Psalm 87 (résumé): He has set his foundation!

This short psalm by the sons of Korah exalts Jerusalem as the supreme city of God for the world. Jerusalem, it says, was founded on the holy mountain Zion. God loves its gates! It then goes on to cite various nations and ethnicities which were "born in Zion"! "This one and that one were born in Zion and God will establish her". The psalm closes with all singing praise to God as all ethnicities recognize their all in God.

Psalm 86 (résumé): Hear, O Lord, and answer me!

Psalm 86 is another psalm of David who begins asking God to answer him because he is poor and needy. He goes on "Guard my life because I am devoted to you... have mercy on me O Lord... you are kind and forgiving... abounding in love... among the gods there is none like you... you are great and do marvellous deeds... teach me your way... you have delivered my soul... the arrogant attack me but you, O Lord, are compassionate and gracious... grant your strength to your servant... for you have helped me and comforted me!"

Psalm 85 (résumé): You showed favour to you Land

This psalm is another of the Sons of Korah. It starts recalling God's favour to Israel in the past, his forgiveness and turning aside from wrath. Then prayer is made for renewed restoration and revival, and for God to reveal his unfailing love. Finally come verses of confident expectation because surely salvation is near to those who fear God. In God "righteousness and peace kiss each other". "The Lord will indeed give what is good" with a good harvest. 

Cuckoo

I heard the Dark-billed Cuckoo yesterday afternoon at Green Pastures. It is only with us in the rainy season to eat the trillions of caterpillars. I also saw 3 Cajarana Plum Trees which managed to survive the drought and now look great.

We were so sad to learn that another of our pastors has cancer. He is Pastor Nezinho Abílio of our Diamante/Vazante churches. Happily we sent him a back-up worker in January as he wasn't feeling well. Please pray for this pastor.

Last night Liz took part in the women's fellowship meeting where she says all went off nicely.

Psalm 84 (résumé): Lord, how lovely is your dwelling place

 Psalm 84 is attributed to the Sons of Korah and is one of the most beautiful hymns of the Bible which expresses a deep yearning for God's house and for God's presence. The psalmists say that their heart and flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your temple Lord... even sparrow and swallow think so... blessed are those that dwell in your house. The writer goes on saying blessed are those whose strength is in you and have set their heart on pilgrimage... though one goes through dry and harsh valley of Baca God transforms it into a place of springs and autumn rain... better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere... better is it to be the door keeper of the temple than to dwell in the tents of the wicked... for God is sun and shield... blessed is he who trusts in God!

Psalm 83 (résumé): O God do not keep silent!

Psalm 83 is a prayer of lament written by Asaph. It calls on God to speak out against his cunning enemies who plot against God's people. Many nations have formed an alliance against Israel including even Assyria to destroy Israel as a nation! (some things never change!) Asaph prays that God will repeat the same sort of defeats as those inflicted in the past against Midian, Sisera and Jabin. Asaph prays that Israel's enemies be dealt with like chaff in the wind or fire in a forest. Asaph prays that the enemies be ashamed and dismayed and perish in disgrace and let them know that the Lord alone is the Most High over all the earth!

Psalm 82 (résumé): God presides in the great assembly

Psalm 82 was written by Asaph and presents God as the supreme judge who gives judgement among the "gods" (Elohim). God reprimands those in authority who are unjust and show partiality to the wicked. They understand nothing and live in darkness. They are "gods" who will die like mere men. Asaph concludes invoking God to judge the earth because all the nations are his inheritance. 

Psalm 81 (résumé): Sing for joy to God!

 Psalm 81 is a celebratory song by Asaph which also calls Israel to repentance. It starts joyfully calling everyone to sing accompanied by tambourines, harp, lyre and ram's horns (shofar) under a full moon! God then speaks recalling how he had freed Israel from slavery and how he tested them at the waters of Meribah. God calls Israel to listen to him decrying their stubbornness and idolatry because if they would follow God's ways they would be fed with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock!

Psalm 80 (resumé): Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel

This psalm is again written by Asaph and is a poetic lament which uses the vine as a poignant metaphor. Asaph starts asking for the restoration of Israel by its Shepherd. He goes on to question how long God's anger will smoulder and he then repeats his plea for restoration. Asaph then describes the vine Israel which was planted in Canaan and grew spreading from the Mediterranean Sea to the River Euphrates. He pleads for God to "watch over this vine" because it has been cut down and burned. The end of the psalm is clearly messianic appealing to the man at God's right hand... the son of man... appealing to God for restoration, salvation and revival!

Second-longest

I have written my résumé of the second-longest psalm. Everyone knows that Psalm 119 is the longest but few know that the second longest is Psalm 78. I tested Liz to prove the point!

Last night I went to the Patos Men's Fellowship meeting which I led with a word from Pastor Rafael. Parallel to this Liz went to a meeting with our Care Centre dentist Lariza, our social worker Marah Danielle, our dentist's assistant Gisliany and our lawyer Murilo. Both meetings went very well.

Yesterday it rained a further 26 mm at Green Pastures taking the total rainfall for this year's rainy season past the 400 mm mark for the first time with a partial total of 407 mm.

Psalm 79 (résumé): O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance

Psalm 79 is a gut-wrenching lament written by Asaph apparently following the invasion of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the destruction of the temple. Initially the chaotic scene of destruction is depicted with the temple defiled, the city reduced to rubble, people's bodies serving as food for vultures with no-one available to bury the dead. How long will this mess last? - the people cry out... may your mercy come quickly to meet us because we are in desperate need... help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name... may you avenge the blood of your servants and stops the nations asking "where is their God"?... hear the groans of the prisoners... pay back our neighbours seven times... and we will praise you forever!

Psalm 78 (summary): O my people hear my teaching!

This is another psalm of Asaph which is the second longest, after psalm 119, with 72 verses. This is a teaching psalm passing on to all generations God's faithful dealings with his people despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Asaph says initially that parents should teach their children Israel's history so that the children might trust in God, remember his mighty works and not repeat their past rebellious attitudes. Asaph then goes on to cite Ephraim as a negative example of past unfaithfulness who forgot their covenant with God. Asaph then goes on to recall God's mighty acts bringing his people out of Egypt, opening the Red Sea, leading them with cloud and fire and giving them water from the rock. However the Israelites soon forgot and doubted, but still God sent them the bread of angels and quails, but whilst it was still in their mouths God's anger rose against them because of their disbelief. Asaph goes on to remind people of the constant ups and downs of the Israelites between backsliding, punishment, superficial repentance and then slipping back to square one! In all of this topsy turvy process God's mercy prevailed. Asaph then goes back to Egypt reminding people of the 10 plagues and the subsequent leading into Canaan. Asaph's teaching goes on to remind about times of past apostacy when they reverted to idolatry and paganism which brought God to abandon the tabernacle at Shiloh. The psalm then closes with hope with the choice of Judah and David. David was the shepherd of Israel who with skill and integrity led the people of God.

Half-way

I have now got half-way through the book of Psalms having written the résumé or summary of Psalm 75 yesterday. Just 75 psalms to go!

Last night Liz went to the Ladies Prayer Meeting where they celebrated the birthday of our deaconess Deborah Maria who is an excellent worker visiting the flock. Liz also did some counselling work whilst at church.

Last night it rained 35 mm at Green Pastures taking this year's total to 381 mm.

Psalm 77 (summary): I cried out to God for help

This further psalm of Asaph expresses him in a deep period of depression and doubt. He cries to God for help... I was in distress and sought the Lord... my soul refused to be comforted... I was too troubled to speak... then I remembered my songs in the night... will the Lord reject us for ever?... has his unfailing love vanished?... I will remember the deeds of the Lord and his miracles of long ago... what god is so great as our God?... he led his people through the sea and guided them by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 76 (summary): In Judah God is known

Psalm 76 is another psalm by Asaph. It is a victorious celebration of the majesty and power of God which should be sung accompanied by stringed instruments. God's name which is great in Israel - he broke flashing arrows and all the weapons of war. God is described as "majestic more that mountains rich with game... and victorious over warriors, horses and chariots... who can stand before God when he is angry?!" "Surely God's wrath brings him praise... and he is feared by the kings of the earth"!

Psalm 75 (summary): We give thanks to you, O God!

Psalm 75 is another psalm of Asaph, but this time it is a hymn of thanks to God and a prophetic declaration concerning God's judgement. Asaph starts thanking God for his wonderful deeds and acknowledging that he judges uprightly and at the appointed time. To the arrogant, Asaph says, boast no more. God, says Asaph, is the supreme judge who brings one down and exalts another. He says that above all else he will sing praise to God forever and the wicked will be defeated whereas the righteous shall be exalted!

Psalm 74 (summary): Why have you rejected us forever O God?

Whereas the previous psalm was a personal crisis of faith this psalm is a collective outcrying of desperation by the community faced by a national crisis. It is widely thought that this psalm was written after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. In the first 11 verses Asaph bemoans the catastrophic destruction... "everlasting ruins... smashed all the carved panelling... burned the sanctuary to the ground... no prophets are left... how long will the enemy mock you O God?" Then in verses 12-17 Asaph recalls God's mighty works of the past breaking the heads of sea monsters, crushing the heads of the Leviathan and controlling day, night, sun and moon. So if God can do all this he can certainly restore Mount Zion! Then in the final verses Asaph cries to God to react and restore city and temple. He says "Rise up, O God! and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long!

