saturday sundries, week #36

I've kept my fanny glued to the chair in front of my computer over the three days since I last posted, but I did not make the progress I'd hoped I would. Progress, yes, but not enough. However, ideas are starting to pop a little more often. That's always a good sign. Especially since the writing schedule will remain intense for many, many weeks to come.

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The Boise Valley has been gasping, hacking, and coughing in terrible Stage 1 air quality alert. Smoke from something like sixteen forest fires has drifted into the valley and nestled against the foothills, growing worse day by day by day. People have been told not to spend time outdoors, not to exercise, basically to try not to breathe more than necessary. A hot wind blew through on Thursday night, but all it did was make the air smell even more like the neighborhood was on fire (and I live on the opposite side of the valley from the mountains). No smoke blew away, but I did get more small branches knocked out of my curly willow tree.

I must admit that the smoke has made for some spectacular sunrises, turning the morning sky an unusual shade of pink.

You can click on the photos for slightly bigger images if you wish. The one on the left is taken from my front yard, pointing at my neighbor's house. The one on the right is a little clearer view from my backyard.

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How about the Dems in congress threatening a TV network over a docudrama based on the 9/11 Commission report? What a ridiculous circus this has been! I have plenty I could say and would like to say, but I have had only limited time to follow the story and so don't feel qualified. But Hugh Hewitt has some informed columns regarding the matter. Here's a link to one called The Clinton Censors.

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So if thinking about the government and upcoming elections makes you want to scream, here is a bit of scripture to take to heart so we can all start praying for those who will be in authority over us when the election dust settles:

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.  Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.  (Rom. 13:1-7)

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The governing authorities are established by God. That's something to ponder in this day and age.

Which brings me to the Name of God I am meditating upon at presence:  ELOHIM (e-lo-HEEM), God, the Mighty Creator. In the beginning, He created everything out of nothing. He could have made things very different than He did. He could have made me very different than He did. I am created in His image. Amazing!

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And now it's time that I return to Patti and Al in the little town of Hart's Crossing where no politics or smoky forest fires are intruding on their lives. However, as is true of all of us, they have their own personal brand of trouble to deal with. My job is to make those troubles worse before things can get better. I am not a Mighty Creator, but I am made in the image of the Mighty Creator, so I create with a small "c" and hope to reveal some of His truth along the way.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

Comments

[Cathy West]

Well, Robin,
If you tire of gasping for breath, you can always come hang out in Bermuda, where we're under Hurricane Watch, and holding...
Good luck on the wip.
I shall be in prayer for you. Would appreciate your prayers for Bermuda at this time.