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.”  B.B. was feeding baby Ethan.  She was sitting in the swooning couch while Arabella put the finishing touches on my hair.

Arabella said, “B.B., what do you think of a few spikes in the back where she can’t see it?”

B.B. laughed, “That would be great, Fireball.  But do you think you can out run her?”

Arabella groaned, “Yeah, but if she runs out of steam, I think Easy could run me over with the Turtle.”

I snickered, “Okay, I do not detect any funny business with my hair, so let’s get started.”

B.B. said, “I just burped Ethan. Let’s go.”

Arabella opened the door and bowed.  I laughed.  Sarah did that last week.  Arabella had to keep up.

Rev. Joseph led us in prayer and the entire band and choir were ready.  They sang Feed His Flock.

I said, “Emmett, that was wonderful.  The tubulum was great, Mike.”

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

I smiled, “We are still looking at the books of Isaiah, and next week too.  We will be doing quotations from Isaiah.  Arabella, do you need Mr. Dictionary?”

Arabella nodded, “I say, aah, I know who Isaiah is.  aah.”

Easy, with eyes closed, said, “Belle, you had to stretch for that one.”

Arabella said, “Yes, Mr. Dictionary.”

Dr. Ellie (Isaiah 8:14) “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.”

Dr. Ellie said,”There is a cross reference to Isaiah 28.  ‘So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.’ (Isaiah 28:16). Both of these have to do with stones.  Or we could say a rock that is a firm foundation.  But in Isaiah 8, the stone causes Jerusalem to stumble.  And in Isaiah 28, it is the cornerstone, and those who rely upon this cornerstone will never panic.  Nearly opposite uses of the word stone.  In Romans 9, ‘Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”’ (Romans 9:32-33).  So, Paul is referring to those who sent Jesus to be crucified.  They were focused on the letter of the Law and following rules, but Jesus was not in their hearts.  In a way, they did not accept mercy.  Instead that was what sacrifices were for.  But Peter adds something that ties these verses together.  ‘For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.’ (1 Peter 2:6-8).  So, Peter says it more clearly.  The stone is significant to everyone.  Those that believe, it is the cornerstone of our faith.  To an unbeliever, they do not sidestep the stone.  They stumble over it.”

Dr. Ben (Isaiah 10:22-23) “Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous. The Lord, the Lord Almighty, will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.”

Dr. Ben said, “There is a cross reference to Hosea 1. ‘“Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’’ (Hosea 1:10).  This is after Lo-Ammi is born, ‘not my people,’ but God promises that for a remnant, the ‘Lo’ will be lost, and they will again become God’s people.  But this punishment of destruction is sure.  It will happen.  ‘Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”’ (Romans 9:27-28).  We have a loving God, but He is Holy.  Rebellion and sin must be answered justly.  And yet, we beg for mercy.”

I smiled, “Thank you. You and your wife.”

Mary Sheltie Jones (Isaiah 22:12-13) “The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth. But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! ‘Let us eat and drink,’ you say, ‘for tomorrow we die!’”

Mary said, “I am glad you extended the verse that is quoted.  On its own, it makes little sense, but that is the point.  The people should be introspective.  They should repent of their sins, but instead, they celebrate with foolhardy frivolity, for tomorrow, they die.  ‘If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32).  Paul brings up a life lesson.  It kind of punches a hole in someone’s bucket list.  The believer repents of sin, but the unbeliever, when faced with certain death, has no ultimate reward awaiting.  Thus, why not one last pleasure or one last item taken off the bucket list.”

Michael asked, “What’s a bucket list.”

Mary smiled, “It’s a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket.  You know, shuffle off this mortal coil.”

Michael shrugged, “Thank you, Aunt B.B.”

Rev. Joseph (Isaiah 25:8) “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”

Rev. Joseph said, “I want to read more than the quote you suggested.  ‘When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).  Sure, that first verse is roughly the quote, but identifying sin as the sting of death, the law giving sin that power, and then our victory over that sin, thus that sting of death is Jesus.  After all, this exercise is to see Jesus through these quotes, but the First Corinthians quote says nothing of wiping away tears. ‘‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”’ (Revelation 21:4).”