Psalm 73 (summary): Surely God is good to Israel

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph who clearly struggles to cope with the prosperity of the wicked as opposed to the suffering of the righteous. Asaph confesses that he envied the prosperity of the wicked as they have such an easy life! "Their mouths lay claim to heaven... they are always carefree increasing in wealth... surely in vain have I kept my heart pure... but how suddenly are they destroyed... but you Lord hold me by my right hand... you guide me with your counsel... whom have I in heaven but you?... God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever... you destroy all who are unfaithful to you, but as for me it is good to be near God!  

Psalm 72 (summary): Endow the king with your justice!

Psalm 72 was either written by Solomon or for Solomon (probably the latter) and is messianic. It describes an ideal king in his justice, compassion, riches and global rule. "He will judge the people in righteousness... he will bring prosperity to the people... he will defend the afflicted and save the children... he will endure as long as the sun... prosperity will abound till the moon is no more... he will rule from sea to sea... all kings will bow down to him... he will take pity on the weak... Long may he live!... may his name endure forever... all nations will be blessed through him... praise be to his glorious name for ever!"

This psalm brings to an end the second book of psalms.

Psalm 71 (summary): In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge

Psalm 71 is a reflective poem about God's help and blessing throughout life from birth to old age. The unnamed psalmist asks God to always be his refuge and deliver him from the wicked. He says God was with him at birth and had been his confidence since his youth. So he asks God not to cast him away when he is old. "May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace... I will always tell of your righteousness... since my youth I declare God's mighty deeds... so don't abandon me when I'm old and grey... your righteousness reached to the skies O God... I will praise you with the harp... my lips will shout for joy!

Psalm 70 (summary): Hasten, O God, to save me!

In this petition psalm by David he cries to God for swift intervention to help him against those who want to kill him. David seeks God's blessing on those who seek the Lord and prays that God might be his help and deliverer as soon as possible and may all who desire his ruin be disgraced.

Psalm 69 (summary): Save me, O God!

Psalm 69 is another Davidic lament crying out to God for help against his enemies and undeserved suffering. "Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck"! "I sink in the mud... floods engulf me... I am exhausted calling for help... many enemies seek to destroy me... zeal for your house consumes me... I am the song of the drunkards... answer me O God with your salvation!"  "Do not let the floodwaters engulf me... answer me quickly because I am in trouble... Pour out your wrath on my enemies... May they be blotted out of the book of life... I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me... I will praise God's name in song... the poor will see and be glad... Let heaven and earth praise God... those who love God's name will dwell in Zion!"

A challenging psalm

Last night Pastor Rafael led the main service of the week on Sunday night in Patos and I preached on Psalm15: "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?" It was an excellent service. The praise and worship was beautiful led by Erika, Louisa and Marina backed by Rogerio, Netinho, Ricardinho, Tiago and Davi.

It rained in Patos last night but not at Green Pastures unfortunately.  

Psalm 68 (summary): May God arise!

Psalm 68 is a triumphant Davidic hymn celebrating God's victories and goodness to the needy. "May God arise and his enemies be scattered", David commences. He prays that God's foes be blown away like smoke in the wind. God is extolled who is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. David remembers how God led his people in the wilderness and gave abundant showers. God scattered the kings in the land and left them like fallen snow. David then seems to rejoice in God's victorious ascent from Sinai to Zion. God is also praised as a burden bearer of his people and says that surely God will crush his enemies. Then David says, "Your procession has come into view, O God" as apparently a festive procession takes place. There are singers, musicians and maidens playing tambourines. David rejoices singing to God as God thunders with a mighty voice. "You are awesome O God in your sanctuary".

Psalm 67 (summary): May God be gracious to us

This is a short prayer seeking God's grace and blessing and asking that God's ways be made known amongst all the nations. The prayer continues beseeching that all nations praise God and be glad under God's perfect rule and guidance. Then it says that the harvest will be good, God will bless and be feared unto the ends of the earth. 

Psalm 66 (summary): Shout with joy to God!

This psalm is gloriously jubilant starting with "Shout with joy to God, all the earth... Say to God how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you... Come and see what God has done!... He turned the sea into dry land... He rules forever by his power... Praise our God, O peoples... he tested us like silver... we went through fire and water but you brought us to a place of abundance... I will sacrifice fat animals to you... let me tell you what he has done for me... God has surely heard my voice in prayer... Praise be to God!"

Publishing of the Bible Résumé

I am now in the process of officially publishing my résumés or summaries of the Bible on the EAB website. Of course they have already been available on my blog, but now they will be available in an organized book by book and chapter by chapter fashion so as to make my summaries more readily accessible. So far my friend Alex Souto has posted Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Please view the work in progress at www.eabrazil.org

Yesterday QPR actually managed to win a game beating Leicester 3 x 1 away! 😂 We are now on 50 points in the Championship in 16th place out of 24 teams. 

Last night I led the service at Green Pastures and I preached on Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1-13 focusing on Jesus' life under threat, his being faced by unbelief with his family and 'God's right time'. It was a lovely service. On the way there I saw a Burrowing Owl.

It rained 17 mm at Green Pastures last night but not in Patos. This takes rainfall in this year's rainy season at Green Pastures up to 346 mm remembering that 600 mm is poor, 800 mm is medium and 1,000 is good between January and the end of April.

Wren

The Southern House Wren is singing beautifully outside my office. 

We continue desperate for rain here because it has only rained 329 mm this rainy season from January to March. A good year rains 1,000 mm, a medium year rains 800 mm and a just about alright year rains 600 mm by the end of April. Please pray!

Yesterday Liz went out to Green Pastures with deaconess Josinete.

I have just drunk a glass of Barbadan Cherry fruit juice which is produce of Green Pastures.

Psalm 65 (summary): Praise awaits you O God!

Psalm 65, again attributed to David, is a jubilant upbeat poem of praise to God. David exclaims that when we were overwhelmed by sins God atoned for our transgressions... God answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness... God formed the mountains by his power and stills the roaring seas... God cares for the land and cares for it providing the people with grains... and blesses the crops with showers... and the carts overflow with abundance... the grasslands overflow and the meadows are filled with flocks... and the valleys shout for joy and sing! 

Mid-week meeting

I led last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and pastor Rafael led the worship. The study was brought by lawyer Murilo on 'Test the Spirits' from 1 John 4:1-6. It was a lovely service in which Linda and Espedita sang solos.

We have just taken part in an excellent meeting with Maggy Spence and Jan Stracey of the Danbury Mission missionary committee. We had a good chat about the work of the Lord.

Psalm 64 (summary): Hear me O God!

 This is a prayer by David for protection from his enemies. He says: "Protect my life from the threat of the enemy... hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like arrows... they have evil plans... and plot injustice... but God will shoot them with arrows and bring them to ruin... let the righteous rejoice in the Lord!"

Psalm 63 (summary): O God, you are my God!

Psalm 63, written in the Judean desert, is a passionate Davidic declaration of faith in God saying "O God, you are my God... my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you... I have beheld your power and glory... your love is better than life... with singing lips my mouth will praise you... I sing in the shadow of your wings... those who seek my life will be destroyed... the king will rejoice in God!"

Projects

We value your prayers for our social action projects team which in the first half of 2026 are working on the drilling and equipping of 2 more wells, the setting up of 1 further market garden, the construction of 2  more toilet/shower units, and the distribution of more goats and hair sheep in the 4-Legs project. May God be glorified and the poor blessed by these wells, toilets, goats and sheep, and market garden.

Last night we held an excellent Patos Church Council meeting which lasted 2 hours and covered 23 topics in a fine spirit of unity, consensus and Christian love. It was an excellent meeting.

I went to Green Pastures yesterday where I saw some beautiful bright orange Campo Troupials as well as White-naped Jays and Picui Ground-Doves. Everything is beautifully green, but now in desperate need of heavy rains. Please pray!

A 30-year-old Brazilian psychologist from the northeastern city of Fortaleza called Vitória Barreto is being searched for in Essex, England, where she has gone missing. She has been working on a research project with Essex University.

QPR sadly lost away to Birmingham yesterday 1 x 0. 😭

Psalm 62 (summary): My soul finds rest in God alone

 David's psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. "My soul finds rest in God alone... I shall never be shaken". David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, "he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken... God is our refuge". David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are "only a breath"... and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do".

The Parables of the Seeds

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.

During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday's service in Patos.

One third

I have completed writing the summary of the first 50 psalms which means I have covered one third of the psalms and about 44% of the Bible. 

Liz went to the women's prayer meeting last night and she says it was a blessing.

Our field team led by Pastor Rafael went to Fred and Marileide's farm last night and preached the gospel in an animated service.

Psalm 61 (summary): Hear my cry, O God!

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile ("from the ends of the earth") or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God's tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God's presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God's name. 

Psalm 60 (summary): You have rejected us, O God!

