Just a reminder that we’re all pretending that our governing institutions are buttressed by rules.
The School Scam
The Law SHALL NOT Depart Out of Thy Mouth
Joshua 1:8 KJV — This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
I’ve spotted a problem in a couple other translations.
The New Living Translation omits the prescription against speaking the Law.
The New International Version and the Bible in Basic English give the opposite direction.
I’m open about my faith and constantly sharing it. I’m more careful about the prescriptions. I use Jesus as my guiding light because He came to fulfill the Law and directed His followers thusly:
Mark 12:29-31 KJV — And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The weight of these commandments is why we must spend more time meditating than speaking. Love is easy to feel, it is harder to enact.
That’s why I try to start each day here.
I breathe deeply, exhale, and hold as I gaze at the rising sun. I thank God for all the things in my life and ask for guidance. I do so with a loving heart and pray for the wisdom to love my neighbor as I love myself.
A Record
I’m tidying up long overdo piles and found a wealth of family memories.
Surely the Lord is in this Place
Blessed to have the Lord with me in June.
Lego Unschool Meet
Our monthly Lego group had parents and children building like crazy!
Some worked with instructions and others free built.
Jesus Goes For The Throat
This is what an Immaculate Flying Armbar looks like.
Last night I floundered. I let fatigue get to me. I let my insecurities run wild. I let my temper out on my children and caused a lot of wreckage. I busted my grandmother’s rosary…again. I froze. I asked Jesus for help, but I didn’t mean it. Or, at least, I wasn’t listening for the answer.
This devotional and these verses were waiting for me this morning.
Proverbs 19:21 KJV — There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Colossians 4:2 KJV — Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Philippians 3:7-8 KJV — But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
I’m looking for the opportunity here. I’m looking for deeper healing. Maybe if I had been keeping up with my devotional readings I would have read this before blowing up.
“Step back from that gangrenous edge.”
I spent a lot of time in my car today and listened to a couple interesting shows that led my son and I to an essay on not lying by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn.
I also sharpened my anti-war chops with Scott Horton:
Work Smarter, Not Harder
I’ve always disliked that phrase. So much of what I’ve achieved has been through working harder than the next guy. I’ve also been blessed with a mind that gives me the opportunity to work smarter.
Each can be an effective strateg in its own right. In soccer I can outwork and outlast equally, or more, skilled opponents. Given more time, I can increase my skill and have that as a tool to supplement my tenaciousness.
Work hard, and while you do so, think about how to improve efficiency.
Jesus Listens: Today at Elevated Studios
Renee and Stephen have been friends through a full ass decade of changes in our lives.
Now Westen is beginning his journey as an instructor and Isaac is approaching his entrance into the adult program. We are blessed to have met this wonderful couple and watching my sons grow under their tutelage has been a constant source of comfort.
Each day presents challenges and I’m grateful to have read Psalm 118:24 this morning: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
In this season of new beginnings and the inevitable grief of the way things were, we stay grateful for this, the Lord’s day.
Jesus Listens
Romans 8:1-2 KJV — There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Isaiah 30:21 KJV — And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
John 10:27 KJV — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I wasn’t so sure about this devotional because it doesn’t print the referenced scriptures. I get suspicious when guidance isn’t right next to the Word.
Today’s entry directed me to find scripture that hit directly on my problem.
I’ve been super distracted and today was really bad, I totally forgot my son’s guitar lesson and I am mentally all over the place. I’m letting social media and worldy concerns take my attention.
Freedom from distraction is found in a focus on The Most High. When I focus on Christ and the Love that I have received from God, my path becomes clear and unlittered.
I’m not there yet. I’m here typing on my phone, thinking about jiu-jitsu and soccer tonight and dinner and what’s tomorrow and and and…
Yet in the tumult, I can see the calm waters beyond. They are always there, waiting for me. There is comfort and reset in those waters.