November 2020

ROAD OF MEMORIES

By Richard Hoskins

Events are history. Most events revolve about wars and their aftermath. War winners write the history. If one does not have a reason to know better he must accept the victor’s version — there is nothing else he can do. The victor’s version is often twisted or downright wrong.

When a person has lived on the same land as his ancestors for ten generations, the history handed down to him is often different. He has a personal interest in it. A different history results in a different worldview. Not only is his worldview often different — it can be the correct one while the official version is not.

To many, the road to Richmond is just another Virginia two land back-road; trees, creeks, hills, an occasional unworked farm. I know the road and have had reason to travel it countless times. It crosses battlegrounds, a scalping place, a massacre, worked out coal mines, a canal — the list goes on. It seems that every rock and hill has a story. The road is a long memory trail.

PSALM 44

Jim Jester

November 22, 2020

Scripture Reading: Psalm 5

“To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth [flute or wind instruments: perforated pipe], A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak lies: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” – Psalm 5

The personal prayer of King David (Ps. 5) and the national lament and prayer of Israel (Ps. 44).