This Davidic psalm is a lament when he felt that God had rejected him and his people owing to a battle loss against Edom. David therefore asks for restoration in the face of what he sees as desperate times. He continues saying, "Save us and help us so that those you love can be delivered... give us aid against our enemy... with God we shall gain the victory"!

Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. "Deliver me from my enemies, O God", prayed David, "deliver me from evil doers... these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me... I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack... O God show no mercy to wicked traitors"! These would-be assassins "snarl like dogs and prowl... spewing swords from their lips... but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress... let these wicked men be caught in their pride... and it will be known that God rules"! "I will sing of your strength in the morning... for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble".

Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: "Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice... the wicked go astray from birth... their venom is like that of a snake... and it won't heed the tune of the snake charmer... break their teeth O God!...  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river... let them be slugs melting away... the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked... for surely there is a God who judges the earth"! 

Psalm 57 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God's help. "O God... I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings... he rebukes them who hotly pursue me... I am in the midst of lions... be exalted O God above the heavens". "They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it." "My heart is steadfast, O God... awake my soul and praise God among the nations... for great is your love and glory"! 

Psalm 56 (summary): Be merciful to me, O God!

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: "Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me... many are attacking me... but when I am afraid, I will trust in you". "All day long they twist my words... plotting to harm me... don't let them escape O God... record my lament... list my tears... in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life"!

Psalm 55 (summary): Listen to my prayer, O God!

 Psalm 55 is a Davidic lament saying "hear me and answer me O God... I am distraught... by those who revile me in their anger". "Fear and trembling have beset me... oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove and I would fly away and be at rest"! "Confuse and confound the wicked O Lord... day and night they prowl after me". What especially upsets David is that it a close friend and companion (maybe Absalom) who is persecuting and betraying him. "Let death take my enemies... I call on God to save me... he ransoms me unharmed from the battle... my close friend has speech as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart." "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you... but you O God  will bring down the wicked".

Psalm 54 (summary): Save me, O God!

David writes Psalm 54 in the light of his persecution in first Samuel by Saul and the Ziphites. He cries to God, "Save me, O God... vindicate me"! "Hear my prayer, O God"... strangers are attacking me... men without regard for God". "Surely God is my help... I will praise your name O Lord... he has delivered me from all my troubles and foes"!

Psalm 53 (summary): The fool says there is no God!

Psalm 53 is very similar to Psalm 14 and is a Davidic wisdom psalm. David decries the corruption of atheists and evil doers as no-one amongst them does good. The psalm concludes praying that God might restore the fortunes of his people probably returning them from exile so that Israel might be glad.

Psalm 52 (summary): Why do you boast of evil?

This psalm by David was written when the evil man Doeg the Edomite slaughtered dozens of priests in 1 Samuel. David asks Doeg why he boasted of his evil telling him he is a disgrace in the eyes of God. David says Doeg's tongue is like a sharp razor and that he loves evil and falsehood rather than good and truth. David says that God will bring him everlasting ruin as he did not make God his stronghold but grew strong by destroying others. David says that he himself is like a flourishing Olive tree trusting in God's unfailing love and praising him forever.

Psalm 51 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

This Davidic psalm was written when the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah. It is a psalm of profound repentance. It starts with David imploring God's mercy and asking to be cleansed from his sin. David above all recognizes that his sin had been against God. He asked to be cleansed and made whiter than snow creating in him a pure heart. He asked to be restored with the joy of salvation and not to have taken the Holy Spirit away from him. David recognizes that God doesn't want sacrifices but rather a broken and contrite heart. This psalm is a perfect example of repentance from the heart.

Psalm 50 (summary): The Mighty One, God, the Lord!

This psalm is by Asaph and starts by presenting God as judge who summons heavens and earth to be the witnesses of his judgement. God declares that he doesn't need sacrifices of bulls or sheep because "the cattle on a thousand hills" belongs to God. God instead wants devotion and sincerity from his people. God then goes on to reprimand those who externally exhibit obedience to God but who are far from the Lord in their hearts. For "what right have you to recite my laws"? - God asks. The psalm ends assuring salvation to those who sincerely honour the Lord. 

Psalm 49 (summary): Hear this all you peoples!

This wisdom psalm by the Sons of Korah points out that death is inevitable for both rich and poor. It says than no ransom is ever enough for a man's life. The wise, foolish and senseless all die just the same. For man, come what may, is mortal like animals. But despite the grave being unavoidable for all the author expresses his hope in the redemption of God. For God "will surely take me to himself", he says. For accumulation of wealth is pointless as you take nothing with you to the grave.

Psalm 48 (summary): Great is the Lord!

 Psalm 48 is a song of praise by the sons of Korah celebrating the mighty, beautiful, lofty Mount Zion with the city of Jerusalem - the city of the great Lord! God, it says, is Zion's fortress causing enemy kings to flee in terror and shattering them with the wind. Mount Zion, it says, rejoices because of God's judgements. God is our God for ever and ever to the end.

Psalm 47 (summary): Clap your hands all you nations!

Psalm 47 is another psalm of the sons of Korah written for the director of music. It is a joyful positive psalm extoling God's sovereignty who is "the great king over all the earth". Much praise ascends to God who is the one who "reigns over the nations". It says that "the kings of the earth belong to God" who is highly exalted.

International Women's Day

Yesterday was International Women's Day and we had Sacha preaching very well on Women of the Bible: Esther (courage), Ruth (faithfulness), Hannah (prayer) and Mary (willingness). It was lovely too to have Louisa and Tiago back in the praise and worship group. It was a very good service.

Yesterday QPR were hammered yet again at home! This time they lost 4 x 0 to Middlesbrough! Oh dear! We are now down to 16th in the Championship. 😖

Blessing

Yesterday morning I went to the Patos Shopping Centre to pray a prayer of blessing on a new shop/kiosk called 'Flora Pura' run by Thayse and Alan from our church. May God bless this endeavour. 

Last night I led the service at Green Pastures and preached on 'not abandoning Jesus' from John 6:60-71. After the service I drove up to the lake and saw the largest Brazil Plum Tree we have looking wonderful after the rains in the Jeep's headlights. I also saw a Burrowing Owl for the first time in quite a while.

Philip has just arrived back in England via Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Paris. The clutch packed up in Campina Grande on the way back from taking Philip to the airport.

Psalm 46 (summary): God is our refuge and strength

 Psalm 46 is a glorious expression of confidence in the sovereign Lord. God, say the sons of Korah, is refuge and strength always present in times of trouble. No matter what happens we will not fear it says. It says that God is within Jerusalem and therefore she will not fall. Nations maybe in uproar, kingdoms may fall but when God speaks the earth melts. "The Lord Almighty is with us"! He is above all and ceases wars and ends violence. "Be still and know that I am God" exalted among the nations. The psalm ends saying that "the God of Jacob is our fortress"!

Psalm 45 (summary): My heart is stirred!

Psalm 45 is another psalm by the Sons of Korah. Only this time it is a royal wedding song probably written to honour one of King David's many weddings. The psalm extols the most excellent king whom God has blessed forever. The king is clothed with splendour and majesty, he loves righteousness and hates wickedness, his robes are fragrant and his palaces are adorned with ivory. Then the bride is addressed telling her to forget her father's house as she is all glorious in her chamber and led to the king as a virgin in embroidered garments and she is led to the king with joy. This psalm has strong messianic tones and is partially quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. 

The bird has flown

Philip left Patos at 4 pm yesterday starting his long journey back to England where he won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon. He will call in to see his in-laws Julimar and Graça in João Pessoa on the way before flying from Recife to Rio de Janeiro and then on to Heathrow.

I went to Green Pastures and saw Great Kiskadees, Striped Cuckoos and Caatinga Cacholotes making a nest with enormous twigs as they do. I saw the fencing work going well. I will be back their later to take the communion service and preach God's word,

Psalm 44 (summary): We have heard!

This psalm is a lament written by the Sons of Korah. It first of all recalls the good old days when God gave victory upon victory to his people. It is stressed that these victories were exclusively possible thanks to the arm of the Lord and not by their own swords. However now God's people feel abandoned. The authors cry to God to wake up and stop rejecting them. For they feel forgotten. God's people feel they are enduring undeserved suffering and disgrace and cry to God to rise up and help them!

Psalm 43 (summary): Vindicate me, O God!

 Someone summed up Psalm 43 in 4 words: From depression to praise! The psalm cries to God for vindication asking God to rescue the author from deceitful and wicked men. The psalmist says he is mourning and feels oppressed. So he prays for God's light and truth to guide him so that he can go to God's altar where he will praise him with the harp. The psalm ends with the psalmist reflecting on his unnecessary low mood and he encourages himself to put his hope in God and praise him.

Last service

Last night was Philip's last service with us on this trip and we are so glad he came. What a blessing he has been at the Carnival camp, in the Patos church etc. It has been wonderful! After the service last night everyone was hugging him and wishing him a good journey, and sister Veronica said "come back soon because your ministry is SO blessed"! So I ask everyone to pray for Philip, Gylmara, Lucas and Luis to be back permanently with us as soon as possible... by the middle of next year or even in December this year. How great it would be for them to be here for Christmas!

