHCP at first, log in to the web interface for dd-wrt and then connect/disconnect. Works via MAC address on wired or wireless. First place I would look is the dd-wrt list: http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database Go there and check before you buy. Find one on the list that installs it easily. I would look at the WRT600N which has dual band WirelessN and Gigabit Ethernet. http://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT600N On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 1:29 PM, Eddy Martin wrote: > On 04/12/2011 11:40 AM, Billy F. Staggs wrote: >> >> I setup my router to use DHCP reservations that way the computer/devices >> always get the same IP, but I have a consolidated place to manage them. >> >> -- >> bstaggs <>< >> > I wish my router did this! > I will soon be in the market for a new router so I can be ready for IPv6, > I'll look for DHCP Reservations in the specs when I finally spring for it. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > -- Joel McLaughlin Life in Ohio Podcast life.in.ohio.pod at gmail.com gorkon at gmail.com http://lifeinohio.libsyn.com joel at geardiary.com geardiary.com From hpp3 at lavabit.com Wed Apr 13 13:40:49 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:40:49 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> Message-ID: <4DA5E021.4010707@lavabit.com> On 04/13/2011 03:47 AM, Joel Mclaughlin wrote: > Get a router that runs dd-wrt and you can DEFINITELY do this. The > only thing you can't do is DNS. TO do that you'd have to setup bind > somewhere. > According to many search results, DD-WRT can run DNSMASQ as a replacement for DHCP, which would handle DNS and DHCP simultaneously, as far as I've been able to find out. Interesting, I think there's a few Linksys routers at work sitting in the "obsolete" bin. I think I'll talk to the IT guy... From gorkon at gmail.com Wed Apr 13 13:47:39 2011 From: gorkon at gmail.com (Joel Mclaughlin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:47:39 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA5E021.4010707@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> <4DA5E021.4010707@lavabit.com> Message-ID: Not sure about that. I know that mine will assign a IP I select to ANY specific MAC address. Not too sure about DNS but I don't really need it. Just as easy for me to use the IP if I have too. If I really want to use hostnames, it's just as easy for me to hack a /etc/hosts file that I use for all my Linux systems. If I want DNS, a VM running BIND will get it done or....if I feel real hacky, I can try to get Debian running BIND on my old slug (NSLU2). Also, I found this gem in the dd-wrt wiki: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/DNSMasq_as_DHCP_server On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 1:40 PM, Eddy Martin wrote: > On 04/13/2011 03:47 AM, Joel Mclaughlin wrote: >> >> Get a router that runs dd-wrt and you can DEFINITELY do this. ?The >> only thing you can't do is DNS. ?TO do that you'd have to setup bind >> somewhere. >> > According to many search results, DD-WRT can run DNSMASQ as a replacement > for DHCP, which would handle DNS and DHCP simultaneously, as far as I've > been able to find out. > > Interesting, I think there's a few Linksys routers at work sitting in the > "obsolete" bin. > I think I'll talk to the IT guy... > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > -- Joel McLaughlin Life in Ohio Podcast life.in.ohio.pod at gmail.com gorkon at gmail.com http://lifeinohio.libsyn.com joel at geardiary.com geardiary.com From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Wed Apr 13 22:25:59 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:25:59 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Thursday - Job 11-14 Message-ID: <4DA65B37.9090208@bibleseven.com> Thursday Job 11-14 Zophar's First Speech to Job 11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said: 11:2 "Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? 11:3 Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock? 11:4 For you have said, 'My teaching is flawless, and I am pure in your sight.' 11:5 But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you, 11:6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom -- for true wisdom has two sides -- so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins. 11:7 "Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? 11:8 It is higher than the heavens -- what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol -- what can you know? 11:9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 11:10 If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him? 11:11 For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it? 11:12 But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a human being. 11:13 "As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him, 11:14 if iniquity is in your hand -- put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents. 11:15 For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear. 11:16 For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away. 11:17 And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it will be like the morning. 11:18 And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety. 11:19 You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor. 11:20 But the eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last." Job's Reply to Zophar 12:1 Then Job answered: 12:2 "Without a doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. 12:3 I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? 12:4 I am a laughingstock to my friends, I, who called on God and whom he answered -- a righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock! 12:5 For calamity, there is derision (according to the ideas of the fortunate) -- a fate for those whose feet slip! 12:6 But the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident -- who carry their god in their hands. Knowledge of God's Wisdom 12:7 "But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. 12:8 Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. 12:9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, 12:10 in whose hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race. 12:11 Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food? 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? 12:13 "With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. 12:14 If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape. 12:15 If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land. 12:16 With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his. 12:17 He leads counselors away stripped and makes judges into fools. 12:18 He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist. 12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the potentates. 12:20 He deprives the trusted advisers of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. 12:21 He pours contempt on noblemen and disarms the powerful. 12:22 He reveals the deep things of darkness, and brings deep shadows into the light. 12:23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them. 12:24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their understanding; he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste. 12:25 They grope about in darkness without light; he makes them stagger like drunkards. Job Pleads His Cause to God 13:1 "Indeed, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. 13:2 What you know, I know also; I am not inferior to you! 13:3 But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. 13:4 But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians! 13:5 If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom. 13:6 "Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips' contentions. 13:7 Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? 13:8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? 13:9 Would it turn out well if he would examine you? Or as one deceives a man would you deceive him? 13:10 He would certainly rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality! 13:11 Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you? 13:12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13:13 "Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may. 13:14 Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands? 13:15 Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face! 13:16 Moreover, this will become my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him. 13:17 Listen carefully to my words; let your ears be attentive to my explanation. 13:18 See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right. 13:19 Who will contend with me? If anyone can, I will be silent and die. 13:20 Only in two things spare me, O God, and then I will not hide from your face: 13:21 Remove your hand far from me and stop making me afraid with your terror. 13:22 Then call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you respond to me. 13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Show me my transgression and my sin. 13:24 Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy? 13:25 Do you wish to torment a windblown leaf and chase after dry chaff? 13:26 For you write down bitter things against me and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth. 13:27 And you put my feet in the stocks and you watch all my movements; you put marks on the soles of my feet. 13:28 So I waste away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. The Brevity of Life 14:1 "Man, born of woman, lives but a few days, and they are full of trouble. 14:2 He grows up like a flower and then withers away; he flees like a shadow, and does not remain. 14:3 Do you fix your eye on such a one? And do you bring me before you for judgment? 14:4 Who can make a clean thing come from an unclean? No one! 14:5 Since man's days are determined, the number of his months is under your control; you have set his limit and he cannot pass it. 14:6 Look away from him and let him desist, until he fulfills his time like a hired man. The Inevitability of Death 14:7 "But there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. 14:8 Although its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump begins to die in the soil, 14:9 at the scent of water it will flourish and put forth shoots like a new plant. 14:10 But man dies and is powerless; he expires -- and where is he? 14:11 As water disappears from the sea, or a river drains away and dries up, 14:12 so man lies down and does not rise; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor arise from their sleep. The Possibility of Another Life 14:13 "O that you would hide me in Sheol, and conceal me till your anger has passed! O that you would set me a time and then remember me! 14:14 If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait until my release comes. 14:15 You will call and I -- I will answer you; you will long for the creature you have made. The Present Condition 14:16 "Surely now you count my steps; then you would not mark my sin. 14:17 My offenses would be sealed up in a bag; you would cover over my sin. 14:18 But as a mountain falls away and crumbles, and as a rock will be removed from its place, 14:19 as water wears away stones, and torrents wash away the soil, so you destroy man's hope. 14:20 You overpower him once for all, and he departs; you change his appearance and send him away. 14:21 If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it. 14:22 Only his flesh has pain for himself, and he mourns for himself." Prayer Lord, as we reflect upon the events of our lives we see partially but You see every detail, and so sometimes we come to wrong conclusions about ourselves -- and sometimes about You. May I be careful, prayerful, and in Your Word as I reflect on my life, and on how You are moving therein. Commentary Zophar joined the others and challenged Job to admit his sin and allow the Lord God to forgiven and to restore him, and mocked him from suggesting that he was better than everyone else, and free of sin. Job replied that the fortunate were presuming to judge him merely because God had brought trouble to him -- presuming that guilt for secret sin was the cause -- forgetting that everything was God's to do with as He pleased and that for some unknown reason it was His pleasure to bring him low. Job declared that his associates/friends were wrong to speak on God's behalf because they misrepresented him in so-doing -- and he asked them to be quiet as he would now bring his case before the Lord God -- certain of vindication due to his innocence. Job then pleaded with God to allow him to speak plainly and not strike fear into him as he did so. He then demanded that God show him how he had sinned to deserve the punishment. Job then makes a number of declarations about the condition of man and his relationship with the Lord God. Job concluded with a request that God hide him away until His anger passed and then bring him back, taking away his past sin, and restoring him. Interaction Consider It is very important that one not take any of the statements of Job, or his associates/friends, as correct doctrine - unless they are positively affirmed elsewhere in the Biblical text. Discuss Why would Job think that God would hide him somewhere then bring him back out and then just overlook his sin -- if his sin was the cause of His righteous anger? Reflect Job continues to waffle back and forth between declaring his innocence and acknowledging that he may have some, actually confessing youthful sin, yet insisting that there was nothing recent or that he was denying which could be the cause of his terrible troubles. Share When have you observed some doctrine flowing from these texts, specifics of which are not positively endorsed in other Biblical texts, and used to justify doctrine in a fellowship -- or in someone's unique personal doctrine? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any place in your life where you have, or are now, resenting the Lord God's chastizing -- because you don't think you have done anything 'that bad'. Action: Today I will confess and repent of my 'little sin', acknowledging that there is no such thing, and accepting the forgiveness of the Lord God. I will then intentionally seek to avoid drifting back into that 'little sin'. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Friday's text will be: Job 15-17 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mwmcmlln at mnsi.net Thu Apr 14 00:23:45 2011 From: mwmcmlln at mnsi.net (Mike McMullin) Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:23:45 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA5DDFC.80404@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> <4DA5DDFC.80404@lavabit.com> Message-ID: <1302755025.8666.26.camel@P-733-Lin> On Wed, 2011-04-13 at 10:31 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: > On 04/12/2011 09:40 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: > > > > I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign > > static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned > > to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. HTH > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Linux4christians mailing list > > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > No, my router doesn't. > It tracks hostnames and MAC addresses, so it should be able to, but I've > gone through the manual a hundred times and can't find anything like this. > Would be useful, though... Can I get the model number/make from you? It took me a while to stumble on this feature, so it may or may not be there. From hpp3 at lavabit.com Thu Apr 14 00:32:12 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:32:12 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <1302755025.8666.26.camel@P-733-Lin> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> <4DA5DDFC.80404@lavabit.com> <1302755025.8666.26.camel@P-733-Lin> Message-ID: <4DA678CC.7030402@lavabit.com> On 04/13/2011 09:23 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: > On Wed, 2011-04-13 at 10:31 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: >> On 04/12/2011 09:40 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: >>> I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign >>> static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned >>> to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. HTH >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Linux4christians mailing list >>> Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net >>> http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians >> No, my router doesn't. >> It tracks hostnames and MAC addresses, so it should be able to, but I've >> gone through the manual a hundred times and can't find anything like this. >> Would be useful, though... > Can I get the model number/make from you? It took me a while to > stumble on this feature, so it may or may not be there. > It's a Netgear MR314. A little long in the tooth by now (no WPA... gasp!!) but it's still ticking along... From mwmcmlln at mnsi.net Thu Apr 14 13:28:15 2011 From: mwmcmlln at mnsi.net (Mike McMullin) Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:28:15 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] How to get hostnames from a DHCP router? or is it something else? In-Reply-To: <4DA678CC.7030402@lavabit.com> References: <4DA48FF1.50503@lavabit.com> <1302669637.7583.12.camel@P-733-Lin> <4DA5DDFC.80404@lavabit.com> <1302755025.8666.26.camel@P-733-Lin> <4DA678CC.7030402@lavabit.com> Message-ID: <1302802095.2697.3.camel@P-733-Lin> On Wed, 2011-04-13 at 21:32 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: > On 04/13/2011 09:23 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: > > On Wed, 2011-04-13 at 10:31 -0700, Eddy Martin wrote: > >> On 04/12/2011 09:40 PM, Mike McMullin wrote: > >>> I'm not sure if your router has this feature or not, but I can assign > >>> static IP addresses on my router (Linksys), and have specific assigned > >>> to specific addy's, with a few just floating addy's. HTH > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Linux4christians mailing list > >>> Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > >>> http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > >> No, my router doesn't. > >> It tracks hostnames and MAC addresses, so it should be able to, but I've > >> gone through the manual a hundred times and can't find anything like this. > >> Would be useful, though... > > Can I get the model number/make from you? It took me a while to > > stumble on this feature, so it may or may not be there. > > > It's a Netgear MR314. > A little long in the tooth by now (no WPA... gasp!!) but it's still > ticking along... Yeah on that one you probably need to upgrade it, the manual shows a really old version of Netscape Navigator, whoich I haven't seen in years. I snagged a linksys wireless N refurbed from TigerDirect.ca, in the door for less than $40C, about a month ago. But if you're like me, you will probably wait till the current unit is either dead, or not going to do what you need it to do before replacing it. ;) From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Thu Apr 14 21:32:39 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:32:39 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Friday - Job 15-17 Message-ID: <4DA7A037.5040205@bibleseven.com> Friday Job 15-17 Eliphaz's Second Speech 15:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 15:2 "Does a wise man answer with blustery knowledge, or fill his belly with the east wind? 15:3 Does he argue with useless talk, with words that have no value in them? 15:4 But you even break off piety, and hinder meditation before God. 15:5 Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty. 15:6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you. 15:7 "Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? 15:8 Do you listen in on God's secret council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? 15:9 What do you know that we don't know? What do you understand that we don't understand? 15:10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men far older than your father. 15:11 Are God's consolations too trivial for you; or a word spoken in gentleness to you? 15:12 Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, 15:13 when you turn your rage against God and allow such words to escape from your mouth? 15:14 What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? 15:15 If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, 15:16 how much less man, who is abominable and corrupt, who drinks in evil like water! 15:17 "I will explain to you; listen to me, and what I have seen, I will declare, 15:18 what wise men declare, hiding nothing, from the tradition of their ancestors, 15:19 to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them. 15:20 All his days the wicked man suffers torment, throughout the number of the years that are stored up for the tyrant. 15:21 Terrifying sounds fill his ears; in a time of peace marauders attack him. 15:22 He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword; 15:23 he wanders about -- food for vultures; he knows that the day of darkness is at hand. 15:24 Distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him like a king ready to launch an attack, 15:25 for he stretches out his hand against God, and vaunts himself against the Almighty, 15:26 defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield! 15:27 Because he covered his face with fat, and made his hips bulge with fat, 15:28 he lived in ruined towns and in houses where no one lives, where they are ready to crumble into heaps. 15:29 He will not grow rich, and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land. 15:30 He will not escape the darkness;a flame will wither his shoots and he will depart by the breath of God's mouth. 15:31 Let him not trust in what is worthless, deceiving himself; for worthlessness will be his reward. 15:32 Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish. 15:33 Like a vine he will let his sour grapes fall, and like an olive tree he will shed his blossoms. 15:34 For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes. 15:35 They conceive trouble and bring forth evil; their belly prepares deception." Job's Reply to Eliphaz 16:1 Then Job replied: 16:2 "I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all! 16:3 Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? 16:4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you. 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Abandonment by God and Man 16:6 "But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking -- how much of it goes away? 16:7 Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household. 16:8 You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me. 16:9 His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me. 16:10 People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. 16:11 God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men. 16:12 I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; 16:13 his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. 16:14 He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior. 16:15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust; 16:16 my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness, 16:17 although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure. An Appeal to God as Witness 16:18 "O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. 16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. 16:20 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; 16:21 and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. 16:22 For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return. 17:1 My spirit is broken, my days have faded out, the grave awaits me. 17:2 Surely mockery is with me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility. 17:3 Make then my pledge with you. Who else will put up security for me? 17:4 Because you have closed their minds to understanding, therefore you will not exalt them. 17:5 If a man denounces his friends for personal gain, the eyes of his children will fail. 17:6 He has made me a byword to people, I am the one in whose face they spit. 17:7 My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow. 17:8 Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent man is troubled with the godless. 17:9 But the righteous man holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger. Anticipation of Death 17:10 "But turn, all of you, and come now! I will not find a wise man among you. 17:11 My days have passed, my plans are shattered, even the desires of my heart. 17:12 These men change night into day; they say, 'The light is near in the face of darkness.' 17:13 If I hope for the grave to be my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness, 17:14 If I cry to corruption, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'My Mother,' or 'My sister,' 17:15 where then is my hope? And my hope, who sees it? 17:16 Will it go down to the barred gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?" Prayer Lord, in out troubled times we are prone to make of You an enemy, when -- in fact -- You are our one and only forever-true friend. May I cling to You, no matter what. Commentary Eliphaz replied to Job, challenging him to not be so arrogant toward the Lord God, and reminding him that there is no forgiveness or restoration for the unrepentant. Job declares his associates/friends to be poor comforters and perhaps even his enemies to criticize him in his suffering. He also asserts that we he in their place he would not criticize but comfort. Job again asserts that the Lord God is "picking on him" without cause and that he has lost hope as a result. But he still clings to God and cries out in desperation for relief. Interaction Consider Eliphaz essentially calls Job a pompous windbag, a sinner in-denial, and an arrogant apostate who dares to challenge the Lord God with self-righteous declarations of his victimization. Discuss Why would Job care what his associates/friends say if he truly believed himself innocent? Reflect Job and his friends are all guilty of misrepresenting the Lord God in one or more ways, but he is the victim of terrible tragedy and they are more obsessed in a theological debate than in comforting their friend. Share When have you experienced or observed a traumatized person being challenged about theology rather than comforted with loving-care and heartfelt-prayer? