Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

I’m Jemima L. Yeggs, a.k.a. Stinker.  Pink Lady Apple Yeggs, my landlady and my auntie, wants to read about how younger people, especially couples respond to what the Bible says.  And she wants to know how God is at work at Lily the Pink.

B.B. and I were in our “green room.”  Arabella was in her new hiding place, on the swooning couch.

B.B. moaned, “Stinker, let’s get this class over so that I can deliver this baby.”

I growled, “B.B., you can’t base everything on a dream.  The dream might have come from naughty sources, giving you false hope.”

B.B. nodded, “Right!  But I did not dream that the baby came immediately after the class, just some time after the class.”

A familiar voice came from the swooning couch, “And in your dream, did the dream include that you were driving everyone crazy about a dream that you had?  You know, a dream within a dream within a dream?”

B.B. groaned, “Arabella, I will not dignify that with an answer.”

Arabella laughed, “I didn’t think so.”

I said, “Let’s get this class started, so B.B. can breathe a sigh of relief.”

Arabella said, “Whether the dream means anything or not.”

She opened the door, and we went to the den.

Rev. Joseph led us in prayer, and the entire band and choir were ready.  They sang Psalm 139.

I said, “Emmett, that was wonderful, as usual.  And Menzie and Arabella sang a beautiful descant.”

Menzie shrugged, “I sang a little lower than Belle, but thanks.”

Samuel asked, “Where are we searching for Jesus today, Aunt Jemima?”

I smiled, “As agreed, we are looking into the book of Psalms again.  Arabella, do you need Mr. Dictionary?”

Arabella shrugged, “Nope.  I can’t believe this is the fifth week!  Did I say it right, Sweet Michael?”

Michael Rowe Casey, Arabella’s boyfriend replied, “Fireball, that was perfect.”

Dr. Ellie said, “And Sweet Michael is not your Turtle codename.  Let’s make that clear.”

Professor Angus (Psalm 109:8) “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.”

Angus said, ”This verse is in the middle of some imprecatory verses in Psalm 109. ‘May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.’’ (Psalm 69:25).  Again, this is imprecatory, but it is quoted in Acts 1.  ‘“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’’ (Acts 1:20).  This is where Matthias became an apostle.  Judas Iscariot was dead.  They needed one more to be the Twelve again.  So, these imprecatory passages that many people shy away from was chosen by Peter to represent Judas.”

Mamma Missy (Psalm 110:1) “The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.””

Mamma Missy said, “Angus, take the baby.  Aunt Jemima gave me the tough one.  Not hard, but a lot of cross references.  In the three synoptic Gospels, they all have this. Jesus sits at God’s right hand…  ’ David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ ’’ (Luke 20:42-43).  The Lord God the Father said for our Lord, Jesus, of the line of David, to sit at His right hand and God the Father will make the earth His footstool.  Then later it says, ‘But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”’ (Luke 22:69). Then in Acts, ‘For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ (Acts 2:34-35).  Now, we move over to Hebrews, and I could sure use some coffee, ‘To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?’ (Hebrews 1:13).  ‘But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.’ (Hebrews 10:12-13).  Now, to break all this down, God the Father is a spirit.  He does not have a body like a man, but Jesus acts like someone on earth that is at the right hand of the ruler, interceding for us.  And we have that in the Psalms, three of the gospels, in Acts, and in the epistles.  And that also goes for earth being the footstool of Jesus.  When He returns to earth, He will conquer all the earth, and all nations will bow down whether they like it or not.  But, as for now, Satan still needs permission to test the faith of one of God’s people.  Now, can somebody get me some of that stuff that He brews?”

Thomas walked over with a large cup of coffee.  Thomas said, “I blended it half and half since you are nursing.”

Missy smiled, “Anything is better than nothing.  I was getting hoarse.  Thank you so much, Thomas.”

Menzie (Psalm 110:4) “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.””

