Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Tuesday

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A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. 
Song of Solomon 4:12


Song of Solomon 3:6-5:16

Does God issue any commands?

  • God does not speak.


Does God make any promises?

  • God does not speak.


Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

  • Using the imagery of Solomon's assessment of his beloved bride, the New Testament states in Ephesians 5 that Jesus loves the church as husbands ought to love their wives. Jesus gave himself for it that he might present it to himself without spot, or wrinkle, or blemish. The difference between Solomon's approval over his bride's beauty and Jesus' declaration of love for the people who make up His churches is that Solomon merely could admire his beloved's beauty but could not physically make her beautiful whereas Jesus makes His people beautiful by removing all of their spots, wrinkles, and blemishes that come as a result of their sin.
  • Just as the bride knows that her beloved bridegroom is different from everyone else and is her one and only love, so do those who love Jesus know that He and He alone is their one true love, their hope of eternal happiness.
  • The bride describes her husband as her beloved and as her friend. That is exactly what Jesus is to every Christian. He is my beloved and he is my friend.


Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

  • There is a time of longing described in this passage as well as a time of persecution (the bride describes being wounded by the watchmen). The bride grows fearful and weary while waiting for their reunion. Believers wait now for their faith to become sight but one day they will see their Beloved and never be separated from Him again. They will forever be with Emmanuel, God with us!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Monday

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Song of Solomon 1:1-3:5

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

  • God does not speak.


Does God make any promises?

  • God does not speak.


Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

  • Throughout the New Testament Jesus is compared to a bridegroom. We are told of His love for the institution of the church, Jerusalem, and each individual believer. As such, this whole book about marital love is about Jesus, the One who draws us so that we will run after Him. After all, we are called His followers!
  • Solomon names himself as the Rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys, fragrant flowers. Jesus was the offering of a sweet-smelling savor as represented by the sacrificial offerings and incense.
  • Solomon used the fig tree as a sign that new life was coming to the earth in the springtime. Jesus used the fig tree as an example of watching for the sign of His coming.
  • The bride waited for her beloved and watched for him to appear. Jesus told His followers to watch  and wait for Him in the same manner as a wife would wait expectantly for her husband to arrive.


Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

  • In 1:11 the bridegroom describes some of the riches that he will lavish upon his beloved by decorating her wardrobe with riches of gold and silver. Scriptures tell of some of the riches that will be shared by God with those that He loves.
  • 2:4 tells of the banquet table that Solomon prepared for his beloved. Revelation chapter 19 tells of the celebratory marriage supper of the Lamb.
  • The wife hears her husband calling her to come away with him after enduring winter weather (2:10-11). Christians await the time when Jesus will call them away after their time of enduring this life.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

TAKE TIME: Dec 30, 2013 - Jan. 4, 2014 Reading Schedule

Introduction: Solomon was a prolific writer (I Kings 4:32, 33). Not only did he author most of the wisdom literature found in the book of Proverbs but he also wrote the books we will be reading this week. The Song of Solomon is a love story between a bride and bridegroom. By the time of the writing the bridegroom, Solomon, already had 60 queens and 80 concubines but these arranged marriages could not compare with his marriage undertaken purely out of love for the lovely Shulamite. Some speculate that she was the virgin Shunammite, Abishag, that ministered to David in his old age. In comparison, Ecclesiastes was written when Solomon was older, more mature, and somewhat disenchanted with life. Wisdom had taught him that many of things of this world are vanity. But even within this volume one can find a love story! The mature man knows that a relationship with the Lord provides all of the heart's desires. As such, Solomon identified himself as The Preacher in that volume.

 Assignment:
  • Monday - Song of Solomon 1:1-3:5
  • Tuesday - Song of Solomon 3:6-5:16
  • Wednesday - Song of Solomon 6:1-8:14
  • Thursday - Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26
  • Friday - Ecclesiastes 3:1-4:16
  • Saturday - Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12


Memory Verse

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Song of Solomon 8:7


Prayer Journal (ACTS)
  • Adoration - Praise God for loving you before you ever knew about Him! Many waters cannot quench love because nothing can separate you from the love of God!
  • Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
  • Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
  • Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.


Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:
  • Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
  • References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
  • What does this passage teach about Jesus?
  • Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?