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an opportunity to you to encourage someone who is suffering. Action: Today I will be the one who just-loves someone who is struggling and will save doctrinal correction and discussions of theological precision for later. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Saturday's text will be: Job 18-19 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Fri Apr 15 20:38:41 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:38:41 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Saturday - Job 18-19 Message-ID: <4DA8E511.1020509@bibleseven.com> Saturday Job 18-19 Bildad's Second Speech 18:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 18:2 "How long until you make an end of words? You must consider, and then we can talk. 18:3 Why should we be regarded as beasts, and considered stupid in your sight? 18:4 You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, will the earth be abandoned for your sake? Or will a rock be moved from its place? 18:5 "Yes, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; his flame of fire does not shine. 18:6 The light in his tent grows dark; his lamp above him is extinguished. 18:7 His vigorous steps are restricted, and his own counsel throws him down. 18:8 For he has been thrown into a net by his feet and he wanders into a mesh. 18:9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare grips him. 18:10 A rope is hidden for him on the ground and a trap for him lies on the path. 18:11 Terrors frighten him on all sides and dog his every step. 18:12 Calamity is hungry for him, and misfortune is ready at his side. 18:13 It eats away parts of his skin; the most terrible death devours his limbs. 18:14 He is dragged from the security of his tent, and marched off to the king of terrors. 18:15 Fire resides in his tent; over his residence burning sulfur is scattered. 18:16 Below his roots dry up, and his branches wither above. 18:17 His memory perishes from the earth, he has no name in the land. 18:18 He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world. 18:19 He has neither children nor descendants among his people, no survivor in those places he once stayed. 18:20 People of the west are appalled at his fate; people of the east are seized with horror, saying, 18:21 'Surely such is the residence of an evil man; and this is the place of one who has not known God.'" Job's Reply to Bildad 19:1 Then Job answered: 19:2 "How long will you torment me and crush me with your words? 19:3 These ten times you have been reproaching me; you are not ashamed to attack me! 19:4 But even if it were true that I have erred, my error remains solely my concern! 19:5 If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and plead my disgrace against me, 19:6 know then that God has wronged me and encircled me with his net. Job's Abandonment and Affliction 19:7 "If I cry out, 'Violence!' I receive no answer; I cry for help, but there is no justice. 19:8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass, and has set darkness over my paths. 19:9 He has stripped me of my honor and has taken the crown off my head. 19:10 He tears me down on every side until I perish; he uproots my hope like one uproots a tree. 19:11 Thus his anger burns against me, and he considers me among his enemies. 19:12 His troops advance together; they throw up a siege ramp against me, and they camp around my tent. Job's Forsaken State 19:13 "He has put my relatives far from me; my acquaintances only turn away from me. 19:14 My kinsmen have failed me; my friends have forgotten me. 19:15 My guests and my servant girls consider me a stranger; I am a foreigner in their eyes. 19:16 I summon my servant, but he does not respond, even though I implore him with my own mouth. 19:17 My breath is repulsive to my wife; I am loathsome to my brothers. 19:18 Even youngsters have scorned me; when I get up, they scoff at me. 19:19 All my closest friends detest me; and those whom I love have turned against me. 19:20 My bones stick to my skin and my flesh; I have escaped alive with only the skin of my teeth. 19:21 Have pity on me, my friends, have pity on me, for the hand of God has struck me. 19:22 Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never be satiated with my flesh? Job's Assurance of Vindication 19:23 "O that my words were written down, O that they were written on a scroll, 19:24 that with an iron chisel and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever! 19:25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth. 19:26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God, 19:27 whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another. My heart grows faint within me. 19:28 If you say, 'How we will pursue him, since the root of the trouble is found in him!' 19:29 Fear the sword yourselves, for wrath brings the punishment by the sword, so that you may know that there is judgment." Prayer Lord, You listen to us when we cry out to You, and You stand quietly as we thrash-about in our agony and our often-sloppy doctrine -- then You speak when the time is right. May I trust You enough to always be honest in my prayers, and may I know You better and better so that I never question Your perfect knowledge, love, justice, and wisdom. Commentary Bildad complains the Job treats his friends as dumb, yet he beats himself up, even suggesting that his suffering should cause the world to stop and maybe even collapse because of it. Job returns to his complaint that his friends are unfairly attacking him, that he is innocent, and that even the Lord God has treated him unfairly. He asserts that even if they were correct it would be none of their business and that they appear arrogant and proud. Job complains that not only have his friends turned against him but also his servants, slaves, and relatives -- even his wife finds him disgusting. Job re-asserts his assurance that there is a Vindicator in the Lord God and that he will at some point be vindicated. Job also warns his associates/friends that they need to worry that the sword of judgment may come against them. Interaction Consider Bildad and Job both felt as though the other was disrespecting them. Discuss Why would Job believe that the Lord God would be his vindicator when he has just said that God was his persecutor? Reflect If Job's friends truly believed that he must have sinned to have been punished so heavily, and if they believed that his confession and repentance of that sin would result in healing and restoration, would not it have been wrong for them to refrain from speaking? Share When have you felt unfairly judged and criticized? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a situation where you have criticized someone in a way that you would not have been pleased to have been criticized. Action: Today I will confess and repent of treating someone as I would not wish to be treated. I will remember to "Do to others as I would have them do to me", as is appropriate I will apologize to the one whom I have been unfairly (or out-of-proportion) critical and ask their forgiveness. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Sunday's text will be: Job 20 - 21 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Sat Apr 16 21:35:32 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:35:32 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] OT: 'Gender confused' 12-yr-olds to get injections to stall puberty Message-ID: <4DAA43E4.7060801@lightlink.com> 'Gender confused' 12-yr-olds to get injections to stall puberty Posted: 15 Apr 2011 07:21 PM PDT Puberty blocker for children considering sex change Children as young as 12 are to be allowed drugs to block puberty while they decide whether to have a sex change, it has been revealed. By Richard Alleyne The monthly injection suspends the onset of adulthood so that young people confused about their gender can be sure of any decision before they take on too many masculine or feminine features. Supporters say that the "window" prevents a great deal of mental and physical anguish. -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sat Apr 16 23:36:43 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:36:43 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Sunday - Job 20 - 21 Message-ID: <4DAA604B.3030104@bibleseven.com> Sunday Job 20 - 21 Zophar's Second Speech 20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 20:2 "This is why my troubled thoughts bring me back -- because of my feelings within me. 20:3 When I hear a reproof that dishonors me, then my understanding prompts me to answer. 20:4 "Surely you know that it has been from old, ever since humankind was placed on the earth, 20:5 that the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. 20:6 Even though his stature reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, 20:7 he will perish forever, like his own excrement; those who used to see him will say, 'Where is he?' 20:8 Like a dream he flies away, never again to be found, and like a vision of the night he is put to flight. 20:9 People who had seen him will not see him again, and the place where he was will recognize him no longer. 20:10 His sons must recompense the poor; his own hands must return his wealth. 20:11 His bones were full of his youthful vigor, but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust. 20:12 "If evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, 20:13 if he retains it for himself and does not let it go, and holds it fast in his mouth, 20:14 his food is turned sour in his stomach; it becomes the venom of serpents within him. 20:15 The wealth that he consumed he vomits up, God will make him throw it out of his stomach. 20:16 He sucks the poison of serpents; the fangs of a viper kill him. 20:17 He will not look on the streams, the rivers, which are the torrents of honey and butter. 20:18 He gives back the ill-gotten gain without assimilating it; he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce. 20:19 For he has oppressed the poor and abandoned them; he has seized a house which he did not build. 20:20 For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape. 20:21 "Nothing is left for him to devour; that is why his prosperity does not last. 20:22 In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress overtakes him. the full force of misery will come upon him. 20:23 "While he is filling his belly, God sends his burning anger against him, and rains down his blows upon him. 20:24 If he flees from an iron weapon, then an arrow from a bronze bow pierces him. 20:25 When he pulls it out and it comes out of his back, the gleaming point out of his liver, terrors come over him. 20:26 Total darkness waits to receive his treasures; a fire which has not been kindled will consume him and devour what is left in his tent. 20:27 The heavens reveal his iniquity; the earth rises up against him. 20:28 A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God's wrath. 20:29 Such is the lot God allots the wicked, and the heritage of his appointment from God." Job's Reply to Zophar 21:1 Then Job answered: 21:2 "Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you offer me. 21:3 Bear with me and I will speak, and after I have spoken you may mock. 21:4 Is my complaint against a man? If so, why should I not be impatient? 21:5 Look at me and be appalled; put your hands over your mouths. 21:6 For, when I think about this, I am terrified and my body feels a shudder. The Wicked Prosper 21:7 "Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power? 21:8 Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes. 21:9 Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them. 21:10 Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. 21:11 They allow their children to run like a flock; their little ones dance about. 21:12 They sing to the accompaniment of tambourine and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute. 21:13 They live out their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace. 21:14 So they say to God, 'Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways. 21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?' 21:16 But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! How Often Do the Wicked Suffer? 21:17 "How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished? How often does their misfortune come upon them? How often does God apportion pain to them in his anger? 21:18 How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind? 21:19 You may say, 'God stores up a man's punishment for his children!' Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may know it! 21:20 Let his own eyes see his destruction; let him drink of the anger of the Almighty. 21:21 For what is his interest in his home after his death, when the number of his months has been broken off? 21:22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges those that are on high? Death Levels Everything 21:23 "One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous, 21:24 his body well nourished, and the marrow of his bones moist. 21:25 And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good. 21:26 Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both. Futile Words, Deceptive Answers 21:27 "Yes, I know what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me. 21:28 For you say, 'Where now is the nobleman's house, and where are the tents in which the wicked lived?' 21:29 Have you never questioned those who travel the roads? Do you not recognize their accounts -- 21:30 that the evil man is spared from the day of his misfortune, that he is delivered from the day of God's wrath? 21:31 No one denounces his conduct to his face; no one repays him for what he has done. 21:32 And when he is carried to the tombs, and watch is kept over the funeral mound, 21:33 The clods of the torrent valley are sweet to him; behind him everybody follows in procession, and before him goes a countless throng. 21:34 So how can you console me with your futile words? Nothing is left of your answers but deception!" Prayer Lord, we often misunderstand You, imagining that our mere human priorities are Yours and our mere human perspectives are the only ones that exist. May I have a sense of awe and reverence, understanding that You are not like us -- Your priorities are perfect as is Your perspective. Commentary Zophar escalated the attack significantly, saying "... the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment" Job replied that he was not complaining to men, if he were he would have no cause for patience with them at all, but he wants them to understand his perspective. Job declares that the wicked do indeed prosper, as do their descendants, and as a result they push the Lord God away. Job then observes that sometimes a wicked man dies having never suffered a day while the righteous man sometimes dies following great suffering -- so the assertions of Zophar to the contrary are factually incorrect. Job then asks what use are the attacks on him as evil and therefore deserving of his fate when it is just as possible that he is the righteous one who suffered and not a wicked man who suffered -- had he gone to his grave with everything intact he could have been a wicked man -- again their argument against him fails. Interaction Consider Zophar has judged Job a wicked man, deserving his fate, because he cannot imagine any other explanation of Job's condition. Discuss Why would Zophar be unable to see that there must be another explanation, especially when confronted with Job's evidence that the wicked are often unpunished in this world and that the righteous often struggle? Reflect Job remains conflicted as he has doubts about the motivations of God in causing (or allowing) his terrible suffering yet he is certain it cannot be directly associated with his sin. Share When have you tried to show someone, using plain facts, that they are wrong and had them cling to a notion -- irrationally? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you some knowledge that will help to you clarify facts from fantasy, truth from lies, and clarity amidst confusion. Action: Today I will prayerfully search the Bible and the counsel of the Holy Spirit as I seek clarity about a matter in conflict. I will refuse to do less than a "good Berean", I will insist that the answer be Biblically-supported, and I will walk in the truth no matter what others may say or do. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Monday's text will be: Job 22 - 24 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sun Apr 17 18:39:34 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:39:34 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Monday - Job 22 - 24 Message-ID: <4DAB6C26.7030509@bibleseven.com> Monday Job 22 - 24 Eliphaz's Third Speech 22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 22:2 "Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? 22:3 Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless? 22:4 Is it because of your piety that he rebukes you and goes to judgment with you? 22:5 Is not your wickedness great and is there no end to your iniquity? 22:6 "For you took pledges from your brothers for no reason, and you stripped the clothing from the naked. 22:7 You gave the weary no water to drink and from the hungry you withheld food. 22:8 Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it, 22:9 you sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you crushed. 22:10 That is why snares surround you, and why sudden fear terrifies you, 22:11 why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you. 22:12 "Is not God on high in heaven? And see the lofty stars, how high they are! 22:13 But you have said, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness? 22:14 Thick clouds are a veil for him, so he does not see us, as he goes back and forth in the vault of heaven.' 22:15 Will you keep to the old path that evil men have walked -- 22:16 men who were carried off before their time, when the flood was poured out on their foundations? 22:17 They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?' 22:18 But it was he who filled their houses with good things -- yet the counsel of the wicked was far from me. 22:19 The righteous see their destruction and rejoice; the innocent mock them scornfully, saying, 22:20 'Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire consumes their wealth.' 22:21 "Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good. 22:22 Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart. 22:23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, 22:24 and throw your gold in the dust -- your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines -- 22:25 then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you. 22:26 Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God. 22:27 You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. 22:28 Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. 22:29 When people are brought low and you say 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast; 22:30 he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands." Job's Reply to Eliphaz 23:1 Then Job answered: 23:2 "Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. 23:3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence! 23:4 I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. 23:5 I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. 23:6 Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me. 23:7 There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. The Inaccessibility and Power of God 23:8 "If I go to the east, he is not there,and to the west, yet I do not perceive him. 23:9 In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him. 23:10 But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold. 23:11 My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside. 23:12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion. 23:13 But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does. 23:14 For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans. 23:15 That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him. 23:16 Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. 23:17 Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face. The Apparent Indifference of God 24:1 "Why are times not appointed by the Almighty? Why do those who know him not see his days? 24:2 Men move boundary stones; they seize the flock and pasture them. 24:3 They drive away the orphan's donkey; they take the widow's ox as a pledge. 24:4 They turn the needy from the pathway, and the poor of the land hide themselves together. 24:5 Like wild donkeys in the desert they go out to their labor, seeking diligently for food; the wasteland provides food for them and for their children. 24:6 They reap fodder in the field, and glean in the vineyard of the wicked. 24:7 They spend the night naked because they lack clothing; they have no covering against the cold. 24:8 They are soaked by mountain rains and huddle in the rocks because they lack shelter. 24:9 The fatherless child is snatched from the breast, the infant of the poor is taken as a pledge. 24:10 They go about naked, without clothing, and go hungry while they carry the sheaves. 24:11 They press out the olive oil between the rows of olive trees; they tread the winepresses while they are thirsty. 24:12 From the city the dying groan, and the wounded cry out for help, but God charges no one with wrongdoing. 24:13 There are those who rebel against the light; they do not know its ways and they do not stay on its paths. 24:14 Before daybreak the murderer rises up; he kills the poor and the needy; in the night he is like a thief. 24:15 And the eye of the adulterer watches for the twilight, thinking, 'No eye can see me,' and covers his face with a mask. 24:16 In the dark the robber breaks into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they do not know the light. 24:17 For all of them, the morning is to them like deep darkness; they are friends with the terrors of darkness. 24:18 "You say, 'He is foam on the face of the waters; their portion of the land is cursed so that no one goes to their vineyard. 24:19 The drought as well as the heat carry away the melted snow; so the grave takes away those who have sinned. 24:20 The womb forgets him, the worm feasts on him, no longer will he be remembered. Like a tree, wickedness will be broken down. 24:21 He preys on the barren and childless woman, and does not treat the widow well. 24:22 But God drags off the mighty by his power; when God rises up against him, he has no faith in his life. 24:23 God may let them rest in a feeling of security, but he is constantly watching all their ways. 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, and then they are gone, they are brought low like all others, and gathered in, and like a head of grain they are cut off.' 24:25 "If this is not so, who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?" Prayer Lord, You are never absent, but when our hearts are not humble we cannot sense Your presence. In troubled times may I never doubt that You are near and always seek how I might be used by You for good rather than thinking only of what You could do to make me most comfortable. Commentary Eliphaz joined Zophar in a more direct attack on Job, declaring that he was indifferent to the need of the poor and took financial advantage of his sons and others, therefore he was guilty before the Lord God and was rightfully the recipient of his punishment. Eliphaz concluded, however, that were Job to confess and repent God would bless him and make him to conduit of His blessings to others. Job responded that if only he could get God's attention then he could plead his case and God would listen, but that God was unavailable. Job declared that he was innocent of wrongdoing but God had chosen a path of punishment and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. Job explains that while evil men may have peace and prosperity in this world -- God sees everything and they will receive what is due them. Interaction Consider Eliphaz and Zophar are not only convinced that Job's troubles can only be punishment for his sins but they also find it necessary to presume what are his sins, and to condemn him for them. Discuss To what degree may Eliphaz and Jophar be correct that it is Job's insistence upon declaring his innocence which is blocking him from recognizing the Lord God's availability? Reflect While Job challenges the error in the doctrine of his friends, is he missing his own error in doubting God's caring and informed-judgment? Share When have you been falsely accused amidst a larger conflict not entirely of your making? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a greater awareness of His constant presence. Action: Today I will spend time in prayer and in the Word of God so that I will become more aware, through the enlightenment of the indwelling Holy Spirit, of the constant presence of the Lord God. I will give thanks for His loving-care for me, that He desires to know my heart, and that He desires to love me as His eternal child. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Tuesday's text will be: Job 25 - 27 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! http://ixquick.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Mon Apr 18 23:06:58 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:06:58 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Tuesday - Job 25 - 27 Message-ID: <4DACFC52.9040506@bibleseven.com> Tuesday Job 25 - 27 Bildad's Third Speech 25:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 25:2 "Dominion and awesome might belong to God; he establishes peace in his heights. 25:3 Can his armies be numbered? On whom does his light not rise? 25:4 How then can a human being be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure? 25:5 If even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure as far as he is concerned, 25:6 how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot -- a son of man, who is only a worm!" Job's Reply to Bildad 26:1 Then Job replied: 26:2 "How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the person who has no strength! 26:3 How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight! 26:4 To whom did you utter these words? And whose spirit has come forth from your mouth? A Better Description of God's Greatness 26:5 "The dead tremble -- those beneath the waters and all that live in them. 26:6 The underworld is naked before God; the place of destruction lies uncovered. 26:7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth on nothing. 26:8 He locks the waters in his clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight of them. 26:9 He conceals the face of the full moon, shrouding it with his clouds. 26:10 He marks out the horizon on the surface of the waters as a boundary between light and darkness. 26:11 The pillars of the heavens tremble and are amazed at his rebuke. 26:12 By his power he stills the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab the great sea monster to pieces. 26:13 By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 26:14 Indeed, these are but the outer fringes of his ways! How faint is the whisper we hear of him! But who can understand the thunder of his power?" A Protest of Innocence 27:1 And Job took up his discourse again: 27:2 "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter -- 27:3 for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils, 27:4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper no deceit. 27:5 I will never declare that you three are in the right; until I die, I will not set aside my integrity! 27:6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live. The Condition of the Wicked 27:7 "May my enemy be like the wicked, my adversary like the unrighteous. 27:8 For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? 27:9 Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him? 27:10 Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call out to God at all times? 27:11 I will teach you about the power of God; What is on the Almighty's mind I will not conceal. 27:12 If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk? 27:13 This is the portion of the wicked man allotted by God, the inheritance that evildoers receive from the Almighty. 27:14 If his children increase -- it is for the sword! His offspring never have enough to eat. 27:15 Those who survive him are buried by the plague, and their widows do not mourn for them. 27:16 If he piles up silver like dust and stores up clothing like mounds of clay, 27:17 what he stores up a righteous man will wear, and an innocent man will inherit his silver. 27:18 The house he builds is as fragile as a moth's cocoon, like a hut that a watchman has made. 27:19 He goes to bed wealthy, but will do so no more. When he opens his eyes, it is all gone. 27:20 Terrors overwhelm him like a flood; at night a whirlwind carries him off. 27:21 The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. 27:22 It hurls itself against him without pity as he flees headlong from its power. 27:23 It claps its hands at him in derision and hisses him away from his place. Prayer Lord, You are incredible but You have made Yourself available to Your creation. May I never forget Your awesomeness as I also call You Abba Father. Commentary Bildad challenged Job's insistence that he stood innocent before God, reminding him that all humans are imperfect and are like worms before the Lord God. Job replied, accusing Bildad of providing an inaccurate -- or at least inadequate -- description of God, then he offered a much more grand description. Job then returned to his declaration of innocence, stating that the Lord God had denied him justice and that he would never confess guilt (before God or his three associates/friends) as he remained righteous and his integrity required him to stand his ground. Job suggests that his associates/friends may be "godless" and then describes for them the same fate that they had described for him when they accused him of being either dishonest about his sin or "godless". Interaction Consider Rather than look to God in prayer Job and his associates/friends chose to engage in an intellectual debate and to impugn one another's faith. Discuss How could Job claim "... my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper no deceit" and then declare "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter ..." ? Reflect Job makes a reference to local pagan stories of great beasts as he described the power of the Lord God to merely sweep-aside what the pagans took to be terrible creatures of power. Share When have you experienced or observed believers who were so invested in their intellectual debate that they neglected to make room for the Lord God? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place where you have placed intellectual argumentation and/or doctrinal squabbles ahead of a humble seeking of His will, or have participated in maligning the faith of another in the midst of such a debate. Action: Today I will confess the occasion, occasions, or perhaps even a pattern of conduct where I neglect the Lord God in the pursuit of winning an argument with a fellow believer. I will repent, accept His forgiveness, then ask a fellow believer to pray in-agreement and to check-in with me regularly as I receive the gift of discipline from the Holy Spirit to keep me safe from returning to that way. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Wednesday's text will be: Job 28 - 31 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Tue Apr 19 22:18:55 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:18:55 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Wednesday - Job 28 - 31 Message-ID: <4DAE428F.30708@bibleseven.com> Wednesday Job 28 - 31 III. Job's Search for Wisdom (28:1-28) No 28:1 "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. 28:2 Iron is taken from the ground, and rock is poured out as copper. 28:3 Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for the ore in the deepest darkness. 28:4 Far from where people live he sinks a shaft, in places travelers have long forgotten, far from other people he dangles and sways. 28:5 The earth, from which food comes, is overturned below as though by fire; 28:6 a place whose stones are sapphires and which contains dust of gold; 28:7 a hidden path no bird of prey knows -- no falcon's eye has spotted it. 28:8 Proud beasts have not set foot on it, and no lion has passed along it. 28:9 On the flinty rock man has set to work with his hand; he has overturned mountains at their bases. 28:10 He has cut out channels through the rocks; his eyes have spotted every precious thing. 28:11 He has searched the sources of the rivers and what was hidden he has brought into the light. No Price Can Buy Wisdom 28:12 "But wisdom -- where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding? 28:13 Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living. 28:14 The deep says, 'It is not with me.' And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 28:15 Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. 28:16 It cannot be measured out for purchase with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. 28:17 Neither gold nor crystal can be compared with it, nor can a vase of gold match its worth. 28:18 Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price of wisdom is more than pearls. 28:19 The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold. God Alone Has Wisdom 28:20 "But wisdom -- where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding? 28:21 For it has been hidden from the eyes of every living creature, and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed. 28:22 Destruction and Death say, 'With our ears we have heard a rumor about where it can be found.' 28:23 God understands the way to it, and he alone knows its place. 28:24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and observes everything under the heavens. 28:25 When he made the force of the wind and measured the waters with a gauge. 28:26 When he imposed a limit for the rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, 28:27 then he looked at wisdom and assessed its value; he established it and examined it closely. 28:28 And he said to mankind, 'The fear of the Lord -- that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'" IV. Job's Concluding Soliloquy (29:1-31:40) 29:1 Then Job continued his speech: 29:2 "O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, 29:3 when he caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; 29:4 just as I was in my most productive time, when God's intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, 29:5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; 29:6 when my steps were bathed with butter and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil! 29:7 When I went out to the city gate and secured my seat in the public square, 29:8 the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing; 29:9 the chief men refrained from talking and covered their mouths with their hands; 29:10 the voices of the nobles fell silent, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. Job's Benevolence 29:11 "As soon as the ear heard these things, it blessed me, and when the eye saw them, it bore witness to me, 29:12 for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him; 29:13 the blessing of the dying man descended on me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice; 29:14 I put on righteousness and it clothed me, my just dealing was like a robe and a turban; 29:15 I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame; 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know; 29:17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop his prey from his teeth. Job's Confidence 29:18 "Then I thought, 'I will die in my own home, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. 29:19 My roots reach the water, and the dew lies on my branches all night long. 29:20 My glory will always be fresh n me, and my bow ever new in my hand.' Job's Reputation 29:21 "People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice. 29:22 After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. 29:23 They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains. 29:24 If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it; and they did not cause the light of my face to darken. 29:25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners. Job's Present Misery 30:1 "But now they mock me, those who are younger than I,whose fathers I disdained too muchto put with my sheep dogs. 30:2 Moreover, the strength of their hands -- what use was it to me? Men whose strength had perished; 30:3 gaunt with want and hunger,they would gnaw the parched land,in former time desolate and waste. 30:4 By the brush they would gather herbs from the salt marshes, and the root of the broom tree was their food. 30:5 They were banished from the community -- people shouted at them like they would shout at thieves -- 30:6 so that they had to live in the dry stream beds, in the holes of the ground, and among the rocks. 30:7 They brayed like animals among the bushes and were huddled together under the nettles. 30:8 Sons of senseless and nameless people, they were driven out of the land with whips. Job's Indignities 30:9 "And now I have become their taunt song; I have become a byword among them. 30:10 They detest me and maintain their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. 30:11 Because God has untied my tent cord and afflicted me, people throw off all restraint in my presence. 30:12 On my right the young rabble rise up; they drive me from place to place, and build up siege ramps against me. 30:13 They destroy my path; they succeed in destroying me without anyone assisting them. 30:14 They come in as through a wide breach; amid the crash they come rolling in. 30:15 Terrors are turned loose on me;they drive away my honor like the wind, and like a cloud my deliverance has passed away. Job's Despondency 30:16 "And now my soul pours itself out within me; days of suffering take hold of me. 30:17 Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never cease. 30:18 With great power God grasps my clothing; he binds me like the collar of my tunic. 30:19 He has flung me into the mud, and I have come to resemble dust and ashes. 30:20 I cry out to you, but you do not answer me; I stand up, and you only look at me. 30:21 You have become cruel to me; with the strength of your hand you attack me. 30:22 You pick me up on the wind and make me ride on it; you toss me about in the storm. 30:23 I know that you are bringing me to death, to the meeting place for all the living. The Contrast With the Past 30:24 "Surely one does not stretch out his hand against a broken man when he cries for help in his distress. 30:25 Have I not wept for the unfortunate? Was not my soul grieved for the poor? 30:26 But when I hoped for good, trouble came; when I expected light, then darkness came. 30:27 My heart is in turmoil unceasingly; the days of my affliction confront me. 30:28 I go about blackened, but not by the sun; in the assembly I stand up and cry for help. 30:29 I have become a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches. 30:30 My skin has turned dark on me; my body is hot with fever. 30:31 My harp is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping. Job Vindicates Himself 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin? 31:2 What then would be one's lot from God above, one's heritage from the Almighty on high? 31:3 Is it not misfortune for the unjust, and disaster for those who work iniquity? 31:4 Does he not see my ways and count all my steps? 31:5 If I have walked in falsehood, and if my foot has hastened to deceit -- 31:6 let him weigh me with honest scales; then God will discover my integrity. 31:7 If my footsteps have strayed from the way, if my heart has gone after my eyes, or if anything has defiled my hands, 31:8 then let me sow and let another eat, and let my crops be uprooted. 31:9 If my heart has been enticed by a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door, 31:10 then let my wife turn the millstone for another man, and may other men have sexual relations with her. 31:11 For I would have committed a shameful act, an iniquity to be judged. 31:12 For it is a fire that devours even to Destruction, and it would uproot all my harvest. 31:13 "If I have disregarded the right of my male servants or my female servants when they disputed with me, 31:14 then what will I do when God confronts me in judgment; when he intervenes, how will I respond to him? 31:15 Did not the one who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us in the womb? 31:16 If I have refused to give the poor what they desired, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail, 31:17 If I ate my morsel of bread myself, and did not share any of it with orphans -- 31:18 but from my youth I raised the orphan like a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow! 31:19 If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without a coat, 31:20 whose heart did not bless me as he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep, 31:21 if I have raised my hand to vote against the orphan, when I saw my support in the court, 31:22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let my arm be broken off at the socket. 31:23 For the calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his majesty I was powerless. 31:24 "If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security!' 31:25 if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained, 31:26 if I looked at the sun when it was shining, and the moon advancing as a precious thing, 31:27 so that my heart was secretly enticed, and my hand threw them a kiss from my mouth, 31:28 then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above. 31:29 If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him -- 31:30 I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse -- 31:31 if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!' -- 31:32 But no stranger had to spend the night outside, for I opened my doors to the traveler -- 31:33 if I have covered my transgressions as men do, by hiding iniquity in my heart, 31:34 because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors -- Job's Appeal 31:35 "If only I had someone to hear me! Here is my signature -- let the Almighty answer me! If only I had an indictment that my accuser had written. 31:36 Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown; 31:37 I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him. Job's Final Solemn Oath 31:38 "If my land cried out against me and all its furrows wept together, 31:39 if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused the death of its owners, 31:40 then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat, and in place of barley, weeds!" The words of Job are ended. Prayer Lord, Your wisdom is perfect and You have made it available through the Holy Spirit and through Your Word. May I remember to rely on prayer and Your Word, and the enlightenment and guidance of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, rather than only my own ideas -- and those of others. Commentary Job compared and contrasted the capacity of man to discover and excavate gold and jewels to his apparent inability to search-out wisdom and understanding. Job declared that only the Lord God has wisdom and understanding and that He has chosen to withhold all but the following "The fear of the Lord -- that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'" Job reflected upon his high-standing in the community as one to whom people looked for encouragement and help, and who was treated with near-reverence; then he described the way that people avoided him and even the least of the least mocked him. Job again blamed the Lord God for his condition " I cry out to you, but you do not answer me; I stand up, and you only look at me. You have become cruel to me ..." Job again declared his innocence, that he was undeserving of his earthly-fate, and God had failed to fairly consider his righteousness when finding him guilty and worthy of his terrible predicament. Job concludes by declaring that if God would grant him an audience he would explain his innocence and the Lord God would correct His error. Interaction Consider Job actually believed that the Lord God had made an error. Discuss Why would Job be so adamant as to suggest that wisdom and understanding was impossible to find in God's creation -- fallen as it may be? Reflect Job's doubts about God's perfect knowledge represented a dangerous flaw in his doctrine, and as an influential person in the community (up until the recent calamity) that was not healthy. Share When have you wondered if maybe the Lord God was not taking adequate care of you? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you something you have lost and for which loss you have blamed the Lord God, perhaps subtly (or not so subtly) harming your relationship with Him. Action: Today I will confess and repent of any doubt I have as to the perfect knowledge, love, and justice of the Lord God. I will celebrate that no matter what happens in this world that He knows all, loves me more than I can imagine, and will reveal to me (here or in Heaven) the working-out of His perfect justice. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Thursday's text will be: Job 32 - 37 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From daniel at centurion.net.nz Wed Apr 20 01:00:24 2011 From: daniel at centurion.net.nz (Daniel Reurich) Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:00:24 +1200 Subject: [Linux4christians] Aeolus in a real church environment.....Anybody done it Message-ID: <1303275624.21736.177.camel@localhost.localdomain> Hi, I'm working up a proposal for "upgrading" our 25 year old 2 manual Eminent organ. It's pre digital so it doesn't even do midi. My proposal is going to center around turfing the (mostly) analogue electronics and replacing it with midi encoder interfaces, a PC running Debian, and using Aeolus routed through ambdec to give it a bit of ambiance and, and output via some modern off the shelf amplifiers and speakers. Does anybody here know of any similar projects to use Aeolus or similar software based organ in a live church context?? -- Daniel Reurich. Centurion Computer Technology (2005) Ltd Mobile 021 797 722 From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Wed Apr 20 22:24:39 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:24:39 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Thursday - Job 32 - 37 Message-ID: <4DAF9567.8000808@bibleseven.com> Thursday Job 32 - 37 V. The Speeches of Elihu (32:1-37:24) Elihu? 32:1 So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 32:2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 32:3 With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. 32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. 32:5 But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. Elihu Claims Wisdom 32:6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. 32:7 I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' 32:8 But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. 32:9 It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. 32:10 Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' 32:11 Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. 32:12 Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! 32:13 So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' 32:14 Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. Job's Friends Failed to Answer 32:15 "They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. 32:16 And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, 32:17 I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. 32:18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. 32:19 Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! 32:20 I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. 32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. 32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. Elihu Invites Job's Attention 33:1 "But now, O Job, listen to my words, and hear everything I have to say! 33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth; my tongue in my mouth has spoken. 33:3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will utter knowledge sincerely. 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 33:5 Reply to me, if you can; set your arguments in order before me and take your stand! 33:6 Look, I am just like you in relation to God; I too have been molded from clay. 33:7 Therefore no fear of me should terrify you, nor should my pressure be heavy on you. Elihu Rejects Job's Plea of Innocence 33:8 "Indeed, you have said in my hearing (I heard the sound of the words!): 33:9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean and have no iniquity. 33:10 Yet God finds occasions with me; he regards me as his enemy! 33:11 He puts my feet in shackles; he watches closely all my paths.' 33:12 Now in this, you are not right -- I answer you, for God is greater than a human being. 33:13 Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person's words? Elihu Disagrees With Job's View of God 33:14 "For God speaks, the first time in one way, the second time in another, though a person does not perceive it. 33:15 In a dream, a night vision, when deep sleep falls on people as they sleep in their beds. 33:16 Then he gives a revelation to people, and terrifies them with warnings, 33:17 to turn a person from his sin, and to cover a person's pride. 33:18 He spares a person's life from corruption, his very life from crossing over the river. 33:19 Or a person is chastened by pain on his bed, and with the continual strife of his bones, 33:20 so that his life loathes food, and his soul rejects appetizing fare. 33:21 His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones, which were not seen, are easily visible. 33:22 He draws near to the place of corruption, and his life to the messengers of death. 33:23 If there is an angel beside him, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what constitutes his uprightness; 33:24 and if God is gracious to him and says, 'Spare him from going down to the place of corruption, I have found a ransom for him,' 33:25 then his flesh is restored like a youth's; he returns to the days of his youthful vigor. 33:26 He entreats God, and God delights in him, he sees God's face with rejoicing, and God restores to him his righteousness. 33:27 That person sings to others, saying: 'I have sinned and falsified what is right, but I was not punished according to what I deserved. 33:28 He redeemed my life from going down to the place of corruption, and my life sees the light!' Elihu's Appeal to Job 33:29 "Indeed, God does all these things, twice, three times, in his dealings with a person, 33:30 to turn back his life from the place of corruption, that he may be enlightened with the light of life. 33:31 Pay attention, Job -- listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 33:32 If you have any words, reply to me; speak, for I want to justify you. 33:33 If not, you listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." Elihu's Second Speech 34:1 Elihu answered: 34:2 "Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. 