Menzie said, “Thank you for giving me the shorter one, but Samuel and I went off script a bit.  Who is Melchizedek?  The answer is that folks don’t know for sure.  They don’t think Melchizedek was a Christophany, but he was a priest of the Highest God, but a long time before Aaron was born.  ‘Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.’ (Genesis 14:18-20).  Then in Hebrews 5…’And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”” (Hebrews 5:6).  It says the same thing, almost in Hebrews 7:17, but a little later… ‘but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever.’”’ (Hebrews 7:21).  So, Abraham meets this king of Salem.  Some think Salem is Jerusalem, since Salem is in the name.  But Melchizedek is also a priest.  You might suppose under God’s authority since Moses and Aaron aren’t born yet.  The priestly line does not exist.  But the Scripture don’t say ‘as long as you live’ so that points to someone who lives forever.  So, whoever Melchizedek was, Jesus is like him.  He is a priest, but not of the line of Aaron.  And He will act as our priest forever.”

Lauren came over and said, “That was good, Mommy.”

Menzie smiled, “I am glad you liked it, but Aunt Jemima is the important one, or Rev. Joseph.  They may have something to add.”

Rev. Joseph said, “I think you covered it very well, Menzie.”

I smiled, “I agree.  And the focus here is to see Jesus in the Psalms.  It is not simply an exercise in seeing verses that are quoted in the New Testament, but what those verses mean in respect to Jesus, and Menzie did a great job.”

Lauren giggled and went back to the play area.

Samuel (Psalm 116:10) “‘I trusted in the Lord when I said, I am greatly afflicted”;”

Samuel said, “The quote gets lost in translation with the NIV.  ‘I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.”’ (Psalm 116:10, NKJV).  So, now in 2 Corinthians, it says, It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,’’ (2 Corinthians 4:13).  It is not that the NIV is wrong.  The Greek word that we see translated as believe in John 3:16 also means trust.  We do not ‘believe’ that Jesus existed 2000 years ago.  We do not ‘believe’ that Jesus still lives today.  Those things are facts, but the belief in John 3:16 carries trust with it.  Jesus is like what Mamma Missy said, sitting on the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.  But in the intimate point of view, Jesus is that best friend that would not lead you astray and is always there for you.  So, a word in Hebrew that is translated as trust in Psalm 116, could be translated as believe in 2 Corinthians.  And the key thing here is what does Paul do because he believed?  He spoke.  Jesus gave us two commands late in His ministry.  We are to love one another.  Sometimes it is hard to do that from your easy chair.  And we are to go to the ends of the earth and spread the Gospel.  For that, once we believe, we must speak.  Does that relate this to Jesus, Aunt Jemima?”

I smiled, “It’s a shame they couldn’t have three valedictorians.  That was excellent, Samuel.”

Margie said, “Hey!  What about the ones that are the valedictorians?”

Blaise said, “Hush, Marguerite, she will give us a long one if we make a comment like that.”

Margie said, “Yes, my Precious, I was wrong.”

I gasped, “Margie said ‘my precious.’  Does that mean there is a ring somewhere hidden?  Do you have an announcement to make, Blaise?”

Blaise huffed, “Marguerite just changes up her terms of endearment, Sis.  I have not bought a ring.  I’m only fourteen years old.”

Easy snickered, “And knowing Blaise, he will melt the gold down and make the ring in his lab.”

Margie sighed, “I hope not.  My Sweetie makes a lot of things that are functional, but Soapy has to add her autistic touch to make it look pretty.”

Sophia said, “Artistic!  Artistic, Marge!”

Margie huffed, “Well!  I guess I will have to admit to being wrong twice in the same class.  A new record.”

Arabella sighed, “Just as long as she isn’t wrong in the upcoming state championship tournament.”

Brooke (Psalm 117:1) “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.”

Brooke said, “This speaks of all nations praising God.  Then, in Romans, Paul says, ‘And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”’ (1 Corinthians 3:20).  The key word change here is all nations changing to all you Gentiles.  Paul is making a distinction that God is the God of all people, not just the Jews.  When the psalmist said all nations, he meant everyone on earth.  Paul was taking his message to the Gentiles, so he wanted them to know that they were not being left out.  But isn’t this talking about the millennial reign?  Not all nations extol God.”

I laughed, “When it says all nations bending a knee…  Okay, in Philippians. ‘that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Philippians 2:10-12).  But in Psalm 86, ‘All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.’ (Psalm 86:9).  So, Psalm 117 gives a command for all nations to bend the knee.  Then Paul tells the Philippians that all nations should.  Then in David’s psalm, Psalm 86, the prophecy is made.  All nations will.  Commanding something does not mean it gets done.  And if God commanded it, you should do it.  But in the end, all will do it.”