Very Green Pastures

Yesterday afternoon I had a spin out to Green Pastures and with 329 mm of rain to date in this rainy season it is very green and we are making the most of the wet earth to put up some more fencing for our donkeys. Francisco reports many sightings of deer which is great. I saw Picui Ground-Doves, Chalk-browed Mockingbirds, Striped Cuckoos, Campo Troupials and Spot-backed Puff Birds.

Last night I dealt with more pastoral matters whilst Liz and Philip went to the service at the Pastor Frank Dyer School.

Men's Fellowship

Last night the men's fellowship was really good with Philip leading the praise and speaking really well. The meeting was led by school teacher Claudivan. There were 15 men present.

Yesterday it rained another 16 mm at Green Pastures.

Reservoirs

Patos has 2 principal reservoirs and these are taking in a lot of water with the heavy rains now falling. The Farinha reservoir has gone from zero to 79% and Jatobá has gone from almost zero to 30%. PTL! Please keep praying.

With the heavy rains the road up the mountain to Teixeira is very dangerous as trees are falling and rocks and boulders rolling down on to the road. 

I have finished the résumés or summaries of the first book of Psalms covering psalms 1 to 41. Now it's on to book two from psalm 42 to 72.

Last night we had a family pancake night wishing Philip a good trip home to Basingstoke on Friday. It was a great evening. 

Psalm 42 (summary): As the deer pants for streams of water

This psalm of the sons of Korah apparently expresses people's longing for God when they were far away from Jerusalem ("the heights of Hermon - from Mount Mizar - verse 6) maybe in exile. The writers say their soul thirsts for God, and critics ask where is your God? The writers remember nostalgically about the "festive throng" at Jerusalem. People are downcast and feel forgotten by God. The psalm ends proposing hope in God as the solution for all their woes.

Psalm 41 (summary): Blessed is he who has regard for the weak

This Davidic psalm for the director of music is a lament related to ill health and abandonment by a close friend. David says happy is he who cares for the weak because the Lord will deliver him, preserve him and sustain him when sick. David then cries to God to have mercy on him and forgive his sin. David says that all his enemies conspire against him and even his close friend has abandoned him. He cries to God for mercy and rests assured that he will be in God's presence for ever. He ends with praise to the Lord. Amen.

This psalm ended book 1 of psalms.

Psalm 40 (summary): I waited patiently for the Lord

David in Psalm 40 starts thanking God for past deliverance but ends up asking for further help. He starts praising God for him having heard him and having lifted him out of a slimy pit and having put a new song in his mouth. Happy is the person who trusts God, says David, because the resultant blessings are too many to tell. David says his desire is to do God's will and speak about God's salvation and faithfulness. He asks the Lord not to withhold his mercy from him, save him and help him. For God is his help and deliverer!

Psalm 39 (summary): I said I will watch my ways

This another psalm of David for the director of music and for Jeduthun expresses his decision to control his speech so as to avoid sinful utterances as he went through a period of God's discipline or of illness. He starts saying he will put a muzzle on his mouth. He realizes that his life is very short and that "each man's life is but a breath", as he bustles about in vain. David then expresses that his hope is in God and asks for him to remove his scourge from him. He concludes asking the Lord to hear his cry for help!

Sunday service

I led the main service of the week last night which was the monthly communion service and Pastor Rafael preached on the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18. Sacha, Marina, Philip and Rogério led the worship backed by Netinho, Ricardinho and Davi. Philip brought a short word during the meeting. It was a lovely service.

It rained another 20 mm at Green Pastures last night taking the year's total to date to 313.1 mm. We need about 1,000 mm for a good rainy season.

Psalm 38 (summary): O Lord, do not rebuke me!

Psalm 38 is a penitential prayer by David in which he recognizes that his ill-health, his low mood and his abandonment of friends are all a result of his unconfessed sin. "Because of your wrath there is no health in my body". "I am bowed down and brought very low". David says that his friends avoid him and stay away from him. He says that he feels like a deaf man and he confesses his iniquity. Oh Lord, he cries, do not forsake me. Come quickly to help me.

Psalm 37 (summary): Do not fret because of evil men

David here tells people not to worry about evil people who prosper because it won't last. David encourages people to trust in the Lord and wait for him to give their hearts' desires. The wicked will soon be gone, he says, but the meek will inherit the land, as God laughs at the false hope of the wicked. In fact the wicked's bows will backfire because better is a little with God than lots with wickedness. When things go wrong God is with the blameless and they will not wither, however the wicked will perish like plants in the fields. The wicked borrow and don't repay, but the righteous are generous. God's people may stumble but they won't fall because God supports them. I am old but I have never seen the righteous forsaken, David says. Turn from evil and do good, he proposes. For the offspring of the wicked will be cut off. Wait for the Lord, David says, and he will exalt you. There is always a future for a man of peace, but the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the righteous come from the Lord.

Psalm 36 (summary): An oracle is within my heart

David decries the sinfulness of the wicked who have no fear of God, whose words are deceitful and who plot evil. God, to the contrary, sustains love and faithfulness to the skies, his righteousness is like the mighty mountains and he gives refuge under the shadow of his wings. Those who fear God drink from God's river of delights, enjoy the fountain of life, and see light.

Psalm 35 (summary): Contend, O Lord, for those who contend with me!

This is an imprecatory psalm of David. That is it invokes God's judgement on David's enemies. David starts calling on the Lord to come to his aid and put to shame those who want to kill him. He prays that ruin should overcome his enemies by surprise because then he will rejoice in the Lord. David continues to point out his enemies' persecution who slander him without ceasing, maliciously mock him and seek his life like lions! David continues to invoke God's action against those that devise false accusations against him. He calls on God to awake and rise in his defence. "May all who gloat over his distress be put to shame", and may all his supporters shout for joy seeing his vindication.

Beetle

Our 18-year-old granddaughter Alice was bitten by a large beetle on Thursday night and has come out in red itchy blotches all over her body. She has been medicated but the doctor doesn't expect things to clear up until next week. Please pray for Alice. 

QPR sadly lost again yesterday to Sheffield United 2 x 0 at home. 😠

A Southern House Wren is singing beautifully outside my office window right now! 

The service last night at Green Pastures was 'rain stopped pray' as the meteorology department issued a red storm and heavy rain alert. Praise God for the rain which was 25 mm last night!  

Last month this blog was read 11,483 times. Our thanks and greetings go to everyone!

A lot of my time is taken up with pastoral issues and I have little time for anything else. I value your prayers.

Psalm 34 (summary): I will extol the Lord at all times!

Psalm 34 is when David praises the Lord following his escape from King Achish is 1 Samuel 21, by feigning insanity. David glorifies the Lord for his deliverance as when he called upon the Lord he heard him and saved him encamping angels around him. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" - David exclaims! For those who fear God lack nothing. David continues rejoicing because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and he hears them too. In fact the Lord delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 33 (summary): Sing joyfully to the Lord!

This psalm is not attributed to David and is particularly jubilant and joyful. It starts calling the righteous to sing joyfully to the Lord because this is fitting. He exhorts people to praise the Lord with musical instruments playing skillfully and shouting for joy. God is praised for his faithfulness and unfailing love. The psalmist then extols the God of creation maker of heavens and seas who made the earth by the power of his word. He also says that God is sovereign over the nations and that God's plans "stand firm forever". The psalmist yet says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord". He goes on to say that dependance on man's own strength or on that of a horse is vain, but those who fear the Lord will be delivered from death. We wait in hope for the Lord, says the psalmist, for he is our help and our shield!

Psalm 32 (summary): Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven!

 David writes this 'maskil' (musical or literary term) and extols the joy and relief that one feels for confessing sin and having it forgiven. He speaks about how much he suffered whilst hiding his sin and the relief there is in forgiveness. David exhorts all who are godly to pray so as to receive the protection of God. He exhorts people to act wisely and not behave like a mule which has no understanding. Many, says David, are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. 

Psalm 31 (summary): In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge

This further Davidic psalm for the director of music expresses that God is his refuge, his rock and fortress. David commits his spirit into God's hands and says how much he hates the idolatrous, saying he will always rejoice in God's love. He then expresses his extreme anguish as he suffers weakness with some sort of illness. He goes on to say that he trusts in the Lord despite his enemies and slanderers, and that his times are in God's hands. David asks God to silence the proud and arrogant and to shelter him in his presence. He closes praising the Lord for his love and encouraging all to be strong and take heart in the Lord!

Flash flooding

Last night we had quite a storm in Patos which caused flash flooding and the sweeping of some cars and motorbikes along the streets. It was torrential rain for about an hour and a half which totalled 50 mm. At Green Pastures it rained 22 mm.

Today I will be taking the service at Green Pastures and preaching on the last block of John 6. But all this is weather permitting!

Mid-week

I led the mid-week prayer and Bible study meeting last night and lawyer Rayla brought the study on 1st Samuel chapter 1. It was a good service. It rained at Green Pastures 44 mm last night and the night before it rained 4 mm. Up in the mountains only 30 km from Patos it rained 123 mm on Wednesday night which was wonderful.

In the floods of south Brazil in the state of Minas Gerais, where Peniel Chapel had missionaries when I was a child, the death toll has risen to 64. 