34:3 For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. 34:4 Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. 34:5 For Job says, 'I am innocent, but God turns away my right. 34:6 Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.' 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water! 34:8 He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men. 34:9 For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.' God is Not Unjust 34:10 "Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. 34:11 For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. 34:12 Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. 34:13 Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? 34:14 If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, 34:15 all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust. God Is Impartial and Omniscient 34:16 "If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. 34:17 Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, 34:18 who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands? 34:20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. 34:21 For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps. 34:22 There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. 34:23 For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. 34:24 He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place. 34:25 Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. 34:26 He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see, 34:27 because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways, 34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. 34:29 But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, 34:30 so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people. Job Is Foolish to Rebel 34:31 "Has anyone said to God, 'I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more. 34:32 Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.' 34:33 Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know. 34:34 Men of understanding say to me -- any wise man listening to me says -- 34:35 that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding. 34:36 But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men. 34:37 For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God." Elihu's Third Speech 35:1 Then Elihu answered: 35:2 "Do you think this to be just: when you say, 'My right before God.' 35:3 But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?' 35:4 I will reply to you, and to your friends with you. 35:5 Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher than you! 35:6 If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him? 35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand? 35:8 Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people. 35:9 "People cry out because of the excess of oppression; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty. 35:10 But no one says, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night, 35:11 who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' 35:12 Then they cry out -- but he does not answer -- because of the arrogance of the wicked. 35:13 Surely it is an empty cry -- God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it. 35:14 How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him! 35:15 And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression! 35:16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; without knowledge he multiplies words." Elihu's Fourth Speech 36:1 Elihu said further: 36:2 "Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God's behalf. 36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. 36:4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you. 36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent. 36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor. 36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever. 36:8 But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction, 36:9 then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly. 36:10 And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil. 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness. 36:12 But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge. 36:13 The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them. 36:14 They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes. 36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering. 36:16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food. 36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you. 36:18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. 36:19 Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts? 36:20 Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes. 36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction. 36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? 36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'? 36:24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. 36:25 All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar. The Work and Wisdom of God 36:26 "Yes, God is great -- beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable. 36:27 He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist, 36:28 which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly. 36:29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? 36:30 See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea. 36:31 It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance. 36:32 With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target. 36:33 His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach. 37:1 At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place. 37:2 Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth. 37:3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth. 37:4 After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard. 37:5 God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. 37:6 For to the snow he says, 'Fall to earth,' and to the torrential rains, 'Pour down.' 37:7 He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work. 37:8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain. 37:9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds. 37:10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid. 37:11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds. 37:12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world. 37:13 Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark. 37:14 "Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works. 37:15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud? 37:16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge? 37:17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind, 37:18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal? 37:19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness. 37:20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up! 37:21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at -- it is bright in the skies -- after a wind passed and swept the clouds away. 37:22 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty. 37:23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress. 37:24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart." Prayer Lord, it is often true that we see most of Who You are, yet we make you over into our image of Who we want You to be to serve our preferences. May I learn from the stories of others You have provided in Your Word and strive to trust and obey when my comprehension falls short of knowing You perfectly. Commentary Elihu, younger than the others, spoke up when he saw that the three older men had ceased from contesting with Job. Elihu reminded them that despite the age difference they were all created by God from the same clay and all stood equally before the Lord God. Elihu challenged Job's insistence that he was innocent before God -- noting that only God could claim perfection. Elihu challenged Job's derisive attitude toward the Lord God, declaring God to have been unjust. Elihu then recited his awesome wonder of the Lord God. Interaction Consider The younger man jumped in with an idea that he had learned from the others and could now see what they had missed. Discuss Might the three older men have ceased from speaking because they discovered that they may have been somehow off-base? Reflect Elihu may have been mentored in awe of the Lord God by these men, and may have looked-up to Job as a model of righteousness, so to hear him raise doubts about the integrity of God would have been highly offensive. Share When have you observed a student challenging a teacher, or a mentoree challenging their mentor, using the principles and very words they had been taught? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone you have trusted as a teacher who had mixed some incorrect things in with the correct, perhaps in the past, or perhaps more recently. Action: Today I will acknowledge the truth of what the Holy Spirit has revealed and will accept His clarification as a good Berean -- one who seeks after truth. As is possible I will respectfully share what I have learned with the one whom I believe has been incorrect and pray that they will be teachable and will refrain from the wrong teaching in the future. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Friday's text will be: Job 38 -- 40:5 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Thu Apr 21 22:28:37 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:28:37 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] =?windows-1252?q?Friday_-_Job_38_=96_40=3A5?= Message-ID: <4DB0E7D5.9020302@bibleseven.com> Friday Job 38 ? 40:5 VI. The Divine Speeches (38:1-42:6) The LordR 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 38:2 ?Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? 38:3 Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me! God?s questions to Job 38:4 ?Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding! 38:5 Who set its measurements ? if you know ? or who stretched a measuring line across it? 38:6 On what were its bases set, or who laid its cornerstone ? 38:7 when the morning stars sang in chorus, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 38:8 ?Who shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth, coming out of the womb, 38:9 when I made the storm clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 38:10 when I prescribed its limits, and set in place its bolts and doors, 38:11 when I said, ?To here you may come and no farther, here your proud waves will be confined?? 38:12 Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, or made the dawn know its place, 38:13 that it might seize the corners of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? 38:14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features are dyed like a garment. 38:15 Then from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm raised in violence is broken. 38:16 Have you gone to the springs that fill the sea, or walked about in the recesses of the deep? 38:17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness? 38:18 Have you considered the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know it all! 38:19 ?In what direction does light reside, and darkness, where is its place, 38:20 that you may take them to their borders and perceive the pathways to their homes? 38:21 You know, for you were born before them; and the number of your days is great! 38:22 Have you entered the storehouse of the snow, or seen the armory of the hail, 38:23 which I reserve for the time of trouble, for the day of war and battle? 38:24 In what direction is lightning dispersed, or the east winds scattered over the earth? 38:25 Who carves out a channel for the heavy rains, and a path for the rumble of thunder, 38:26 to cause it to rain on an uninhabited land, a desert where there are no human beings, 38:27 to satisfy a devastated and desolate land, and to cause it to sprout with vegetation? 38:28 Does the rain have a father, or who has fathered the drops of the dew? 38:29 From whose womb does the ice emerge, and the frost from the sky, who gives birth to it, 38:30 when the waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen solid? 38:31 Can you tie the bands of the Pleiades, or release the cords of Orion? 38:32 Can you lead out the constellations in their seasons, or guide the Bear with its cubs? 38:33 Do you know the laws of the heavens, or can you set up their rule over the earth? 38:34 Can you raise your voice to the clouds so that a flood of water covers you? 38:35 Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Will they say to you, ?Here we are?? 38:36 Who has put wisdom in the heart, or has imparted understanding to the mind? 38:37 Who by wisdom can count the clouds, and who can tip over the water jars of heaven, 38:38 when the dust hardens into a mass, and the clumps of earth stick together? 38:39 ?Do you hunt prey for the lioness, and satisfy the appetite of the lions, 38:40 when they crouch in their dens, when they wait in ambush in the thicket? 38:41 Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food? 39:1 ?Are you acquainted with the way the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch as the wild deer give birth to their young? 39:2 Do you count the months they must fulfill, and do you know the time they give birth? 39:3 They crouch, they bear their young, they bring forth the offspring they have carried. 39:4 Their young grow strong, and grow up in the open; they go off, and do not return to them. 39:5 Who let the wild donkey go free? Who released the bonds of the donkey, 39:6 to whom I appointed the steppe for its home, the salt wastes as its dwelling place? 39:7 It scorns the tumult in the town; it does not hear the shouts of a driver. 39:8 It ranges the hills as its pasture, and searches after every green plant. 39:9 Is the wild ox willing to be your servant? Will it spend the night at your feeding trough? 39:10 Can you bind the wild ox to a furrow with its rope, will it till the valleys, following after you? 39:11 Will you rely on it because its strength is great? Will you commit your labor to it? 39:12 Can you count on it to bring in your grain, and gather the grain to your threshing floor? 39:13 ?The wings of the ostrich flap with joy, but are they the pinions and plumage of a stork? 39:14 For she leaves her eggs on the ground, and lets them be warmed on the soil. 39:15 She forgets that a foot might crush them, or that a wild animal might trample them. 39:16 She is harsh with her young, as if they were not hers; she is unconcerned about the uselessness of her labor. 39:17 For God deprived her of wisdom, and did not impart understanding to her. 39:18 But as soon as she springs up, she laughs at the horse and its rider. 39:19 ?Do you give the horse its strength? Do you clothe its neck with a mane? 39:20 Do you make it leap like a locust? Its proud neighing is terrifying! 39:21 It paws the ground in the valley, exulting mightily, it goes out to meet the weapons. 39:22 It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not shy away from the sword. 39:23 On it the quiver rattles; the lance and javelin flash. 39:24 In excitement and impatience it consumes the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet is blown. 39:25 At the sound of the trumpet, it says, ?Aha!? And from a distance it catches the scent of battle, the thunderous shouting of commanders, and the battle cries. 39:26 ?Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, and spreads its wings toward the south? 39:27 Is it at your command that the eagle soars, and builds its nest on high? 39:28 It lives on a rock and spends the night there, on a rocky crag and a fortress. 39:29 From there it spots its prey, its eyes gaze intently from a distance. 39:30 And its young ones devour the blood, and where the dead carcasses are, there it is.? Job?s Reply to God?s Challenge 40:1 Then the Lord answered Job: 40:2 ?Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!? 40:3 Then Job answered the Lord: 40:4 ?Indeed, I am completely unworthy ? how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself. 40:5 I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.? Prayer Lord, we never have standing to question You, though You are not troubled when we cry out to You and do so imperfectly. May I learn from Job's experience the difference between crying out in anguished uncertainty and doubting the integrity of the Lord God. Commentary The Lord God had allowed Job and his associates/friends sufficient time to dialogue and then brought a devastating challenge to Job ?Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge?? The Lord declared that Job, who had demanded a judicial audience so that he could justify himself to God (Whom he had accused of doing him an injustice) and be vindicated by God, now stand and be questioned ? and them respond to His questions. The Lord God directed Job's attention ?Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth??, then He continued to quiz him about many details of creation, even mocking him about the source and destination of light ?You know, for you were born before them; and the number of your days is great!? The Lord God then continued across the planet, listing detailed specifics about many varieties of living things and asking Job to inform Him about his (Job's) knowledge of them, mocking him again ?Is it at your command that the eagle soars, and builds its nest on high?? The Lord then issued a challenge to Job ?Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!? Job replied ?Indeed, I am completely unworthy ? how could I reply to you?? acknowledging that he had spoken twice but had not given answers, but merely spoken, and now he would remain silent. Interaction Consider Job had doubted God's justice, indeed His understanding of his (Job's) righteousness, and he had made the determination as to what were the rules-of-engagement between God and man ? and declared that the Lord God had fallen short. Discuss How do you imagine Job felt once he actually had his audience before the Lord God? Reflect The Lord God began with context and perspective ? Job needed to understand the fullness of the distance between himself and God. Share When have you experience or observed someone who ?... darken[ed] counsel with words without knowledge?? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a new-found awe of the Lord God. Action: Today I will make a list of things God has done, and things of which He is intimately-aware, from these last few verses of Job. I will read and reflect upon the list I have made. I will also keep the list handy for the next time I, or someone I know, express any doubt that the Lord God is aware and cares. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Saturday's text will be: Job 40:6 - 42 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Fri Apr 22 22:08:12 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:08:12 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Saturday - Job 40:6 - 42 Message-ID: <4DB2348C.9080300@bibleseven.com> Saturday Job 40:6 - 42 The Lord's Second Speech 40:6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 40:7 "Get ready for a difficult task like a man. I will question you and you will inform me! 40:8 Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right? 40:9 Do you have an arm as powerful as God's, and can you thunder with a voice like his? 40:10 Adorn yourself, then, with majesty and excellency, and clothe yourself with glory and honor! 40:11 Scatter abroad the abundance of your anger. Look at every proud man and bring him low; 40:12 Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot! 40:13 Hide them in the dust together, imprison them in the grave. 40:14 Then I myself will acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. The Description of Behemoth 40:15 "Look now at Behemoth, which I made as I made you; it eats grass like the ox. 40:16 Look at its strength in its loins, and its power in the muscles of its belly. 40:17 It makes its tail stiff like a cedar, the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound. 40:18 Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like bars of iron. 40:19 It ranks first among the works of God, the One who made it has furnished it with a sword. 40:20 For the hills bring it food, where all the wild animals play. 40:21 Under the lotus trees it lies, in the secrecy of the reeds and the marsh. 40:22 The lotus trees conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream conceal it. 40:23 If the river rages, it is not disturbed, it is secure, though the Jordan should surge up to its mouth. 40:24 Can anyone catch it by its eyes, or pierce its nose with a snare? The Description of Leviathan 41:1 "Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook, and tie down its tongue with a rope? 41:2 Can you put a cord through its nose, or pierce its jaw with a hook? 41:3 Will it make numerous supplications to you, will it speak to you with tender words? 41:4 Will it make a pact with you, so you could take it as your slave for life? 41:5 Can you play with it, like a bird, or tie it on a leash for your girls? 41:6 Will partners bargain for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants? 41:7 Can you fill its hide with harpoons or its head with fishing spears? 41:8 If you lay your hand on it, you will remember the fight, and you will never do it again! 41:9 See, his expectation is wrong, he is laid low even at the sight of it. 41:10 Is it not fierce when it is awakened? Who is he, then, who can stand before it? 41:11 (Who has confronted me that I should repay? Everything under heaven belongs to me!) 41:12 I will not keep silent about its limbs, and the extent of its might, and the grace of its arrangement. 41:13 Who can uncover its outer covering? Who can penetrate to the inside of its armor? 41:14 Who can open the doors of its mouth? Its teeth all around are fearsome. 41:15 Its back has rows of shields, shut up closely together as with a seal; 41:16 each one is so close to the next that no air can come between them. 41:17 They lock tightly together, one to the next; they cling together and cannot be separated. 41:18 Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the red glow of dawn. 41:19 Out of its mouth go flames, sparks of fire shoot forth! 41:20 Smoke streams from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning rushes. 41:21 Its breath sets coals ablaze and a flame shoots from its mouth. 41:22 Strength lodges in its neck, and despair runs before it. 41:23 The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; they are firm on it, immovable. 41:24 Its heart is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone. 41:25 When it rises up, the mighty are terrified, at its thrashing about they withdraw. 41:26 Whoever strikes it with a sword will have no effect, nor with the spear, arrow, or dart. 41:27 It regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. 41:28 Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones become like chaff to it. 41:29 A club is counted as a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance. 41:30 Its underparts are the sharp points of potsherds, it leaves its mark in the mud like a threshing sledge. 41:31 It makes the deep boil like a cauldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment, 41:32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had a head of white hair. 41:33 The likes of it is not on earth, a creature without fear. 41:34 It looks on every haughty being; it is king over all that are proud." Job's Confession 42:1 Then Job answered the Lord: 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; 42:3 you asked, 'Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?' But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. 42:4 You said, 'Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.' 42:5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you. 42:6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes! VII. The Epilogue (42:7-17) 42:7 After the Lord had spoken these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My anger is stirred up against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has. 42:8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job will intercede for you, and I will respect him, so that I do not deal with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has." 42:9 So they went, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and did just as the Lord had told them; and the Lord had respect for Job. 42:10 So the Lord restored what Job had lost after he prayed for his friends, and the Lord doubled all that had belonged to Job. 42:11 So they came to him, all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they dined with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him for all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 42:12 So the Lord blessed the second part of Job's life more than the first. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 42:13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 42:14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-Happuch. 42:15 Nowhere in all the land could women be found who were as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance alongside their brothers. 