Goober (Psalm 135:14) “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.”

Goober said, “Then in Hebrews 10: ‘For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”’ (Hebrews 10:30).  It’s one thing to seek vengeance instead of letting God handle it, but that goes hand in hand with God’s judgment.  We need to let it play out.  If you hit somebody so hard to put them in the hospital, that probably wasn’t what God wanted.  I play a violent sport, but if you lose your cool and seek vengeance yourself, you are probably going to do something stupid.  And if somebody beats you on a play, God might have a purpose for that team scoring when they did.  It may not feel like it works out, but God’s will is going to be done.  And if you get beat and you did your best, they just beat you.  You can walk to the middle of the field and shake hands.  If you seek vengeance, you won’t want to do that.”

I shrugged, “I wasn’t expecting that viewpoint, but then again, I don’t know much about football.”

Josie (Psalm 140:3) “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”

Josie said, “That is just half of the meanness.  Then, in Isaiah 59… ‘Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.”’ (Isaiah 59:7-8).  Psalm 140 gives the idea of all talk and no action, but then Isaiah 59 deals with the action.  It sounds like some countries today, who only know how to fight their neighbors.  They’ve never seen peace.  Then for the New Testament, ‘“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.”  “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”’ (Romans 3:13-18).  While the Old Testament might be a nation in some respects, this bit from Paul is talking about our sin nature.  I think that is what all of this points to.  We are the mean people who think about ourselves, and we don’t care about justice unless we are the one that gains from the deal.  It speaks of Jesus in that Jesus taught us to not be like that.”

I said, “That was excellent, Josie.  How is Daniel doing?”

Josie smiled, “Daniel and Jethro come to the home games, but we missed the playoffs.  Daniel has a lot of fun, but I think Jethro helps with that.”

Daniel ran over from the play area.  “Mommy!”

Josie said, “Not time yet, Daniel.  Go play with Stormie and Ellie Rain.”

I said, “We have one left and then next week, we will look at Pentecost and the following week we will be in Proverbs.”

Arabella said, “Yay!”  But no one else joined her.

Jethro (Psalm 146:6) “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.”

Jethro said, “This verse talks about God as the Creator.  Then the people listened to Peter and John talking.  ‘When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.’ (Acts 4:24).  So, the people praised God as the Creator.  ‘“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.’ (Acts 14:15).  This is when the people of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were gods.  And when Paul denied that they were, folks from Antioch and that other place talked the crowd into stoning Paul.  He went from god to no good faster than a striped-tail ape.  But in this verse, Paul talks about God being the Creator.  Then in Revelation … ‘And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay!’ (Revelation 10:6).  So, since Jesus is the Word and the Word was with God since before the Creation, then these verses point to Jesus as part of the Trinity.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Jethro.  I just love hearing you tell stories.  But before we go to the benediction.  Can someone give me a sports update?”

Tammie said, “Flintheart is going to the state tournament tomorrow in softball.  T.R.U.S.T. missed the playoffs by one game.  And we lost several by one run.  With Brooke and Margie added to the roster, I think we’ll be invited to the regionals and then maybe get some better recruiting.  Carla was an alternate in the women’s golf, since it looked like T.R.U.S.T. might make it into the regionals in softball.  But we lost in the regionals in women’s golf.  Brenton and the T.R.U.S.T. men are having the regionals now, and Carla went along to cheer for them.”

“Thank you, Tammie.”  I nodded to Grannie Fannie.

Grannie Fannie (2 Corinthians 13:14) “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Lauren ran up to Grannie Fannie and hugged her.  “Are you ready to drive us?”

Brooke picked up Stormie and strapped her into the carrier.  Brooke asked Stormie if she would miss her if Flintheart went deep into the tournament, the softball players would miss next Sunday.  They were expected to “Three-peat” as champions, but without Margie next year, it might be a struggle just getting to the state championship tournament.  And Brooke would be gone too.  She hit more for power this year, making up for the loss of Carla, who became the main reason T.R.U.S.T. had made a big improvement.

Credits

I do not see the need for Credits other than a video to sing along with.

Here is Psalm 139 sung by Shane and Shane.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.