Psalm 30 (summary): I will exalt you, O Lord!

This Davidic psalm was a song written for the dedication of the temple. It depicts God rescuing him from severe illness which left him on the precipice of death. David rejoices at his deliverance saying that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning". David then says that God "turned my mourning into dancing for me, removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy", and he adds that he will give thanks to God forever.

Psalm 29 (summary): Ascribe to the Lord!

Psalm 29 is a majestic anthem to the Lord of all creation. David says that we must ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name and worship him in the splendour of his holiness. Thunder is the voice of the Lord and lightning is the striking of God's voice. Thus such natural forces are attributed to the Lord and not to Baal as paganism would have it. Thus the storms, with thunder and lightning from God, break the cedars of Lebanon, twist the oaks and shake the desert. For it is the Lord who sits enthroned over the flood as King for ever, but in the end he blesses his people with peace. This psalm is a fantastic poetic hymn of praise to God.

Floods

Floods in the central southern state of Minas Gerais have killed 30 and left over 3,000 homeless.

Last night Philip and I missed the service with the Patos men's fellowship in the town of São Mamede as Philip got held up at a doctor's appointment which ran late.

QPR were thrashed away to Southampton yesterday 5 x 0. 😠

I watched Trump's State of the Union speech last night to the US Congress on CNN and it was the longest speech ever! I also beat Philip at 2 games of chess. ♜

Psalm 28 (summary): To you I call, O Lord my rock

In this psalm David cries out to God for help imploring that God should not turn a deaf ear to him. He asks that the wicked be repaid for their evil work since they show no regard for the works of the Lord. David ends the psalm on a much more positive triumphant note saying that God had heard his cry, and that God is his strength and shield and a fortress of salvation.

Psalm 27 (summary): The Lord is my light and my salvation

This psalm is an outspoken declaration of trust in God. "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear"? David goes on to stress that when evil men advance, enemies attack and armies besiege "even then will I be confident". David jubilantly affirms that he will sing and make music to the Lord and seek his face. He says that even if his parents forsake him the Lord will not. He asks God to teach him his way as he is confident in his goodness despite all the oppressors and foes he faces.

Shortbread

Our son-in-law Witagiby (Biba) is a good chef and for some time now he has been making and selling excellent shortbread biscuits. Last night we went to the opening of his new "Shortbread Café" coffee shop and Philip led a song of praise and I made a prayer of blessing for the opening. The place was bubbling with people from the university to which the coffee shop is adjacent. 

We had a drop more rain (4 mm) at Green Pastures yesterday, but we are desperate for some big heavy rains. Please pray.

Psalm 26 (summary): Vindicate me, O Lord!

This another prayer of David asks for God's vindication. He asks God to test and try him examining his heart and mind as he doesn't sit with deceitful men, hypocrites or the wicked. David goes on to say that he praises God out loud and that he loves God's house. He insists that he leads a blameless life and therefore counts on God's mercy.

Psalm 25 (summary): To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul

This Davidic prayer forms an acrostic psalm. David seeks the Lord's guidance and forgiveness amidst troubles and difficulties. David asks for victory over his enemies and asks God to teach him his paths of truth. He asks forgiveness for the sins of his youth according to God's mercy and love. He declares that his "eyes are ever on the Lord", and asks for God's help amidst his anguish and loneliness. David concludes saying that his refuge and hope are in God.

Psalm 24 (summary): The earth is the Lord's

This Davidic psalm is majestic. It affirms God's sovereignty as creation Lord, asks who can go into his presence in Jerusalem, showing that this demands holiness, and ends with a rousing declaration of God's glory as the King. "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" - declares David. Who then can go into his presence? "He that has clean hands and a pure heart". The psalm ends crying for the ancient gates of Jerusalem to open to receive the King of glory!

Sunday Service

Pastor Rafael and I led the main Sunday service of the week last night and Philip led the worship aided by Louisa. Lawyer Murilo preached very well on the temptation of Christ from Matthew 4. It was an excellent service.

There was a burglary on Saturday night right next door to Green Pastures which is the third burglary in the area in the same amount of weeks. The police are investigating and we ask you to pray for their success. 🙏

I have just enjoyed an avocado pear smoothie. 😋 

Family Day

Yesterday we had a nice family day at Green Pastures focused on Philip's short visit here with us till March 7th. Philip led the worship in last night's Green Pastures' service and I preached on Jesus - the Bread of Life from John 6. 

I heard/saw many birds at Green Pastures including Pigmy Owls, Rufus-browed Peppershrike, Greater Ani, Smooth-billed Ani etc.

Agouti and 9-banded Armadillos have been registered for the first time at Green Pastures.

Yesterday QPR defeated Hull 3 x 1 away. 😃

It rained 1.8 mm yesterday, but we remain in great need of abundant rain.

Wild Cats

The researchers in to wild cats from the northernmost state in northeast Brazil (1,350 km from us), called Maranhão, have been back to the Green Pastures Project to change the batteries and memory cards from their dozen or so automatic camera traps which they have spread around our reserve. 

Last night it rained a further 2.8 mm at Green Pastures.

Psalm 23 (summary): The Lord is my shepherd

This gentle caring psalm of David portrays the Lord as David's shepherd which was a role with which he was well acquainted. God provides everything he needs including restoration. God, says David, guides his life and is with him even in the most difficult and darkest times. God blesses him, even faced with enemies, anoints his head with blessing and assures him for all the days of his life.

Psalm 22 (summary): My God, why have you forsaken me?

This is another Davidic psalm written for the director of music to go with the music 'The Doe of the Morning'! It is a messianic psalm opening with the words: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" uttered by Christ on the cross. Verse 8 sticks in my mind from Handel's Messiah. Christian theology sees this psalm as a prophecy of Jesus' suffering and eventual victory. In the central verses of the psalm David describes himself as a worm scorned and despised. He says he feels encircled by bulls, as being torn apart by lions and surrounded by dogs. He says that "they have pierced my hand and my feet", and "cast lots for my clothing". The latter part of the psalm trusts God for victory and rejoices because God has listened to his cry for help. All the earth will turn to the Lord, he says, and all the nations will bow down before the "afflicted one". Thus this messianic psalm ends on a positive victorious note.

Night off

Last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled so as to give everyone a breather after 7 services and 3 serenades in 5 days at the carnival camp.

Last night I played Philip at chess and won, but he played better and is steadily improving.

Yesterday we had a little further rain at Green Pastures with 4 mm of rainfall. 

Please pray for 4 little children who are being cared for by one of our church members up in the mountains after their mother, who has severe mental health problems, tried to kill them! The mother has now been taken to a mental health institution. 

Green Pastures

I have seen/heard the following species of birds at Green Pastures in the past few days: Southern House Wren, Caatinga Cacholote, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Black-headed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Pigmy Owl, White-naped Jay, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Striped Cuckoo and Great Kiskadee. 

One of the things that stands out in the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures is the fellowship. It was beautiful to see the warm unity of the body of Christ. Another lovely moment at the camp was the consecration of sister Leca as a deaconess of the local Green Pastures church. May God richly bless Leca and the church.

I see that a Brazilian called Lucas won an unlikely gold medal in the winter Olympics despite Brazil being a tropical country! However there is a hitch to this story as his father is Norwegian and his mother Brazilian. Well done anyway Lucas!

I had a good meeting last night with lawyer and preacher Murilo.

I have now read 15 chapters of 'the Bloomsbury Murder' which is the 10th book in 'the Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. It's a very enjoyable good read. 

Carnival Camp

Thank you for your prayers for the Carnival Camp which has just ended and which was excellent! It was a real blessing with true harmony and fellowship. The ministry of the word was superb as was the praise and worship and the sport and children's work. It was fantastic to have Philip here with us for the camp.

Our daughter Sacha led the opening service on the Saturday night and I preached on Abraham from Hebrews 11:8-19 focusing on Abraham's obedience, his generating of a son at a 100, and his willingness to sacrifice that son.

The second service was on Sunday morning and Sacha again led with Pastor Rafael preaching on Samuel. The third service on Sunday night was led by Pastor Rafael with lawyer Rayla preaching on Joseph. Then the 4th service on Monday morning was led by Pastor Philip and lawyer Murilo preached on David. The 5th service on Monday night was a praise and prayer prom led by Sacha. The 6th service yesterday morning was led by Pastor Rafael and lawyer Murilo preached on Moses. Then the 7th service last night I led and Sacha preached on Paul.

Other things that were a real blessing at the camp were the late night serenades led by Philip recalling old worship songs. Also the volleyball competitions went off extremely well and we are going to make a second volleyball court for next year's camp. The swimming pool was well used too.

The ministry to the children also went off very well at the camp with the swimming pool in the morning and Bible stories at night. So it was a wonderful camp at a green again Green Pastures after another 29 mm of rain during the camp.

Peter Guy

97-year-old EAB supporter Peter Guy has gone to be with the Lord. We spoke with him in the EAB AGM in October and we praise God for his life of service to the Lord. He was alert and lucid to the end. Our prayers are with his family at this time. 

The Carnival Camp is part of the Green Pastures Project and has started today running till next Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday, which follows Shrove Pancake Tuesday. We value your prayers for the camp. Because of the camp news on this blog may be limited over the coming days.

Philip arrived last night about 7:15 pm safe and sound and in good time for the Carnival Camp. He travelled straight to Green Pastures much to Liz's delight and the kitchen team that were already there.

Psalm 21 (summary): O Lord, the king rejoices!

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music is a kingly royal psalm which celebrates God granting victories to the king, as well as rich blessing and long life. Thanks to God's goodness David's glory is great with splendour and majesty. The king, says the psalm, trusts in the "unfailing love of the Most High". The victory over his enemies is sure, says the psalm, as the wrath of the Lord will swallow up the enemies and even destroy their descendants. Thus the psalm ends on a jubilant note of praise and exaltation of the Lord.   

Psalm 20 (summary): May the Lord answer you!

This another psalm of David for the director of music is a prayer for the King maybe as he prepares to go into battle. The prayer seeks God's answer in days of distress and seeks his protection. The prayer then seeks "support from Zion" and asks that David's heart's desire be granted and all his plans succeed. Then they will shout for joy for the victory and lift up the name of the Lord. Some trust in horses and chariots, says the psalm, but we trust in the name of the Lord! The enemy falls "but we rise up and stand"! The prayer ends saying, "O Lord, save the king"!

Psalm 19 (summary): The heavens declare the glory of God!

This Davidic psalm addressed to the director of music is a declaration of God's revelation through creation and his word. First of all David focuses on creation saying that the heavens declare God's glory. God speaks to us, argues David, through the skies and the sun. The second revelatory means of God is through his word which is perfect in reviving the soul. God's word is trustworthy, David says, and gives wisdom, joy, and light which lasts forever. The word of God is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Then David concludes praying that his words and meditation might be pleasing to God

Psalm 18 (summary): I love you Lord!

This psalm is a jubilant song of praise and thanks to God for having delivered David from his enemies including Saul. David commences expressing his love for God who is his rock and fortress and worthy of praise. He says he was near to death so he called to the Lord for help. God answered with earthquakes and smoke came from his nostrils like a dragon. The ensuing storm brought hailstones, thunder and lightening and through it God rescued David from his powerful enemy. David goes on to say that God was his support who brought him to a spacious place rewarding his righteousness. The Lord, says David, keeps his lamp burning and lightens his darkness. He says that with God's help he can overcome barricades and walls. God is perfect and his word is flawless. God gives me his shield of victory, David says, and his right hand sustains him. With God's help David says he destroyed his enemies and crushed them. "The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Saviour!" - is exclaimed by David... I will sing praise to your name!

Psalm 17 (summary): Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea!

This further Davidic psalm asks for God's protection and vindication from enemies. David invites God to probe his heart and test him because he has nothing to hide. He says he has walked carefully in God's ways. David asks God to hear his prayer and keep him as the apple of his eye hiding him under his wings so as to protect from his mortal enemies. David's enemies are callous and arrogant like a hungry lion for prey. He cries for God to rescue him from the wicked and rests assured that one day he will see God's face.

Psalm 16 (summary): Keep me safe, O God!

This is another of the 73 psalms attributed to David in the title. David starts calling on God to keep him safe as his only source of refuge. Apart from in God he has no good thing, but those that chase other gods will suffer an increase of sorrows. David praises the Lord for his wise counsel in the night and that in God he will not be shaken. He says his heart is glad and rejoices because God will not abandon him in the grave or let his holy faithful one see decay. For God has made known to him the path of life and he will bless him with eternal pleasures at his right hand.

Psalm 15 (summary): Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

 Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm of David which defines how a person may live on God's holy hill which is God's presence. To do this one must live blamelessly, act righteously, speak truthfully and do one's neighbour no wrong. One must also despise a vile man, keep one's oath "even when it hurts", never accept bribes, and lend money without interest. "He who does these things will never be shaken".

Mid-week

 Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Murilo brought the study on 'Love one another' from 1 John 3:11-15 as he is doing a series in this epistle. After the study an inspiring discussion ensued about 'love' where one sister shared about her having been adopted, another told us of her rejection by her family when she accepted Christ when young, and a third sister told us how her late husband came to the Lord. It was wonderful!

A dog in São Paulo stayed by his owner's grave for 10 years and a new law has been introduced to allow the burial of pets with their late owners in the dog's honour and in recognition of the emotional bond between people and their pets.

Philip is leaving Recife about now driven by Netinho. He should be in Patos early evening.

Dragon Fruit

I have just eaten red Dragon Fruit. It looks better than it tastes, but its alright. It's called Pitaya in Portuguese. 

I have just heard that President Lula is to inaugurate the expansion of the Patos airport next month.

And talking about airports Philip is today flying to Brazil via São Paulo and Recife arriving in Patos tomorrow. 🛫

Psalm 14 (summary): Atheists are fools

This further psalm of David for the director of music (there are 55 such psalms) starts saying atheists are fools, corrupt and even vile. David goes on to say that nobody seeks God or does good. All have turned away from God in corruption. He asks if evildoers will never learn to call on the name of the Lord? And that the Lord is the refuge of the poor!

Psalm 13 (summary): How long O Lord?

This psalm is another Davidic lament written for the director of music. 4 times David asks "how long"? How long will you forget me? How long will you hide from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts? And how long will my enemy triumph? David clearly feels desperate, abandoned and lost. David begs an answer from God with light for his eyes to prevent death. And he ends reaffirming his trust in God's love as he rejoices in salvation.

Psalm 12 (summary): Help Lord!

This psalm is a further lament by David for the director of music in which he laments the disappearance of the faithful of God. He says that everyone is speaking with flattering lips and a boastful tongue. Then God says that he will arise in response to the oppression of the weak and combat it with flawless truth. God will keep his people safe despite the dominance of corruption in society. 

Psalm 11 (summary): In the Lord I take refuge

Psalm 11 was written by David for the director of music and David refuses to flee from the difficult situation he faces because the Lord is his refuge. The psalmist says that God is on his heavenly throne hating the wicked who aim arrows at the righteous, and examining the righteous. The Lord is righteous, says David, and he love justice, meaning that upright men will see his face. But God will judge the wicked with fiery coals and burning sulphur.

Philip coming

I am thrilled to announce that our son Pastor Philip will be arriving here on Friday for the Carnival Camp which starts the day after. He will be staying in Brazil for about 2 weeks. Please pray for safe travels and a blessed camp.

Last night I gave the study from Matthew 5 on being salt and light for Jesus at the Men's Fellowship. The meeting was led by schoolteacher Claudivan. It was a lovely meeting.

Psalm 10 (summary): Why, O Lord?

Psalm 10 is a lament which asks why God remains at a distance in times of trouble whilst the wicked arrogantly prosper? The wicked, says the psalmist, are greedy, proud, haughty, foul mouthed, murderers, exploit the vulnerable and they think they evade God's vigilance. The psalmist then cries for God's intervention breaking the arm of the wicked and meeting the need of the helpless. The psalm ends exalting the Lord as King who hears the cry of the afflicted bringing justice to the oppressed. 

Pastor

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the pastor of our Imaculada church, Pastor João George, and his wife Jacilene, discussing issues pertinent to the Imaculada church. It was very good to see the pastor in good health. 

It was great to have been able to kit out Missionary Guilherme Santos with a motorbike to take him round his parish in the Diamante region where he now lives and works for God alongside the regional pastor Nezinho Abílio.

Yesterday it rained another 15 mm at Green Pastures meaning we have now had rain 6 days on the run!   

Sunday service

Last night I led the main Sunday service and Pastor Rafael preached on unbelief from Numbers 14. Sacha, Marina, Érika and Rogério led the praise and worship. It was the first time Rogério had sung and it was excellent.

Yesterday it rained 14 mm at Green Pastures. PTL!

I am glad to tell you that Mayane's grandmother, who was bitten by a rattlesnake, has been released from hospital. Her eyesight is still affected though it is a lot better than it was.

Psalm 9 (summary): I will praise you o Lord!

Psalm 9 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music to be sung to the tune of 'The Death of the Son'. It starts with full-blooded praise to God for victory over his enemies, for judging righteously the wicked and for rebuking the nations. David says that God's reign is permanent and eternal. God is a refuge for the oppressed who never forsakes those who seek him. He says sing praises to the Lord enthroned in Zion who does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. He says his enemies persecute him almost to death so he cries to God for mercy. David cries to God also for him to judge the fallen nations and the wicked who are ensnared by the work of their own hands. "Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but men"!

Psalm 8 (summary): Oh Lord, how majestic is your name!

Psalm 8 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music according to gittith, which is probably a musical term. It is a jubilant song of praise to the Lord which starts and ends saying, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth"! David says that God's glory is not limited to creation, yet he has given man an important position of leadership within the created order. He observes with awe how God cares for man and says that God has crowned man with glory and honour.

Psalm 7 (summary): Lord, I take refuge in you

Psalm 7 is a lament attributed to David which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjamite called Cush. The psalms style is a shiggaron which is probably a musical term.