42:16 After this Job lived 140 years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 42:17 And so Job died, old and full of days. Prayer Lord, You tolerate wrong teaching about You for only so long, then there are consequences. May I be a good Berean and check everything I teach and that is taught to me by others with Your Word. Commentary The Lord God again challenged Job to prepare to answer His questions, beginning "Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right?" The Lord then reviewed several of His unique attributes -- demonstrating to Job that he was in no position to be questioning God. The Lord asks Job what mere human (Job or any other) can handle "Behemoth" or "Leviathan" at all, let alone with a mere word, a look, or a casual action. Job replied "I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know ... I repent in dust and ashes!" The Lord God declared that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar has spoken wrongly about the Lord's treatment of Job (assigning a proportional sin-guilt to Job) and that they needed to make offerings. He further instructed that Job would function as their high priest and pray to Him on their behalf and that He would forgive them. The Lord then blessed Job with children and animals and great health and wealth for another 10 years. Interaction Consider The Lord God never explained to Job why He had done what He had done, nor did He give to Job (or anyone else) the authority/right to question Him about His deeds. Discuss Job was chastised by the Lord God and he repented directly to Him and was forgiven, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were chastised by the Lord God and they offered a sacrificial ram of their repentance and were forgiven, but why was Elihu not chastised? Did God ignore him because he was not an elder and not held to the same standard? Or had Elihu spoken the truth? Reflect The difference between what Job said that was incorrect, and what Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar said that was incorrect, was that they presumed to know that he had sinned -- and deserved punishment for that -- when they had no such knowledge. They were guilty of "bearing false witness" and then trying to make God complicit in their misrepresentation of truth. Share When have you experienced or observed God being blamed for something where they was not sufficient evidence to blame anyone, or sufficient context to know if God was directly responsible for what happened at all? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone who has misrepresented the Lord God, for whom you may pray that they recognize their error, that they will repent, and that the Lord God will have mercy upon them. Action: Today I will pray in-earnest for the one whom the Holy Spirit has led me to pray. It may be a local teacher or preacher, a radio or television teacher or preacher, the author of a book or other teaching material, or a celebrity who claims to speak for the Lord God -- but who does so in error. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Sunday's text will be: Psalms 1 - 7 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Sat Apr 23 12:11:28 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:11:28 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Idiotic Anti-Linux & Google Patent Decision Message-ID: <4DB2FA30.4040209@lightlink.com> All good patent trolls know that you sue in the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX). It's known for its pro-patent judges that speed patent cases along their docket to the patent holders' victory. That's not just me and my anti-patent buddies speaking. No less a figure than Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has described the EDTX as a "renegade jurisdiction." It's no wonder than that patent troll Bedrock chose the EDTX as its battlefield for its attack on Google, and a host of other companies, over a violation of its patent, which appears to be used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/idiotic-anti-linux-google-patent-decision/8736?tag=nl.e539 -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Sat Apr 23 12:11:50 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:11:50 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Idiotic Anti-Linux & Google Patent Decision Message-ID: <4DB2FA46.7080107@lightlink.com> All good patent trolls know that you sue in the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX). It's known for its pro-patent judges that speed patent cases along their docket to the patent holders' victory. That's not just me and my anti-patent buddies speaking. No less a figure than Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has described the EDTX as a "renegade jurisdiction." It's no wonder than that patent troll Bedrock chose the EDTX as its battlefield for its attack on Google, and a host of other companies, over a violation of its patent, which appears to be used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/idiotic-anti-linux-google-patent-decision/8736?tag=nl.e539 -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From webservant at trinitybclaramie.org Sat Apr 23 13:16:32 2011 From: webservant at trinitybclaramie.org (Peter B. Steiger) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 11:16:32 -0600 Subject: [Linux4christians] Idiotic Anti-Linux & Google Patent Decision In-Reply-To: <4DB2FA30.4040209@lightlink.com> References: <4DB2FA30.4040209@lightlink.com> Message-ID: This is a *good* thing, because it should bring enough publicity to the situation that folks higher up the judicial food chain will take notice and squash those bugs. Hey, I can dream can't I? On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 10:11 AM, Fred A. Miller wrote: > All good patent trolls know that you sue in the U.S. Court for the Eastern > District of Texas (EDTX). It?s known for its pro-patent judges that speed > patent cases along their docket to the patent holders? victory. That?s not > just me and my anti-patent buddies speaking. No less a figure than Supreme > Court Justice Antonin Scalia has described the EDTX as a ?renegade > jurisdiction.?It?s no wonder than that patent troll > Bedrock chose the EDTX as its battlefield for > its attack on Google, and a host of other companies, over a violation of its > patent, which appears to be used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). > > > http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/idiotic-anti-linux-google-patent-decision/8736?tag=nl.e539 > > -- > "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it > tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From usacomputertech at mindblowingidea.com Sat Apr 23 13:35:05 2011 From: usacomputertech at mindblowingidea.com (usacomputertech) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 10:35:05 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] Idiotic Anti-Linux & Google Patent Decision In-Reply-To: References: <4DB2FA30.4040209@lightlink.com> Message-ID: <4DB30DC9.6090408@mindblowingidea.com> Just join the Open Invention Network and all will be ok. They work with Linux 911. I use them for protection for the JULinux project and no company has tried to harm me. On 04/23/2011 10:16 AM, Peter B. Steiger wrote: > This is a *good* thing, because it should bring enough publicity to > the situation that folks higher up the judicial food chain will take > notice and squash those bugs. > > Hey, I can dream can't I? > > > On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 10:11 AM, Fred A. Miller > > wrote: > > All good patent trolls know that you sue in the U.S. Court for the > Eastern District of Texas (EDTX). It?s known for its pro-patent > judges that speed patent cases along their docket to the patent > holders? victory. That?s not just me and my anti-patent buddies > speaking. No less a figure than Supreme Court Justice Antonin > Scalia has described the EDTX as a ?renegade jurisdiction.? > > It?s no wonder than that patent troll Bedrock > chose the EDTX as its battlefield for > its attack on Google, and a host of other companies, over a > violation of its patent, which appears to be used in Red Hat > Enterprise Linux (RHEL). > > http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/idiotic-anti-linux-google-patent-decision/8736?tag=nl.e539 > > -- > "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it > tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians -- http://www.youtube.com/user/usacomputertec Watch My Youtube Videos USA COMPUTER TECH COMPUTER RESCUE Justin Breithaupt (509) 730-5576 (208) 750-5628 e-mail: usacomputertech at mindblowingidea.com website: www.mindblowingidea.com/ComputerRescue.html Support Forum: http://justuselinux.iboards.us/ More About Me: http://www.google.com/profiles/usacomputertec They say that money talks, if so what does it say? IN GOD WE TRUST If your a fan of JULinux Please send an e-mail to Ladislav Bodnar distro at distrowatch.com asking him to put JULinux on his site. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: in_god_we_trust.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 16087 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sat Apr 23 23:06:54 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:06:54 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Sunday - Psalms 1 - 7 Message-ID: <4DB393CE.9020504@bibleseven.com> Sunday Psalms 1 - 7 Book 1 (Psalms 1-41) Psalm 1 1:1 How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! 1:2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. 1:3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. 1:4 Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. 1:5 For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. 1:6 Certainly the Lord guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction. Psalm 2 2:1 Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail? 2:2 The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the Lord and his anointed king. 2:3 They say, "Let's tear off the shackles they've put on us! Let's free ourselves from their ropes!" 2:4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them. 2:5 Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying, 2:6 "I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill." 2:7 The king says, "I will announce the Lord's decree. He said to me: 'You are my son! This very day I have become your father! 2:8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property. 2:9 You will break them with an iron scepter; you will smash them like a potter's jar!'" 2:10 So now, you kings, do what is wise; you rulers of the earth, submit to correction! 2:11 Serve the Lord in fear! Repent in terror! 2:12 Give sincere homage! Otherwise he will be angry, and you will die because of your behavior, when his anger quickly ignites. How blessed are all who take shelter in him! Psalm 3 3:1 A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me. 3:2 Many say about me, "God will not deliver him." (Selah) 3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. 3:4 To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah) 3:5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. 3:6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 3:7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked. 3:8 The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah) Psalm 4 4:1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer! 4:2 You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) 4:3 Realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor; the Lord responds when I cry out to him. 4:4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! (Selah) 4:5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices and trust in the Lord! 4:6 Many say, "Who can show us anything good?" Smile upon us, Lord! 4:7 You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine. 4:8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure. Psalm 5 5:1 For the music director, to be accompanied by wind instruments; a psalm of David. Listen to what I say, Lord! Carefully consider my complaint! 5:2 Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, for I am praying to you! 5:3 Lord, in the morning you will hear me; in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer. 5:4 Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you. 5:5 Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly. 5:6 You destroy liars; the Lord despises violent and deceitful people. 5:7 But as for me, because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple as I worship you. 5:8 Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me! 5:9 For they do not speak the truth; their stomachs are like the place of destruction, their throats like an open grave, their tongues like a steep slope leading into it. 5:10 Condemn them, O God! May their own schemes be their downfall! Drive them away because of their many acts of insurrection, for they have rebelled against you. 5:11 But may all who take shelter in you be happy! May they continually shout for joy! Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice! 5:12 Certainly you reward the godly, Lord. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor. Psalm 6 6:1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the /sheminith/ style; a psalm of David. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury! 6:2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am frail! Heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking! 6:3 I am absolutely terrified, and you, Lord -- how long will this continue? 6:4 Relent, Lord, rescue me! Deliver me because of your faithfulness! 6:5 For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks? 6:6 I am exhausted as I groan; all night long I drench my bed in tears; my tears saturate the cushion beneath me. 6:7 My eyes grow dim from suffering; they grow weak because of all my enemies. 6:8 Turn back from me, all you who behave wickedly, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping! 6:9 The Lord has heard my appeal for mercy; the Lord has accepted my prayer. 6:10 May all my enemies be humiliated and absolutely terrified! May they turn back and be suddenly humiliated! Psalm 7 7:1 A musical composition by David, which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjaminite named Cush. O Lord my God, in you I have taken shelter. Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me! 7:2 Otherwise they will rip me to shreds like a lion; they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me. 7:3 O Lord my God, if I have done what they say, or am guilty of unjust actions, 7:4 or have wronged my ally, or helped his lawless enemy, 7:5 may an enemy relentlessly chase me and catch me; may he trample me to death and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. (Selah) 7:6 Stand up angrily, Lord! Rise up with raging fury against my enemies! Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them! 7:7 The countries are assembled all around you; take once more your rightful place over them! 7:8 The Lord judges the nations. Vindicate me, Lord, because I am innocent, because I am blameless, O Exalted One! 7:9 May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives! 7:10 The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright. 7:11 God is a just judge; he is angry throughout the day. 7:12 If a person does not repent, God sharpens his sword and prepares to shoot his bow. 7:13 He prepares to use deadly weapons against him; he gets ready to shoot flaming arrows. 7:14 See the one who is pregnantBoo-Hoo & Boo-Boo - Two Without A Clue with wickedness, who conceives destructive plans, and gives birth to harmful lies -- 7:15 he digs a pit and then falls into the hole he has made. 7:16 He becomes the victim of his own destructive plans and the violence he intended for others falls on his own head. 7:17 I will thank the Lord for his justice; I will sing praises to the sovereign Lord! Prayer Lord, You deserve our constant obedience and trust, no matter what happens in this fallen and temporary world. May I never fail to praise you, both in time of trouble, and in time of blessing. Commentary David's first Psalm contrasted the righteous with the wicked. David's second Psalm challenged the kings of captive nations and sub-groups within Israel, who took the opportunity of the transition of kings from Saul to David to contemplate rebellion, to consider that the Lord God was watching and that it was He who had assembled them together and called David as their king. David's third Psalm was his reaction to his son Absalom's rebellion, he pleaded with the Lord God to rescue him, and declared his confidence that the Lord would do so. David's fourth Psalm was a testimony to resting peacefully in dependence on the Lord and included a call to others to make their prescribed sacrifices and to turn away from wrong directed at David or to others. David's fifth Psalm was a cry to the Lord, still a confident cry as before, and a testimony of the Lord God's faithfulness to those who obey. David's sixth Psalm came as David had reached a low point in his struggle against his enemies, he cried out to the Lord God in great angst, and still he affirmed his certainty that the Lord had heard him and had already set about the destruction of his enemies and his restoration. David's seventh Psalm continued the theme of David's plea to the Lord for His justice; though David threw himself before the Lord's mercy if in-fact he had sinned and was deserving of punishment, but he remained confident of his innocence and of the Lord's rescue. Interaction Consider Saul had become king due to the Lord God granting the rebellious insistence that they have a mere human God "... like the nations around us", and Saul -- as the Lord God predicted -- made somewhat of a mess of things. David became king in the middle of a messy situation, a king with a much more intimate relationship with the Lord God, yet one often in conflict with both man and God. Discuss Why would David have such confidence in the Lord given all of the troubles he had experienced? Reflect David's constant faith in God, his frequent prayer-talk with God, and his teachability all led the Lord God to call him "... a man after my own heart". Share When have you experienced a time of trouble when your only comfort was your certainty of the Lord's love and provision? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into a time of deep praise and worship of Him. Action: Today I will praise the Lord specifically for one or more things He has done to bless me, for His un-earned gift of salvation, and for His gift of the Bible and his indwelling Holy Spirit. I will especially thank my Lord Jesus for His sacrifice on the Cross and His powerful resurrection -- fulfilling prophesy and opening the way to Heaven. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Monday's text will be: Psalms 8 - 10 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jonathon.blake at gmail.com Sun Apr 24 19:37:35 2011 From: jonathon.blake at gmail.com (jonathon) Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:37:35 +0000 Subject: [Linux4christians] Idiotic Anti-Linux & Google Patent Decision In-Reply-To: <4DB30DC9.6090408@mindblowingidea.com> References: <4DB2FA30.4040209@lightlink.com> <4DB30DC9.6090408@mindblowingidea.com> Message-ID: <4DB4B43F.8040004@gmail.com> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On 23/04/2011 17:35, usacomputertech wrote: > I use them for protection for the JULinux project and no company has tried to harm me. The operative word, that is missing, is "yet". I faxed the paperwork to OIN on Friday. I don't expect that to prevent any patent based lawsuits filed against me. What I do forsee, is being better equipped to defend against patent trolls. I am waiting for the SCOTUS ruling on i4i v Microsoft. Hopefully, it terminates the frivolous, non-inventions that the USPTO has granted patents on. ### My spell checker wanted to change "usacomputertech" to "computer-literate"! jonathon - -- All emails sent to this with email address with a precedence other than bulk, or list, are forwarded to Dave Null, unread. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.10 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iQEcBAEBAgAGBQJNtLQ5AAoJEDqP6lg9AbnKc4AH/1cy/ZyAfRfp0xOQNiqzkCPK XQCzpkM89QPll/Wcb9DWkpjipsz/IHQnrPQIR9XglTWbtVIsYTS5lQnfMd2bUFbw bC4yKhV42ZzVRwgydOb3zKxDSiyE6hL4epSNEKEdLHJwbKUg26+lUP/3ECMiR396 n1fs0bAr8ao/zUjpaEFa2Tj3BqMuneJJo3bq0W1Idag5rGEy+aHkzZhic9c0iT1X xhq56cTBN/juePIGSluK9e0RJSJyduVr/EvHApndawP9Ib5Qk+T4KCZM1VEUecZt N7buG5VAp7FjD4v7d5elVCfsHdqWqeEtUJA3TaHPFHfmyvEeKELfRVIJxWufjPE= =Er2R -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sun Apr 24 21:02:07 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:02:07 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Monday - Psalms 8 - 10 Message-ID: <4DB4C80F.4040309@bibleseven.com> Monday Psalms 8 - 10 Psalm 8 8:1 For the music director, according to the /gittith/ style; a psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! 8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. 8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, 8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; 8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, 8:7 including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, 8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. 8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! Psalm 9 9:1 For the music director; according to the /alumoth-labben/ style; a psalm of David. I will thank the Lord with all my heart! I will tell about all your amazing deeds! 9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you! I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One! 9:3 When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you. 9:4 For you defended my just cause; from your throne you pronounced a just decision. 9:5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry; you destroyed the wicked; you permanently wiped out all memory of them. 9:6 The enemy's cities have been reduced to permanent ruins; you destroyed their cities; all memory of the enemies has perished. 9:7 But the Lord rules forever; he reigns in a just manner. 9:8 He judges the world fairly; he makes just legal decisions for the nations. 9:9 Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed; he provides safety in times of trouble. 9:10 Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help. 9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion! Tell the nations what he has done! 9:12 For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed; he did not overlook their cry for help 9:13 when they prayed: "Have mercy on me, Lord! See how I am oppressed by those who hate me, O one who can snatch me away from the gates of death! 9:14 Then I will tell about all your praiseworthy acts; in the gates of Daughter Zion I will rejoice because of your deliverance." 9:15 The nations fell into the pit they had made; their feet were caught in the net they had hidden. 9:16 The Lord revealed himself; he accomplished justice; the wicked were ensnared by their own actions. (Higgaion. Selah) 9:17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol; this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God, 9:18 for the needy are not permanently ignored, the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed. 9:19 Rise up, Lord! Don't let men be defiant! May the nations be judged in your presence! 9:20 Terrify them, Lord! Let the nations know they are mere mortals! (Selah) Psalm 10 10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble? 10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up. 10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord. 10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, "God won't hold me accountable; he doesn't care." 10:5 He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains all his enemies. 10:6 He says to himself, "I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity." 10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys. 10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the innocent. His eyes look for some unfortunate victim. 10:9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket; he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed; he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net. 10:10 His victims are crushed and beaten down; they are trapped in his sturdy nets. 10:11 He says to himself, "God overlooks it; he does not pay attention; he never notices." 10:12 Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed! 10:13 Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, "You will not hold me accountable." 10:14 You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless. 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man! Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover. 10:16 The Lord rules forever! The nations are driven out of his land. 10:17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer. 10:18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them. Prayer Lord, when we dwell in praise of You our faith grows and deepens, so it is stronger during troubled times. May I praise You daily, in prayer and song, in my talk and my walk. Commentary David's eighth Psalm was a praise song. He praised the Lord God for Creation, for delegating care of Creation to man, and observes that all of Creation is designed to give Him praise. David's ninth Psalm celebrated the Lord God's rescue, His love and protection of his people, and His punishment of rebels. David's tenth Psalm took a sudden turn as he began to plead with the Lord God for protection and brought an imprecatory prayer against his enemies. He concluded with his usual assurance that God was faithful and just and would make things right. Interaction Consider David was wise to remember God through praise. Discuss Why would remembering what God had done in Creation and since be important to David as he faced new troubles? Reflect David did not drift into Job's error of questioning the Lord God. Share When have you discovered that your times of praise had strengthened your faith to bear-up as trouble times came? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in making time for daily praise and worship. Action: Today I will make a sacrifice of the less-important things of this world in order to make room for the more-important things of eternity. I will praise the Lord! Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Tuesday's text will be: Psalms 11 - 18 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Mon Apr 25 21:38:26 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:38:26 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] OT: Is death the end? Message-ID: <4DB62212.1080007@lightlink.com> https://members.humaneventsonline.com/order.php?offer=2316 -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Mon Apr 25 22:28:54 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:28:54 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Tuesday - Psalms 11 - 18 Message-ID: <4DB62DE6.7030901@bibleseven.com> Tuesday Psalms 11 - 18 Psalm 11 11:1 For the music director; by David. In the Lord I have taken shelter. How can you say to me, "Flee to a mountain like a bird! 11:2 For look, the wicked prepare their bows, they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness at the morally upright. 11:3 When the foundations are destroyed, what can the godly accomplish?" 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people. 11:5 The Lord approves of the godly, but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence. 11:6 May the Lord rain down burning coals and brimstone on the wicked! A whirlwind is what they deserve! 11:7 Certainly the Lord is just; he rewards godly deeds; the upright will experience his favor. Psalm 12 12:1 For the music director; according to the /sheminith/ style; a psalm of David. Deliver, Lord! For the godly have disappeared; people of integrity have vanished. 12:2 People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive. 12:3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts! 12:4 They say, "We speak persuasively; we know how to flatter and boast. Who is our master?" 12:5 "Because of the violence done to the oppressed, because of the painful cries of the needy, I will spring into action," says the Lord. "I will provide the safety they so desperately desire." 12:6 The Lord's words are absolutely reliable. They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, where it is thoroughly refined. 12:7 You, Lord, will protect them; you will continually shelter each one from these evil people, 12:8 for the wicked seem to be everywhere, when people promote evil. Psalm 13 13:1 For the music director; a psalm of David. How long, Lord, will you continue to ignore me? How long will you pay no attention to me? 13:2 How long must I worry, and suffer in broad daylight? How long will my enemy gloat over me? 13:3 Look at me! Answer me, O Lord my God! Revive me, or else I will die! 13:4 Then my enemy will say, "I have defeated him!" Then my foes will rejoice because I am upended. 13:5 But I trust in your faithfulness. May I rejoice because of your deliverance! 13:6 I will sing praises to the Lord when he vindicates me. Psalm 14 14:1 For the music director; by David. Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right. 14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God. 14:3 Everyone rejects God; they are all morally corrupt. None of them does what is right, not even one! 14:4 All those who behave wickedly do not understand -- those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out to the Lord. 14:5 They are absolutely terrified, for God defends the godly. 14:6 You want to humiliate the oppressed, even though the Lord is their shelter. 14:7 I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the well-being of his people, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be happy! Psalm 15 15:1 A psalm of David. Lord, who may be a guest in your home? Who may live on your holy hill? 15:2 Whoever lives a blameless life, does what is right, and speaks honestly. 15:3 He does not slander, or do harm to others, or insult his neighbor. 15:4 He despises a reprobate, but honors the Lord's loyal followers. He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise. 15:5 He does not charge interest when he lends his money. He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent. The one who lives like this will never be upended. Psalm 16 16:1 A prayer of David. Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you. 16:2 I say to the Lord, "You are the Lord, my only source of well-being." 16:3 As for God's chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much -- 16:4 their troubles multiply, they desire other gods. I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods, nor will I make vows in the name of their gods. 16:5 Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure. 16:6 It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land. 16:7 I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn. 16:8 I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended. 16:9 So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe. 16:10 You will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit. 16:11 You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight. Psalm 17 17:1 A prayer of David. Lord, consider my just cause! Pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to the prayer I sincerely offer! 17:2 Make a just decision on my behalf! Decide what is right! 17:3 You have scrutinized my inner motives; you have examined me during the night. You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful. 17:4 As for the actions of people -- just as you have commanded, I have not followed in the footsteps of violent men. 17:5 I carefully obey your commands; I do not deviate from them. 17:6 I call to you for you will answer me, O God. Listen to me! Hear what I say! 17:7 Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds, you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies. 17:8 Protect me as you would protect the pupil of your eye! Hide me in the shadow of your wings! 17:9 Protect me from the wicked men who attack me, my enemies who crowd around me for the kill. 17:10 They are calloused; they speak arrogantly. 17:11 They attack me, now they surround me; they intend to throw me to the ground. 17:12 He is like a lion that wants to tear its prey to bits, like a young lion crouching in hidden places. 17:13 Rise up, Lord! Confront him! Knock him down! Use your sword to rescue me from the wicked man! 17:14 Lord, use your power to deliver me from these murderers, from the murderers of this world! They enjoy prosperity; you overwhelm them with the riches they desire. They have many children, and leave their wealth to their offspring. 17:15 As for me, because I am innocent I will see your face; when I awake you will reveal yourself to me. Psalm 18 18:1 For the music director; by the Lord's servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. He said: "I love you, Lord, my source of strength! 18:2 The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter,my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge. 18:3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies. 18:4 The waves of death engulfed me, the currents of chaos overwhelmed me. 18:5 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me, the snares of death trapped me. 18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;he listened to my cry for help. 18:7 The earth heaved and shook; the roots of the mountains trembled; they heaved because he was angry. 18:8 Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals. 18:9 He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet. 18:10 He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind. 18:11 He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds. 18:12 From the brightness in front of him came hail and fiery coals. 18:13 The Lord thundered in the sky; the sovereign One shouted. 18:14 He shot his arrows and scattered them, many lightning bolts and routed them. 18:15 The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose. 18:16 He reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me from the surging water. 18:17 He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me. 18:18 They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the Lord helped me. 18:19 He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me. 18:20 The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior. 18:21 For I have obeyed the Lord's commands; I have not rebelled against my God. 18:22 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. 18:23 I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning. 18:24 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. 18:25 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent. 18:26 You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse. 18:27 For you deliver oppressed people, but you bring down those who have a proud look. 18:28 Indeed, you are my lamp, Lord. My God illuminates the darkness around me. 18:29 Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army; by my God's power I can jump over a wall. 18:30 The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord's promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him. 18:31 Indeed, who is God besides the Lord? Who is a protector besides our God? 18:32 The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way. 18:33 He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. 18:34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow. 18:35 You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me; your willingness to help enables me to prevail. 18:36 You widen my path; my feet do not slip. 18:37 I chase my enemies and catch them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out. 18:38 I beat them to death; they fall at my feet. 18:39 You give me strength for battle; you make my foes kneel before me. 18:40 You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me. 18:41 They cry out, but there is no one to help them; they cry out to the Lord, but he does not answer them. 18:42 I grind them as fine windblown dust; I beat them underfoot like clay in the streets. 18:43 You rescue me from a hostile army; you make me a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects. 18:44 When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me. Foreigners are powerless before me; 18:45 foreigners lose their courage; they shake with fear as they leave their strongholds. 18:46 The Lord is alive! My protector is praiseworthy! The God who delivers me is exalted as king! 18:47 The one true God completely vindicates me; he makes nations submit to me. 18:48 He delivers me from my enemies; you snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men. 18:49 So I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord! I will sing praises to you! 18:50 He gives his chosen king magnificent victories; he is faithful to his chosen ruler, to David and his descendants forever." Prayer Lord, You are attentive to our please and praises but You act in Your perfect time and way. May I never fear pouring my heart out to You, with pleas and praises, and then may I patiently await Your reply. Commentary David's eleventh Psalm reflected his fear of worldly enemies as well as his certainty that the character of the Lord God was such as would defend him and to oppose them. David's twelfth Psalm reflected his increased sense of isolation as he felt surrounded by the forces of evil and by wicked people; yet David continued to have confidence in the Lord. David's thirteenth Psalm reflected his frustration that the Lord God had not acted according to his schedule and relieved him from his distress; yet David continued to voice his certainty of the Lord God's imminent rescue. David's fourteenth Psalm recorded David's return to his reflection upon the wickedness of the rebellious and their intent to victimize the already-oppressed; yet David celebrates that they are in terror of the potential return of the Lord God and that he was looking forward to the intervention of the Lord. David's fifteenth Psalm recorded his view of the exclusivity of those permitted into the presence of the Lord; essentially the list was of those who obeyed the Ten Commandments, and based on his prior description of his enemies David saw them as estranged from God. David's sixteenth Psalm celebrated the Lord God's blessings and the dependence of the righteous upon Him. David's seventeenth Psalm sounded similar to Job when he was suffering, but David carefully avoided questioning the justice of God, though his words were anxious for God's intervention. David's eighteenth Psalm was a celebration of the Lord God's rescue. The text describes the Lord's direct intervention as well as His empowering of David for battle. Interaction Consider David never wavered from his certainty of the Lord God's rescue. Discuss Why would David have had such a strong faith in the Lord God? Reflect David's prayers for the Lord God to destroy, or to at least punish, are called "imprecatory prayers". There is considerable debate as to whether or not such prayers are appropriate for post-ascension, post=Pentecost, New Testament Biblical-Christians. Share When have you experienced a time of trouble when it seemed that the Lord would never bring relief, yet you remained faithful, and He intervened just at the right moment in just the right way? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place where He is waiting to answer one of your prayers, either because there is something you have left undone, or something He wants to happen first. Action: Today I will be still and listen in prayer for the Holy Spirit to show me what the Lord God may want to do in me. I will also be faithful to pray for whoever the Holy Spirit brings to my awareness. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Wednesday's text will be: Psalms 19 - 21 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Tue Apr 26 22:48:29 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:48:29 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Wednesday - Psalms 19 - 21 Message-ID: <4DB783FD.8070006@bibleseven.com> Wednesday Psalms 19 - 21 Psalm 19 19:1 For the music director; a psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. 19:2 Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. 19:3 There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. 19:4 Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun. 19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber; like a strong man it enjoys running its course. 19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat. 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one's life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. 19:8 The Lord's precepts are fair and make one joyful. The Lord's commands are pure and give insight for life. 19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever. The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just. 19:10 They are of greater value than gold, than even a great amount of pure gold; they bring greater delight than honey, than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb. 19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; those who obey them receive a rich reward. 19:12 Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of. 19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins; do not allow such sins to control me. Then I will be blameless, and innocent of blatant rebellion. 19:14 May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer. Psalm 20 20:1 For the music director; a psalm of David. May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure! 20:2 May he send you help from his temple; from Zion may he give you support! 20:3 May he take notice of your offerings; may he accept your burnt sacrifice! (Selah) 20:4 May he grant your heart's desire; may he bring all your plans to pass! 20:5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God! May the Lord grant all your requests! 20:6 Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king; he will intervene for him from his holy heavenly temple, and display his mighty ability to deliver. 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God. 20:8 They will fall down, but we will stand firm. 20:9 The Lord will deliver the king; he will answer us when we call to him for help! Psalm 21 21:1 For the music director; a psalm of David. O Lord, the king rejoices in the strength you give; he takes great delight in the deliverance you provide. 21:2 You grant him his heart's desire; you do not refuse his request. (Selah) 21:3 For you bring him rich blessings; you place a golden crown on his head. 21:4 He asked you to sustain his life, and you have granted him long life and an enduring dynasty. 21:5 Your deliverance brings him great honor; you give him majestic splendor. 21:6 For you grant him lasting blessings; you give him great joy by allowing him into your presence. 21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord, and because of the sovereign Lord's faithfulness he is not upended. 21:8 You prevail over all your enemies; your power is too great for those who hate you. 21:9 You burn them up like a fiery furnace when you appear; the Lord angrily devours them; the fire consumes them. 21:10 You destroy their offspring from the earth, their descendants from among the human race. 21:11 Yes, they intend to do you harm; they dream up a scheme, but they do not succeed. 21:12 For you make them retreat when you shoot your arrows at them. 21:13 Rise up, O Lord, in strength! We will sing and praise your power! Prayer Lord, Your timing is not ours, You see what we do not. May I stay in constant prayer communication and praise relationship with You, no matter my circumstances. Commentary David's nineteenth Psalm celebrated the testimony to the magnificence of Lord God that may be found in the sun and the moon and the stars. He then directed people to learn and to trust in the law and wisdom of the Lord. David asked the Lord to not punish him for unintentional sin and to keep him from all sin. He concluded with a plea that his "... words and thoughts be acceptable ..." to the Lord, acknowledging Him as "... my sheltering rock and my redeemer." David's twentieth Psalm records his prayer for all of the faithful that the Lord God will meet their needs and answer their other prayers. He included a prayer that the Lord would complete his installation as the king. David's twenty-first Psalm was a song of praise and thanks for the Lord God's provision and protection of him as king. Interaction Consider David's eyes were generally focused upon the Lord God and he desired to remain free of sin, intentional or unintentional. Discuss Why would David think that the Lord God would give him a pass on unintentional sin and help him to avoid sin? Reflect David's prayers of confidence in the Lord God were rewarded, not as quickly as he desired, but in the Lord's perfect timing. Share When have you prayed for something and even though you became frustrated with the delay you finally experienced the Lord's answer and gave Him praise? Did you ever discern His reason(s) for the delay? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you an unintentional sin and to keep you from a sin into which you may be prone to stumble. Action: Today I will pray in-earnest for the forgiveness and protection of the Lord God from sin. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Thursday's text will be: Psalms 22 - 24 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kf6snj at lycos.com Wed Apr 27 01:38:49 2011 From: kf6snj at lycos.com (Christopher Rose) Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:38:49 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Linux4christians] Hello Message-ID: <660924154.282358.1303882729984.JavaMail.mail@webmail13> I have been away for a while. Seems I missed quite a bit. Did upgrade to a new laptop. Dual booting it with Win7 and Ubuntu (Puppy seems to have issues with wireless internet on this machine). Still using my old 1.4Ghz tower with Puppy Linux, though now it is mostly to control my network router. Outside of that, just playing harmonica at church once in a while. I am working on creating a webpage on Lutherans Online for some of my harmonica stuff, with some stuff actually located either on FaceBook or BandMix. Incidentally, I would like to suggest a Linux4Christians group be posted on FaceBook. Just an idea. Respectfully, Christopher Rose From l4c at thelinuxlink.net Wed Apr 27 07:50:57 2011 From: l4c at thelinuxlink.net (l4c) Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:50:57 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Hello In-Reply-To: <660924154.282358.1303882729984.JavaMail.mail@webmail13> References: <660924154.282358.1303882729984.JavaMail.mail@webmail13> Message-ID: <4DB80321.5080200@thelinuxlink.net> On 04/27/2011 01:38 AM, Christopher Rose wrote: > I have been away for a while. Seems I missed quite a bit. Did upgrade to a new laptop. Dual booting it with Win7 and Ubuntu (Puppy seems to have issues with wireless internet on this machine). Still using my old 1.4Ghz tower with Puppy Linux, though now it is mostly to control my network router. Outside of that, just playing harmonica at church once in a while. I am working on creating a webpage on Lutherans Online for some of my harmonica stuff, with some stuff actually located either on FaceBook or BandMix. Incidentally, I would like to suggest a Linux4Christians group be posted on FaceBook. Just an idea. > > Respectfully, > > Christopher Rose > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians Done. Group name is Linux4Christians, join it up! -- -Linc Fessenden In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded - Yeah right... From pjvasquez at baeyogin.com Wed Apr 27 10:19:47 2011 From: pjvasquez at baeyogin.com (Peter J. Vasquez Sr.) Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:19:47 -0500 Subject: [Linux4christians] OT: sugru Message-ID: I don't normally post to either list, but I thought I'd let you all know about some sugru I purchased last year, which was more than I needed, and is all getting near expiry (packages say mid-May). If you don't know what sugru is, visit http://www.sugru.com . It's recommended that sugru stay at room temperature (in Ireland), which is about 72F in the US. That temperature is about where it gets in winter where I live, so I've kept the sugru in the fridge, and it may even last past the expiration date (there's no telling, some packs can cure on their own in the package under the right conditions). Like I said, anyone who wants some/all of the sugru, let me know. I have the following available: blue - 3 - smart hacks pack (6 sachets each pack) black - 2 - smart hacks pack (6 sachets each pack) 4 - individual sachets orange - 2 - smart hacks pack (6 sachets each pack) 6 - individual sachets (I opened a smart hacks pack, but didn't use any, and so have all 6 from it separately) green - 2 - super pack (6 sachets each pack) 2 - individual sachets A word of caution, if you have sensitive skin, the sugru can cause an allergic reaction, also, it can stain your hands, but washes off pretty easily (more information on the website, and listed on the packages; you can wear gloves, but I think it isn't the same as molding with bare hands). Let me know your interest level (how many), and I'll reply to everyone with what I have left once it's committed. I really don't have an immediate use for the sugru, and would prefer anyone who asks to have something they'd like to do (or at least have a hobby/project or idea that could make it useful in the next few weeks). I'd rather not discard it since it could be useful to someone, so I'm hoping there's a good response. If you're in the US, it should be pretty cheap to send since the weight is very low, so please respond with where you are if you're interested (you can respond off list if you'd like, but I will update this message with what's available in order of request). Thanks. P.S. The projects on the website don't cover everything possible (it's really left to your imagination how you'll use it). For example, I've used sugru in electronics projects that needed temporary or special size housing (bonding multiple pieces on the outside with sugru), but also in woodworking. To give you an example woodworking project: I made a football toss for the school's fall festival last year and didn't have a router to cut the holes evenly. Using a jigsaw, some patience, and a steady hand, my dad cut the holes which then he and I sanded down to be as smooth as possible. After painting the football toss, I noticed that a hard enough throw on the edge of the holes would slightly splinter the wood, and so I mixed green and blue sugru (about 5-7 sachets) and covered the inner lining of each hole. Needless to say, the finished project looked very professional, and the silicon/rubber cured state of the sugru made the football bounce very smoothly when hitting the edges, and did not damage the wood. -- Peter From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Wed Apr 27 20:51:12 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:51:12 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Thursday - Psalms 22 - 24 Message-ID: <4DB8BA00.9070405@bibleseven.com> Thursday Psalms 22 - 24 Psalm 22 22:1 For the music director; according to the tune "Morning Doe;" a psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I groan in prayer, but help seems far away. 22:2 My God, I cry out during the day, but you do not answer, and during the night my prayers do not let up. 22:3 You are holy; you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel. 22:4 In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted in you and you rescued them. 22:5 To you they cried out, and they were saved; in you they trusted and they were not disappointed. 22:6 But I am a worm, not a man; people insult me and despise me. 22:7 All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads. 22:8 They say, "Commit yourself to the Lord! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him." 22:9 Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb and made me feel secure on my mother's breasts. 22:10 I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother's womb you have been my God. 22:11 Do not remain far away from me, for trouble is near and I have no one to help me. 22:12 Many bulls surround me; powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in. 22:13 They open their mouths to devour me like a roaring lion that rips its prey. 22:14 My strength drains away like water; all my bones are dislocated; my heart is like wax; it melts away inside me. 22:15 The roof of my mouth is as dry as a piece of pottery; my tongue sticks to my gums. You set me in the dust of death. 22:16 Yes, wild dogs surround me -- a gang of evil men crowd around me; like a lion they pin my hands and feet. 22:17 I can count all my bones; my enemies are gloating over me in triumph. 22:18 They are dividing up my clothes among themselves; they are rolling dice for my garments. 22:19 But you, O Lord, do not remain far away! You are my source of strength! Hurry and help me! 22:20 Deliver me from the sword! Save my life from the claws of the wild dogs! 22:21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lion, and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered me! 22:22 I will declare your name to my countrymen! In the middle of the assembly I will praise you! 22:23 You loyal followers of the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! All you descendants of Israel, stand in awe of him! 22:24 For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed; he did not ignore him; when he cried out to him, he responded. 22:25 You are the reason I offer praise in the great assembly; I will fulfill my promises before the Lord's loyal followers. 22:26 Let the oppressed eat and be filled! Let those who seek his help praise the Lord! May you live forever! 22:27 Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him! Let all the nations worship you! 22:28 For the Lord is king and rules over the nations. 22:29 All of the thriving people of the earth will join the celebration and worship; all those who are descending into the grave will bow before him, including those who cannot preserve their lives. 22:30 A whole generation will serve him; they will tell the next generation about the sovereign Lord. 22:31 They will come and tell about his saving deeds; they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished. Psalm 23 23:1 A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 23:2 He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. 23:3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation. 23:4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. 23:5 You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. 23:6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord's house for the rest of my life. Psalm 24 24:1 A psalm of David. The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. 24:2 For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents. 24:3 Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place? 24:4 The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them. 24:5 Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord, and vindicated by the God who delivers them. 24:6 Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob's descendants, who pray to him. (Selah) 24:7 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter! 24:8 Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle! 24:9 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter! 24:10 Who is this majestic king? The Lord who commands armies! He is the majestic king! (Selah) Prayer Lord, You want to be our Great Shepherd, the One Who gives us rest because You bring us safety and security in Your love and the promise of our eternity with You. May I rest in You Lord. Commentary David's twenty-second Psalm returned to a cry for the Lord God's rescue. He remained faithful that God would rescue him but lifted a plea for Him to please hurry. David observed that those who pursued him mocked his faith in the Lord God, and in so-doing mocked God Himself. David's twenty-third Psalm is a celebration and recitation of the Lord God's nearness, provision, and protection at all times and in all places for those who belong to Him. David used a parallel to sheep, which he knew well from his days as a shepherd, because sheep are very nervous and will only lie down if they feel very safe -- which is part of the responsibility of the shepherd. David's twenty-fourth Psalm returned to the theme of praise and worship of the Lord God, marveling at His holiness and power, observing the exclusivity of His throne. Interaction Consider David was again anxious for the Lord God's rescue, but he continued to be confident in the Lord. Discuss Why would David be so offended that those who chased him also ridiculed his faith? Reflect The Lord God redeemed David's time as a shepherd as He taught him to understand his intimate relationship as parallel to the sheep to their earthly shepherd. Share When have you been troubled yet found rest in the Lord? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place where you are allowing the troubles of this world to worry you -- and then to lead you to a place of rest in Him. Action: Today I will trust the Lord to be my protector and my provider and I will surrender my fears to Him -- allowing Him to give me His peace and His rest. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Friday's text will be: Psalms 25 - 28 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fmiller at lightlink.com Thu Apr 28 00:08:20 2011 From: fmiller at lightlink.com (Fred A. Miller) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:08:20 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] HomeBank - Free, easy, personal accounting for everyone. Message-ID: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> Looks good. I thought most of you wouldn't know about this app. for Linux. Fred http://homebank.free.fr/index.php -- "Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From webservant at trinitybclaramie.org Thu Apr 28 07:45:19 2011 From: webservant at trinitybclaramie.org (Peter B. Steiger) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:45:19 -0600 Subject: [Linux4christians] HomeBank - Free, easy, personal accounting for everyone. In-Reply-To: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> References: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> Message-ID: Oh, that looks much easier to use and more featureiffic than the other home accounting packages for Linux. Thanks, Fred! On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM, Fred A. Miller wrote: > Looks good. I thought most of you wouldn't know about this app. for Linux. > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hpp3 at lavabit.com Thu Apr 28 13:16:12 2011 From: hpp3 at lavabit.com (Eddy Martin) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:16:12 -0700 Subject: [Linux4christians] HomeBank - Free, easy, personal accounting for everyone. In-Reply-To: References: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> Message-ID: <4DB9A0DC.2070707@lavabit.com> This particular software has come up in the discussion before, and I'm currently using it to track my finances. I'm not in a proper frame of mind (working night shift... zzzz...) to give it a proper review, but I must say I'm liking it a lot so far, but I wish it was more functional in a few areas (that seem to have slipped my mind at the moment, so I guess it's not too serious, eh?). Bottom line, it's easy to use, fairly flexible, some functions aren't where or what you'd expect (the automatic transaction section is called 'Archive'?) and it may not do everything you'd like it to, especially if you're used to a more advanced financial package, but for the most part it works well. -Eddy On 04/28/2011 04:45 AM, Peter B. Steiger wrote: > Oh, that looks much easier to use and more featureiffic than the other > home accounting packages for Linux. Thanks, Fred! > > On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM, Fred A. Miller > > wrote: > > Looks good. I thought most of you wouldn't know about this app. > for Linux. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Thu Apr 28 13:24:24 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:24:24 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] HomeBank - Free, easy, personal accounting for everyone. In-Reply-To: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> References: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> Message-ID: <4DB9A2C8.5000707@bibleseven.com> Has anyone written an app to extract data for the purpose of filling taxes? Or am I missing that feature built-into this app? In my case it would essential data be for the USA, and the State of Georgia, though I presume that there is a core set of output that would be common to most tax systems in most locales worldwide. > Looks good. I thought most of you wouldn't know about this app. for Linux. > > Fred > > http://homebank.free.fr/index.php -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Thu Apr 28 20:21:10 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:21:10 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Friday - Psalms 25 - 28 Message-ID: <4DBA0476.7040508@bibleseven.com> Friday Psalms 25 - 28 Psalm 25 25:1 By David. O Lord, I come before you in prayer. 25:2 My God, I trust in you. Please do not let me be humiliated; do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me! 25:3 Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated. Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted and humiliated. 25:4 Make me understand your ways, O Lord! Teach me your paths! 25:5 Guide me into your truth and teach me. For you are the God who delivers me; on you I rely all day long. 25:6 Remember your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord, for you have always acted in this manner. 25:7 Do not hold against me the sins of my youth or my rebellious acts! Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord! 25:8 The Lord is both kind and fair; that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live. 25:9 May he show the humble what is right! May he teach the humble his way! 25:10 The Lord always proves faithful and reliable to those who follow the demands of his covenant. 25:11 For the sake of your reputation, O Lord, forgive my sin, because it is great. 25:12 The Lord shows his faithful followers the way they should live. 25:13 They experience his favor; their descendants inherit the land. 25:14 The Lord's loyal followers receive his guidance, and he reveals his covenantal demands to them. 25:15 I continually look to the Lord for help, for he will free my feet from the enemy's net. 25:16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and oppressed! 25:17 Deliver me from my distress; rescue me from my suffering! 25:18 See my pain and suffering! Forgive all my sins! 25:19 Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me; they hate me and want to harm me. 25:20 Protect me and deliver me! Please do not let me be humiliated, for I have taken shelter in you! 25:21 May integrity and godliness protect me, for I rely on you! 25:22 O God, rescue Israel from all their distress! Psalm 26 26:1 By David. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have integrity, and I trust in the Lord without wavering. 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! 26:3 For I am ever aware of your faithfulness, and your loyalty continually motivates me. 26:4 I do not associate with deceitful men, or consort with those who are dishonest. 26:5 I hate the mob of evil men, and do not associate with the wicked. 26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord, 26:7 to give you thanks, and to tell about all your amazing deeds. 26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, the place where your splendor is revealed. 26:9 Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people, 26:10 who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe. 26:11 But I have integrity! Rescue me and have mercy on me! 26:12 I am safe, and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord. Psalm 27 27:1 By David. The Lord delivers and vindicates me! I fear no one! The Lord protects my life! I am afraid of no one! 27:2 When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall. 27:3 Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident. 27:4 I have asked the Lord for one thing -- this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord's house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple. 27:5 He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger; he will hide me in his home; he will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit. 27:6 Now I will triumph over my enemies who surround me! I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy! I will sing praises to the Lord! 27:7 Hear me, O Lord, when I cry out! Have mercy on me and answer me! 27:8 My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord. 27:9 Do not reject me! Do not push your servant away in anger! You are my deliverer! Do not forsake or abandon me, O God who vindicates me! 27:10 Even if my father and mother abandoned me, the Lord would take me in. 27:11 Teach me how you want me to live; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me! 27:12 Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me. 27:13 Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord's favor in the land of the living? 27:14 Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 28 28:1 By David. To you, O Lord, I cry out! My protector, do not ignore me! If you do not respond to me, I will join those who are descending into the grave. 28:2 Hear my plea for mercy when I cry out to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your holy temple! 28:3 Do not drag me away with evil men, with those who behave wickedly, who talk so friendly to their neighbors, while they plan to harm them! 28:4 Pay them back for their evil deeds! Pay them back for what they do! Punish them! 28:5 For they do not understand the Lord's actions, or the way he carries out justice. The Lord will permanently demolish them. 28:6 The Lord deserves praise, for he has heard my plea for mercy! 28:7 The Lord strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude. 28:8 The Lord strengthens his people; he protects and delivers his chosen king. 28:9 Deliver your people! Empower the nation that belongs to you! Care for them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms at all times! Prayer Lord, David's pleas always included a willingness to be taught and a desire to be kept from sin. May I also be teachable by, and submitted to, You. Commentary David's twenty-fifth Psalm represented a return to his cry for help from his enemies. He continued the theme of constant-faith in the Lord God, added a plea for the Lord to teach Him His ways, and asked that the rebellion and sin of his youth not be held against him. He concluded with a plea for protection of Israel. David's twenty-sixth Psalm was a plea for protection based on his innocence and his righteous practices. David's twenty-seventh Psalm records his confidence to fear no one and nothing because the Lord is his strength, that he would overcome because the Lord would rescue him, and that even were the Lord to be angry with him he asked for mercy and teaching -- so that he could draw nearer. He includes and interesting parallel between his desire for earthly rescue and his greater desire for a heavenly eternal promise. David's twenty-eighth Psalm was a new cry to the Lord God for rescue; again fearing for his life, and again pleading for intervention for himself and for Israel against those who would harm him and the nation. Interaction Consider David implicitly acknowledged that he was unable to remain sinless without the help of the Lord God. Discuss Why would David's fears of fellow man be so powerful while at the same time he confessed that the Lord God was the protector of him and the nation of Israel? Reflect David appears to have dual-options; if the Lord God allowed him to die he asked for eternal presence with Him, and if He rescued David he desired that plus earthly blessing. Share When have you been frightened in your flesh but 'oddly' secure in your spirit? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life where you are fearful of things in this world -- when you should be trusting them to Him. Action: Today I will confess and repent of believing the lie of the enemy that allows fear of things in this world to get in the way of my relationship with the Lord God. I will accept both His forgiveness and His assurance that He is in control. I will declare that the worst that the world can do is a mere shadow compared to the glory of the promise of eternity with my Lord God. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Saturday's text will be: Psalms 29 - 34 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From parrisdc at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 13:46:22 2011 From: parrisdc at gmail.com (Don Parris) Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:46:22 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Anyone Using SIP Clients? Message-ID: I'm back on-line with my Ekiga SIP address. Any chance I can arrange a test call with someone? I'm sip:dcparris at ekiga.net Thanks! Don -- D.C. Parris, FMP, LEED AP O+M, ESL Certificate Minister, Security/FM Coordinator, Free Software Advocate https://www.xing.com/profile/Don_Parris | http://www.linkedin.com/in/dcparris GPG Key ID: F5E179BE -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Fri Apr 29 21:32:49 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:32:49 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Saturday - Psalms 29 - 34 Message-ID: <4DBB66C1.7050801@bibleseven.com> Saturday Psalms 29 - 34 ^ ^Note: This was prepared at a moment when bible.org was down so this text was taken from a downloaded file of the NET Bible. I apologize for the extra numbers which online link to the NET translator's notes. ^ Psalm 29 1 ^A psalm of David. ^29:1 Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings,2 acknowledge the Lord's majesty and power!3 ^29:2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord's reputation!4 ^Worship the Lord in holy attire!5 ^29:3 The Lord's shout is heard over the water;6 the majestic God thunders,7 the Lord appears over the surging water.8 ^29:4 The Lord's shout is powerful,9 the Lord's shout is majestic.10 ^29:5 The Lord's shout breaks11 the cedars, the Lord shatters12 the cedars of Lebanon.13 ^29:6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion14 like a young ox.15 ^29:7 The Lord's shout strikes16 with flaming fire.17 ^29:8 The Lord's shout shakes18 the wilderness, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.19 ^29:9 The Lord's shout bends20 the large trees21 and strips22 the leaves from the forests.23 Everyone in his temple says, "Majestic!"24 ^29:10 The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters,25 the Lord sits enthroned26 as the eternal king. ^29:11 The Lord gives27 his people strength;28 the Lord grants his people security.29 ^Psalm 301 ^A psalm -- a song used at the dedication of the temple;2 by David. ^30:1 I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up,3 and did not allow my enemies to gloat4 over me. ^30:2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.5 ^30:3 O Lord, you pulled me6 up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.7 ^30:4 Sing to the Lord, you faithful followers8 of his; give thanks to his holy name.9 ^30:5 For his anger lasts only a brief moment, and his good favor restores one's life.10 One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning.11 ^30:6 In my self-confidence I said, "I will never be upended."12 ^30:7 O Lord, in your good favor you made me secure.13 Then you rejected me14 and I was terrified. ^30:8 To you, O Lord, I cried out; I begged the Lord for mercy:15 ^30:9 "What16 profit is there in taking my life,17 in my descending into the Pit?18 ^Can the dust of the grave19 praise you? ^Can it declare your loyalty?20 ^30:10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me! ^O Lord, deliver me!"21 ^30:11 Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.22 ^30:12 So now23 my heart24 will sing to you and not be silent; O Lord my God, I will always25 give thanks to you. ^Psalm 311 ^For the music director; a psalm of David. ^31:1 In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter! ^Never let me be humiliated! ^Vindicate me by rescuing me!2 ^31:2 Listen to me!3 ^Quickly deliver me! ^Be my protector and refuge,4 a stronghold where I can be safe!5 ^31:3 For you are my high ridge6 and my stronghold; for the sake of your own reputation7 you lead me and guide me.8 ^31:4 You will free me9 from the net they hid for me, for you are my place of refuge. ^31:5 Into your hand I entrust my life;10 you will rescue11 me, O Lord, the faithful God. ^31:6 I hate those who serve worthless idols,12 but I trust in the Lord. ^31:7 I will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness, because you notice my pain and you are aware of how distressed I am.13 ^31:8 You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy; you enable me to stand14 in a wide open place. ^31:9 Have mercy on me, for I am in distress! ^My eyes grow dim15 from suffering.16 I have lost my strength.17 ^31:10 For my life nears its end in pain; my years draw to a close as I groan.18 ^My strength fails me because of19 my sin, and my bones become brittle.20 ^31:11 Because of all my enemies, people disdain me;21 my neighbors are appalled by my suffering22 -- ^those who know me are horrified by my condition;23 those who see me in the street run away from me. ^31:12 I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about;24 I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.25 ^31:13 For I hear what so many are saying,26 the terrifying news that comes from every direction.27 When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life. ^31:14 But I trust in you, O Lord! ^I declare, "You are my God!" ^31:15 You determine my destiny!28 ^Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me. ^31:16 Smile29 on your servant! ^Deliver me because of your faithfulness! ^31:17 O Lord, do not let me be humiliated, for I call out to you! ^May evil men be humiliated! ^May they go wailing to the grave!30 ^31:18 May lying lips be silenced -- lips31 that speak defiantly against the innocent32 with arrogance and contempt! ^31:19 How great is your favor,33 which you store up for your loyal followers!34 ^In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter35 in you.36 ^31:20 You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks37 of men;38 you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.39 ^31:21 The Lord deserves praise40 for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.41 ^31:22 I jumped to conclusions and said,42 "I am cut off from your presence!"43 ^But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help. ^31:23 Love the Lord, all you faithful followers44 of his! ^The Lord protects those who have integrity, but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly.45 ^31:24 Be strong and confident,46 all you who wait on the Lord! ^Psalm 321 ^By David; a well-written song.2 ^32:1 How blessed3 is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven,4 whose sin is pardoned!5 ^32:2 How blessed is the one6 whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish,7 in whose spirit there is no deceit.8 ^32:3 When I refused to confess my sin,9 my whole body wasted away,10 while I groaned in pain all day long. ^32:4 For day and night you tormented me;11 you tried to destroy me12 in the intense heat13 of summer.14 (Selah) ^32:5 Then I confessed my sin; I no longer covered up my wrongdoing. I said, "I will confess15 my rebellious acts to the Lord." And then you forgave my sins.16 (Selah) ^32:6 For this reason every one of your faithful followers17 should pray to you while there is a window of opportunity.18 Certainly19 when the surging water20 rises, it will not reach them.21 ^32:7 You are my hiding place; you protect me from distress. You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance.22 (Selah) ^32:8 I will instruct and teach you23 about how you should live.24 I will advise you as I look you in the eye.25 ^32:9 Do not be26 like an unintelligent horse or mule,27 which will not obey you unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit.28 ^32:10 An evil person suffers much pain,29 but the Lord's faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.30 ^32:11 Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly! ^Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright!31 ^Psalm 331 ^33:1 You godly ones, shout for joy because of the Lord! ^It is appropriate for the morally upright to offer him praise. ^33:2 Give thanks to the Lord with the harp! ^Sing to him to the accompaniment of a ten-stringed instrument! ^33:3 Sing to him a new song!2 ^Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to him!3 ^33:4 For4 the Lord's decrees5 are just,6 and everything he does is fair.7 ^33:5 The Lord promotes8 equity and justice; the Lord's faithfulness extends throughout the earth.9 ^33:6 By the Lord's decree10 the heavens were made; by a mere word from his mouth all the stars in the sky were created.11 ^33:7 He piles up the water of the sea;12 he puts the oceans13 in storehouses. ^33:8 Let the whole earth fear14 the Lord! ^Let all who live in the world stand in awe of him! ^33:9 For he spoke, and it15 came into existence, he issued the decree,16 and it stood firm. ^33:10 The Lord frustrates17 the decisions