I said, “Thanks for looking up extra Bible verses.  Somehow, I expected no less.”

Wilma (Isaiah 27:9) “By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones to be like limestone crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing.”

Wilma said, “This one had a couple of Old Testament cross references.  ‘“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.’ (Isaiah 59:20-21). And in Jeremiah, ‘“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”’ (Jeremiah 31:33-34).  But then for the New Testament connection, Paul writes, ‘and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”’ (Romans 11:26-27).  And the Redeemer throughout these verses is Jesus.  And most of these talk about us repenting.”

I said, “Thanks, Wilma.”

Wilma said, “That was a lot of cross references.  I was getting tired.”

B.B. laughed, “Wilma, on the Turtle, we can’t get you to shut up.”

Wilma retorted, “But that has only six people listening.”

B.B. smiled, “But we have tens of thousands of people worldwide that watch our reality television episodes.”

Wilma’s lower lip quivered, “But you edit out my goofy stuff, right?”

B.B. shook her head, “No, why would we?  Your goofy is golden.”

Dr. Ellie said, “And you are telling me that to maintain my sanity while Wilma is being goofy is to remind her that what she says is being seen by thousands of people?  And I have been going crazy ever since a certain Bossy Boss (B.B.) went on maternity leave?!”

Wilma was pouting, “But my goofy is a cute goofy, right?”

B.B. sighed, “Sure, dear.  Keep being you in the Turtle.”

I asked, “Can we get back to the Sunday school topic?”

Fred (Isaiah 27:13) “And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.”

Fred said, “I am not complaining about the cross references.  Honest!  But here goes. ‘“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—’ (Joel 2:1).  And then in Zechariah, ‘“Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the Lord.’ (Zechariah 2:6).  So, now we can get to the New Testament, ‘And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.’ (Matthew 24:31).  I don’t know much about the End Times.  I don’t have much of an idea of what to look for, but with all these verses, the last spoken by Jesus, if I start hearing trumpets in the sky, I think that might get my attention.”

Wilma sighed, “Wow!  Fred said all that and he didn’t break into a sweat.  That’s more than he says in a week.”

Arabella quipped, “Yeah, you don’t give him a chance to say anything.”

I shook my head, “Yeah, says the other chatty Kathy in the class.  Lauren, I see you fidgeting.  One more, and I am calling on my husband.”

Easy asked, “Will I have to open my eyes?”

I purred, “You have mastered many skills, but I do not think reading with your eyes closed is one of them.”

Easter Yeggs (Isaiah 35:5-6) “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

Easy said, “Then in Isaiah 58. ‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6).  And then in chapter 61, ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,’ (Isaiah 61:1).  Now, for the New Testament, ‘“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,’ (Luke 4:18).  And then a few chapters later, ‘So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’ (Luke 7:22). In Luke 4, Jesus reads the passage from Isaiah 61:1.  The people who watched Him grow up and work with His father wanted to kill Him.  But He walked through the crowd to escape.  Then, John the Baptist sent some of his followers to Jesus to ask if Jesus was the Messiah.  Jesus did not answer directly, but He quoted Isaiah 35 and a bit of Isaiah 58.  Jesus was demonstrating that He was the promised Messiah by performing the miracles that Isaiah said would be performed.  And Jesus was helping the needy.  These passages show how God looks out for the disadvantaged, and we should too.”

Grannie Fannie (2 John 1:3) “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

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.

Stormie laughed and said, “Book.”  Brooke leaned in close and kissed Stormie on the forehead, and Stormie laughed.

Credits

Here is Feed His Flock, Isaiah 40.  This is sung by Xander Stok, Project of Love.  He makes a point that this was not AI generated.  If you watch the words appear, the video gives the verse in Isaiah 40 that has those words.

Can I go three weeks with the same artist/composer?

“Shuffle off this mortal coil” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.