David starts by saying that he is taking refuge in God from those who want to tear him apart like a lion. He says that if he has done wrong then he is happy to be punished, but he trusts the just Lord to rise up against the rage of his enemies. David goes on to say that the wicked will end up in the very pit that they dug for others and that the trouble they have caused will recoil on their own heads. He ends the psalm thanking God for his righteousness and praising his most high name.

Back from "the dead"

A 29-year-old woman in the interior of São Paulo was knocked down in a road accident and was declared dead by an ambulance doctor. However later signs of life were observed and she was taken to hospital. She has now recovered and has been sent home. The doctor has been suspended and is being investigated.

I have just realized that QPR drew 0 x 0 once again, away to Charlton. This was on Friday.

Last night's service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to rain. What a glorious problem to have! ⛈☂ It was a case of 'rain stopped pray'! I was all ready to preach on Jesus being the bread of life from John 6, but this will now be preached after the carnival camp. With the rain the temperature has dropped to a high of 30 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

The total rainfall last night at Green Pastures was 13 mm which is just over half an inch.

Psalm 6 (summary): Oh Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music was to be performed with stringed instruments according to shemenith which was probably a musical term. This is the first of 7 penitential psalms with prayer by David who deeply troubled and distressed. The psalmist cries out for mercy expressing profound anguish and asking how much longer he must wait for deliverance. David says he is worn out with groaning and of soaking his bed with tears. At the end David defiantly asserts victory because God has heard his cry and accepted his prayer so that his enemies will be shamed.

Psalm 5 (summary): Morning by morning

Psalm 5 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music which this time is to be accompanied by flutes. It clearly is a morning prayer: "Morning by morning, O Lord you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you". The psalm decries the wicked for being arrogant, bloodthirsty and deceitful, contrasting such people with David's personal pleasure in being in God's house paying reverent homage. God is depicted as holy detesting wickedness and falsehood. However those who take refuge in God are glad living under divine protection like with a shield.

Rain

It rained a further 15 mm (just over half an inch) at Green Pastures yesterday and more rain is forecast for today, so the rainy season seems to be finally getting going. PTL! But please don't stop praying.

Liz went out to Green Pastures yesterday with a car load of supplies for the Carnival Camp which starts a week today.

I have just taken part online in another EAB Board of Trustees meeting which went off very well.

Hail stones!

Yesterday we had a real storm at Green Pastures and Patos with thunder, lightning and hail stones, and at Green Pastures the total rainfall was 55 mm (just over 2 inches). In Patos quite a number of electricity poles snapped with the strong gusts of wind and lots of electricity cables were strewn on the main road. I have heard of one person being injured by flying debris. 

Later last night a second round of heavy rain came in. We cancelled our mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study as it was too dangerous for people to go out.

Please pray for a sister in the Patos church called Mayanne whose grandmother has been bitten by a rattlesnake and is in hospital.

Life Squad

Yesterday our Life Squad team evangelized the men's prison again as they do every week and two men made commitments of their lives to God. Pastor Rafael led the prison ministry assisted by our sister Iara. Please pray for the men who made decisions.

The youth are organizing a volleyball competition and a scavenger hunt for the carnival camp afternoons starting on the 14th.

It rained 12 mm (half an inch) at Green Pastures last night with thunder and lightning and more is forecast for the coming days.

Parakeets

In the northeastern state of Maranhão over 300 parakeets were killed when the Eucalyptus tree, in which they were perched, was felled by a storm. The mystery is what killed them as lightning has been ruled out.

I have received my latest book in the 'Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. This the 10th book in the series called 'The Bloomsbury Murder' was sent to me by my sister Jean for my birthday. I must now get down to aiding Detective Inspector John Jago solve another crime!

The 'Gospel BeeGees' have confirmed their presence at our Carnival Camp next week! 😄

Last night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to the town of São Mamede to hold another street service which 40 attended. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Pastor Rafael preached. It was a good service.

Global Minds

I have been a member of the BBC's Global Minds listeners and watchers panel for many years and they have inquired about how we feel about 2026 to which I replied 'positive'. However the global survey shows that 36% are worried or anxious, 27.3% are pessimistic, 18.7% are positive (including me!), 11.2% are neutral, 9.7% think 2026 will be better than 2025, and just 6.7% are excited about 2026! Which category are you in?

The Brazilian press is showing today how Brazil and almost the entirety of South America is far more linked economically to China than to the USA. This is not surprising considering the USA's isolationist approach to everything.

I had a meeting with deacon Dedé who is the leader of our church at Ipueira and we discussed the building of our church there. Someone has already donated the bricks for the church which is good! 

Psalm 4 (summary): David for the director of music

Psalm 4 was a prayer written by David for the director of music and to be presented with stringed instruments. The prayer may well have been written within the Absalom context. David cries for relief and asks for mercy. David asks how long will people seek false gods? The Lord will hear him, says David, because he has set apart the godly for himself. Then David recommends quiet reflection on the bed and trusting in the Lord. For David asks for God's light to shine upon him and rejoices in his heart. He closes thanking God for his peace and safety.

Psalm 3 (summary): David fleeing from Absalom

This psalm is again in a totally different category to the previous 2. It is a lament by King David as he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and usurp the throne, as we read in 2 Samuel chapters 15 to 18. David cries out to God bemoaning the popular uprising against him led by his son which some said was God having abandoned him. However David recognizes God as his shield, despite the adverse circumstances, and he knows God hears his cry. David says he knows that he sleeps and awakens because God sustains him, and for that reason he won't fear the tens of thousands against him led by his son. David then cries to God for deliverance because he knows that in God alone is true deliverance and blessing.

Psalm 2 (summary): Why do the nations rage?

Psalm 2 is different from Psalm 1 like the difference between chalk and cheese! This Psalm immediately reminds me of Handel's Messiah which I used to see at the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas with my father. Psalm 2 is a royal messianic psalm poetically and majestically telling us that it is futile for the nations to revolt against God or against his appointed king. In the opening verses it is asked why the nations plot and rage against almighty God and his Anointed One? For they seek to break free from divine authority in vain. God scoffs at them and rebukes them in anger as he has installed his King on Zion. The King or Messiah proclaims his authority as the son of God, who will inherit the nations, rule them and "dash them to pieces like pottery". So the kings are warned to serve and fear the Lord. For "blessed are all who take refuge in him".

Sunday School

Liz took the Sunday School yesterday in Patos and it was a great blessing. She taught the youths and adult class together.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and our daughter Sacha preached an excellent sermon on Micah 6:1-8. Sacha has degrees in English Language and Theology and is a very good preacher. I received some gifts from the church and from the church children in the service for my birthday which was very nice.

What a birthday!

My birthday yesterday was like no other as it was a long stressful day of meetings which had to be yesterday as there was no other day to fit them in. The senior ACEV leadership team met for 2 hours in the afternoon and deliberated 5 topics of which one was especially serious. We then drove to our Itaporanga church where I presided a church meeting which was not easy. We got back to Patos just before midnight and the pastors stayed the night at our house.

At least QPR won on my birthday beating league leaders Coventry at home 2 x 1. 😀

This blog was read 19,336 times in January. Thanks to one and all.

Psalm 1 (summary): Blessed

This first psalm contrasts the person who walks with God and is happy obeying his word, with the wicked person who will perish. Happy is the man, says the psalm, who does not walk/stand/sit in godless ways. To the contrary he loves God's word and prospers like a fruitful tree planted by a stream. However, says the psalm, the wicked are like straw blown in the wind whose end is perdition. 

Personal work

Our personal work counselling those in spiritual and psychological need continued yesterday with another important session. Please pray for this aspect of our ministry.

Today I have upgraded my engine to a 7.7 version and thank the Lord for my health and strength! I won't have much time to celebrate as we have a senior leadership meeting this afternoon in my office and I will be chairing a church meeting in Itaporanga tonight to solve a problem there.

I went to Green Pastures which is faintly greener after the odd shower we have had, but the rain situation here is increasingly critical. What would happen if a town like Patos, with a population of 108,000, ran out of water I hate to think. At Green Pastures Wild Cats, Wild Tortoises, Armadillos, Deer and Foxes are plentiful and I heard Rufous-browed Peppershrikes and Campo Troupials singing in the trees.

Last night I chaired a meeting of the Pastor Frank Dyer's School teachers planning for this new semester. It was a good meeting.

I have finished my summary of the book of Job which was hard work! Now on to a long but enjoyable journey through the book of Psalms! I have now completed 40% of the chapters of the Bible.

Job 42 (summary): Job's final reply

 Job ends up repenting in dust and ashes as he says to God: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted". "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know". "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you".

Then comes the book's epilogue when God rebukes the 3 comforters for having spoken incorrectly, and he makes them offer burnt offerings in payment for their wrong. Then Job interceded for the 3 friends and God accepted this. After Job had prayed for his friends (prayer was key!) he became prosperous again and God gave him twice as much as he had before! All his family and friends comforted him and gave him gold and silver. God gave him 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys. And God yet gave Job 7 sons and 3 beautiful daughters. From this time on Job yet lived another 140 years until he died at a ripe old age.

