Another terrific sermon on sidebar, "How to Respond Biblically to Evil"

This one is SO MUCH needed, because - and this has been going on for decades - people are under the impression that Christians are supposed to just let people walk all over them, and be all smiley smiley about it.  Uh-uh!  Because that's called dissimulation - pretending that everything's just fine.  In short, lying. Yeah, we're not to return nasty for nasty, but when Brother Bob knowingly sells you that set of crappy tires, we're not to get all gushy-gushy when we see him at church.  Certainly, be civil, but it's very okay to not invite him to your Christmas party.   Both saved and unsaved, really need to hear this very excellent sermon.

Bible Verses

 

TABLE OF BIBLE VERSES (KING JAMES)

OLD TESTAMENT 

Genesis 01:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 

Genesis 02:02-03

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 

Genesis 03:18

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shall eat the herb of the field;

Genesis 04:12

When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 

Genesis 04:17

And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

Genesis 04:18

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. 

Genesis 04:20-21

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Genesis 04:22

And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Genesis 04:23

And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

Genesis 05:23-24

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Genesis 06:12

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Genesis 07:02

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

Genesis 07:14

They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

Genesis 09:02

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

Exodus 03:05

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Exodus 17:12

But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 20:25-26

And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Exodus 21:27

And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.

Exodus 34:4

And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.

 

Leviticus 26:22

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.

 

Numbers 13:23

And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

 

Deuteronomy 03:11

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Deuteronomy 06:09

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deuteronomy 07:06

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 

Deuteronomy 10:17

For the LORD your God is God of gods, and LORD of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not person, nor taketh reward:

Deuteronomy 14:02

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 17:18

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

Deuteronomy 27:05-06

And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD they God: 

Deuteronomy 32:07

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

 

Joshua 04:03

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

 

Nehemiah 09:21

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

 

Job 10:22

A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

Job 23:15-16

Therefor am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.  For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: 

Job 32:9

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Job 38:41

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 39:09-10

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?  Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will be harrow the valleys after thee?

 

Psalm 19:01

The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalm 19:09

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psalm 31:08

And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Psalm 37:21

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 

Psalm 41:06

And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

Psalm 44:01

We have learned with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 

Psalm 44:18-19

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

Psalm 68:04

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalm 76:11

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Psalm 84:10

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

Psalm 89:07

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 

Psalm 89:47

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

Psalm 95:01

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 

Psalm 104:21

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

Psalm 118:05

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me and set me in a large place. 

Psalm 119:89

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 130:03

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Psalm 131:01

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

Psalm 135:05

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Psalm 147:04

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

 

Proverbs 01:25-26

But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Proverbs 03:31

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Proverbs 04:16

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Proverbs 05:03-06

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Proverbs 07:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORAD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

Proverbs 18:02

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Proverbs 19:19

A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

Proverbs 24:30-31

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, is was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 

Proverbs 28:01

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. 

Proverbs 28:26

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 

Proverbs 30:14

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. 

Proverbs 31:06

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 

Proverbs 31:21-22

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 

 

Ecclesiastes 01:09

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 

Ecclesiastes 03:15

That which that been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 

Ecclesiastes 07:20              (Paul in the New Testament also said this)

For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 

Ecclesiastes 08:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of man is fully set in them to do evil. 

Ecclesiastes 10:07

I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

  

Isaiah 03:15

What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 

Isaiah 04:01

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. 

Isaiah 05:08                    

Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 

Isaiah 13:21

But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.

Isaiah 28:08

For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Isaiah 34:13

And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.

Isaiah 42:08

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isaiah 43:11

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah 46:01

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. 

Isaiah 52:10

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the end of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 

Isaiah 54:01                       See Galatians 04:27

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:02

Wherefor do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisifieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 

Isaiah 64:06

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 

Isaiah 65:05

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.  These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 

Isaiah 66:04

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before min eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

  

Jeremiah 06:16

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.  But they said, We will not walk therein.  

Jeremiah 07:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 

Jeremiah 09:05

And they will deceive every one this neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. 

