Quick Lessons from a Forgotten Prophet

Pastor Mark's lesson is based on the first chapter of Jeremiah.

1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Jeremiah is often referred to as "the weeping prophet" for he wept over the nation of Israel. We need people today who will weep over our nation.

Jeremiah preached the impending captivity of the people. Prophet has
1. a demanding task; Jeremiah's Dad was a priest. He was a follower of his Daddy's God.

Contrast priest and prophet. A priest's duty is predictable: to preserve the past. A prophet's duty is unpredictable: effort to change the future.
A priest ministers to the individual. A prophet ministers to a nation.
A priest is paid a stipend. A prophet has no clear source of income.

2. a difficult task; the prophet is functioning in a time of rebellion; a time of reformation but not repentence. (What we need: repentence.)

3. doubts. (v.6) I am but a child. Most commentators believe that Jeremiah was literally a teenager at the time of his calling. God's response (v.7) I will tell you what to say.

Three assurances God gave to Jeremiah.
1. The assurance of His grace. (vv.4,5) If God calls, He empowers.
2. The assurance of His protection. (v.7) I shall send thee. (v.8) Be not afraid for I am with you.
3. The assurance of God's effective Word. (v.9) His word is trustworthy.

Jeremiah persisted in his task for forty years! He was ordained by God.

Sometimes the battle is won by going!

E E Cummings

Edward Estlin Cummings, Harvard educated poet, essayist, painter, dare one say bon vivant, if perchance one knew what that meant, was born October 14, 1894.

You may have been introduced to e.e. cummings in an American literature class during the period referred to as "War and the Wasteland." There is little doubt that Mr. Cummings was one of America's most influential poets of the twentieth century. His personal life was almost a stereotype of the professional poet. It ended on September 3, 1962.

Cummings is particularly noted for his syntactical oddities. It is certain that he broke new ground in the use of the English language. The ordering and juxtaposition of words is fascinating, and to anyone who enjoys language, his work is a worthwhile pursuit.

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

A real character and a man of many parts.

Edward Estlin Cummings 1894 - 1962

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. E. E. Cummings

Six White Horses

I know I am just an "old guy" but I cannot listen to this song without tears streaming down my face.

Pig Tales

Thinking about the upcoming Pork Festival and pigs and things led me to surfing around the 'net. I found this little gem quite by accident. Curiously, I am acquainted with the author, in a former life, so to speak.

Last year I took my camera and made a few sorties to the Tipton County Pork Festival, which means I had to range so far as a half-mile from the domicile. I posted some pictures; and thus, I have filled in that square and think I shall not repeat the experience. I shall just go and have fun, leaving the burdensome camera home this time. Nah, won't happen. I go, Canon goes.

So, I post this in anticipation of the festivities, by way of advertising, one might say. The first Pork Festival, which I attended, occurred forty-one years ago, and hence this will be the forty-second annual celebration. Come on over, September 9, 10, and 11. In addition to more delicious food than you can eat, there will be street vendors, carnival rides, art shows and music. Friday night, the mainstage entertainment will be Bob Ammons, Linda Lee and the Noble Creek Band, and Lee Greenwood. Saturday night there will be a bunch of rockers and a dance contest.

Oh, yeah. Beauty Pageants. And parades. 5:30 Thursday and Saturday at 2:00.

Be there.

LV 13 = Warmth in Winter

Ironically, I made a reference to the fire burning inside when we last visited Loonville. The old house in which we lived was heated with oil-burning space heaters, large stoves whose pipes connected to the central chimney. All went well more than 99% of the time. But on two occasions while we lived there, a tremendous wind, contrary to its normal routine, blew in from the northeast. Somehow this allowed the force of the air to push down the chimney, preventing the smoke from rising, and worse, blowing soot a-l-l o-v-e-r the interior of the home.

So there we were. Outdoor temperature below freezing, no fire now inside, and the whole place covered with black, oily grime. The amount of scrubbing, laundry, and overall thorough cleanup you really don't want to know about; and you certainly never, ever want to experience it.

Also, the tank for the fuel was a 275 gallon behemoth that stood on stilts beside the house. And even though the price of fuel was less than thirty cents a gallon most of the time, unbelievable as that may be, to fill the tank could easily take an "investment" of over sixty bucks. It was something one could not postpone to more flush times. If it was oil or bread, we took oil.


We did not have microwaves, garbage disposals, or television sets. Okay, okay. Finally when the oldest child was in fifth grade we bought a 19" b & w Zenith on which we could get two channels. We were no longer the only home on the block without this marvel, though we should have remained so. Two things I remember about this time frame. "Sky King" which we thought suitable for the kids after school; and Lorne Green and the Cartwright gang who changed the face of mid-America forever. How so? I hope you are asking.

To this time, most fundamental, evangelical, and even many of the old-line churches had Sunday evening services which typically were held at 7:30. Virtually all churches chose at that time one of two alternatives: move service up to 6 o'clock so everyone could get home in time to visit the Ponderosa; or, eliminate evening service entirely. Over the intervening years, many of those who chose the first alternative, eventually defaulted to the second, and churches all over the Bible belt sit darkened on the evening of the Lord's Day.
© 2010 David W. Lacy
Image: rateyourmusic.com

Yardwork

Absolutely gorgeous days recently. Shut the Toshiba and repaired to the yard. To repair the yard, so to speak, inasmuch as it has suffered considerable neglect during the month-long heat wave.

And what should I find along the west end of the lot but these loverly piles of dirt.

They are called, I believe, "molehills." Oh, yes they are.

Now what?

I saw this critter climbing the pear tree. He paraded his green glory fearlessly as I snapped several shots, at least one of which captured him!

Jonah, by Mary Margaret

(Jonah, by Vanilla)

Mother

Vera Morrell Lacy

August 28, 1908 - April 26, 1991