Putting the Word into Action

King Solomon wrote a song assuring his beloved bride of his undying love. He later wrote Ecclesiastes detailing God's undying love for him in spite of his sinful nature. Write out your testimony telling of God's pursuit of you and share it with another.

* It was 40 years ago this weekend that I submitted to the love of God and accepted His beloved Son, Jesus, as my savior.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Saturday

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I Kings chapter 11

We have read of Solomon's greatest triumphs. Now we will read of his greatest tragedy.


Does God issue any commands?

  • God made it clear that Solomon did not keep the commands that were previously given.
  • God make it clear that Jeroboam was to keep God's commands as he reigned over the 10 tribes that were to be given to him.


Does God make any promises?

  • God had appeared twice to Solomon in the past and had abundantly blessed him. But because Solomon did not remain faithful to God but had allowed his many foreign wives to turn his heart toward false gods God promised a curse upon Solomon. The kingdom would be torn in two in the days of Solomon's son's reign.
  • God promised not to remove the whole kingdom from the dynasty of David. He would allow Solomon's son to reign over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin for the sake of David and for the sake of Jerusalem.
  • God made Jeroboam the same promise that He had made to Saul, David, and Solomon. If Jeroboam would serve God and follow His commandments Jeroboam's dynasty would be established in Israel although not forever. 
  • God promised that David's lineage would be punished for a season but not forever. David's dynasty would be restored.


Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

  • When Adam and Eve plunged the whole world into sin and set everyone on the course toward hell God reserved a remnant that the Seed of David would govern.
  • Jesus is the fulfillment of the restoration of David's eternal dynasty.


Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

  • God reserved two of the tribes for the sake of David's dynasty and because of His love for Jerusalem. One day David's dynasty will be restored to the throne and He will reign in the Jerusalem which God has reserved for Himself. The New Jerusalem will descend from Heaven and be placed upon the earth.

Read Through the Bible in 2013 and 2014: December 30, 2013 - January 4, 2014 Schedule

We're finishing up 2013 and are heading into 2014! Make reading your Bible each day a top priority! The complete schedule for 2014 can now be found at the tab at the top.

(A pdf or Microsoft Word file suitable for printing on an 8.5 x 14 inch sheet of paper will be sent upon request.) 





12/30/2013      Nehemiah 9, 10 Proverbs 30
12/31/2013      Nehemiah 11-13 Proverbs 31
1/1/2014      Genesis 1, 2 John 1, 2
1/2/2014      Genesis 3-5 John 3
1/3/2014      Genesis 6,7 John 4, 5
1/4/2014      Genesis 8-11:9 John 6

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Read Through the Bible in 2013: December 23-28 Schedule

Again, my apologies for the delay!

12/23/2013      Ezra 9, 10 Proverbs 24
12/24/2013      Malachi 1, 2 Proverbs 25
12/25/2013      Malachi 3, 4 Proverbs 26
12/26/2013      Nehemiah 1-3 Proverbs 27
12/27/2013      Nehemiah 4-6 Proverbs 28
12/28/2013      Nehemiah 7, 8 Proverbs 29


For more information concerning the books found at the end of the Old Testament era timeline, in this case Malachi and Nehemiah, click this link.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Read Through the Bible in 2013: December 16-21

My apologies for the delay!


12/16/2013      Ezra 5, 6 Proverbs 18
12/17/2013      Esther 1, 2 Proverbs 19
12/18/2013      Esther 3-5 Proverbs 20
12/19/2013      Esther 6-8 Proverbs 21
12/20/2013      Esther 9, 10 Proverbs 22
12/21/2013      Ezra 7, 8 Proverbs 23


For more information concerning the Old Testament book of Esther click this link. *Please note that the article has been edited in recent days. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Friday

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I Kings chapter 10

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?

  • God does not speak in this chapter.


Does God make any promises?

  • The Queen of Sheba marveled at the promises of God to Israel being fulfilled through Solomon.


Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

  • Solomon is the picture of Christ in this passage. In Matthew 12:42 Jesus used this passage to condemn the generation that saw Him do miracles but refused to believe by saying that the queen of the south would rise up in judgment because they refused to hear the wisdom of the God-man who was greater than Solomon.
  • The Queen of Sheba saw the works of Solomon and glorified God. Men are to see the works of Jesus in us and glorify our Father in Heaven.


Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

  • The Queen of Sheba's astonishment when she viewed the glory and riches of King Solomon will be nothing as compared to our astonishment when we view the glory and riches of King Jesus. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." I Corinthians 2:9

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Thursday

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I Kings 8:62-9:28

Does God issue any commands?

  • God commanded Solomon and the people to be faithful to Him.


Does God  make any promises?

  • God appeared unto Solomon the second time. This time He promised that His name would forever be put onto the site that Solomon dedicated. (We know the building was destroyed long ago, but God has reserved that hallowed ground for Himself. One day we will see Him claim it again.)
  • God promised Solomon that if he would follow God's commands and remain faithful to Him God would fulfill His promise to David of an everlasting kingdom through the line of Solomon.
  • God promised a curse upon the people and the hallowed house if the people would not obey Him. Then they would be scattered and become a byword to all people.


Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

  • Solomon dedicated the Temple with many offerings. These offerings are pictures of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins. Solomon offered so many because he was representing the people of Israel who needed to have their sins covered under the blood. Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins but were a picture of the perfect Lamb of God. Here the sacrifices filled the house. In Isaiah and in Revelation we are told that the glory of the Lamb of God fills the House!


Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

  • The grand celebration and feast that Solomon and his people enjoyed at the culmination of the building of God's House is a reminder of what is coming when all God's people are together for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which celebrates the culmination of the building of God's House, all those who are His representative "temples" finally together!
  • One day God will take possession of His inheritance, the ground that Solomon dedicated to Him as the Temple Mount.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Read Through the Bible in 2013: December 9-14


12/9/2013      Haggai Proverbs 12
12/10/2013      Zechariah 1-3 Proverbs 13
12/11/2013      Zechariah 4-6 Proverbs 14
12/12/2013      Zechariah 7-9 Proverbs 15
12/13/2013      Zechariah 10, 11 Proverbs 16
12/14/2013      Zechariah 12-14 Proverbs 17

Updated information concerning the Old  Testament book of Haggai and Zechariah is found here.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Wednesday

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I Kings 8:22-61  (Read November 27th)

God always intended that His chosen people, Israel, be a missionary to all nations of the world. Solomon made it clear in verses 60 and 61 that he understood this mission.

Does God issue any commands?

  • God did not speak in this passage, but it is clear that He had given Israel the command of evangelizing the world through their testimony of holy living and attitudes of praise toward their God, the true and living.


Does God make any promises?

  • Within his prayer Solomon recites the promises of God to David and then tells how the LORD kept His covenant with David and with the people.
  • (verse 56) - Solomon said that not one promise had failed which God promised by Moses.


Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

  • Jesus is the fulfillment of the eternal dynasty of David.


Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

  • As Solomon mentioned in his prayer God would not fail to have a son of David on the throne before His sight. We will one day see how this has been accomplished when Jesus establishes His kingdom.
  • Solomon also questioned if God would indeed dwell on the earth. Indeed, He did and He will!
  • In his prayer Solomon asked that people of every nation be allowed to call upon the name of the LORD at the Temple. Revelation tells of all nations doing just that. Someday all of God's redeemed will come with singing unto Zion.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

TAKE TIME: Off!

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Do NOT take time off from reading your Bible! As a matter of fact, today would be a good day to begin reading a chapter a day from the book of Proverbs: 31 chapters, 31 days.

But the TAKE TIME schedule is taking some time off.

This is a very busy time of the year. And if you are anything like me you get behind sometimes.

I'm behind. (You've probably noticed that.)

The schedule will resume on December 30 with the book of Song of Solomon.
 (Check the yearly chronological schedule above to see what follows I Kings 11. It will also show that we covered in 47 weeks the equivalent of what Take Ten readers read through June 15th of their Old Testament assignment.)

Remember that the point of reading the Bible is not to be able to check off a task accomplished each day. It is to learn more about Jesus.  Instead of doing a poor job in haste it is my desire to take the time to do a proper job of updating the journal without digging the hole further. After all, this is God's Word and I want to handle it respectfully and with proper meditation.

So there will still be frequent journal updates. And I'll probably show-and-tell more about our recent Peru trip, too.  ;)


Read Through the Bible in 2013: December 2-7 Schedule

12/2/2013      II Chronicles 29, 30 Proverbs 6
12/3/2013      II Chronicles 31, 32 Proverbs 7
12/4/2013      II Chronicles 33, 34 Proverbs 8
12/5/2013      II Chronicles 35, 36 Proverbs 9
12/6/2013      Ezra 1, 2 Proverbs 10
12/7/2013      Ezra 3, 4 Proverbs 11

For more information concerning the Old Testament book of Ezra click this link.

*Note that the post dealing with Ezra was edited and updated today 12/1/13.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Tuesday

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I Kings 8:1-21

God had promised David that his son would follow him on the throne and that this son would build the Temple that would house the earthly tokens that had represented the covenant between God and Israel for over 400 years, especially the Ark of the Covenant. In this passage the Ark is transferred from its place in Zion, the City of David, to the Temple built by Solomon.

God's glory in the form of the shining cloud filled the house just as He had done when the Tabernacle was completed and dedicated. The priests could not minister there temporarily because of this holy event.

Does God issue any commands?

  • God does not speak in this passage.


Does God make any promises?

  • Solomon told the congregation of Israel that this Temple was a fulfillment of the verbal promise God made to David.


Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

  • The tablets of stone that contained the Ten Commandments were the only things still placed within the Ark of the Covenant. The commandments are the heart of the covenant! They are the standards by which free people who were formerly slaves live! Who sets slaves to sinners free? Jesus! And who shows them how to live righteously (like the commandments describe)? Jesus!



Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

  • Solomon stated that he had built God a permanent home where He could dwell forever. In spite of Solomon's good intentions the sinfulness of the nation would cause God to remove Himself from that place and as a result this Temple was eventually destroyed. Man's work never prevails so God must provide permanent residence. First He dwells within believers (I Corinthians 6:19 calls believers the Temple of the Holy Spirit). Later believers will dwell with Him in Heaven where the permanent Temple is.




Psalm 132

Does God make any promises?

  • God promises to dwell in Zion forever.
  • God promises to clothe her priests and saints with salvation and make them shout for joy.
  • God promised to abundantly provide for her and satisfy everyone within Zion with bread.


Does this psalm teach anything about Jesus?

  • The promise of an eternal throne is fulfilled in David's descendant, Jesus. His crown shall flourish.


Does this psalm teach anything about yet-future events?

  • David planned to build an earthly tabernacle for the LORD and worship there, but He also knew that he would worship at God's footstool, the Heavenly Temple, throughout eternity.
  • The eternal throne will one day be established. And it will be eternal!
  • God's love for Zion is eternal. He will dwell there forever.
  • God will satisfy everyone who dwells in Zion. No one will be poor in Heaven.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 47 Monday

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The pomegranate: symbol of Solomon's kingdom
I Kings chapter 7

This chapter details several of Solomon's building projects including the Temple, the house he built for Pharaoh's daughter, and his own house as well as the contracted work of Hiram, the man who crafted the Temple articles and furnishing that were made of brass.

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?
  • God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?
  • God does not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

  • Not that I identified.


Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

  • Not that I identified.

Monday, November 25, 2013

TAKE TIME: November 25-30, 2013 Reading Schedule

Introduction: The glorious Golden Age of Solomon's reign reached its zenith with the Temple dedication ceremony! Then we see that all was not golden in Solomon's heart.

 Assignment:
  • Monday - I Kings chapter 7
  • Tuesday - I Kings 8:1-21; Psalm 132
  • Wednesday - I Kings 8:22-61
  • Thursday - I Kings 8:62-9:28
  • Friday - I Kings chapter 10
  • Saturday - I Kings chapter 11


Memory Verse

That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.  I Kings 8:260


Prayer Journal (ACTS)
  • Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for being personable and personal. He is the God of Solomon and He is our God, too. He is timeless, yet He desires a relationship with each of us as an individual.
  • Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
  • Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
  • Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.


Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:
  • Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
  • References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
  • What does this passage teach about Jesus?
  • Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?


Putting the Word into Action

Even with all of his wisdom Solomon turned away from worshiping God with his whole heart. This is because obedience is a choice! This week do something for yourself. Ask the Lord to show you the things, people, or ideas that you have allowed to become idols that have received some of the worship that should be reserved only for God. You might recognize some of these idols by asking yourself if the thing, person, or idea is something you could live without if it suddenly was taken away from you. You might be surprised at what you actually worship! (Then, of course, your proper response should be to confess the sin and turn away from the idolatry. But like Solomon, it is your choice to make.)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Read Through the Bible in 2013: November 25-30 Schedule


11/25/2013      II Chronicles 15-17 Psalms 148-150
11/26/2013      II Chronicles 18, 19 Proverbs 1
11/27/2013      II Chronicles 20, 21 Proverbs 2
11/28/2013      II Chronicles 22-24 Proverbs 3
11/29/2013      II Chronicles 25, 26 Proverbs 4
11/30/2013      II Chronicles 27, 28 Proverbs 5


I can't seem to locate an article that I wrote last year as an introduction to the book of Proverbs so perhaps I didn't write one! Let's give it a try now.

Proverbs could be called the "wisdom book" because it is a compilation of proverbs either written or collected primarily by King Solomon. I Kings 4:32 says that Solomon spoke over 3,000 proverbs. Many of them are probably in this volume.


Journal Through the Bible: Week 46 Saturday

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I Kings chapter 6

This is one of those "Time Stamp" chapters because it tells us that Solomon began building the Temple at Jerusalem in the month Zif in the fourth year of his reign which was also 480 years after Moses led the Children of Israel out of Egypt. It was completed in the eleventh year in the month Bul which means it took 7 years to build it.

Does God issue any commands?

  • Stated within the promises that God spoke to Solomon was the command to obey God. Only then would the promises come to pass.


Does God make any promises?

  • (6:11-12) God promised that if Solomon would walk in His statutes and execute proper judgment, and keep all His commandments to walk in them then He would perform through Solomon that He promised to David.
  • (6:13) God also promised the people that He would dwell among them and not forsake them if they would also walk in His statutes and keep His commandments.


Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

  • The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD was placed within the Most Holy Place within the Temple. The Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat lid represented the mediation of Jesus for sinners. (Romans 3:25-31 and Romans 5:9-11)


Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

  • Solomon used the most precious commodities such as gold when he adorned the Temple. The book of Revelation tells of the precious commodities of gold and gems that God used to adorn His Heavenly palace including the Temple that is there and which we will see.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Journal Through the Bible: Week 46 Friday

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I Kings chapter 5

David had desired to build a house for God but God had not allowed David to do it since he was a warrior king. In this chapter we read of Solomon's desire to build God a house. Notice that Solomon does not tell Hiram, the king of Tyre, that he desired to build a house unto his father's God, but "I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God."

Faith in God is personal.


Does God issue any commands?

  • God did not speak in this chapter.


Does God make any promises?

  • Solomon tells Hiram that one reason he desired to build a house to his God was because his God had been faithful to keep the promises made to David, specifically to set one of his sons on the throne who would be given a time of peace so that he could build God a house.


Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

  • Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. Whether or not Jesus was discussing actual building materials is debatable. He could have meant "place" as in "royal standing." Or He might really have meant preparations of our eternal home, which He would speak into existence much as He did our earthly home. In this instance, it doesn't matter. Solomon was building a place for the Sovereign to call His House. All of the materials used where originally spoken into existence by this same Sovereign. We are told that by Jesus all things consist. (See Colossians 1:16-17)


Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

  • Even though we can read the description of it, we can only imagine how the Temple of Solomon looked although we know that the people of that day considered it to be a wonder. Even though we can read about it (for instance the brief mention of it in Rev. 11:19), we can only imagine how the Temple of God in Heaven looks although we know that it must be considered by all who see it to be a great wonder!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Day in Lima

That's Lee-muh and not Lie-muh. I don't want you to think the pictures that follow are from a recent trip to northern Ohio. Nope! We crossed the Equator for the first time to make a visit to South America! We celebrated 35 years of marriage this past summer (at church camp) so we decided a special trip was in order.

In the early afternoon of October 15th Pastor Dad and I flew out of CVG and after a moderate layover in DFW caught a flight to Lima, Peru. We arrived there after midnight their time on the morning of the 16th which was after 1 a.m. at home where Daylight Savings Time was still in effect. It was well after 1 a.m. in Peru when we cleared customs and collected our baggage.

Our missionary friend, Sheridan Stanton, had arrived earlier in the day from his home in Huanaco. He had been able to rent a car, check into the hotel, and get a little rest before driving back to the airport to meet us. It was wonderful to see a familiar face waiting beyond the security barriers!

After a few hours of sleep we prepared to tour the city of Lima by daylight. (The post-midnight drive from the airport to the hotel didn't reveal much.) Daylight also revealed that we were staying near the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean as seen from our hotel balcony

We drove to downtown Lima so that we could view the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace at noon.


Just let me interject here that the drivers in Peru must be the worst anywhere. ANYWHERE! I mostly rode in silence because I was afraid that if I opened my mouth Bro. Stanton would be distracted. Believe me, we didn't want him distracted! 
Lanes? Ha! Want to turn left but you're 5 vehicles across (there are only 3 lanes) in the right-hand lane? Don't let that stop you! What's that you say? You're on a motorcycle and you'd need to cross in front of three cars and a double-decker bus? Oh, don't worry about it! They'll see you coming. You can bet your life on it!
(Nope! Not an exaggeration! Worst. Drivers. ANYWHERE! But Bro. Sheridan is an excellent driver. He even managed to return the rental car later that week without a scratch. And that's a miracle pure and simple! A miracle!)

We were told that the changing of the Peruvian Presidential guard isn't as grand as the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace but since we've never witnessed the latter ceremony we really have no way to make a comparison. We were impressed enough with this daily noontime ritual though. There were high kicks, ceremonial music, and plenty of pomp and circumstance. We spent several minutes enjoying the view of the rest of the Plaza de Armas, too.

Changing of the Guard


The Presidential Palace with the Changing of the Guards

Another side of the Plaza

The Archbishop's Palace next to the Cathedral of Lima, located to one side of the plaza

We two tourists on our 1st day in Peru, standing by the historic fountain in the center of the Plaza de Armas with the Presidential Palace behind us

The Cathedral of Lima


The Pastor and the Missionary/"Tour Guide," Brother Stanton


Nearby was the Inquisition Museum. Given that Catholicism is the religion of the country it was a bit surprising to find a museum dedicated to remembering her days of persecution of non-conformists. Also somewhat surprising was the way the history has been revised to make it seem as though just a mere handful were actually tortured and killed. (Here is a link telling about the museum. When you visit that site you will understand why I did not take more pictures.)

This museum is a reminder to us of what it cost some of our forebears for holding to their faith. Let us not forget that there are still many Christians around the world who are enduring persecution. As Jesus warned His disciples, His followers might be put to death by those who think they are actually doing God a big favor. (My paraphrase.)

A model of an infidel

A portrait of the Lima Plaza de Armas showing those convicted of crimes against the Church being led to their deaths

The steps down to the dungeons. Even now there are places were a person could lose their head, or knock herself out, if she is not careful! (The ceilings are extremely low in places and made of jagged rock. )

A couple of dungeon cells. People died inside here, which may have been better than the alternatives!

One part of the Inquisition Museum that is actually very beautiful: the courtyard.


After leaving the downtown Lima area we drove down the coast to an oceanside shopping mall at Miraflores. Enough time had passed since we had left the Inquisition Museum that we had regained our appetites. (And by now I was so tired that I closed my eyes part of the way and totally avoided seeing how close we were to the other vehicles we were trying NOT to hit a la "Bumper Cars" carnival ride.) We had the Executive Lunch at Tony Roma's! Since our Cincinnati restaurant closed a few years ago we now must go a long way to get a taste of these ribs.

Good food. Good prices (in sols; at the time $1 USA = s/.2.75)

The view from the shopping center at Miraflores

A skydiver near the restaurant. Feel up to it after lunch? Yeah, right!

Busy 24 hours + full stomachs = 2 tired tourists

Looking for the Starbucks. Or was it the Italian ice cream? Well, we found the Starbucks but not the ice cream. Since it was nippy outside the warm brew tasted and felt good.

Back to the hotel. The statue of Mary in the Magdalena del Mar neighborhood taken from our hotel window. If she still rotated as she used to do she would look directly into the hotel rooms! Hmm.