of the nations; he nullifies the plans18 of the peoples. ^33:11 The Lord's decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.19 ^33:12 How blessed20 is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession.21 ^33:13 The Lord watches22 from heaven; he sees all people.23 ^33:14 From the place where he lives he looks carefully at all the earth's inhabitants. ^33:15 He is the one who forms every human heart,24 and takes note of all their actions. ^33:16 No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might. ^33:17 A horse disappoints those who trust in it for victory;25 despite its great strength, it cannot deliver. ^33:18 Look, the Lord takes notice of his loyal followers,26 those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness27 ^33:19 by saving their lives from death28 and sustaining them during times of famine.29 ^33:20 We30 wait for the Lord; he is our deliverer31 and shield.32 ^33:21 For our hearts rejoice in him, for we trust in his holy name. ^33:22 May we experience your faithfulness, O Lord,33 for34 we wait for you. ^Psalm 341 ^Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.2 ^34:1 I will praise3 the Lord at all times; my mouth will continually praise him.4 ^34:2 I will boast5 in the Lord; let the oppressed hear and rejoice!6 ^34:3 Magnify the Lord with me! ^Let's praise7 his name together! ^34:4 I sought the Lord's help8 and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. ^34:5 Those who look to him for help are happy; their faces are not ashamed.9 ^34:6 This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard; he saved him10 from all his troubles. ^34:7 The Lord's angel camps around the Lord's11 loyal followers12 and delivers them.13 ^34:8 Taste14 and see that the Lord is good! ^How blessed15 is the one16who takes shelter in him!17 ^34:9 Remain loyal to18 the Lord, you chosen people of his,19 for his loyal followers20 lack nothing! ^34:10 Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. ^34:11 Come children! Listen to me! ^I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.21 ^34:12 Do you want to really live?22 ^Would you love to live a long, happy life?23 ^34:13 Then make sure you don't speak evil words24 or use deceptive speech!25 ^34:14 Turn away from evil and do what is right!26 ^Strive for peace and promote it!27 ^34:15 The Lord pays attention to the godly and hears their cry for help.28 ^34:16 But the Lord opposes evildoers and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.29 ^34:17 The godly30 cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles.31 ^34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers32 those who are discouraged.33 ^34:19 The godly34 face many dangers,35 but the Lord saves36 them37 from each one of them. ^34:20 He protects38 all his bones;39 not one of them is broken.40 ^34:21 Evil people self-destruct;41 those who hate the godly are punished.42 ^34:22 The Lord rescues his servants;43 all who take shelter in him escape punishment.44 Prayer Lord, You deserve all honor and praise and worship and trust and obedience. May emulate David in his nearly constant praise. Commentary David's twenty-ninth Psalm began with what sounded like an instruction to the angelic beings to acknowledge the Lord but is perhaps best understood as intending to be a statement of fact; that they do acknowledge Him, and that they do so partially in response to what He has done in His Creation. David's thirtieth Psalm was yet another song of praise to the Lord; as the heading states it was prepared for use at the dedication of the Temple. David's thirty-first Psalm began with yet-another plea for rescue, it transitioned to a confession from David that he had prematurely complained that the Lord God had cut him off, and concludes with praise and thanksgiving. David's thirty-second Psalm was a wisdom-song in which David used his own refusal to confess his sin, followed by his confession and repentance, as a teachable-moment for others to break free of the trap of prideful isolation from the Lord God. David's thirty-third Psalm was a song of praise, it recited His sovereign Creation, His sovereign power over all human activity, and His sovereign care for those whose faith as invested in Him. David's thirty-fourth Psalm was, as the heading declares, written during the time that he was at-risk at the hands of Abimelech and feigned insanity to persuade the king to send him away. It was a praise song for the Lord's protection and provision. It concluded with what appears to be a parallel reference to the Lord's mercy in this world and in eternity. The NET translators observed that the author of John 19:31 -- 20:8 drew a parallel to Jesus from this text. The apparent link is that "godly" (Psalm 34:19) to whom David refers may be read as speaking of Jesus (as well as those whose faith ties them to Him) and "the Lord saves" therefore referred to His propitiation and redemption through the cross and resurrection. Interaction Consider David was consistent across the many years of his life in his praise of the Lord God. Discuss Is the action of the Holy Spirit obvious when David was led, apparently unknowingly, to prophesy specific details about Jesus? Reflect David's wisdom-song of confession and repentance (Psalm 32) is a powerful teaching tool for us; when he resisted confession and repentance he suffered, but when he confessed and repented he was rescued, forgiven, and restored. Share When have you falsely imagined that the Lord God was far away, only to later discovered that He was right there with you -- waiting for you to reach-out to Him -- through confession and repentance? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your walk where you are holding-back something that needs to be confessed and repented of so that He may rescue, forgive, and restore you to a more-full of intimacy with Him (perhaps an even greater intimacy than ever before). Action: Today I will humbly confess and repent, accept the Lord God's forgiveness, celebrate His restoration, and delight in new and/or renewed intimacy with Him. I will share this with a fellow believer as a testimony to the loving faithfulness of the Lord God and as an encouragement to them. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Sunday's text will be: Psalms 35-40 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From john.puhalski at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 12:29:20 2011 From: john.puhalski at gmail.com (John R Puhalski) Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:29:20 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Linux4christians] HomeBank - Free, easy, personal accounting for everyone. In-Reply-To: <4DB9A0DC.2070707@lavabit.com> References: <4DB8E834.7040802@lightlink.com> <4DB9A0DC.2070707@lavabit.com> Message-ID: Thanks Fred, I'm going to give it a try. I've been using Quicken for years and wanted to get something for linux instead. Tried Gnucash a little but it could not just import a qdata file, you had to export/import each account from Quicken as a QIF file, which i see this does too. I had a lot of accounts so it was a little time consuming. It also wasnt very KDE friendly and I was using slackware at the time so I just decided to wait. I just installed HomeBank and will give it a try. If anyone has transferred successfully from Quicken any tips or advice would be appreciated. thanks again john On Thu, 28 Apr 2011, Eddy Martin wrote: > This particular software has come up in the discussion before, and I'm currently using it to track my finances. > I'm not in a proper frame of mind (working night shift... zzzz...) to give it a proper review, but I must say I'm liking it a lot so far, but > I wish it was more functional in a few areas (that seem to have slipped my mind at the moment, so I guess it's not too serious, eh?). > Bottom line, it's easy to use, fairly flexible, some functions aren't where or what you'd expect (the automatic transaction section is called > 'Archive'?) and it may not do everything you'd like it to, especially if you're used to a more advanced financial package, but for the most > part it works well. > > -Eddy > > On 04/28/2011 04:45 AM, Peter B. Steiger wrote: > Oh, that looks much easier to use and more featureiffic than the other home accounting packages for Linux.? Thanks, Fred! > > On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM, Fred A. Miller wrote: > Looks good. I thought most of you wouldn't know about this app. for Linux. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > > > > From john.puhalski at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 12:32:53 2011 From: john.puhalski at gmail.com (John R Puhalski) Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:32:53 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Linux4christians] Hello In-Reply-To: <4DB80321.5080200@thelinuxlink.net> References: <660924154.282358.1303882729984.JavaMail.mail@webmail13> <4DB80321.5080200@thelinuxlink.net> Message-ID: I was away from here for some time myself. The facebook idea is good. I'm going to join the group now. thanks john On Wed, 27 Apr 2011, l4c wrote: > On 04/27/2011 01:38 AM, Christopher Rose wrote: >> I have been away for a while. Seems I missed quite a bit. Did upgrade to a >> new laptop. Dual booting it with Win7 and Ubuntu (Puppy seems to have >> issues with wireless internet on this machine). Still using my old 1.4Ghz >> tower with Puppy Linux, though now it is mostly to control my network >> router. Outside of that, just playing harmonica at church once in a while. >> I am working on creating a webpage on Lutherans Online for some of my >> harmonica stuff, with some stuff actually located either on FaceBook or >> BandMix. Incidentally, I would like to suggest a Linux4Christians group be >> posted on FaceBook. Just an idea. >> >> Respectfully, >> >> Christopher Rose >> _______________________________________________ >> Linux4christians mailing list >> Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net >> http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > > Done. Group name is Linux4Christians, join it up! > > -- > -Linc Fessenden > > In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded - Yeah right... > _______________________________________________ > Linux4christians mailing list > Linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net > http://www.thelinuxlink.net/mailman/listinfo/linux4christians > From dcolburn at bibleseven.com Sat Apr 30 23:00:59 2011 From: dcolburn at bibleseven.com (dcolburn at bibleseven.com) Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:59 -0400 Subject: [Linux4christians] Sunday - Psalms 35 - 40 Message-ID: <4DBCCCEB.5090604@bibleseven.com> Sunday Psalms 35 - 40 Psalm 35 35:1 By David. O Lord, fight those who fight with me! Attack those who attack me! 35:2 Grab your small shield and large shield, and rise up to help me! 35:3 Use your spear and lance against those who chase me! Assure me with these words: "I am your deliverer!" 35:4 May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated! May those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed! 35:5 May they be like wind-driven chaff, as the Lord's angel attacks them! 35:6 May their path be dark and slippery, as the Lord's angel chases them! 35:7 I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap me. 35:8 Let destruction take them by surprise! Let the net they hid catch them! Let them fall into destruction! 35:9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord and be happy because of his deliverance. 35:10 With all my strength I will say, "O Lord, who can compare to you? You rescue the oppressed from those who try to overpower them; the oppressed and needy from those who try to rob them." 35:11 Violent men perjure themselves, and falsely accuse me. 35:12 They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow. 35:13 When they were sick, I wore sackcloth, and refrained from eating food. (If I am lying, may my prayers go unanswered!) 35:14 I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother. 35:15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest. 35:16 When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly, and tried to bite me. 35:17 O Lord, how long are you going to just stand there and watch this? Rescue me from their destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions! 35:18 Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you before a large crowd of people! 35:19 Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me! Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes! 35:20 For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. 35:21 They are ready to devour me; they say, "Aha! Aha! We've got you!" 35:22 But you take notice, Lord! O Lord, do not remain far away from me! 35:23 Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me! My God and Lord, defend my just cause! 35:24 Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God! Do not let them gloat over me! 35:25 Do not let them say to themselves, "Aha! We have what we wanted!" Do not let them say, "We have devoured him!" 35:26 May those who want to harm me be totally embarrassed and ashamed! May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation! 35:27 May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice! May they continually say, "May the Lord be praised, for he wants his servant to be secure." 35:28 Then I will tell others about your justice, and praise you all day long. Psalm 36 36:1 For the music director; written by the Lord's servant, David; an oracle. An evil man is rebellious to the core. He does not fear God, 36:2 for he is too proud to recognize and give up his sin. 36:3 The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right. 36:4 He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; he does not reject what is evil. 36:5 O Lord, your loyal love reaches to the sky; your faithfulness to the clouds. 36:6 Your justice is like the highest mountains, your fairness like the deepest sea; you preserve mankind and the animal kingdom. 36:7 How precious is your loyal love, O God! The human race finds shelter under your wings. 36:8 They are filled with food from your house, and you allow them to drink from the river of your delicacies. 36:9 For you are the one who gives and sustains life. 36:10 Extend your loyal love to your faithful followers, and vindicate the morally upright! 36:11 Do not let arrogant men overtake me, or let evil men make me homeless! 36:12 I can see the evildoers! They have fallen! They have been knocked down and are unable to get up! Psalm 37 37:1 By David. Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers! 37:2 For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants. 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! 37:4 Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers. 37:5 Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. 37:6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause. 37:7 Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes! 37:8 Do not be angry and frustrated! Do not fret! That only leads to trouble! 37:9 Wicked men will be wiped out, but those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land. 37:10 Evil men will soon disappear; you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone. 37:11 But the oppressed will possess the land and enjoy great prosperity. 37:12 Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them. 37:13 The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming. 37:14 Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly. 37:15 Their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 37:16 The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men, 37:17 for evil men will lose their power, but the Lord sustains the godly. 37:18 The Lord watches over the innocent day by day and they possess a permanent inheritance. 37:19 They will not be ashamed when hard times come; when famine comes they will have enough to eat. 37:20 But evil men will die; the Lord's enemies will be incinerated -- they will go up in smoke. 37:21 Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous. 37:22 Surely those favored by the Lord will possess the land, but those rejected by him will be wiped out. 37:23 The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. 37:24 Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds his hand. 37:25 I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food. 37:26 All day long he shows compassion and lends to others, and his children are blessed. 37:27 Turn away from evil! Do what is right! Then you will enjoy lasting security. 37:28 For the Lord promotes justice, and never abandons his faithful followers. They are permanently secure, but the children of evil men are wiped out. 37:29 The godly will possess the land and will dwell in it permanently. 37:30 The godly speak wise words and promote justice. 37:31 The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip. 37:32 Evil men set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them. 37:33 But the Lord does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law. 37:34 Rely on the Lord! Obey his commands! Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of evil men. 37:35 I have seen ruthless evil men growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil. 37:36 But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared! I looked for them, but they could not be found. 37:37 Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! For the one who promotes peace has a future. 37:38 Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; evil men have no future. 37:39 But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. 37:40 The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from evil men and delivers them, for they seek his protection. Psalm 38 38:1 A psalm of David, written to get God's attention. O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger! Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury! 38:2 For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down. 38:3 My whole body is sick because of your judgment; I am deprived of health because of my sin. 38:4 For my sins overwhelm me; like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear. 38:5 My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins. 38:6 I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning. 38:7 For I am overcome with shame and my whole body is sick. 38:8 I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel. 38:9 O Lord, you understand my heart's desire; my groaning is not hidden from you. 38:10 My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me; I can hardly see. 38:11 Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; my neighbors stand far away. 38:12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak destructive words; all day long they say deceitful things. 38:13 But I am like a deaf man -- I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak. 38:14 I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defense. 38:15 Yet I wait for you, O Lord! You will respond, O Lord, my God! 38:16 I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me; when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me. 38:17 For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain. 38:18 Yes, I confess my wrongdoing, and I am concerned about my sins. 38:19 But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me without cause outnumber me. 38:20 They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me. 38:21 Do not abandon me, O Lord! My God, do not remain far away from me! 38:22 Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer! Psalm 39 39:1 For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, "I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man." 39:2 I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew; 39:3 my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words: 39:4 "O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! 39:5 Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor. 39:6 Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away." 39:7 But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope! 39:8 Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion! Do not make me the object of fools' insults! 39:9 I am silent and cannot open my mouth because of what you have done. 39:10 Please stop wounding me! You have almost beaten me to death! 39:11 You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah) 39:12 Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were. 39:13 Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away. Psalm 40 40:1 For the music director; By David, a psalm. I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help. 40:2 He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing. 40:3 He gave me reason to sing a new song, praising our God. May many see what God has done, so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord! 40:4 How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and does not seek help from the proud or from liars! 40:5 O Lord, my God, you have accomplished many things; you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us. No one can thwart you! I want to declare them and talk about them, but they are too numerous to recount! 40:6 Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern. You make that quite clear to me! You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings. 40:7 Then I say, "Look! I come! What is written in the scroll pertains to me. 40:8 I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts." 40:9 I have told the great assembly about your justice. Look! I spare no words! O Lord, you know this is true. 40:10 I have not failed to tell about your justice; I spoke about your reliability and deliverance; I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness. 40:11 O Lord, you do not withhold your compassion from me. May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me! 40:12 For innumerable dangers surround me. My sins overtake me so I am unable to see; they outnumber the hairs of my head so my strength fails me. 40:13 Please be willing, O Lord, to rescue me! O Lord, hurry and help me! 40:14 May those who are trying to snatch away my life be totally embarrassed and ashamed! May those who want to harm me be turned back and ashamed! 40:15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be humiliated and disgraced! 40:16 May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you! May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, "May the Lord be praised!" 40:17 I am oppressed and needy! May the Lord pay attention to me! You are my helper and my deliverer! O my God, do not delay! Prayer Lord, You are not like us, You are God. Your justice and love, knowledge and wisdom are perfect. You hear our cries and intervene only in the perfect time and the perfect way. May I trust in You in all ways and at all times. Commentary David's thirty-fifth Psalm returned to the theme of crying-out for the Lord God's rescue. David's tone was somewhat more anxious in this Psalm and contained an element of question God's attention and timing. David observed that when his 'friends' were down he had fasted and prayed but when he was down they attacked and mocked him. David also appeared to present a 'quid pro quo' to the Lord God; You rescue me -- and quickly -- and also utterly destroy my enemies, and I will then praise You in public. David's thirty-sixth Psalm was a prophesy of the future of the rebellious man. David's thirty-seventh Psalm was a wisdom-song wherein David encouraged the faithful to not allow the apparent well-being of evil men to make them feel hopeless. He compared and contrasted the future of evil men with that of righteous men. David's thirty-eighth Psalm returned to a cry for the Lord God's rescue, David sounded a lot like Job -- complaining that he had become repulsive even to his friends -- and pleading for the Lord God to intervene soon. David's thirty-ninth Psalm was when David was being disciplined by the Lord God. Interestingly, David described his choice when "... in the presence of evil men" he chose not to respond to them but to instead talk to the Lord. David's fortieth Psalm began "I relied completely on the Lord ..." and though it was a plea for the Lord God's intervention it recorded David's continuous certainty of the Lord's justice and provision and protection. Interaction Consider When David was in the grip of evil men he chose not to respond to their insults and taunts but instead chose to communicate with the Lord God. Discuss Why would David, in the thirty-fifth Psalm, imply that his praise was dependent upon the Lord God's action in his time and in his way? Reflect Other than brief partial lapses in the thirty-fifth Psalm David consistently spoke of his unwavering confidence and faith in the Lord God. Share When have you been under attack from 'evil men' and either responded to them or chose to be silent and to only communicate with the Lord God? How have the different paths turned out? Faith in Action Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a circumstance where you are under attack by 'man'. Action: Today I will choose not to respond in-kind to an 'evil man' who has or is attacking me, serving the enemy as his delegated-accuser, and will instead pray, read the Bible, and perhaps journal the experience and how the Lord God brings me through. Be Specific ______________________________________________________ Monday's text will be: Psalms 41 - 44 -- Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you, Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day! David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Personal Site: http://bibleseven.com Bible Resources: http://bible.org Teacher's Verse: John 7:16 Defend free speech or lose your freedom. I don't google I SEARCH! Startpage.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: