Reading list

The Queen's Poisoner, by Jeff Wheeler.

Today's verse

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 (KJV)

Today's verse

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 (KJV)

Today's verse

Storm over Warlock, by Andre Norton.

Today's verse

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 (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)

Reading list

Voodoo Planet, by Andre Norton.

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

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 17:20 (KJV)

Today's verse

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:22-23 (KJV)

Reading list

The Marching Morons, by C. M. Kornbluth.

Today's verse

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

Today's verse

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

Today's verse

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

Psalm 17:6 (KJV)

Today's verse

Hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Psalm 69:17 (KJV)

Reading list

The Marching Morons, by C. M. Kornbluth.

Today's verse

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:6 (KJV)

Today's verse

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

Reading list

The Weapon Shops of Isher, by A. E. van Vogt

Today's verse

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. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

Today's verse

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:1-2 (KJV)

Reading list

The Star of Gettysburg, by Joseph A. Altsheler.

Today's verse

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

John 11:25-26 (KJV)

Today's verse

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

Reading list

The Nicest Girl in the School, by Angela Brazil.

Today's verse

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)

Today's verse

Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Psalm 86:6-7 (KJV)

Reading list

Plague Ship, by Andre Norton.

Today's verse

With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27 (KJV)

Today's verse

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Today's verse

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deuteronomy 13:4 (KJV)

Reading list

Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly.

Today's verse

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Psalm 45:6 (KJV)

Today's verse

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12 (KJV)

Reading list

The People of the Crater, by Andre Norton.

Today's verse

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:15-16 (KJV)

A Christmas troll

Unfortunately this sort of rubbish is becoming an annual event.

Here you go people. A nativity scene without any Jews, Arabs, Africans, refugees, poor people pic.twitter.com/1eoxIIAxu5

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) December 24, 2016

Two important things Dowd seems to be unaware of:

Mary and Joseph were not refugees. They were required by the Roman government to travel to Bethlehem so they could participate in a census and be taxed.

There is nothing in the Bible that tells us whether Mary and Joseph were rich or poor. The fact that they stayed in a stable was because there was no room at the inn (Luke 2:7), and does not necessarily indicate they were poor.

Also, it is hard to know what Dowd meant when he made his wisecrack about "Jews, Arabs, Africans". Mary and Joseph were Jews, but the terms "Arabs" and "Africans" are more recent labels unknown in the time of Jesus. Dowd might have been referring to the wise men and/or the shepherds, but it is hard to be sure.

After a number of people pointed out the errors in Dowd's ignorant Tweet he had this to say:

I am amazed. It is Christmas Eve, and the lack of civility, compassion, caring by people who claim Christianity is astounding. God Bless

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) December 24, 2016

Well, now. I know Christians make a easy target for secular media outfits like ABC, but this was pretty cowardly. One fellow Tweeter had a good response to Dowd's Christmas Eve blast:

@matthewjdowd Any chance you're going to be this woke during Ramadan?

— FiveDownTerritory (@FDTerritory) December 24, 2016

That's what I'd like to know.

Reading list

A Texas Ranger, by William Macleod Raine.

Today's verse

And when [wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 2:13-18 (KJV)