Job 41 (summary): Leviathan

God continues talking and introduces the sea-monster Leviathan to the debate which was a dragon-like creature with fire coming from his mouth. The creature had air-tight armour-like scales which were impenetrable by javelin, spear or dart, and iron to him was like straw! God says "nothing on earth is his equal - a creature without fear". Thus God again cuts Job down to size by asking: "Can you pull in the Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope"? "Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls"? Thus again God is saying to Job that if he can't cope with a creature how much less can he dispute and wrestle with the creator!

So it seems to me that God in no way seeks to justify what Job had been going through. God stands aloof and above criticism because he is God! And if Job can't wrestle with the sea-monster he should certainly not try it on him!

Job 40 (summary): God further questions Job

God now confronts Job for wanting to correct and accuse him. So Job admits he is unworthy and acknowledges that he has no answer. Then God asks Job if he wants to discredit his justice? God points out that Job cannot clothe himself with honour and majesty nor can he crush the wicked. God then tells Job to look at the enormous herbivorous animal called the behemoth which is extremely powerful with limbs like rods of iron. God says his maker is able to approach him but asks Job if he can capture him and piece his nose? Seeing that he can't Job must not accuse God!

Job 39 (summary): God questions Job

God continues questioning Job, this time concerning wildlife, which all is beyond Job's ability to answer. God asks about goats, deer, donkeys, oxen, ostriches, horses, hawks and eagles. The questions are about them giving birth, gestation periods, nesting, flying, living conditions, feeding etc. Thus God continues to humble Job to make him realize that things of creation and nature are so often beyond his understanding. So the logic is that Job should not be dismayed if he cannot understand his suffering. 

Job 38 (summary): God speaks

Now comes the time for God to join the debate about Job's suffering, but God instead speaks from a storm presenting a long discourse about creation. God, to put Job in his place, asks him if he was there when he created the earth? He then asks who made and put limits on the sea and made the clouds? He asks Job too if he had walked in the depths of the sea or comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? He asks as well if Job knows where the snow and hail are stored and whether he understands the lightning and the wind? God further asks if the rain has a father and if ice or frost have a mother? God also questions if Job knows the laws of the heavens and who provides food for the raven? Thus God humbles Job by emphasizing his sovereign complexity and majesty. 

Counselling

Liz and I spent considerable time counselling a pastor and his wife yesterday. This constitutes an important part of our ministry. We value your prayers for this couple. No names can be given. We will have a further counselling session with another person today.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and young lawyer Murilo brought the study from 1 John 3. Murilo is doing a series of studies in first John. It was a very good study and service. Vasti and Espedita sang solos.

Easter Play

Yesterday I did the first reading of the new Easter play with Liz and drama leader Dilma. I always do things this way with plays that I write, reading them the play and then officially handing it over to the drama group. The play is called 'Two Days from Easter' and essentially follows the text of Matthew 26 to 28 with an addition from John. The play has 4 acts and will be performed on Easter Sunday which is April 5th. 

Job 37 (summary): Elihu's conclusion

With the imagery of a gathering storm Elihu concludes his contribution to the book of Job showing God's majestic power over thunder, lightening, snow, rain and ice. On the one hand, Elihu says, the clouds can punish men, but on the other hand they water the earth and thus show God's love. So Elihu points out to Job that he has no way of knowing how the different forces and aspects of nature function so it is that God is beyond our understanding. He says "the Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Job 36 (summary): Elihu speaks on God's behalf

Elihu starts saying he will speak on God's behalf as "one perfect in knowledge is with you"! He then goes on to say that God is mighty, but doesn't despise men. He does not take his eyes off the righteous, but men bound in chains he commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey they will prosper, but if they don't they will perish by the sword. The godless die in their youth among male sacred prostitutes and he speaks to those who suffer - he speaks to them in their affliction. God is wooing you from the jaws of distress to the comfort of your table laden with food. Now justice and judgement have taken hold of you. Elihu exalts God in his power. How great is God - beyond our understanding. God governs the nations and blesses with clouds, rain, thunder and lightening. Thus Elihu exalts the Lord whilst constantly insinuating Job's need to repent.

Job 35 (summary): Elihu continues

Elihu starts here arguing that wickedness or not makes no difference to God. He says that right or wrong only affects man. God is far above human morality he says. He goes on to argue that God doesn't answer when men cry out arrogantly, and God doesn't listen to empty pleas. Clearly Elihu is calling Job arrogant and insincere. The fact is, says Elihu, is that "Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words".

Job 34 (summary): Elihu speaks to the wise men

Elihu starts this chapter addressing the "wise men" who presumably refers to Job and the friends, maybe sarcastically, or maybe a wider group of listeners. He then says that Job says that "it profits a man nothing when he tries to please God". Elihu stresses that it is impossible for God to do wrong but he repays a man for what he has done. Here Elihu is reinforcing the retribution arguments of the 3 friends. God, says Elihu, is perfectly above all rulers and kings deciding on matters totally without partiality.  He says there is no place to hide for the evil doers. God overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. Job, says Elihu, speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight. "Oh that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man"! Elihu is therefore essentially following the same line of argument as the 3 friends that secret sin in Job needs to be confessed as this is the cause of Job's suffering.

Job 33 (summary): Elihu opens his mouth

Elihu argues that God is not ignoring Job or unwilling to speak to Job. To the contrary, he says, God speaks through dreams, visions and sickness. Elihu says that God speaks in the night to "terrify with warnings" and "to turn man from wrongdoing". God also chastens with a bed of pain and uses ill health to instruct and to "spare him from going down to the pit". Elihu speaks of an angel who intervenes "to tell a man what is right for him". Following such interventions the man's flesh is renewed like a child's and he sees God's face and shouts for joy, and he is restored by God to his righteous state. 

Job 32 (summary): Elihu

Job has concluded his defence and Job's 3 friends or comforters have concluded their accusations, but prior to God's response to everything and Job's final words, a 4th younger friend named Elihu enters the fray criticizing Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for their inability to refute Job and criticizing Job for "justifying himself rather than God". Elihu's 6-chapter intervention starts by arguing that is not just the elders who have wisdom, but it is the breath of the Almighty that transmits it. He then asserts that the 3 friends were unable to prove Job wrong. Therefore Elihu said he was bursting to speak "like bottled-up wine" in "new wineskins ready to burst". He promised to be completely unbiased and would flatter no one. 

Job 31 (summary): Job's final defence

This chapter is Job's final defence in this book's debate about human suffering. First of all Job lists the sins he has not committed like lust ("to look lustfully at a girl"), deceit, adultery ("enticed by a woman"), injustice to servants, negligence concerning the poor, and greed "pure gold" and "great wealth"). Job requests again for God to hear his case saying: "Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defence - let the Almighty answer me". "Let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless".

Job 30 (summary): Job laments

Now Job laments being mocked by worthless men who spit in his face and remove all his dignity. Job also bemoans his physical suffering as his "skin grows black" and his body burns with fever. He says he has become a brother of jackals and a companion of owls as he just mourns and wails. Job also says that he cries out to God without receiving an answer and he feels that God is attacking him and tossing him about in a storm! This chapter focusing on Job's current suffering stands in stark contrast to the previous chapter which relished his life prior to everything going wrong.

Job 29 (summary): Job reminisces

 Chapter 29 is a long reminiscence of the good old days when Job recalls the time "when God watched over" him, and when "God's intimate friendship blessed" his house. He says that then his "path was drenched with cream" and olive oil poured out of the rock. Job then goes on to recall how respected he used to be in the city and how he was spoken well of. He also remembers his positive social action rescuing the poor, assisting orphans, helping the dying, bereaved, blind and lame. He recalls how he was all set for a long blessed life. Sadly for Job all this had drastically changed.

Shock absorbers

We are putting new rear shock absorbers on our off-road Jimny Jeep as one came adrift on our recent journey to Caroá with Amy. 

I did both Pilates and Hydro gymnastics yesterday. It's good to keep fit! 🏃

The northeast of Brazil is where most fatal road accidents happen with 11,984 of the 37,150 deaths. Second in line is the southeast region with 10,995 fatalities. These are the latest statistics for 2024.

We have one church in the northeastern state of Bahia, in the town of São Sebastião do Passé, which has a population of 43,000. The church is led by Missionary Ivonete in her house but they are in the process of building a church. Please pray for Ivonete and this church which she used to lead with her husband until he died of a heart attack. The overseeing pastor is Pastor Jânio Rilangio from our Campina Grande Catolé church.

It rained 8 mm at Green Pastures last night.

Job 28 (summary): Job's interlude

In chapter 28 Job presents a poetic interlude to the heated debate about suffering when he praises man's abilities to mine gold, silver, copper, iron and precious stones whilst on the other hand being totally unable to find true priceless wisdom. God, says Job, is the only source of true wisdom. "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells". For Job concludes that "the fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding".

School

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the head teacher of our Pastor Frank Dyer School in the borough of Jatobá on the south side of Patos. The head teacher is Gerlânia who continues to do a great work educating, feeding and evangelizing needy children in that area of town. We had an in-depth discussion of the work of the school and took some important decisions for the glory of God.

Please pray for all 16 of the EAB Action Schools ministering to 850 children in the interior of northeast Brazil.

Liz went to the ladies' prayer meeting last night attended by 10, and the youth prayer meeting, which Alice and Bia went to, had 18 present. The youth are really on fire after the Outreach.