Jeremiah 10:23

O LORD I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

Jeremiah 12:04

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein?  the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end. 

Jeremiah 49:33

And Hazor shall be a swelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.

Jeremiah 51:17

Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every found is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

 

Daniel 12:02

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

 

Amos 02:14

Therefor the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

Amos 08:04

Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail.

Amos 08:11                   

Behold the days come, saith the Lord GOD that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

 

Jonah 04:06

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief.  So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

 

Micah 01:08

Therefor I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.

Micah 04:05

For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

Habakkuk 01:15                            

They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

 

Malachi 01:03

And I hate Esau, and I laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

 

 

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 07:13-14

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

Matthew 12:43

When an unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

 

Mark 05:07

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure they by God, that thou torment me not.

 Mark 09:44, 09:46, 09:48

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 10:06

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

 

Luke 08:31-32

And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.  And there was there an herd of many swine, feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them.  And he suffered them.

 Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Luke 16:08

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Luke 16:22

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. 

Luke 16:25

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receives thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, thou art tormented.

Luke 16:28

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 

 

John 05:29

And shall come forth: that that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

 

Acts 04:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we might be saved.

Acts 17:28

For in him we live, and move and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

 

Romans 01:19-20

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewe3d it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse:

Romans 08:22

For we know t6hat the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Romans 08:25                   

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

 

1 Corinthians 02:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

1 Corinthians 06:18

Flee fornication.  Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 

1 Corinthians 07:28

But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.  Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 

1 Corinthians 11:08-09

For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

 

2 Corinthians 04:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

2 Corinthians 06:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

 

Galatians 04:27                 see Isaiah 54:01

For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 

 

Ephesians 03:05

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 

Ephesians 05:15-16

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 05:19                               

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 

Colossians 03:02

Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 03:18

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 

Colossians 03:19

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  

 

1 Thessalonians 04:11-12

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 

 

2 Thessalonians 02:09

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  

2 Thessalonians 02:10-11

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

 

Titus 02:04

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 

Hebrews 09:27

And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

Hebrews 11:05

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Hebrews 11:25

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 13:04

Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

James 01:19

Wherefor, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 02:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 02:16-17

And if one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 

1 Peter 04:04

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

1 Peter 04:18

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

  

2 Peter 02:04

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 

 

1 John 01:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 03:12

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.  And wherefore slew he him?  Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

 

Jude 01:06

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 

Jude 01:14

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Oh, here we go again - twice the number of women are taking mental meds / suffer depression

In other words, women are incompetent, weak-minded.  But what stats not being mentioned - how convenient - are things like: the dui, and other loads upon society.  In other words, who's likely to be pulled over and charged with driving under the influence of either alcohol or illegal drugs?  Also, which of the two sexes is, in way higher percentages, charged with crimes like, threatening a store employee with a knife, or simply mugging some old guy - who's barely getting by on his pension?  Which of the two sexes is designing/running computer scams?  Now, maybe i am wrong, but getting way drunk/high as a kite about every friday; getting arrested for beating the tar out of someone - for basically no reason; holding up a liquor store, deceiving someone out of their savings...these don't sound like the sorts of things done by mentally/emotionally sound people.   

Forgot my paper tablet, so will have to use blog.

And, boy, had Pastor Jason been peeved.  Barb could still recall the details.  Oh, that sermon!  Why, he wasn't even halfways through it, when she felt sheol's foul flames nipping at her feet.  And she'd, being but a maiden, had nothing to do with having erected the poles, nor having pounding the severed heads upon them.  But, it didn't matter.  There she was, at the mourner's bench, pleading - right alongside the two or, was it three, of the returned sentries - pleading for the Most High God's mercy;  not to be cast, and left - forever - in that horrible place - where hot slimey worms, with big fangs, craw and bite.  So scared, out of her wits, the last thing on her mind, was to smirk at Mash's obvious trembling - he'd been the hapless beggar, also on bended knee, beside her.

Barb never cared for Mash, just something irritating about him.  A few years prior, her father had met with Mash's father.  That had been scary enough, but the prospect of ending up as his wife, was nothing compared with ...ugh, sheol.   Barb still felt that twinge of conscience from that day she'd found out that Mash was to wife another.  "Oh, better her," was the phrase in Barb's head, right after Mash and Rachael had exchanged their vowels to one another.  And neither did the "concerned" expression upon the rather reluctant bride's face escape maiden Barb's notice. 

At the time, Barb was still sorting through leftovers to make raiment for her dolly, while Rachael had some years since, stitched a wedding garment upon hers, and lain it among the so far acquired contents of her hope chest.  A lovely garment it was, for Rachael did beautiful stitches.  The two women were different, but over the years had become friends. 

Maybe if Rachael had stood up for herself, from the get-go...but Rachael was Rachael, and it wasn't Barb's business to horn in.  Still, it bothered her how the elders would just look the other way.  Yeah, like several days ago, during the later portion of the community's pot-luck - a monthly function they had.  Well Rachael had been conversing with another friend, and wanted to stay for just a short while longer.  Barb, on her way back from using the outhouse, wasn't in on the details, but she heard the slap - and saw how atleast one of the elders, who was within earshot...neither heard, nor saw, nothing.

Barb didn't, and probably never would, understand it.  Why would Mash have any cause to strike Rachael?  She was so pretty - no, she was gorgeous - always neat, her garments just everso - and gentle in all her ways; unlike Barb, who'd simply run a quick brush through her hair, tie it up, throw on what she'd worked in the day before, and go about her business.  While Barb kept things neat and  in order, Rachael was super neat, about everything - even her work dress; a fresh one, every day; if she'd gotten so much as a small rend, she'd, quicktime change into another.  Same with Rachael's little girl; in fact, the child wasn't even allowed to get dirty.  Barb, remembering her childhood - booger-bear, hide-and-seek, lord-of-he-hill, felt a bit sorry for the child.

Scripture where the worm dieth not.

Still adding to the story, later on will upload. But for now

 this medieval music is so beautiful :)   Cannot get enough of it.  Per a comment, in one of the you-tube sites, goes sort of like this:  "Who'd of thought, back then, we'd be listening to their music, on hand-held devices."  And no, am not going to join up with any skankoid costume group, anytime soon.  Dresses i wear everyday are just f-i-n-e with me.  Some a bit threadbare, but hey, the distressed look is okay - even though, it's not entirely a political statement.  Fashion?  That's too much like conformity.

On a related topic, Preacher, last Sunday, was saying how the Lord's people aren't supposed to get mixed up in worldly issues.  That's a difficult one.  i so HATE, with a passion, this androg push; it's so soul killing.  Every morning, look out the bus window, and the ... oh, what's that word Daniel Amneus used in his "Garbage Generation: The Consequences of the Two Parent Family And The Need to Stabilize It By 
Strengthening Its Weakest Link, The Father's Role" Primrose Press, 1991  

Oh, whatever, ya know, the feeling of having no purpose, no future, of having only the next cheap vanity to look forward - which, way more than not, is a d-u-d, DUD!  It's etched into people's faces, and to compound things - besides the awful UGLY clothing people are shambling about in...with winter coming on, the excuses-for-fabric, will have some teeth chattering, and noses blowing, and people fearing the covid. Phu-leeze :\    To compound things, aside of the consumer debt interest rates.  Prices for common things (food, clothing, shelter) are going to go up.

Some people at work said about a coming raise, and they're all happy.  Thing is, there's a reason.  Costs are going to go up.  Scary.  Scary, because for most people, living within their means, means living like a hillbilly.  Means not having movie subscriptions, vacations, ordering plastic foods and having the toxins delivered by an underpaid uber driver - who hopes to get atleast some tip.  Well yeah, dude has to eat too.  Means buying less legalized gambling tickets - ya know, the same outfit who claims to "benefit senior citizens."  Well guess what, have seen a few "senior citizens" who became poor, buying - on credit cards - those stupid tickets.  Means getting less pin-holes and (usually black ink) injected into ones flesh - i understand, the color ink costs way more; some guy at the grocery store told me, you have to go back and get those images retouched - cha-ching :\

Anyway, want to get back to the story.