Today's verse

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Luke 1:5-25 (KJV)

Reading list

War Room, by Chris Fabry.

Today's verse

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

Today's verse

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

Today's verse

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psalm 40:4 (KJV)

Today's verse

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:3 (KJV)

Today's verse

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:13 (KJV)

Today's verse

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psalm 8:3-4 (KJV)

Reading list

Moby Dick, by Herman Melville.

Today's verse

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:12 (KJV)

Today's verse

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29 (KJV)

Today's verse

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV)

Today's verse

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 118:9 (KJV)

Today's verse

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3 (KJV)

Today's verse

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV)

Today's verse

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30 (KJV)

Today's verse

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Psalm 101:7 (KJV)

Reading list

Twelve Ordinary Men, by John MacArthur.

Today's verse

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (KJV)

Lord, help me to see that my weakness is the chance to rely on Your strength!

Update on Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi's hearing has been delayed. The final appeal was scheduled for October 13.

Read Asia Bibi's own words.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.

Today's verse

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

Today's verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

Today's verse

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi's final appeal to be held on October 13.

Key quote:

A persecution watchdog group is organizing a 24-hour prayer rally for Asia Bibi, the Christian mother of five who's facing the death penalty in Pakistan for blasphemy, and warns that hard-line Islamists could lash out violently against Christians after next week's hearing.

The Pakistani Supreme court announced on Friday that Bibi's appeal will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13 in Islamabad, which is expected to decide whether the Christian mother will escape the death penalty, or become the first woman in Pakistan to face such an extreme punishment for blasphemy.

Read Asia Bibi's own words.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.

Today's verse

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 25:5 (KJV)

Reading list

Helliconia Winter, by Brian W. Aldiss.

Today's verse

Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Isaiah 40:10 (KJV)

Today's verse

Start with Hello: Introducing Your Church to Special Needs Ministry, by Kate Brueck and Ali Howard.

Today's verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

Today's verse

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV)

Call me: Your Supreme And Most Exalted Royal Highness Who Makes a Thousand Flowers Bloom While Curing All Disease And Making The Stars To Shine

All hail His Majesty Grant Strobl! That is the title of an interesting post at Hotair about a student who is taking advantage of the University of Michigan's new policy regarding personal pronouns.

Key quote:

We’ve covered enough of these public school and college transgender pronoun stories for them to be fairly routine, but now there’s one with a twist which makes it noteworthy. When the University of Michigan not only told the students to choose their own pronoun of preference but threatened disciplinary action against professors and administrators who failed to comply, one young man saw an opportunity. Grant Strobl is apparently quite happy with the gender he was “assigned” at birth and didn’t care to be referred to as zie or hir, but he did opt for something a bit more royal sounding… His Majesty

It's a terrific idea, but I hope His Majesty is ready for the inevitable backlash. More than a few college administrators are bullies and cowards (which is how this nonsensical policy concerning personal pronouns got enacted in the first place), and they hate anyone who calls attention to that fact.

So I predict one of two things will happen:

1. The school will ignore His Majesty's request. Contrary to the university's policy no action whatsoever will be takes against any professor or administrator who fails to call His Majesty His Masjesty. The policy was enacted to give favored groups and individuals power, and not to protect all students.

2. The school will suddenly change the policy to prevent His Majesty from being called His Majesty. All that talk about students being able to identify as they want is just a hypocritical lie, but don't expect the media to stick up for His Majesty. In the totalitarian sewer that many colleges and universities are becoming one truth remains constant: all animals, er, students are equal but some are more equal than others.

Still...bravo to you, His Majesty Grant Strobl! If my community college loses its collective mind and decides to enact a policy similar to the University of Michigan's I have already picked out my title. Feast you eyes on this magnificent meandering moniker:

Your Supreme And Most Exalted Royal Highness Who Makes a Thousand Flowers Bloom While Curing All Disease And Making The Stars To Shine

Fitting, yes?

Today's verse

Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

Psalm 25:18 (KJV)

Reading list

Deep Magic - June 2016.

Today's verse

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34-35 (KJV)

Today's verse

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Reading list

The Man of the Forest, by Zane Grey.

Today's verse

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12 (KJV)

Today's verse

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)

Today's verse

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV)