Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 7

7:1-30 (Goodspeed translation) narrator here is Solomon as "seeker of wisdom":

"I too am a mortal man, like all men, and a descendant of that first-formed man, who sprang from the earth; and I was shaped into flesh in my mother's womb, solidified in blood in ten months from man's seed and the pleasure of marriage. And when I was born I breathed in the common air, and fell on the kindred earth, giving the same first cry as all the rest. I was carefully wrapped up and nursed, for no king has any other beginning of existence; but all men have one entrance upon life, and the same way of leaving it. Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I preferred Her to scepters and thrones, and I thought wealth of no account compared with her. I did not think a priceless stone her equal, for all the gold, in her presence, is just a little sand, and silver is no better than mud, before her. I loved her more than health and good looks, and I preferred her even to light and her radiance is unceasing. but all blessings came to me along with her, and uncounted wealth is in her hands. I rejoiced over them all, because wisdom ruled them, for I did not know that she was their mother. I learned honestly, and I share ungrudgingly, I will not hide her wealth away, for it is an unfailing treasure for men, and those who get it make friends with God, being commended to him by the gifts that come from her discipline. May God grant to me to speak properly, and to have thoughts worthy of what He has given; for it is he that guides wisdom and directs the wise. For in his hand are we and our words, all understanding and knowledge of trades.
For it is he that has given me unerring knowledge of what is, to know the constitution of the world and the working of the elements; the beginning and end and middle of periods of time, the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons, the cycles of the years and the positions of the stars, the natures of animals, and the dispositions of wild beasts, the powers of winds and the designs of men, the varieties of plants and the virtues of men, all that was secret or manifest I learned, for Wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For there is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear undefiled, distinct, beyond harm, loving the good, keen, unhindered, beneficent, philanthropic, firm, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-seeing, and interpenetrating all spirits that are intelligent, pure, and most subtle. For Wisdom is more mobile than any motion, and she penetrates and permeates everything, because she is so pure; for she is the breath of the power of God, and pure emanation of his almighty glory; therefore nothing defiled can enter into her. For she is a reflection of the everlasting light, and a spotless mirror of the activity of God, and a likeness of his goodness. Though she is one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she makes everything new. And passing into holy souls, generations after generation, she makes them friends to God and prophets. For God loves nothing but the man who lives with wisdom. For she is fairer than the sun , or any constellation; compared with light, she is found superior; for night succeeds to it, but evil cannot overpower wisdom.

Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 6

6:1-11 (Goodspeed translation) "Listen therefore, kings, and understand: Learn this, judges of the ends of the earth; Pay attention, rulers of the people, who boast of multitudes of nations; for your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will examine your works and inquire into your plans; for though you are servants of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, or kept the law, or followed the will of God. He will come upon you terribly and swiftly, for a stern judgment overtakes those in high places. For the humblest man may be forgiven through mercy, but the mighty will be mightily tested, for the Lord of all will show no partiality, and will not respect greatness, for it was he who made small and great, and he takes thought for all alike, but a rigorous inquiry is in store for the powerful. My words are addressed to you, therefore, you monarchs, so that you may learn wisdom and not go astray; for those who observe holy things in holiness will be made holy, and those who are taught them will have a defense to offer; so desire my words, long for them, and you will be instructed."

verses 12-25 Wisdom is bright and unfading, and she is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who search for her. She forestalls those who desire her, by making herself known first. The man who rises early to seek her will not have to toil, for he will find her sitting at his gates. For to think of her is the highest understanding, and the man who is vigilant for her sake will soon be free from care. For she goes about in search of those who are worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. For the truest beginning of her is the desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love for her is the observance of her laws, and adherence to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings men near to God; so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom. If therefore you take pleasure in thrones and scepters, monarchs of the people, honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever. But what wisdom is and how she came to be, I will declare, and I will not hide these secrets from you, but I will trace her out from the beginning of creation, and make the knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth; I will not travel with futile envy, for it cannot associate with wisdom. The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world, and a prudent king is the stability of his people. So be instructed by my words and you will be benefited.

Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 5

5:1-23 (Goodspeed translation) Then the upright man will stand with great boldness face to face with his oppressors and with those who set his labors at nought. They will be dreadfully dismayed at the sight, and amazed at the unexpectedness of his deliverance.
They will talk to themselves in repentance, and in their distress of mind they will groan and say, "This is the man we fools once laughed at, and made a byword of reproach. We thought his life was madness, and his end dishonored."
How did he come to be reckoned among the sons of God, and why is his lot among the saints? Then we must have wandered from the true way, and the light of uprightness did not light us and the sun did not rise upon us. We were full of paths of lawlessness and destruction, and traveled through trackless deserts, but we did not recognize the Lord's road. What good did our arrogance do us? And what have wealth and ostentation done for us? They have all passed away like a shadow, and like a messenger running by; like a ship crossing the billowing water, and when it is gone there is no track to be found or path of its keel in the waves; or as when a bird flies through the air, it leaves no sign of its passage; the light air, whipped by the beat of its wings, and torn apart by the force of its speed, is traversed as its wings move, and afterward no sign of its passage is found there. Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, the air is pierced and immediately returns to itself, so that its course is unknown; so we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be, and had no sign of virtue to show, but were consumed in our wickedness. For the ungodly man's hope is like chaff carried by the wind, and like hoarfrost driven away by a storm, it is dissipated like smoke before the wind, and passes by like the memory of a stranger who stays but a night. But the upright live forever, and their reward is with the Lord, and the Most High takes care of them. Therfore they will receive the glorious kingdom, and the beautiful diadem from the Lord's hand, for he will cover them with his right hand, and shield them with his arm. He will take his jealousy for his armor, and will make creation his weapons to repulse his foes. He will put on uprightness for a corselet, and wear unfeigned justice for a helmet. He will take holiness for an invincible shield, and sharpen his stern anger for a sword; and with him the world will go to war against the madmen. Well-aimed flashes of lightning will fly, and will leap to the mark from the clouds, as from a well-bent bow, and from a catapult hailstones full of wrath will be hurled. The water of the sea will be angry with them, and the rivers will roll relentlessly over them. A mighty wind will oppose them, and winnow them like a tempest. And lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and wrongdoing overturn the thrones of princes.

Power outage here in town among neighbors and nearby businesses

No sudden lightning strikes nor car-power pole accidents were being reported in the media afterward -- the lack of power near sundown and until 11 p.m. was inconvenient but just unpleasant and not without some ways to adjust and sit outdoors until the "lights came back on".

It is a hassle to find one's way around without flashlight and hand-held candlelighter; it makes us eager to get oil lamps that can be quickly lit for the next round of sudden surprises.

Hope all is well for you as the Fourth of July holiday continues!

Recommended viewing: "A Capitol Fourth" (PBS 4th of July extravaganza)

I have enjoyed this and feel it is a great treat for all ages; you can always turn down the volume on the loud parts of the fireworks and get a break after your favorite singers and entertainers.

Enjoy this synopsis at www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/concert.html

HERE in Eastern Time Zone the concert airs from 8 - 9:30 and then again from 9:30 - 11 p.m.

Worship -- 10 - 10:55 a.m. Guests included Spanish exchange HS Student

Those worshipping at St. John's UCC (Niles, MI) included out-of-town family and one out-of-hemisphere Foreign Exchange student (Manuel with the Matt & Kristie Bair family); music today included adapted "God of the Ages" (formerly God of our FATHERS) and a second hymn that will reach its bicentennial in five years: "Be Known to Us" (verse by James Montgomery 1771-1854)) --
Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread,
But Do not them Depart;
Saviour, Abide with Us, and Spread Thy Table in our Heart.

There Sup with Us in Love Divine;
Thy Body and Thy Blood;
That Living Bread, that Heavenly Wine,
Be our Immortal Food.

No tent or special arranged fundraising this year at "Relay for Life Niles-Buchanan" event at local High School track; event begins 10 a.m. Saturday and concludes twenty hours later after continuous lap-walking toward Sunday July 11 at 6 a.m.

Habitat for Humanity July meeting is hosted at St. John's Thursday July 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 4

4:1-20 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
"It is better to be childless but virtuous, for in the memory of virtue there is immortality, for it is recognized by both God and (humans); when it is present, (folks) imitate it, and they long for it when it is gone. And it marches in triumph, wearing a wreath forever, victorious in the contest for prizes that are undefiled. But the numerous brood of the ungodly will be unprofitable, and with its base-born slips will not strike its roots deep, or establish a secure foundation. For though it flourishes with branches for a while, it stands insecurely by the force of the winds. The twigs will be broken off before they are grown, and their fruit will be useless, not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing. For children born of unlawful slumbers will be witnesses to their parents' guilt when they are examined. But an upright man, if he dies before his time, will be at rest, for an honored old age does not depend on length of time, and is not measured by the number of one's years, but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is old age. Because he pleased God well, he was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up, so that wickedness might not alter his undertsnaind, or guile deceive his soul. for the spell of wickedness obscures what is good, and the instability of desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a little while he has fulfilled long years, for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore he hurried from the midst of wickedness. The peoples saw yet did not perceive or take such a thing to heart, for favor and mercy are with his chosen, and he watches over his saints. But an upright man who has fallen asleep will condemn the ungodly who are still alive, and youth that is soon perfected, the great age of the unrighteous. For they see the wise man's end, and do not perceive what the Lord's purpose about him was, and for what he kept him safe; they see, and make light of him; but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. And afterward they will become a dishonored corpse, and be insulted among the dead forever; he will burst them open, dumb and swollen, and will shake them from their foundations, and they will be utterly dried up, and they will suffer anguish, and the meory of them will perish. They will come like cowards at the reckoning-up of their sins, and their transgressions will convict them to their face.